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Single Idea 7342

[catalogued under 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 2. Judaism]

Full Idea

The works of Isaiah (740-700 BCE) mark the point at which the Israelite religion began to spiritualize itself, to move from a specific location in space and time on to the universalist plane.

Gist of Idea

Isaiah moved Israelite religion away from the local, onto a more universal plane

Source

Paul Johnson (The History of the Jews [1987], Pt I)

Book Reference

Johnson,Paul: 'A History of the Jews' [Phoenix 1993], p.74


A Reaction

This is necessary if any religion is going to make converts outside the local culture. The crucial step would be to disembody God, so that He cannot be represented by a statue. The difficulty is for him to be universal, but retain a 'chosen people'.