Dr. Theresa Newell's "Jesus Masked: Anti-Jewish Theologies" delves deeply into how early Christian theologies obscured the Jewish identity of Jesus, tracing the development of anti-Jewish views within the Church and their historical consequences. Beginning with the Hellenistic influence on early Christian thought, Newell explains how the Gospels were initially translated into Greek, leading to a philosophical reinterpretation of the Jewish roots of Christianity. This 'translation failure' laid the groundwork for the misrepresentation of Jesus, transforming him from a Jewish figure into a universal, mythic Christ.
The paper examines pivotal moments in Church history, including the role of figures like Marcion, Justin Martyr, and later, Church Fathers such as John Chrysostom, whose teachings perpetuated a separation between Christianity and Judaism. These early theological developments disregarded the Jewishness of Jesus, culminating in the belief that Christianity had supplanted Judaism in God's plan, which contributed to centuries of anti-Semitism.
One of the most profound insights in the paper is the exploration of how these early theologies laid the foundation for extreme views, including the rejection of the Hebrew Scriptures and, eventually, the portrayal of Jesus as an Aryan figure during the rise of Nazi ideology. The paper also addresses how figures like Martin Luther and other influential theologians in the 19th and 20th centuries perpetuated these ideas, often intertwining them with nationalistic and racial ideologies.
Despite these dark theological chapters, Newell highlights a resurgence of biblical fidelity in the 19th and 20th centuries, with evangelical Christians like William Wilberforce and Charles Simeon, who affirmed the Jewish roots of Christianity and worked toward the spiritual restoration of the Jewish people.
This thought-provoking e-book is essential for anyone interested in the history of Christian-Jewish relations, the development of Church theology, and the ongoing struggle to reclaim the Jewish identity of Jesus. As a key resource from CMJ-USA, it invites readers to engage with the truth of Christianity’s deep-rooted connection to Judaism and the continuing need for reconciliation and understanding.