Fairfield University's Sixth Annual Lecture in Jewish-Christian Engagement on Thursday, March 1 will be delivered by scholar Michael S. Kogan, Ph.D., an active participant in the Jewish-Christian dialogue and the author of several very influential articles on its theological foundations. The lecture, entitled, "Opening the Covenant: A Jewish Theology of Christianity," is also the title of his most recent book, published by Oxford University Press.

The event, free and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m., in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room. Seating is limited. For reservations call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.

In the lecture, Dr. Kogan, professor of religion at Montclair State University, will explore how Judaism and Christianity are sister faiths and discuss the historic ties between Jews and Christians. "They represent two branches of the same tree, both growing out of the shared root of ancient Israelite civilization," he said. "God seeks to redeem the world by guiding it to fulfill its potential as God's Kingdom. God uses human agents to build the Kingdom on earth."

"In the First Covenant, God creates and employs the people Israel for this purpose," Dr. Kogan continued. "Israel is called collectively 'the son of God.' In the Second Covenant, God sends an individual Israelite (Jesus) to perform this redemptive task. He too is called God's son. Through Jesus, Christians have come to join Jews in the shared project of building the Kingdom. It is time for both faiths to abandon old rivalries and work together to accomplish their common goal."

His research interests include contemporary Jewish and Christian thought, biblical hermeneutics, and existential theology. Dr. Kogan, who earned a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, has taught courses in contemporary Jewish thought, religious existentialism, Søren Kierkegaard, and religion and the poetic imagination of T. S. Eliot.

The lecture is co-sponsored by Fairfield's Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies and the Center for Catholic Studies .

Posted On: 02-09-2012 11:02 AM

Volume: 44 Number: 195