God's Zeal : The Battle of the Three Monotheisms

The conflicts between the three great monotheistic religions ï¿1⁄2 Christianity, Judaism and Islam ï¿1⁄2 are shaping our world more than ever before. In this important new book Peter Sloterdijk returns to the origins of monotheism in order to shed new light on the conflict of the faiths today. Following the polytheism of the ancient civilizations of the Egyptians, Hittites and Babylonians, Jewish monotheism was born as a theology of protest, as a religion of triumph within defeat. While the religion of the Jews remained limited to their own people, Christianity unfolded its message with proclamations of universal truth. Islam raised this universalism to a new level through a military and political mode of expansion. Sloterdijk examines the forms of conflict that arise between the three monotheisms by analyzing the basic possibilities stemming from anti-Paganism, anti-Judaism, anti-Islamism and anti-Christianism. These possibilities were augmented by internal rifts: a defining influence within Judaism was a separatism with defensive aspects, in Christianity the project of expansion through mission, and in Islam the Holy War.

The conflicts between the three great monotheistic religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam – are shaping our world more than ever before.

In this important new book Peter Sloterdijk returns to the origins of monotheism in order to shed new light on the conflict of the faiths today. Following the polytheism of the ancient civilizations of the Egyptians, Hittites and Babylonians, Jewish monotheism was born as a theology of protest, as a religion of triumph within defeat. While the religion of the Jews remained limited to their own people, Christianity unfolded its message with proclamations of universal truth. Islam raised this universalism to a new level through a military and political mode of expansion.

Sloterdijk examines the forms of conflict that arise between the three monotheisms by analyzing the basic possibilities stemming from anti-Paganism, anti-Judaism, anti-Islamism and anti-Christianism. These possibilities were augmented by internal rifts: a defining influence within Judaism was a separatism with defensive aspects, in Christianity the project of expansion through mission, and in Islam the Holy War.

Today these three religions are now called upon to adjust their relations from peaceful coexistence to dialogue: zealous collectives must become parties in a civil society.

In This Important New Book Peter Sloterdijk Returns To The Origins Of Monotheism In Order To Shed New Light On The Conflict Of The Faiths Today. Following The Polytheism Of The Ancient Civilizations Of The Egyptians, Hittites And Babylonians, Jewish Monotheism Was Born As A Theology Of Protest, As A Religion Of Triumph Within Defeat. While The Religion Of The Jews Remained Limited To Their Own People, Christianity Unfolded Its Message With Proclamations Of Universal Truth. Islam Raised This Universalism To A New Level Through A Military And Political Mode Of Expansion. Sloterdijk Examines The Forms Of Conflict That Arise Between The Three Monotheisms By Analyzing The Basic Possibilities Stemming From Anti-paganism, Anti-judaism, Anti-islamism And Anti-christianism. These Possibilities Were Augmented By Internal Rifts: A Defining Influence Within Judaism Was A Separatism With Defensive Aspects, In Christianity The Project Of Expansion Through Mission, And In Islam The Holy War.--back Cover. The Premises -- The Formations -- The Battle Fronts -- The Campaigns -- The Matrix -- The Pharmaka -- The Parables Of The Ring -- After-zeal. Peter Sloterdijk ; Translated By Wieland Hoban. First Published In German As Gottes Eifer. Vom Kampf Der Drei Monotheismen--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title page 5 Copyright page 6 Contents 7 Dedication 9 1: The premises 11 2: The formations 29 3: The battle fronts 50 4: The campaigns 60 5: The matrix 92 6: The pharmaka 115 7: The parables of the ring 132 8: After-zeal 160 Index 171