Irving Kristol, called the “godfather of neoconservatism,” believed strongly that religious questions lay at the bottom of political ones. Ultimately, he saw his own political thought as born out of the distinction between the “rabbinic” or “orthodox” approach that accepts the world as it is and the “gnostic” or “prophetic” approach that seeks to transform, rather than improve, society. Kristol’s major writings on this subject (among others) can be found in the Mosaic e-book On Jews and Judaism.
In conversation with Jonathan Silver, Matthew Continetti discusses Kristol’s ideas in this area. (Audio, 40 minutes.)
Read more on Tikvah Fund: http://tikvahfund.org/library/podcast-matthew-continetti-on-irving-kristols-theological-politics/