Shekhinah/Spirit: Divine Presence in Jewish and Christian Traditions

Description: Shekhinah/Spirit is a daring rediscovery of the role of the Spirit of God that runs through both Judaism and Christianity. It explores the rich and diverse history of Jewish interpretations of the divine presence and shows how many profound Jewish insights impact or relate to Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit. The author argues for the viability of a ""Spirit Christology"" that can be understood from within the covenant relationship and points to the exciting implications such directions will have for the doctrine of the Trinity among Christians. At the same time it links Judaism and Christianity in dialogue to a common ground in the saving activity of the God of Israel. Shekhinah/Spirit is a provocative attempt to deepen the grounds of discussion in the Jewish-Christian dialogue. It moves beyond the sticking point of Christological disputes to consider broader aspects of the questions of God's plan. It explores three important areas in depth: the question of exclusivism in election, evil, and eschatology. The author works with a series of major problem areas in order to help bridge misunderstandings and roadblocks by using a process of relational theology. This book is full of rich insights into the spirituality of both God's presence and God's spirit in the Judeo-Christian tradition. About the Contributor(s): Michael Lodahl is Professor of Theology and World Religions at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He earned a PhD in Theological Studies from Emory University in 1988, focusing on issues of Jewish-Christian dialogue and relations. He is the author of seven books, including Claiming Abraham: Reading the Bible and the Qur'an Side-by-Side.