Just finished reading Kugel's latest book. Somewhat strange, and I couldn't figure out the point. About 2 years ago Dr Kugel told me personally that he was writing a book on Orthopraxy. This isn't it. But if you are looking for a book with anecdotes about people dying of cancer, then this is the one you've been waiting for.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
James Kugels' Latest Book: In The Valley of the Shadow
Just finished reading Kugel's latest book. Somewhat strange, and I couldn't figure out the point. About 2 years ago Dr Kugel told me personally that he was writing a book on Orthopraxy. This isn't it. But if you are looking for a book with anecdotes about people dying of cancer, then this is the one you've been waiting for.
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5 comments:
I am curious.
He writes that the book is about "the essence of religious faith and what it leads to. "
Did you really not get that point? Were you really unable to see past the whole cancer bit?
There wasn't much there. His main point was that people used to feel small, because they knew so little about the universe, hence God. But now we feel big, because we are so in control, hence faith has diminished. But we are shill terrified of dying, especially from cancer, which we can't control. Hence I guess if you get cancer, you don't feel so big, and then maybe you'll believe in God?
" Hence I guess if you get cancer, you don't feel so big, and then maybe you'll believe in God?
March 27, 2011 4:10 PM"
More likely, control is just an illusion. The things we care about the most are still not in our control. (and perhaps never will be?)
Anonymous, so what's your point? Because there's a tsunaami there is a God? Because people have no control then OJ is true?
Baal Habos,
Whats your point? Because OJ is a Juice, god doesn't exist? Because Apple juice is better I should get an Ipad?
Isn't twisting people's words fun?
Incase you are new to the conversation, we are discussing a book. And I'm fairly certain that Orthodox Judaism has nothing to do with the book. But I haven't read it, so I could be wrong there.
Overall, I'm fairly certain that cancer is just a catalyst for the point, not the point itself.
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