The Emptying God : A Buddhist-Jewish-Christian Conversation

by Christopher Ives (Ed.) and John B. Cobb (Ed.)

Masao Abe is widely acknowledged as a leader in the worldwide dialogue on Buddhism. A profound scholar of Buddhism and of Christian theology, his critical and constructive reflections culminate in the seminal essay which is the corner stone of this volume. Seven eminent scholars respond to the challenge of Abe’s construal of Kenotic God and Dynamic Sunyata.

Abe demonstrates powerfully the dynamism of the Buddhist appreciation of the diving emptiness at the heart of Being. His essay suggests how the doctrine of sunyata can provide a needed corrective to the reified understanding of God prominent in Jewish and Christian traditions. Abe opens the way for new and deeper engagement of these traditions with the wisdom of Buddhism. Leading Christian and Jewish Theologians-Thomas J J Altizer, Eugene Borowitz, John B Cobb Jr, Catherine Keller, Schubert M. Ogden, Jurgen Moltmann, and David Tracy-respond to Abe’s challenge.

From perspectives as diverse as American feminism, post-Holocaust Judaism, process thought, and hermeneutics, they reply to Abe responds to these essays in a conclusion. Provocative and illuminating, The Emptying God shows how interfaith dialogue, at its very best, provides materials for the mutual transformation of all traditions.

About the Authors:

Christopher Ives is Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of Puget Sound.

John B. Cobb, Jr., is Ingraham Professor at the School of Theology, Claremont.