A Catholic Theology of the Land?: The State of the Question

Abstract

This article contends that forming a Catholic theology that engages the centrality of Eretz Yisrael for Jews is a pressing need in interreligious relations today. It outlines the historical and religious reasons why such a theology does not presently exist. It then sets forth the parameters within which this development should proceed by referring to the last half-century of Catholic teaching on biblical interpretation and on the covenantal status of the Jewish people. Neither a "fundamentalist" transposition of ancient land promises into today's world nor a backsliding to supersessionist models are acceptable.