New Books Network Daniel M. Herskowitz, "The Judeo-Christian Thought of Franz Rosenzweig" (Liverpool UP, 2025)
Dec 27, 2025
Daniel Hershkovitz, a Professor of Religious Studies at Duke University known for his expertise in modern Jewish thought, explores the Judeo-Christian thought of Franz Rosenzweig. He highlights how Rosenzweig’s renowned work, The Star of Redemption, intricately weaves Jewish and Christian ideas, challenging traditional interpretations. Topics include the influence of Protestant theology on Rosenzweig, the significance of revelation versus historical criticism, and the complexities of Rosenzweig's dialogue on sin and redemption, painting a picture of a truly inclusive theological framework.
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Star As A Philosophical-Theological System
- Franz Rosenzweig's Star of Redemption synthesizes philosophy and theology into a two-triangle system connecting God, human, and world.
- The book treats creation, revelation, and redemption as interlocking categories that reshape reality's perception.
Entering Rosenzweig Through His Letters
- Hershkovitz entered Rosenzweig through his vast correspondence, which maps his reading and social world.
- Letters provide a practical gateway to understanding Rosenzweig before tackling the Star of Redemption.
Protestant Theology Frames Rosenzweig
- Early 20th-century German Protestant theology deeply frames how Jewish thinkers like Rosenzweig thought.
- Rosenzweig doesn't merely react to Christian theology but integrates it, producing a genuinely Judeo-Christian philosophy.