Jewish Philosophical Polemics Against Christianity in the Middle Ages: With a New Introduction

Daniel J. Lasker is Norbert Blechner Professor of Jewish Values (Emeritus) at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In addition he has taught at many institutions of higher learning, including Yale, Princeton, the University of Toronto, Ohio State University, the University of Texas, and the University of Washington. His publications include Jewish Philosophical Polemics against Christianity in the Middle Ages (2nd edn., Littman Library, 2007) and From Judah Hadassi to Elijah Bashyatchi: Studies in Late Medieval Karaite Philosophy (2008).

'Has acquired the status of a classic. A great deal of new work has been published, however, in the past thirty years. The book is now reprinted by the Littman Library, with a new introduction by the author summarizing these more recent contributions to the subject, which include critical editions of classic texts as well as specialized studies and overviews ... A substantial new bibliography completes the introduction. Thanks are due to the Littman Library for placing this important book before a new generation of readers.'Nicholas de Lange, Journal of Jewish Studies

• Introduction to the Second Edition1IntroductionGeneral PrinciplesPhilosophical ArgumentsExegetical Arguments • Historical Arguments • Rational ArgumentsProcedure to the Followed2SourcesThe Various Methods of the PolemicistsExegesis of the Hebrew Bible • Exegesis of Rabbinical Literature • Attacks on Christianity • Comparisons of Christian Doctrines with the New Testament • Attacks on the Articles of Christianity • Comparisons of Christianity with the Principles of PhilosophyThe Literary Style of the PolemicsOther Sources of Jewish Philosophical ArgumentsThe Christian Sources3The Use of Reason in Religious DebatesExplanations of Christian Belief in Irrational DoctrinesMaimonides’ GuidelinesThe Polemical Approach of the Jewish AverroistsCriteria for Determining Logical ImpossibilityConclusions4TrinityTrinity Implies MatterThe Divine Attributes Are Not PersonsJewish Kalamic Refutations of the Trinity • Aristotelian RefutationsGeneration Disproves UnityThe Specific Generation of Jesus • Eternal Generation of the SonSyllogistic Logic Refutes the TrinityImages of the TrinityConclusions5IncarnationGod is IncorporealGod’s Incorporeality Precludes Incarnation • God Cannot be Limited in PlaceGod is ImmutableGod’s Simple Unity Precluses IncarnationA Union of Divinity and Humanity is ImpossibleTypes of Physical Union • The Person of JesusConclusions6TransubstantiationThe Interpenetrability of BodiesHow Could the Body of Jesus Enter Bread? • How Could Jesus’ Large Body Fit into Smaller Dimensions? • How Could Jesus Pass Through the Heavens Without Damaging Them?The Concepts of Number and PlaceSimultaneity of Jesus’ Body on Many Altars Remaining One • Simultaneity of Jesus’ Body Being in Many PlacesThe Concept of MotionMotion in No Time is Impossible • One Body Cannot Be in Motion and Rest at the Same TimeThe Problem of AccidentsHow Can Accidents be Without Subjects? • The Senses Must Not Be Deceived • Substance Cannot become Accident, nor Accident SubstanceMiscellaneous ArgumentsConclusions7Virgin BirthThe Interpenetrability of BodiesImages of the Virgin BirthConclusions8ConclusionsJewish Knowledge of ChristianityThe Sources of Jewish ArgumentsThe Role of Philosophy in Jewish–Christian RelationsThe Significance of the Medieval Jewish Philosophical Polemics Against ChristianityList of AbbreviationsNotesBibliographyIndex of CitationsGeneral Index