Jesus Wasn't Killed by the Jews: Reflections for Christians in Lent

by Jon M Sweeney, Walter Brueggemann (Contribution by), Mary Boys (Contribution by), Wes Howard-Brook (Contribution by), Robert Ellsberg (Contribution by)

Overview

The Passion narratives contain painful anti-Semitic tropes—particularly the Gospel of John, which is read world-wide every Holy Week. These readings have been used over the centuries to brand the Jewish people as "Christ-killers" and to justify discrimination and violence. Here, religious scholars and writers address the historical, theological, and exegetical considerations to be addressed by every Christian in order to move beyond this toxic history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626983526
Publisher:	Orbis Books
Publication date:	04/08/2020
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.28(d)

About the Author

Jon M. Sweeney is Editor at Large at Orbis Books and the author of more than forty books including The Pope Who Quit, which was optioned by HBO, The Complete Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart’s Book of the Heart (coauthored with Mark S. Burrows), and Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices, published by St. Martin’s Press and Penguin Random House Audio.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Antisemitism Yet Again Rabbi Abraham Skorka 9

Introduction: We Need This Book Jon M. Sweeney 17

Part 1 Foundations 23

1 You Can't Understand Judaism Simply Reading the Old Testament Jon M. Sweeney 25

2 "Israel Is My Firstborn Son" (Exodus 4:22) Walter Brueggemann 28

3 Christianity's Complicated Origins Mary Boys, SNJM 36

4 The New Testament Was Written Entirely by Jews Nicholas King, SJ 45

5 Supersessionism/Replacement Theology Richard C. Lux 52

Part 2 Progress 59

6 Spiritual Practices on Ash Wednesday Jon M. Sweeney 61

7 Caution about Maundy Thursday Passover Seders Jon M. Sweeney 65

8 For When We Hear "Crucify him!" on Good Friday Jon M. Sweeney 69

9 The Great Commandment Robert Ellsberg 72

10 Why We Need to Translate loudaioi as "Judeans" Wes Howard-Brook 76

11 From the "Teaching of Contempt" to Nostra Aetate: The Shift of Vatican II on the Relations with the Jews Massimo Faggioli 84

12 Differences among Early Jesus Followers: Paul's Warning to the Thessalonians Bishop Richard J. Sklba 93

13 "For Fear of the Jews": Antisemitism in John's Time and in Ours Greg Garrett 102

14 What Do We Say to Our Children? Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso 111

Afterword Amy-Jill Levine 116

About the Contributors 123

Editorial Reviews

This is a treasure of a little book. Thankfully, before the living memory fades, Sweeney has captured intimate and unadorned recollections from Merton’s Gethsemani novices to render an impressionistic montage, a verbal collage, a communal sketch of life under the tutelage of the spiritual giant of the twentieth century.”-Kathleen Noone Deignan, CND, Director, Institute for Earth and Spirit at Iona College; editor, A Book of Hours by Thomas Merton

“This collection of memories from Merton’s former students provides a valuable opportunity to go beyond the Merton we encounter from his books and private journals to see him as his students and fellow monks saw him—as a teacher, spiritual director, and friend.”-Gregory K. Hillis, Professor of Theology & Religious Studies, Bellarmine University; author, Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton’s Catholic Vision

"For the last two thousand years, Christians have wondered, asked, and been confused about this question. This new book is a tremendously helpful resource, drawing upon the work of some of the world's most learned experts, and will help you answer this essential question fully and finally." —James Martin, SJ, author, Jesus: A Pilgrimage

From the Publisher