God's favor towards some serves God's plan for the larger world.
The Bible's affirmation of Israel's divine election is often ignored or even repudiated by contemporary Christians and Jews who are scandalized by the possibility that God might favor one person or group over another. Beginning with the stories of family rivalry in Genesis and in working through a host of other biblical texts, Joel Kaminsky explores the dynamics of election. Why does God favor certain people? How do the chosen and non-chosen interact? And what might these texts teach us about God's intention for the world?
""In recent decades, the various advances reached in the dialogue between Jews and Christians have often been compromised by the inability to appreciate the biblical grounding of the doctrine of election . . . This learned, groundbreaking book fills an urgent lacuna and, as a result, is certain to become an indispensable aid for those Jewish and Christian thinkers committed to interreligious dialogue.""
Gary A. Anderson, University of Notre Dame
""This marvelous book is the best presentation there is of the most misunderstood--and most maligned--teaching in the Hebrew Bible, the chosenness of Israel. It is also one of the best works of biblical theology to come out in recent years. In clear prose, unencumbered by technical jargon yet informed by wide learning and careful thinking, Professor Kaminsky analyzes this exceedingly subtle and easily misunderstood topic and uncovers major aspects of the Hebrew Bible that will surprise and enrich scholars and laypersons, Jewish, Christian, and secular alike. I recommend it highly!""
Jon D. Levenson, Harvard University
""Election is a powerful biblical theme that has played a significant role in theological reflection through the centuries . . . In Hebrew Bible studies, however, election has been too often assumed and too little explored. So Joel Kaminsky's insightful and careful study is welcome indeed. Especially to be commended are his careful analysis of texts, his balanced assessment of the evidence, and his theological alertness.""
Terrence E. Fretheim, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
Joel S. Kaminsky is the Morningstar Professor of Jewish Studies and a Professor of Bible in the Religion Department at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
