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The only comprehensive and up-to-date look at Reform Judaism, this book analyzes the forces currently challenging the Reform movement, now the largest Jewish denomination in the United States. To distinguish itself from Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, the Reform movement tries to be an egalitarian, open, and innovative version of the faith true to the spirit of the tradition but nonetheless fully compatible with modern secular life. Promoting itself in this way, Reform Judaism has been tremendously successful in recruiting a variety of people-intermarried families, feminists, gays and lesbians, and interracial families among others-who resist more traditional forms of worship. As an unintended result of this success, the movement now struggles with an identity crisis brought on by its liberal theology, which teaches that each Jew is free to practice Judaism more or less as he or she pleases. In the absence of the authority that comes from a theology based on a commanding, all-powerful God, can Reform Judaism continue to thrive? Can it be broadly inclusive and still be uniquely and authentically Jewish? Taking this question as his point of departure, Dana Evan Kaplan provides a broad overview of the American Reform movement and its history, theology, and politics. He then takes a hard look at the challenges the movement faces as it attempts to reinvent itself in the new millennium. In so doing, Kaplan gives the reader a sense of where Reform Judaism has come from, where it stands on the major issues, and where it may be going. Addressing the issues that have confronted the movement-including the ordination of women, acceptance of homosexuality, the problem of assimilation, the question of rabbinic officiation at intermarriages, the struggle for acceptance in Israel, and Jewish education and others-Kaplan sheds light on the connection between Reform ideology and cultural realities. He unflinchingly, yet optimistically, assesses the movement's future and cautions that stormy weather may be ahead.

Jews --- Judaism --- Reform Judaism --- Judaism, Reform --- Liberal Judaism --- Jewish sects --- Social life and customs. --- Identity. --- History --- Reform movement --- social science, jewish studies, jew, judaism, jewish, reform judaism, orthodox judaism, orthodox jew, conservative judaism, conservative jew, egalitarian, faith, religion, religious studies, feminist, gay, lesbian, lgbtq, interracial, worship, theology, politics, ordination of women, sexuality, homosexuality, assimilation, rabbinic officiation, israel, culture.

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Scripture is powerful for all who lend it authority. Clark-Soles explores the ways in which the author of the Fourth Gospel deploys scripture to form his sectarian community. The first part of the book provides the sociological framework for addressing the role of scripture within sectarian communities. By definition, sects are in conflict with a parent tradition. How, if at all, does a sect appropriate those texts that not only "belong" to the parent tradition but also are used by that parent tradition to deride the sectarians? By investigating the dynamics of scripture in the ancient Qumran community and in the modern Branch Davidian community, Clark-Soles sheds light on the community of the Fourth Gospel.

Johannine school. --- Qumran community. --- Kumran community --- Jewish sects --- Essenes --- Circle, Johannine --- Community, Johannine --- Johannine circle --- Johannine community --- School, Johannine --- School of John (Biblical criticism) --- Branch Davidians. --- Bible. --- Bible --- Jean (Book of the New Testament) --- Johanisi (Book of the New Testament) --- Johannesevangelium --- John (Book of the New Testament) --- Yohan pogŭm --- Yohane den (Book of the New Testament) --- Yūḥannā (Book of the New Testament) --- Social scientific criticism. --- Use --- History. --- Johannine school --- Qumran community --- 226.5 --- Evangelie volgens Johannes --- Biblia --- Ioganaĭ (Book of the New Testament) --- Иоганай (Book of the New Testament) --- Social scientific criticism of sacred works.