Deathless Hopes

Book excerpt: Questions of eternal life and a revolution of the human condition have been a continuing theme in many religions, notably in the Abrahamic faiths. In one way or another, "deathless hopes" continue to play a prominent role in today's public discourses. To understand the current significance of the issue, a thorough grasp of historical dynamics is required. This volume gives a representative overview of prominent traditions in the Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies, contemporary ethics, theology, and anthropology, but also evaluates common questions afresh, suggesting new perspectives.