Jesus the Jew in Christian Memory: Theological and Philosophical Explorations

Barbara Meyer explores the theological dimensions of historical Jesus research through the lens of Christian memory and Jewish memory, discussing topics such as the Christian relationship to law, otherness, circumcision, natality, vulnerability, and suffering in dialogue with thinkers such as Hannah Arendt, Julia Kristeva, Martha Nussbaum, and Adi Ophir. She demonstrates how the memory of Jesus' Jewishness is a key to reconfiguring contemporary challenges to Christian thought.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The profound and enduring connection between Christianity and Judaism is undeniably rooted in Jesus, the Jewish figure who holds a central place in Christian theology. This connection, spanning both historical and continuous dimensions, is explored in depth by Barbara Meyer in her book. Meyer argues that Christian memory, intricately intertwined with Jewish memory, serves as a valuable framework for examining the theological dimensions of historical Jesus research. She delves into the core aspects of Jesus' Jewishness, including the Christian relationship with law and the concept of otherness as a Christological category. By examining the otherness of the Jewish Jesus from the perspective of contemporary Christians, Meyer engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with scholars who are often overlooked in Jewish-Christian discourse, such as Hannah Arendt, Julia Kristeva, Martha Nussbaum, and Adi Ophir. Through her insightful analysis, Meyer demonstrates how the memory of Jesus' Jewishness holds the key to reconfiguring contemporary challenges to Christian thought. These challenges encompass issues such as particularity and otherness, law and ethics after the Shoah, human responsibility, and divine vulnerability. By engaging with these topics through the lens of Jesus' Jewishness, Meyer offers fresh perspectives and insights that can deepen our understanding of Christianity's rich heritage and its relationship with Judaism. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of religious studies, shedding light on the intricate connections between Christianity and Judaism and providing a framework for exploring the theological dimensions of historical Jesus research.

Weight: 373g
ISBN-13: 9781108712835