This Was from God: A Contemporary Theology of Torah and History by Jerome Yehuda Gellman
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Publicly or secretly, traditional Jews increasingly doubt the historical reliability of the Torah. Here, Gellman provides an “old-fashioned” Jewish theology for accepting the contemporary critique of Torah and history. Gellman presents an outline of the scholarly conclusions, and then examines faith responses and rejects apologetic attempts to evade the challenge. The book elucidates the notions of Divine Providence and Divine Accommodation that then provide a basis for the thesis that for centuries Divine Providence has been guiding toward a non-historical, non-literal understanding of the Torah. This was from God. Gellman advocates Hasidic-type non-literal approaches as most fitting for our times. Then, in light of the book’s thesis, Gellman offers his understanding of Torah from Heaven, prayer, and the continuing validity of the commandments, for present-day traditional Judaism.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part I: Challenge and Response
Chapter 1: The Challenge
Chapter 2: Faith-Responses
Chapter 3: Apologetics
Chapter Four: A Counterproof
Part II: My Theological Toolbox
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: Divine Accommodation
Part III: This Was from God
Chapter 7: This Was from God
Chapter 8: Torah from Heaven
Part IV: Torah Today
Chapter 9: Reading Torah with the Hasidim
Chapter 10: Prayer and Observing Commandments
