The Crucified Jew: Twenty Centuries of Christian Anti-Semitism - Softcover

Cohn-Sherbok, Dan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802843115 ISBN 13: 9780802843111

Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997

Synopsis

The author finds the roots of modern anti-Semitism in Christianity itself. The followers of Christ believed themselves to be the true heirs of the covenant with God that the Jews had rejected. Even their scriptures - the New Testament - express a deep distrust of the tradition into which Christ himself was born. As the centuries unfold in a grim and unrelenting chronicle, the Jewish people are vilified for their role in Jesus' death and for rejecting him as their saviour. They are caricatured as a dark force seeking to undermine Chritianity, whether by political or supernatural means. The book concludes with a study of anti-Semitism in post-war Europe, where the church has at last made some attempt to repent for past sins, and to open a meaningful exchange with its Jewish brothers and sisters. The author argues that this initiative is vital.

About this title

About the Author

Dan Cohn-Sherbok teaches Jewish theology at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England, and is a visiting professor of Judaism at the University of Wales, Lampeter, and of interfaith dialogue at the University of Middlesex.

From Library Journal

With such a piercing title, Cohn-Sherbok (theology, Univ. of Kent; Jewish Mysticism, LJ 4/1/96) emphatically frames his lengthy monolog, chiefly focusing on the Christian roots of historical and institutional anti-Semitism. Such bigotry is a constant in historical Christendom: "Anti-Jewish attitudes in the history of the Church were not accidental?rather they were the direct consequence of Christian teaching about Judaism and the Jewish nation." Cohn-Sherbok excels at describing the effects of anti-Semitism both on the Jewish community and the historical Judaic psyche. His grasp of history is far-ranging. However, depth and critical analysis are wanting, rendering many of his conclusions more mechanical and polemical than engaging. Imprecision of language weakens his text; he utilizes "Christian" where perhaps "New Testament" or "institutional Church" might be apropos. Issues of historical context are too often not raised. Scholars might first consider Gavin Langmuir's more thorough History, Religion and Anti-Semitism (Univ. of California. Pr., 1990).?Sandra Collins, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Lib.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0802843115
• ISBN 13: 9780802843111
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 278