Israel and the Church: Contribution to a Dialogue Vital for Peace: Based on Addresses Given to Jewish Audiences 1958–1968
Overview
In Israel and the Church, Markus Barth renews the conversation between those who still wait for the Messiah and those who believe in Jesus Christ. Israel and the church are both brothers and strangers—but Markus Barth shows that they can share their faith in the one living God and help each other in the adversities of this world. In the first of three sections, the author poses this question: what can a Jew believe about Jesus and remain a Jew? The Apostle Paul’s reputed anti-Semitism is examined next. Dr. Barth does not criticize the image of Paul in Jewish literature, but points out that the trouble lies in the Christian understanding of Paul rather than in Paul himself, or in Jewish interpretation. Finally, the author deals with Israel and the church in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He shows how Ephesians can throw light on the problems of Christian usage of the Old Testament, the mission to the Jews, and Christian responsibility in regard to any hidden or manifest anti-Semitism.
- Title: Israel and the Church: Contribution to a Dialogue Vital for Peace: Based on Addresses Given to Jewish Audiences 1958–1968
- Author: Markus Barth
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2005
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Judaism › Relations--Christianity--1945-; Christianity and other religions › Judaism--1945-
- ISBNs: 9781597522625, 1597522627
- Resource ID: LLS:ISRAELCHURCH
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:47:16Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
12/16/2020
I believe this is the first time I have read any of Markus Barth, and I look forward to reading the two books that follow this one. The Author has a strong heart for the people of Israel, and this short and easy-to-read book shows this. The 3 chapters are really 3 essays based on addresses given - though they do naturally flow on - though perhaps a separate conclusion would’ve been nice. Since this book came out when I was a child, I think I miss some of the shock the Author’s proposals may have had on Church communities. Whilst as a Pastor I still at times struggle to instill in others my passion for the First (Old) Testament, I don’t encounter many who would doubt the Jewishness of Jesus and the Apostles, and the great debt we owe the Jewish people. That said, Barth still gives me many things to think about - I am not certain where modern Israel fits in God’s plans - and I know of others who have gone far further than I imagine Barth intended, where the modern nation of Israel can do no wrong. They see their jobs as Christians to back Israel in whatever it decides and does. Whilst most of what is covered in the first two chapters was pretty straight-forward (some 50 years later), I appreciated the Author’s use of Ephesians in the 3rd and final chapter. I’ll now move on to “Jesus the Jew” and then “The People of God”.