Jerome and the Jews: Innovative Supersessionism
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Jerome rocked the boat in which the early church had been comfortably settled for two hundred years. He upset Christian tradition by arguing for the priority of the Hebrew Old Testament over the supposedly inspired Greek Septuagint. He learned Hebrew from a Jewish teacher and translated the Old Testament directly from Hebrew into Latin. Not only did his new Latin translation create turmoil, but the inclusion of Jewish interpretations in his commentaries furthered the controversy. Unlike his contemporaries, Jerome viewed the Jews and their homeland as a source of information and inspiration. However, at the same time, Jerome freely admitted his hatred of the Jews and their religion. His caustic rhetoric reinforced the Christian church’s displacement of the Jews, but it seems to oppose his move toward appreciating Jewish resources. This book illuminates Jerome’s contradictory personality, proposes a solution, and explores avenues for current Christian and Jewish relations in light of Jerome’s model.
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”People often quote the Fathers when they are convenient to push
a personal agenda. Jerome has been cited both as a harsh
opponent of the Jews and also as a sincere advocate of
the Hebraica veritas. Bill Krewson acknowledges this evident
tension in a close examination of the Bethlehem scholar’s
writings and uncovers a more nuanced Jerome ‘who explored and
expanded the borders of Christian indebtedness to the
Jews.’ We should pay close attention to his insightful
analysis."
--William Varner, Professor of Biblical Studies, The Master’s
University
“The ever enigmatic, always controversial Jerome comes through the
pages of Krewson’s text as a challenge for Jewish-Christian
relations then and now. We see Jerome at his paradoxical best:
plundering the ’treasures of the Jews’ for his interpretation of
Scripture and his Vulgate even as he perpetuates the
supersessionism of his day. Krewson provides a stimulating case
study and catalyst for ongoing dialogue between Jews and
Christians."
--Joel C. Elowsky, Concordia Seminary
Product Details
- Title : Jerome and the Jews: Innovative Supersessionism
- Author: Krewson, William L.
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Publication Date: 2017
- ISBN: 9781498218238
William L. Krewson is a professor in Cairn University's School of Divinity in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He also serves as a pastor at Chelten, a Church of Hope in Dresher, Pennsylvania. He has led numerous trips to Israel and Bible lands.