Segen

he subject of blessing has recently, and once again, been attracting lively interest. Regarded as an abbreviation for a successful life, it takes into account multifarious phenomena which present themselves as variations of fundamental themes of cultures, religions and theologies: one wishes and strives steadfastly for oneself and others to be blessed, but without ever having the matter entirely in one's own hands.The current volume pursues various ideas of blessings, looking at them from the perspectives of religious studies, biblical history, Jewish studies and church history, as well as systematic and practical theology. In so doing, it provides an interdisciplinary insight into the current state of research on the topic. The collection is thus an invitation for theology, church and society to engage over this equally fundamental and widely discussed topic.