The Art of Conversion: Christianity and Kabbalah in the Thirteenth Century
Leiden, Boston, Koln: Brill, 2000.
Hardcover. 9 3/4" X 6 1/2". x, 332pp. Presents nicely in protective archival sleeved dust jacket. A hint of shelfwear to dust jacket. Bound in light teal cloth over boards, with upper board and spine lettered in gilt. Mild wear to binding, with bumping to top corners. Binding is firm and sound. Pages are clean, bright, and unmarked.
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
This book discusses Ramon Llull (ca. 1232-1316), the Christian missionary, philosopher and mystic, his relations with Jewish contemporaries, and how he integrated Jewish mystical teachings (Kabbalah) into his thought system so as to persuade the Jews to convert. Issues dealt with include Llull's attitude towards the Jews, his knowledge of Kabbalah, his theories regarding the Trinity and Incarnation (the Art), and the impact of his ideas on the Jewish community. The book challenges conventional scholarly opinion regarding Christian knowledge of contemporary Jewish thought and questions the assumption that Christians did not know or use Kabbalah before the Renaissance. Further, it suggests that Lull was well aware of ongoing intellectual and religious controversies within the Jewish community, as well as being the first Christian to acknowledge and appreciate Kabbalah as a tool for conversion. Series: The Medieval Mediterranean, Volume: 26. (Publisher). Very good + / very good +. Item #17511
ISBN: 9004117156
Price: $100.00