Seeing Judaism Anew: Christianity's Sacred Obligation

by Mary C. Boys, Norman Beck, Rosann Catalano, The Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations, Philip A. Cunningham Saint Joseph's University

Overview

In September 2002, twenty-one prominent Catholic and Protestant scholars released the groundbreaking document 'A Sacred Obligation,' which includes ten statements about Jewish-Christian dialogue focused around a guiding claim: 'Revising Christian teaching about Judaism and the Jewish people is a central and indispensable obligation of theology in our time.' Following the worldwide reception of their document, the authors have expanded their themes into Seeing Judaism Anew. The essays in this volume offer a conceptual framework by which Christians can rethink their understanding of the church's relationship to Judaism and show how essential it is that Christians represent Judaism accurately, not only as a matter of justice for the Jewish people, but also for the integrity of Christian faith. By linking New Testament scholarship to the Shoah, Christian liturgical life, and developments in the church, this volume addresses the important questions at the heart of Christian identity, such as: Are only Christians saved? Why did Jesus die? Why is Israel so important to Jews, and what should we think about the conflict in the Middle East? How is Christianity complicit in the Holocaust? What is important about Jesus being a Jew?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742548817
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/22/2005
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.28(w) x 9.26(h) x 1.07(d)

About the Author

Mary C. Boys holds the chair in Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She is a member of the Advisory Committee on Catholic-Jewish Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and her past publication include Jewish-Christian Dialogue: One Woman's Experience, and Has God Only One Blessing? Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 A Sacred Obligation Part 3 Introductory Essays Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 The Shoah and Jewish Christian Relations Part 6 God's Covenant with the Jewish People Endures Forever Chapter 7 The Enduring Covenant Part 8 Jesus of Nazareth Lived and Died as a Faithful Jew Chapter 9 Jesus-A Faithful Jew Chapter 10 The Death of Jesus Part 11 Ancient Rivalries Must Not Define Christian-Jewish Relations Today Chapter 12 Ancient Rivalries and New Testament Interpretation: An Example from the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13 Ancient Jewish-Christian Rivalries in the Shadow of Empire: The Tensions of the Past as Lessons for the Present Chapter 14 Christian Feminism and Anti-Judaism Chapter 15 Jewish Feminist Scholars: Vibrant Voices in New Testament Study Part 16 Judaism is a Living Faith, Enriched by Many Centuries of Development Chapter 17 "In Every Generation": Judaism as a Living Faith Part 18 The Bible both Connects and Separates Jews and Christians Chapter 19 Contemporary Christians and Israel's Ancient Scriptures Part 20 Affirming God's Enduring Covenant with the Jewish People has Consequences for Christian Understandings of Salvation Chapter 21 Jesus as the Universal Savior in the Light of God's Eternal Covenant with the Jewish People: A Roman Catholic Perspective Chapter 22 The Universal Significance of Christ: A Protestant Perspective Part 23 Christians Should Not Target Jews for Conversion Chapter 24 Covenant and Conversion Chapter 25 Targeting Jews for Conversion Contradicts Christian Faith and Contravenes Christian Hope Part 26 Christian Worship That Teaches Contempt for Judaism Dishonors God Chapter 27 The God of Israel and Christian Worship Chapter 28 A Matter of Perspective: An Alternative Reading of Mark 15:38 Chapter 29 Translations of the New Testament for our Time Part 30 We Affirm the Importance of the Land of Israel for the Life of the Jewish People Chapter 31 The Land of Israel in the Cauldron of the Middle East: A Challenge to Christian-Jewish Relations Part 32 Christians Should Work with Jews for the Healing of the World Chapter 33 The Challenge of Tikkun Olam for Jews and Christians Part 34 Christian-Jewish Relations After the Shoah: Hisorical Reflections Chapter 35 The Road to Reconciliation: Protestant Church Statements on Christian-Jewish Relations Chapter 36 Catholic Teaching on Jews and Judaism: An Evolution in Process Chapter 37 Revising Christian Teaching: The Work of the Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations

Editorial Reviews

This book is written with spare understatement and great restraint, yet it makes a major statement and packs real theological power. The various essays systematically redress the past excesses and cruel distortions in Christian treatments of Judaism and articulate a respectful, honorable relationship between the two faiths. This book should be read by every Christian who wants to complete the great moral revolution of the past century which is turning Christianity into a true Gospel of Love for Jews and Judaism. The book should be read by all Jews of good will as well, for it is a source of hope and trust for a future of partnership and pluralism between the two faiths.

Rabbi Irving Greenberg

One of the most positive and constructive developments in religion in recent years has been the serious effort by scholars to rethink and reorient relations between Christians and Jews, and in the process to reconsider their own histories and theological traditions. Written by leading Catholic and Protestant figures, the essays in this volume show what can be learned from historical study and what new opportunities and challenges lie ahead. There is no better resource for understanding the progress made thus far in this noble effort and why the project is so important and promising.

Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

"By linking New Testament scholarship to the Shoah, Christian liturgical life, and developments in the church, this volume addresses the important questions at the heart of Christian identity."

Theology Digest

One of the most positive and constructive developments in religion in recent years has been the serious effort by scholars to rethink and reorient relations between Christians and Jews, and in the process to reconsider their own histories and theological traditions. Written by leading Catholic and Protestant figures, the essays in this volume show what can be learned from historical study and what new opportunities and challenges lie ahead. There is no better resource for understanding the progress made thus far in this noble effort and why the project is so important and promising.

From the Publisher