Jesus is as American as baseball and apple pie. But how this came to be is a complex story--one that Stephen Nichols tells with care and ease. Beginning with the Puritans; he leads readers through the various cultural epochs of American history; showing at each stage how American notions of Jesus were shaped by the cultural sensibilities of the times; often with unfortunate results. Always fascinating and often humorous; Jesus Made in America offers a frank assessment of the story of Christianity in America; including the present. For those interested in the cultural implications of that story; this book is a must-read.
#211318 in Books The Jewish Publication Society 2008-05-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.06 x .89 x 7.10l; .94 #File Name: 0827608640304 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A very balanced bookBy C. D. VarnFirestone's book fills a niche in that covers both an introduction to Islamic religion and culture as well as comparative religious treatments on the relationship between people of the book. It is a fairly balanced tome that seeks to balance a deep sense of sympathy with Islamic religion and culture with an honest treatment of tensions between Islamic and Jewish cultures. Many will see this balance as either "white-washing" the history of Muslim-Jewish relations or a subtle undermining of the truth of either the Torah or the Qu'ran. In many more negative reviews; I have seen accusations that Firestone ignores the doctrine of tahrif; which Firestone does not name; but discuss. He also discusses counter-veiling tendencies in the Qu'ran and the Hadith as well as the ways the Hadith developed in more strict way it first appears in the Qu'ran; and that this actually does parallel; fairly directly; halakkah developments and the oral law in Judaism.Indeed; Firestone makes it clear that distrust between Judaism and Islam goes both ways and has a long history. While it is true that Firestone does paint things sympathetically; he does not deny the particular tension between Jews and Muslims. Indeed; he points out that while Jewish and Islamic theology and approaches to religious law are actually more similar than either Jewish and Christian or Christian and Muslim relations; Islamic tradition has been more forgiving of Christians as people of the book than Jews; and has made less claims on its tradition beyond the Qu'rans particular reading of stories that also appear in the gospels; albiet in a profoundly different light in creedal Christian readings.Firestone points out a lot of both the cultural and linguistic relationship to the Judaism in the Qu'ran and in Arabic culture at large. The clear relationship of Hebrew and Arabic as semitic languages; the mutual readings of the common tradition; and the overlapping and often competing cultural mileau is brought into focus. Historical development of Islam is discussed in some detail as are competing traditions of Shari'ia. The tensions of the "Jewish Golden Age" in Islamic Spain are brought out clearly as are the occasional backlashes against Jews in the pre-modern Muslim world. Firestone does mention that these were not as brutal or repressive as in Christian Europe nor were massacres of Jews as common as in pre-reformation Christian world or the early 20th century.Firestone does shy away from discussing the tensions post-Zionism too directly; and this is small flaw in the book. The reversal of Muslim fortunes under modernity is discussed as is colonialism; but the establishment of Israel out of the British mandate is glossed over in a few sentences; and the profound distrust this creates on both sides of the divide is played down.That caveat is an important one as is some of the historical tensions described within the Firestone's treatment. It strives to me honest and yet respectful of believers in all three of the largest "Abrahamic" faiths; and while I think it works; that is still going to be alienating to some.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting links between Islam and JudaismBy HowardReaders of my review will have to understand that I am Jew who abhors ANY organized religion. I wanted to better understand the psyche of radical islamists. I thought that more familiarity with Islam and the Koran might help me in that endeavor. I did find that I was intrigued with the historical connections between Jews and Muslims and seriously lament the schism that occurred. But I have come to the conclusion that radical islam has no serious relation or connection to what I would call Islam and the Koran.I highly recommend this text to people who want to better understand the historical connections between Jews and Muslims; and learn about interesting tidbits about each of the religions.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Exceptional Read and Eye OpenerBy Philip WeismehlOur congregation had this as a read for our book group and sometime later had the author as a guest speaker. The book is exceptionally well written and clarified so many things for me not only in terms of Islam but Judaism and Christianity as well; e.g.; that each faith reached a point where it closed off prophecy and viewed what came later as heresy. Highly recommended on so many levels. Very insightful and very accessible.
