Religious Genius

"Alon Goshen-Gottstein introduces, in a fascinating way, a new field of study. It is an avant-garde study that opens up horizons, enhancing religious understanding and interfaith dialogue. The deep and insightful study has expanded my own vision of what holiness is and allowed me to gain better knowledge of my father, St. Francis." (Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Franciscan Capuchin, Preacher of the Papal Household, Vatican City) "Religious Genius is a very thorough examination of the problems inherent in using a category that lives in one tradition - here, 'saint' - in a broader context that deals with figures in other religious traditions. This book will help in contexts where issues of terminology arise, as an excellent example of an effort to move beyond the application of single-tradition normative terms to other traditions." (Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Harvard University, USA)

This book sets forth a new area in the study of extraordinary individuals in religious traditions. The book complements existing, primarily historical, studies of saints by offering a phenomenological approach that seeks to touch the subjectivity of these individuals, and how they have affected the unfolding of their religious traditions.

This book sets forth a new area in the study of extraordinary individuals in religious traditions. It develops the category of “Religious Genius” as an alternative to existing categories, primarily “saint.” It constructs a model by which to appreciate these individuals, suggesting key characteristics such as love, humility, and self-surrender. Religious geniuses transform their traditions and their legacies endure through these very transformations. They also inspire changes across religious boundaries and traditions. The study of religious geniuses in various faith traditions therefore advances interfaith engagement today. The book complements existing, primarily historical, studies of saints by offering a phenomenological approach that seeks to touch the subjectivity of these individuals, and how they have affected the unfolding of their religious traditions.