Mosaic Tiles: Comparative Theological Hermeneutics and Christian-Jewish Dialogue About the Land

Abstract

the purpose of this article is to outline an approach for religious bodies to dialogue between Christians and Jews within the North American context. This approach contains some hermeneutic keys of contemporary comparative theological work in the academic field. However, it is suitable for the practical work done within the settings of Jewish-Christian dialogue. To achieve this purpose, this article will unfold in three steps. First, it outlines what I would call "mosaic tiles" of ideologies around Israel that do not translate well into the ideologies of other dialogue partners. The second step involves outlining some key characteristics of the hermeneutics of comparative theology, especially its emphasis on textuality, hermeneutic openness, and humility. In the third and final step, I engage these three hermeneutic characteristics by applying them to the topic of the Land in Christian-Jewish dialogue.