The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited (Radical Traditions) [Paperback]

John Howard Yoder (Author), Michael G. Cartwright (Editor), Peter Ochs (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Radical Traditions | Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Between 1971 and 1996 the late John Howard Yoder (1927-1997) wrote a series of ten essays "revisiting" the Jewish-Christian schism in which he argued that, properly understood, Jesus did not reject Judaism, Judaism did not reject Jesus, and the Apostle Paul's universal mandate for the salvation of the nations is best understood not as a product of Hellenization, but rather in the context of his Jewish heritage. Yoder's argument draws upon his lifelong critique of the Constantinian deformation of Christianity to show links between the "free church" vision of Christianity and diaspora Judaism. This posthumous collection of essays is arguably his most ambitious project and displays Yoder's original thesis that the Jewish-Christian schism "did not have to be." Editors Michael Cartwright and Peter Ochs locate Yoder's argument in relation to his decades-long dialogue with the philosopher and rabbi Steven S. Schwarzschild as well as placing it in the context of Yoder's understanding of the eschatological significance of Jewish-Christian reconciliation as imaged in the Letter to the Ephesians. Cartwright and Ochs also show how Yoder's understanding of the Jewish-Christian schism must be understood in the context of his theological understanding of what it means for Christians and Jews to share the God-given vocation to be "missionary" peoples to and for the nations. Cartwright's afterword puts Yoder's project in context with the ongoing issue of Christian supersessionism.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael G Cartwright is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Executive Director of the Crossings Project at the University of Indianapolis. Peter Ochs is Edgar M Bronfman Professor of Modern Judaic Studies at the University of Virginia. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802813623
• ISBN-13: 978-0802813626
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,574,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely important text(s) (nearly ruined), August 29, 2003

By 

Josh Adams (Minneapolis MN US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited (Radical Traditions) (Paperback)

The essays in this collection are some of the most important, original, and illuminating contributions to the study of Jewish-Christian relations/origins that I have come across. I think these essays are a "must-read" for any person interested in this field or related fields of study and also, especially, any committed Jew or Christian.

However, I have a huge problem with the way this book was put together. The essays were originally written at different times and for different purposes/occasions, and collected informally near the end of Yoder's life as a "desktop publication" to be printed out and delivered on request. The present volume contains all of those original essays, however it also unfortunately contains an intro, an afterword, and _"commentaries"_following_each_essay_, written by extremely ill-chosen, uncomprehending, smaller minded (no personal offense is meant here) authors who are often nearly hostile to Yoder's thought(s) and who essentially seem to be using what little of his thought they agree with to push their own agendas, which have precious little to do with Yoder's.

I have never in my life heard of the first edition of any book, much less by a deceased author incapable of protesting or composing a response, being undertaken in such a disrespectful, manipulative manner. Shame on Stanley Hauerwas, Eerdmans, and the editors; I think the essays' potential for changing minds and lives has been greatly diminished by them.

But again, all negative elements of the published book aside, by all means, read these terribly important essays.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars challenged my assumptions..., June 8, 2004

By 

Marco D. Funk "punkfaithman" (Rosthern, SK CANADA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited (Radical Traditions) (Paperback)

This book challenged my assumptions about the relationships between 'Christians' and Jews at the time of the apostles. I found this book extremely helpful in clarifying just how Jewish Paul, and the other disciples, actually were. I also find it a bit disturbing that this book was put together in this manner, with extra commentary and afterwards that often hindered a full appreciation of Yoder's work. Although Ochs and Cartwright are insightful, I'm not so sure having their writings in this book was the wisest of choices on behalf of Eerdmans and Hauerwas.
Nevertheless, Yoder would have appreciated a continued, more nuanced, study of the schism between Jews and Christians... indeed, a schism that did not have to be.

5.0 out of 5 stars A primary thesis that the schism "did not have to be", December 8, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited (Radical Traditions) (Paperback)

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Michael G. Cartwright and Peter Ochs, The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited is a posthumous collection of essays by John Howard Yoder (1927-1997) "revisiting" the Jewish-Christian split in the light of Yoder's primary thesis that the schism "did not have to be". The editors place Yoder's discourse within the context of dialogue with Rabbi Steven S. Schwarzschild. Examining the whole debate in light of theological understanding of what it means to be Christian, Jewish, or a "missionary" people, The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited is a welcome and engaging contribution to Judeo/Christian Religious Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.