Abraham

Kant viewed Judaism as a narrow, particular, hostile political entity. The fact that God promised that He would bless the nations through Abraham seems not to have registered with Kant.

Kant’s treatment of Judaism has central importance in his construction of modern, Enlightened religion. And in this context, recent work that rehabilitates the universal promise of Judaism (such as in the New Perspective) is not only important for its contribution to biblical scholarship but for its wider theological and cultural import.

Put another way, the scholarly rehabilitation of the Abrahamic promise brings with it the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise, that through Abraham and his seed God will bless the nations.

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

The Battle of Minneapolis

Pavlos Papadopoulos

The Battle of Minneapolis is the latest flashpoint in our ongoing regime-level political conflict. It pits not…

Of Roots and Adventures

Peter J. Leithart

I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…

Our Most Popular Articles of 2025

The Editors

It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…