Language:
English
Year of publication:
2023
Titel der Quelle:
Biblical Interpretation; a Journal of Contemporary Approaches
Angaben zur Quelle:
31,3 (2023) 374-390
Keywords:
New Testament. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Christianity and antisemitism History 20th century
;
Children's literature, German History and criticism 20th century
;
Jews in the New Testament
;
Nazi literature
Abstract:
Biblical interpreters have long wrestled with the vicious anti-Jewish rhetoric of John’s gospel including, mostly famously, when Jesus calls Jews “children of the devil” (8:44). Post-Shoah, the anti-Jewish rhetoric of John’s gospel is even more horrifying. This article seeks to highlight the use of John 8:44 and other anti-Jewish rhetoric from John’s gospel in children’s literature from Nazi Germany. The children’s books under consideration show a progression from advocating for forced displacement of the Jews to advocating for murder. Seeing the intensification and advancement of this rhetoric, even in something seemingly harmless like children’s literature, is a warning to biblical scholars who may try to downplay or overlook the hateful language of John’s gospel.
DOI:
10.1163/15685152-20221716
URL:
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