Rabbinic theological language has made possible a vast range of discourse, on many subjects over long spans of recorded time and in diverse cultural settings. This theological dictionary defines the principal theological usages of Rabbinic Judaism as set forth in the Rabbinic canon of late antiquity, Mishnah, Talmuds, and Midrash-compilations. It systematically lays [1] the theological categories that are native to those writings; [2] cogent statements that can be made with them; [3] coherent propositions that those statements set forth and (within their own terms and framework) logically demonstrate as true and self-evident, both. Volume One of this dictionary covers vocabulary that permits the classification of religious knowledge and experience, and the organization and categorization of those data into intelligible and cogent sense-units. Volume Two shows how these classifications combine and recombine in sentences. We may deem these rules of theological discourse concerning religious experience to be the counterpart of syntax which words combine (or do not combine) with which other words, in what inflection or signaled relationship, and why. Volume Three shows how the theology accomplishes its goals of analysis, explanation, and anticipation in order to make sense of and impose meaning upon a subject. That marks the point at which constructive theology commences and systematic theology will find its language.

About the Author
Jacob Neusner is Research Professor of Theology and Senior Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College. He is also a Member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, and Life Member of Clare Hall at Cambridge University, England.

Reviews
In this series, Neusner seeks to present a broad overview of what he takes to be the rabbinic mind based on important themes and topics in the Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud, and Midrashim, amoung others. Part 1...is a collection of thirty-two useful dictionary articles. -- Ronald J. Allen, Christian Theological Seminary * Encounter *



Book Information
ISBN 9780761830290
Author Jacob Neusner
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 458g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 153mm * 24mm