Language:
English
Year of publication:
1996
Titel der Quelle:
Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte
Angaben zur Quelle:
87 (1996) 9-37
Keywords:
Erasmus, Desiderius,
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1500-1800
;
History
Abstract:
Erasmus' antisemitic pronouncements contrast sharply with his humanism. Criticizes writers (C. Augustijn, S. Markish) who contend that Erasmus used Jews and Judaism in his writings only metaphorically - meaning, actually, superstitious Christians. Examination of his theological works, primarily his "Paraphrases to the New Testament", shows that although he sometimes does use Jews as a metaphor (not necessarily a negative one), he pours down his wrath on Judaism and the Jews as such. Erasmus attacks two things: Moses' Law, which is viewed by him as sheer legalism and ritualism, lacking genuine piety and spirituality, and the Jews' failure to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. His invectives against Jews go farther than those of the New Testament. Although Erasmus' antisemitism is purely theological and not "Nazi-like" (as Kisch contends), he leaves readers with a decidedly negative opinion of Jews.
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