The Struggle for Utopia by Dr. Arnold Slyper

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A History of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Messianism

With broad scholarship and precise communication skills, Dr. Arnold Slyper offers a glimmer of hope within the darkness of postmodernism. This book tells the epic story of the individuals most influential in developing utopian and messianic concepts for the three main monotheistic faiths. It focuses on the history of their time, how their ideas were influenced by the historic period in which they lived, and in turn how their ideas influenced Jewish and world history. These figures include Abraham, Moses, the prophets Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Haggai and Zechariah, John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth, Paul of Tarsus, Muhammad, Maimonides, Nachmanides, Rav Kook, and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Amin al-Husseini.

Also discussed are why the religious and messianic writings of Paul of Tarsus and Amin al-Husseini led and continue to lead many of their followers to turn against Jews.

This very readable book advances the theses that religious messianism became an extremely powerful force in world history. Many of the external conflicts related to Jews and Israel can only be understood with appreciation of their messianic roots. Similarly, much antisemitism, and conversely love of Jews, have messianic underpinnings. Other topics covered are ethics, death, resurrection, redemption, apocalypse, jihad, and the Temple Mount.

Year first published: 2022