Title: Mature Christianity in the 21st century : the recognition and repudiation of the anti-Jewish polemic of the New Testament /
Authors: Beck, Norman A., 1933-; Beck, Norman A., 1933-
Publisher: Crossroad : American Interfaith Institute/World Alliance,
Year: 1994
Subjects: Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Jews in the New Testament.; Christianity and antisemitism.; Judaism Controversial literature History and criticism
Abstract: It is a common phenomenon in the history of religions for a new religious community to break away from its parent community, often with scorn and rejection. But in the case of Christianity and Jewish religion, anti-Jewish polemic in the sacred scriptures of the newer religious community has provided for later generations the theological basis for oppressive and dehumanizing treatment of those who have continued to adhere to the old religion. Now that the new religion has itself attained maturity, the time is ripe for sincere and responsible self-criticism, and Mature Christianity is a contribution to this important theological agenda. The first classification of anti-Jewish polemic identified within Mature Christianity is Christological. It is present in every segment of the New Testament and can be expressed in such simple terms as: Then Adonai was Lord, but now Jesus is Lord.^
Contents: Introduction: The role of polemic in the sacred scriptures of religious communities -- Focusing on the issue -- Anti-Jewish polemic in the letters of Paul -- Anti-Jewish polemic in later Pauline traditions -- Anti-Jewish polemic in Mark -- Anti-Jewish polemic in "Q" -- Anti-Jewish polemic in Matthew -- Anti-Jewish polemic in Luke -- Anti-Jewish polemic in Acts -- Anti-Jewish polemic in John and in the Johannine Epistles -- Anti-Jewish polemic in the remaining New Testament documents -- Conclusions, implications, and future agenda for a mature Christianity in the twenty-first century.