Contemporary Jewish Theology: A Reader presents the most comprehensive collection to date of Jewish religious writings from the latter half of this century. Featuring selections from both pre- and post-World War II thinkers; this carefully constructed anthology highlights the enormous range of theological viewpoints and methods that have characterized Jewish theological reflection in modern times. An extraordinarily rich compilation; it represents many different perspectives; including those of Orthodox thinkers and feminists; Israelis and Americans; rationalists and mystics; and post-modernists. Extensive introductions place these writings in historical and philosophical context and identify the fundamental continuities and tensions among contemporary Jewish thinkers. Following a general introduction; the volume is organized into four parts. The first section includes representative selections from the major Jewish philosophers of the early twentieth century (Cohen; Rosenzweig; Buber; Kook; Kaplan; and Heschel). The second part includes recent essays on God; creation; revelation; redemption; covenant/chosenness; and law. The third section provides seminal essays on the Holocaust and the modern State of Israel; topics that have held tremendous importance for Jewish thinkers over the past few decades. The book concludes with a symposium on future directions in Jewish theology at the dawn of the twenty-first century; and also provides extensive suggestions for further reading. Contemporary Jewish Theology: A Reader is designed as a companion volume to the editors' earlier book; Contemporary Jewish Ethics and Morality: A Reader (OUP; 1995). An exceptional introduction to contemporary Jewish thinking; it is an essential text for courses in Jewish thought and theology.
#1017229 in Books Winston L King 1994-11-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.31 x .57 x 8.06l; .90 #File Name: 0195092619288 pagesZen and the Way of the Sword Arming the Samurai Psyche
Review
14 of 20 people found the following review helpful. This ones for the scholar; not the seeker...By NevermindmeWhile an incredibly intelligent work; Zen and the way of the sword is a book of primarily scholarly merit. In that regard it is a masterpiece. For the seeker; however; it's a rather dry read with only a thin smattering of real spiritual value. Get this one if you want to understand the development of Japan's collective consciousness. -Look elsewhere for spiritual importance.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Informative and directBy Customer 126Bought this book to use for research for my college class. I don't regret getting this! It provided everything I needed for a good report.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An excellent history of the samurai and bushidoBy Geoff JohnsonKing's book is an excellent history of seven centuries of "bushido; the way of the warrior"; and the samurai warrior class; under the military government of the shoguns; from the arrival of Zen in Japan in 1191; to World War II and today.His Introduction begins; "This book seeks to describe and understand what Zen Buddhism has done to and for Japanese warriors; both medieval and modern." And he quotes that; "One who is a samurai must before all things keep constantly in mind ... the fact that he has to die. That is his chief business."A samurai took pride in his fearless dedication to his duty to die for his daimyo (lord) and clan -- even to committing seppuku; the ritual suicide by disembowelment. But he would not throw his life away needlessly. In a battle or swordfight; he fought to win; relying on his training; practice; experience; and force of will.So what did Zen do for the Japanese warrior? It reinforced the samurai's readiness and disregard for death; by teaching him to live in the here-and-now experience of every present moment of everyday life. For example:A popular Zen story relates that pursued by a tiger; a Zen master clutched at a vine; and hung over the edge of a cliff. A second tiger was on a ledge below him; and mice were gnawing at the vine. In a cranny just in front of him; he saw a wild strawberry plant; with one large ripe fruit. Hanging on with one hand; he plucked the berry; and popped it into his mouth. How sweet it tasted!Similarly; Zen taught the samurai to to fight without any thought of winning or losing; life or death; trusting in his lifelong training in; and constant practice of; the martial arts. Were he to pause for even an instant; to consider what his next move should be; he would surely die; whereas even an inferior swordsman who was fearless and resolute might defeat his opponent.Thus in his Postscript; King describes the impact of Zen on the Japanese character; as "the trust in the intuitive over the rational; the visceral over the cerebral; and the instinctive over the 'Western' ethical norm."Reading Zen and the Way of the Sword will not make you a Zen master; or an expert swordsman. But it will teach you a great deal about Japan's samurai class; in war and peace -- and you may absorb a bit of Zen in the process.
