David Novak Quotes
As a practicing Jew, I have studied with Christian teachers whom I respect for who they are and what they are, including their positive concern with Jews and Judaism.
Novak, David. Talking with Christians: Musings of a Jewish Theologian. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005.
Medved, a Jew, maintained that as America became more interested in Christianity, there would also be more interest in Judaism, and true Christianity—American Christianity—which would not be anti-Semitic as many earlier Christian movements had been. Most Jews disagreed preferring a strict separation of church and state. While it may be true that some Christian groups are favorably disposed to Jews, historically must American Christian groups have been supportive of anti-Semitic activities in the United States.
One of the great historical religious puzzles is how Islam evolved from its origin of respect for other religions, to one where a large number of Islamic leaders preach that not only is Islam the only true religion but all other religions are enemies of Islam, and the preaching of hatred for Christians, Jews, Bhai, Budhists and other religions.
This was a remarkable public statement for its time. No other political leader of an Islamic country would dare claim that people have a right to be atheists. Very few would even suggest that people should be free to choose their own religion.
David Novak, FRSC is a Jewish theologian, ethicist, and scholar of Jewish philosophy and law (Halakha). He is an ordained Conservative rabbi and holds the J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies as Professor of the Study of Religion and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto since 1997. His areas of interest are Jewish theology, Jewish ethics and biomedical ethics, political theory (with a special emphasis on natural law), and Jewish-Christian relations.
