Winter 1984 - 1985 - Quarterly Review

JEWS AND CHRISTIANS
remain profoundly tainted in their outlook on the Jewish people by
this fable. Popular culture with its Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell
and with its myriad passion plays tends to reinforce the stereotype of
Jewish collective responsibility for Jesus' death that has been so
traditional in the churches.
Over and above removing the negative aspects of the classic
depiction of the Crucifixion story it is important for people in the
church to begin to recognize its potential for unifying Jews and
Christians. The Lutheran ethicist Franklin Sherman captured this
Many Christians still see Jesus as standing alone against the
authorities, but in actual fact many other Jews also opposed
the Romans and the oppressive priestly elite of the
Jerusalem Temple.
point well some years ago when he wrote, "The symbol of the
agonizing God is the Cross of Christ. It is tragic that this symbol
should have become a symbol of division between Jews and
Christians, for the reality to which it points is a Jewish reality as well,
the reality of suffering and martyrdom" (Worldview, September, 1974,
p. 29).
Until this more positive side of the Crucifixion story relative to
Judaism begins to emerge in Christian consciousness the anti-Semitic
interpretation long associated with it will not be finally excised from
the church.
In relating the story of Jesus' death the Christian churches need to
begin stressing that the religious ideals which Jesus preached, and
which he tried to implement in the social structures that were part of
his milieu, were shared by the most creative and forward-looking
forces in the Judaism of the period. It was this preaching and action
that brought Jesus to Calvary. Most Christians still look upon Jesus as
standing alone in his challenge to the authorities, as in conflict with
the entire Jewish population of the period. In actual fact Jesus and his
followers stood in concert with a significant part of the Jewish
community in opposing the Romans and the oppressive priestly elite
of the Jerusalem Temple. In a real way his death bore witness to the
same ideals proclaimed by other rabbis.
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