Who Are the Real Chosen People?

Religious people who define themselves as monotheists have often advanced the idea that their relationship with God is unique and superior to all others. Their relationship supersedes those that came before, and is superior to those that have followed. This phenomenon tends to be expressed in terms not only of supersessionism, but also of ¿chosenness¿ or ¿election.¿ Who is most beloved by God? What expression of the divine will is the most perfect? Which relationship reflects God¿s ultimate demands or desire? In this fascinating examination of the religious phenomenon of chosenness, Reuven Firestone explores the idea of covenant, and the expressions of supersessionism as articulated through the scriptures of the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He explores how and why the ongoing competition and friction between these religions came about, and offers thoughts about how to overcome it.