Reference and Identity in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Scriptures: The Same God?

D. E. Buckner argues that all reference is story-relative and that we cannot understand reference to God, his prophets, or other characters in the Jewish, Christian, or Muslim scriptures without reference to those scriptures. He further argues that singular reference and singular conception are empty outside of such a context.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his book "In Reference and Identity in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Scriptures: The Same God?", D. E. Buckner makes a compelling argument that all reference is story-relative. Without a thorough understanding of the narrative that introduces an individual to us, whether it be oral or written, we cannot accurately identify the historical person being referred to in prayer, nor can we comprehend the references to God, his prophets, or any other characters mentioned in the Jewish, Christian, or Muslim scriptures. To fully grasp the concept of God, Buckner suggests that we view him as the person who "walked in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen. 3:8), a reference that is consistently made throughout the books of the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and the Quran. Building upon the ideas presented by the late Fred Sommers in his seminal work "The Logic of Natural Language," Buckner further argues that singular reference and singular conception hold no meaning outside of this contextual framework.

Understanding God in this manner requires us to acknowledge his continuous presence and involvement throughout the scriptures. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all the narratives and the importance of studying them in their entirety to gain a comprehensive understanding of the divine. By recognizing the story-relative nature of reference, we can deepen our faith and appreciation for the rich tapestry of religious texts and their significance in shaping our understanding of God and the world.

Weight: 331g
Dimension: 216 x 155 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498587433