JOHN DEE AND THE KABBALAH

Abstract

Recent scholarly debate on the impact of the Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism,on the development of early modern Christian thought has been divided over whether the reception of the Kabbalah was motivated by philo- or anti-Semitism. Even in the same volume, contrasting opinions may be upheld by critics.1 Debates are welcome, however, as they demonstrate not only the recognition of influence of Judaism on Christianity, but also because they show the progress made not only by scholarship on Jewish-Christian relations but also in what was once called the “occult philosophy”.