开普兰的圣经阐释与犹太教神学

Kaplan's Biblical Interpretation and His Jewish Theology

开普兰是20世纪美国犹太史上独树一帜的人物,一生参与了美国犹太教正统派、保守派和改革派运动,并最终从这些运动中分离出来,创建了犹太教重建派.他认为圣经体现着犹太文明的基本特征,包含犹太人不断发展的伦理、文化和精神方面的经验.从自然主义和功能主义神学出发,开普兰对圣经进行了去神秘化的阐释,并在圣经文本的原始意义与现代生活、现代文明之间建立起关联性,在现代话语体系下发掘出圣经文本、事件和人物的隐含意义,阐释了圣经在确立犹太生活准则、促进社会公正、克服社会邪恶、实现人类拯救等方面所发挥的作用.开普兰缺乏对圣经文本进行精细、实证的分析,也没有发展出系统的圣经批评理论,但其对圣经的阐释代表着一种美国式的自由主义风格和实用主义传统,对犹太教和犹太人适应美国社会与文化产生了重要影响.

Mordecai Kaplan was a unique figure in twentieth century American Jewish history.He participated in American Orthodox,Conservative and Reform Jewish movements throughout his life,eventually separating from these and creating the Reconstructionist Judaism movement.He believed that the Bible embodies the particular characteristics of Jewish civilization and incorporates the ethical,cultural and spiritual experiences of the Jewish people.Starting from naturalist and functionalist theologies,Kaplan demystifies the biblical text and establishes a connection between the original meaning and modern life and civilization.From within a moder discourse system he explores the hidden meaning of the Bible text,its events and fgures,and explains the Bible's role in reestablishing standards of Jewish life,promoting social justice,overcoming social evils,and achieving human salvation.Kaplan lacks a detailed and positive analysis of the text of the Bible and does not develop a systematic biblical criticism,but his understanding of the Bible represents a style of American liberalism and pragmatic tradition,and had a significant influence on Jewish adaptation to American society and culture.