‘Visionary Theology’

This book has explored how Ross and Shagar advocate restoring, or ‘returning to’, theology, following the linguistic-cultural turn and the postmodern critique. It has shown that these tentative responses to postmodernism can at times bring creative, even liberating, insights into the wellspring of Jewish thought. Such attempts at weathering the storm of challenges set by deconstructionism, relativism, and cultural particularism are far from simple, however. They involve major theological reconfigurations designed to reshape traditional concepts in order to make them thrive alongside the postmodern critique. At the same time, they must strive to preserve those principles at the heart of Judaism which validate and indeed inspire faith. Both scholars outline a new methodology for the construction of a compelling Jewish theology in a postmodern age. Their efforts lay the groundwork for what I term a ‘visionary theology’, the defining feature of which is the supplanting of literalism in language by the imaginative. The idea parallels the phenomenological treatment of the subjective human experience as a separate realm beyond reality. Here, the language used in religious discourse envisions a distinct mystical world and, by use of metaphors, poetically captures the divine.

I qualify this theology as ‘visionary’ for several reasons. First, because of the attempt it makes to envision God, albeit in the absence of empirical ‘evidence’, and therefore in a provisional manner. Second, since this new theological path is still developing, it is, to a large extent, tentative and speculative— in other words, a mere vision, that is yet to materialize. Finally, the term ‘visionary’ conveys the significance of the active; it emphasizes the believer’s ability to generate the divine in imagination and language. I trust the term will inspire future discussions on a vibrant postmodern theology. For now, it is worth reviewing the vision laid forth in this book. I will then explore some of its practical implications using as an example the theme of interfaith relations.

Culture: Immersion and Community

Postmodernism in its radical form professes reality to be formed of multiple different perspectives. There are only ever particularistic understandings of ‘the way things are’, based on local perceptions and interpretations and informed therefore by the individual's cultural baggage.