Anti-Judaism and the Gospels [Paperback]

William R. Farmer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563382709 | ISBN-13: 978-1563382703 | Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | Edition: 1

When and under what circumstances did the Gospel texts begin to serve anti-Jewish ends? Can it be said, accurately and fairly, that the evangelists were anti-Jewish? Are there tendencies in the Gospels that were originally intended by the evangelists to injure the Jewish people or their religion, or to work against the interests of the Jewish people and/or their religion? These and other issues were addressed in a three-year research project that culminated in a fall 1996 convocation, at which five major research papers were presented with two respondents to each paper. The papers and responses are now made available for the first time in this volume. Major presentations include: • Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of Matthew –Amy-Jill Levine • Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of Luke –Daryl D. Schmidt • Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of John –David Regensberger • Something Greater than the Temple –Robert Louis Wilken • Anti-Judaism in the Critical Study of the Gospels –Joseph B. Tyson • Reflections on Anti-Judaism in the New Testament and in Christianity –E.P. Sanders "This book succeeds in giving a comprehensive view of the problem it addresses, and the papers are clear, forthright presentations that will help the reader see what the issues were when the Gospels were written and what they still are." —E.P. Sanders, Duke University William R. Farmer is Professor of New Testament at the University of Dallas and co-editor of Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins (Trinity 1998).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this book is quite valuable because it presents the issues in a nuanced fashion that allows one to draw his/her own conclusion." —J. S. Kaminskey, reviewing for Choice (J. S. Kaminskey Choice )

"In an age when anti-Semitism is on the rise it is appropriate that this excellent anthology of anti-Judaism born in the four gospels be published. Sixteen scholars spread their understanding of the roots of anti-Judaism in the cradle of Christianity and this becomes one of the most important studies for these times." —Raymond B. Knudsen, Editor, The Counselor, October 24, 1999 (Raymond B. Knudsen Counselor, The )

"...these thoughtful essays probe deeply into the nature and extent of the Gospels' relationship to and portrayal of Judaism." —Donald Senior, C.P., reviewing for The Bible Today (Donald Senior, C.P. Bible Today, The )

"This book succeeds in giving a comprehensive view of the problem it addresses, and the papers are clear, forthright presentations that will help the readers see what the issues were when the Gospels were written and what they still are...an outstanding group of New Testament scholars effectively promotes a new relationship between Christianity and Judaism through historical study of the Bible." —E.P. Saunders, reviewing for Jewish Book News (E.P. Saunders Jewish Book News )

these essays approach a truly painful topic not only with exemplary, careful, honest, critical scholarship, but with real sensitivity. Louis H. Feldman, Yeshiva University, New York, as printed in Review of Biblical Literature, June 15, 2000 (Louis H. Feldman, Yeshiva University, New York Review Of Biblical Literature )

"The essays are clear and of evenly high quality, as are the responses, and they deal forthrightly with the perennial issues. Highly recommended for any student of early Christianity."—Fred W. Burnett, reviewing for Religious Studies Review, October 2000 (Fred W. Burnett Religious Studies Review )

"These essays approach a truly painful topic not only with exemplary, careful, honest, critical scholarship, but with real sensitivity."—Louis H. Feldman, Yeshiva University, New York, Journal of Biblical Literature, Summer 2001. (Louis H. Feldman Journal Of Biblical Literature )

"..this collection of essays seems to me to prove that we must be pragmatic about anti-judaism, offering different readings of the New Testament from different theological premises, giving readers every chance to avoid this ancient and pernicious sin."—Richard Vinson, Journal of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, Summer 2001 (Richard Vinson )

"...this book is quite valuable because it presents the issues in a nuanced fashion that allows one to draw his/her own conclusion." —J. S. Kaminskey, reviewing for Choice (, Choice )

"In an age when anti-Semitism is on the rise it is appropriate that this excellent anthology of anti-Judaism born in the four gospels be published. Sixteen scholars spread their understanding of the roots of anti-Judaism in the cradle of Christianity and this becomes one of the most important studies for these times." —Raymond B. Knudsen, Editor, The Counselor, October 24, 1999 (, Counselor, The )

"...these thoughtful essays probe deeply into the nature and extent of the Gospels' relationship to and portrayal of Judaism." —Donald Senior, C.P., reviewing for The Bible Today (, Bible Today, The )

"This book succeeds in giving a comprehensive view of the problem it addresses, and the papers are clear, forthright presentations that will help the readers see what the issues were when the Gospels were written and what they still are...an outstanding group of New Testament scholars effectively promotes a new relationship between Christianity and Judaism through historical study of the Bible." —E.P. Saunders, reviewing for Jewish Book News (, Jewish Book News )

"The essays are clear and of evenly high quality, as are the responses, and they deal forthrightly with the perennial issues. Highly recommended for any student of early Christianity."—Fred W. Burnett, reviewing for Religious Studies Review, October 2000 (, Religious Studies Review )

"These essays approach a truly painful topic not only with exemplary, careful, honest, critical scholarship, but with real sensitivity."—Louis H. Feldman, Yeshiva University, New York, Journal of Biblical Literature, Summer 2001. (, Journal Of Biblical Literature )

"..this collection of essays seems to me to prove that we must be pragmatic about anti-judaism, offering different readings of the New Testament from different theological premises, giving readers every chance to avoid this ancient and pernicious sin."—Richard Vinson, Journal of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, Summer 2001 (, )

From the Back Cover

When and under what circumstances did the Gospel texts begin to serve anti-Jewish ends? Can it be said, accurately and fairly, that the evangelists were anti-Jewish? Are there tendencies in the Gospels that were originally intended by the evangelists to injure the Jewish people or their religion, or to work against the interests of the Jewish people and/or their religion?

These and other issues were addressed in a three-year research project that culminated in a fall 1996 convocation, at which five major research papers were presented with two respondents to each paper. The papers and responses are now made available for the first time in this volume.

William R. Farmer is Professor of New Testament at the University of Dallas and co-editor of Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins (Trinity 1998).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l; 1 edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563382709
• ISBN-13: 978-1563382703
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)