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I would like to know more about the Reconstructionist theology. What books would be good to know more about this movement, stressing the objectives and consequences of its altered understanding of G-d?

I am asking since I have read that this movement attempts at preserving Judaism while excluding theism at the same time. I was wondering how then do they substitute the traditional understanding of a notion of "G-d"? From what I have read the term is still meaningful there as opposed to for example the Humanist movement.

Edit summarry:

I have switched from a bit too general question on the Reconstructionist theology book sources to a concrete request for the readings on the movement's understanding of G-d.

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    Could you let me know what is wrong with my question instead of just voting it down? Aug 28, 2012 at 9:15
  • It's off-topic.
    – Dov F
    Aug 28, 2012 at 12:51
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    I'm not sure it's off topic, per meta.judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/1298/… as it is asking for sourcable material, kinda. (ie it's still an opinion question about which book is better, but we take those for orthodox movements too.)
    – Double AA
    Aug 28, 2012 at 13:14
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    How is it off topic?
    – Seth J
    Aug 28, 2012 at 14:18
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    I don't think it's off-topic. It feels a little general, though. Is there any more context you can add? (What have you already read, what leads you to ask the question, etc?) Aug 28, 2012 at 14:43

1 Answer 1

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There's a pretty good list on Wikipedia.

For reference:

"Platform on Reconstructionism", FRCH Newsletter, Sept. 1986, pages D, E

Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach, Rebecca T. Alpert and Jacob J. Staub, The Reconstructionist Press, 1988

David Griffin's article in Jewish Theology and Process Thought, Ed. Sandra B. Lubarsky and David Ray Griffin, State University of New York Press, 1996

Louis Jacobs God, Torah, Israel: Traditionalism Without Fundamentalism, Hebrew Union College Press, Cincinnati, 1990;

Judaism As a Civilization, Mordecai Kaplan, The Jewish Publications Society, 1994

Mordecai Kaplan "The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion", 1962

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  • Would you recommend any of these personally? Is it good to start from Mordecai Kaplan or has the movement changed too significantly since his writings? Aug 28, 2012 at 20:20
  • See the updated question.
    – msh210
    Aug 28, 2012 at 20:54
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    @infoholic_anonymous I've never read any of these, though from conversations with Recon Jews, I get the sense that Kaplan is still well-regarded in the movement. Aug 28, 2012 at 21:02
  • @infoholic_anonymous Moredecai Kaplan is still a well regarded author, however I think you will find that the movement has changed significantly since his writings. However, everyone still likes to claim that their significant change is just an extension of what he wrote.
    – avi
    Aug 29, 2012 at 6:55
  • @avi could you please sketch some examples of what has changed or where could I get such an information? Aug 29, 2012 at 10:41

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