Religion without Violence: The Practice and Philosophy of Scriptural Reasoning
Ebook
Overview
In 1992, Peter Ochs and a few Christian and Muslim colleagues began to gather small groups, in and outside the classroom, to practice close and attentive reading of the sacred Scriptures of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions. The hope was that members of different religions could hear one another through the patient, respectful reading of each other's Scripture. Hearing each other, participants might enter into interreligious relationships that might point a way to the peaceful engagement of religions--especially those who, after September 11, 2001, too often found themselves at each other's throats. It was a hope for religion without violence. Nearly thirty years later, this practice of study-across-difference has seeded an international movement, now named Scriptural Reasoning. The movement nurtures cooperative study among students, scholars, and congregants devoted to distinctly different religious and value traditions. In Religion without Violence, Ochs reflects on the practical and philosophic lessons he has learned from hosting hundreds of Scriptural Reasoning engagements. He introduces the "scriptural pragmatism" of Scriptural Reasoning." He painstakingly recounts instances of successful scriptural reasoning and warns where and how it might fail. He provides guidance on how to introduce and facilitate Scriptural Reasoning in the classroom. He shows how reading out of the "hearth" of a faith can contribute to peace building across religions. And, drawing on the resources of rabbinic tradition, Augustine, and Charles Peirce, he moves beyond practice to reflect on the implications of Scriptural Reasoning for discerning what kinds of "reasoning" best address and help repair societal crises like religion-related violent conflict.
“No one should be surprised that Peter Ochs cares about helping
us live at peace with one another, but it is an added benefit that
in this book Peter helps us see how the practice of Scriptural
Reasoning enacts that commitment. As always there is more to what
Peter has to say than is immediately obvious, but then one of the
abiding characteristics of Peter's work is to help us see how
attention to ‘thirds’ makes possible an understanding of one
another otherwise impossible. Peace, it turns out, begins with
reading together.”
—Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School
“Scriptural Reasoning is now a major practice in interfaith
engagement around the world and in many spheres of modern life, and
Peter Ochs, its cofounder and leading practitioner and thinker,
here gives the most comprehensive and authoritative account of it
so far. It is a remarkable achievement by Ochs, showing not only
how the practice deals with key issues between religions, but also
how it connects with peacebuilding, university disciplines, and
some core problems faced by our civilization. This book will speak
to diverse readers, whether they are unfamiliar with Scriptural
Reasoning, beginning to practice it, or experienced in it.”
—David F. Ford, University of Cambridge
“This is the first systematic introduction to the practice and
theory of Scriptural Reasoning. Peter Ochs is the person whose
energy and vision started Scriptural Reasoning and gave it its
theoretical basis as a new form of interreligious dialogue based on
group readings of Scripture as opposed to theological discussions
of religious doctrines. . . . This is an extremely important and
timely book.”
—Steven Kepnes, Colgate University
“Peter Ochs presents us with the fruits generated by over
twenty-five years of active engagement with Scriptural Reasoning.
Through a wide range of concrete examples of how this practice
works ‘on the ground,’ alongside philosophical and hermeneutical
reflection, he provides readers with a deep reservoir of resources
for building upon his insights and extending them in new future
directions. Ochs puts forth a powerful vision of how scriptural
engagement across traditions can contribute to repair in today’s
world.”
—Daniel H. Weiss, University of Cambridge
Product Details
- Title : Religion without Violence: The Practice and Philosophy of Scriptural Reasoning
- Authors:
- Ochs, Peter
- Ford, David F.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2019
- ISBN: 9781532638954
Peter Ochs is the Edgar Bronfman Professor of Modern Judaic
Studies at the University of Virginia. A cofounder of the Society
for Textual Reasoning, his other books include The Return to
Scripture in Judaism and Christianity.