Customer Reviews

The Jewish Approach to God: A Brief Introduction for Christians

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book just came out so I guess it means I must be the first reviewer! Bought this book at a small bookstore local to my house when I couldn't find the book I wanted. Anyway, for starters the book is not offensive in its dailogue to Christians or assumes that all Christian theology is Catholism (which seems to be a common error among Rabbis)! It even doesn't imply that one religious position is more correct over another! Just for that it get five stars from me! Chapter titles includes: "God is Nice (sometimes)", God is not so Nice (sometimes), "God creates", "God redeems", "God can Change" etc. The Rabbi is reform and quotes Kaplan, Maimonides, Kushner and other lesser knowm theologists. Quotes Psalms 13, 44, Job, Jonah, "Torah" with multiple meaning (not just the first five books!) etc. Discusses the liberal vs traditional and how these differing Judaic viewpoints relates to Christians. Touches upon uncomfortable subjects such as Numbers 31.

I highly recommend this book to Christians in relationships with Jews (dating, married or just friends), Christians considering conversion or even to Christians curious about how their perspective religion relate to Judaism. I wish when growing up my Church (or even my parents) gave me a book like this so I could understand other religious viewpoints better.

I have read more sophiticated books which cover this type of material in more depthbut sometimes you just need something simple! Especially if you are not a literalist (or just a three-day/year Jew or a Two-day/year Christian). The author is not preachy and successfully adds to our spiritual dialogue (does not try to sell his religion like Kushner's "To Life" is guilty of...). This is a good thoughtful book worthy of a $10 investment.

This book was well organized, well written, interesting, informative, and really gave me a feeling for Jews' relationship and perception of God.

I quarrel with the subtitle: A Brief Introduction for Christians. This might put off agnostics, Buddhists, secular humanists, Hindus, etc. from reading the book. I used to be a Christian, for many years now, I think of myself as a Buddhist more than anything else.

I have just about finished the book, and the author doesn't make a point of writing for just a Christian audience -- at all.

Christians would benefit from the book. They would in no way be offended. However, it has a more universal appeal than just to Christians.

Gilman is a very good person to read if you want to get a Jewish theology based more on the Bible and less on Greek philosophy. A pretty basic book, but it does contain fresh insights and clear writing.

Just one correction: Gillman is not reform, but rather THE conservative Rabbi. He is considered the head of the Conservative Judaic movement. I know this as I am currently his student at JTS.

Interesting book, though.