Language:
English
Year of publication:
1993
Titel der Quelle:
Biblical Interpretation; a Journal of Contemporary Approaches
Angaben zur Quelle:
1,3 (1993) 339-352
Keywords:
New Testament Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Christianity and antisemitism History To 1500
Abstract:
States that human society began and continued with mimetic murders similar to the Passion. Develops the idea of mimetic rivalry which causes "scandals" to occur. These "scandals" ("skandalon" in the Gospels) erupt in violence; in order that society not disintegrate, it seeks a scapegoat. The role of the scapegoat in most religions is to control the eruptions of violence in society. Contends that Christianity's uniqueness is in its rejection of the scapegoating process. States that this is the true message in the Gospels. The Gospels themselves are not antisemitic, but interpretations of the Gospels have been antisemitic throughout the centuries because interpreters have consistently failed to understand the message. The article is followed by two responses. Joanna Dewey (pp. 353-356) states that Girard's contention that there is no antisemitism in the Gospels because Jews are paradigmatic for all of humanity is not viable and that this view may, in fact, encourage antisemitism. John A. Darr (pp. 357-367) points out that the Gospels reflect internal Jewish polemics of the late 1st century; however, the texts are potentially dangerous because in the course of time, when the original context was forgotten, they were used as a tool for oppressing Jews.
Description / Table of Contents:
Dewey, Joanna. A response to René Girard. 353-356.
Description / Table of Contents:
Darr, John A.. Mimetic desire, the Gospels, and early Christianity; a response to René Girard. 357-367.
DOI:
10.1163/156851593X00205
DOI:
10.1163/156851593X00214
DOI:
10.1163/156851593X00223
URL:
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