Reform Judaism and Darwin : how engaging with evolutionary theory shaped American Jewish religion / Daniel Langton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Langton, Daniel R., author.

Series:

Studia Judaica ; 111

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reform Judaism--North America.

Reform Judaism.

Evolution--Religious aspects--Judaism.

Evolution.

North America.

Wise, Isaac Mayer, 1819-1900.

Wise, Isaac Mayer.

Hahn, Aaron.

Kohler, Kaufmann, 1843-1926.

Kohler, Kaufmann.

Hirsch, Emil Gustav, 1851-1923.

Hirsch, Emil Gustav.

Krauskopf, Joseph, 1858-1923.

Krauskopf, Joseph.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (VI, 132 p.)

Place of Publication:

Berlin, Germany : De Gruyter, [2019]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Darwin provoked Jewish as well as Christian thinkers so that many felt obliged to establish oppositional, alternative, synthetic, or complimentary models relating Jewish religion to his theory of natural selection. This book examines a range of leading nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American progressive Jewish thinkers, with the primary focus being rabbis Kohler, Wise, Hirsch, Krauskopf, and Hahn, although many others are covered. Key themes include the widespread commitment to universal evolutionism, that is, the application of biological evolutionary theory to other realms (e.g. history, religion, cosmic), and the particular fascination with the evolution of ethical systems within human societies, bearing in mind mankind's bestial origins and the new challenges for understanding religious authority and revelation. It is argued that Reform Jewish discussions about the nature of God have been more profoundly shaped by engagement with evolutionary theory than has been recognized before, and that evolutionary thought provides the key framework for understanding Reform Judaism itself. The precise nature of Jewish Reform engagement with Christian proponents of theistic evolution are important, as are their interest in alternative evolutionists to Darwin, such as Spencer and Haeckel.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

I. Introduction

II. Evolution 'in the air': Scientific, Philosophical and Christian Influences on Reform Jewish Engagement with Evolutionary Theory

III. Isaac Mayer Wise: The Cosmic God and an Evolving Cosmos

IV. Aaron Hahn: The Divine Design Principle of the Universe

V. Kaufmann Kohler: The Unfolding of Divine Life

VI. Emil G. Hirsch: The Divine Soul of an Evolving Universe

VII. Joseph Krauskopf: The Divine Natural Law of Evolution

VIII. Conclusion

Appendix: Evolution and Progressive Judaism in Britain

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9783110664119

3110664119

9783110661224

3110661225

OCLC:

1114889902