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Office: Wright Hall 126, Office Phone: 413-585-3608; jkaminsk@email.smith.edu
Cover of my new book. A brief abstract and some endorsements can be found below.
That the People of Israel are especially chosen by God is an idea affirmed by both early Christians and the ancient rabbis. However, the notion that God would favor one person or group over another tends to be viewed as highly problematic in today's democratic and pluralistic society. Thus, the Bible's affirmation of Israel's divine election is often ignored or even repudiated by contemporary Christians and Jews. In his new book, Joel S. Kaminsky provides a clear and nuanced understanding of what the Bible really says about God's choosing. Beginning with the stories of family rivalry in Genesis (Cain and Abel; Isaac and Ishmael; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers), Kaminsky shows how God chooses, how humans participate, and what we know from the Bible about God's intentions. The book maps out the Hebrew Bible's theology of election by asking about the fates of those whom God chooses to favor, those whom God rejects, and those who are neither favored nor rejected. A close reading of the biblical text uncovers that the idea of election is at the heart of the Hebrew Bible and reveals profound insights about God, Israel, and God's larger plan for the world. Kaminsky goes on to show how both the New Testament authors and the classical rabbis adopted the Hebrew Bible's view of divine election in unique but related ways. Understanding how Jews and Christians define themselves as God's special people in turn opens up new avenues of Jewish-Christian dialogue.
Advanced praise for Yet I Loved Jacob
"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 is due, in part, to the lack of interest modern biblical scholars have shown for the subject. This learned, ground-breaking book fills this urgent lacuna and as a result is certain to become an indispensable aide for those Jewish and Christian thinkers committed to interreligious dialogue." ------Gary A. Anderson, Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Department of Theology, 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, Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies, Harvard University
"Election is a powerful biblical theme that has played a significant role in theological reflection through the centuries. Indeed, many a religious controversy has been stirred up around this issue. 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. The clarity and accessibility of his presentation of this complex theme will enable scholars, pastors, and laypersons alike to profit from a close reading of his work."-----Terence E. Fretheim, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
See Prof. Joel Kaminsky's complete Vita