All modern theology must take serious account of the Holocaust. I am inclined to say moreover, all Christian theology must be done in the shadow of the horrors of the Holocaust. My youth know well that the Holocaust stands third only to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection as a defining event for my theology of history. It is one of a few lenses through which God and His Creation are looked at.
My reasons for this assertion are as follows:
1) Christians helped set the foundation for the Holocaust. It was modeled in part on anti-judaistic European Christian activities. It was supported by anti-judaistic supersessionist theology which is present in Christian thought to the present day. Something on the scale of the Holocaust could not happened unless the Jewish people had been de-humanized on a mass scale. This de-humanization could only take place because Christianity had for centuries reduced the moral stature of Jews through deep, institutional anti-judaistic doctrines and theology.
2) The Jews play a central role in the story of God's self-revelation, the Bible. The Jewish people have a special role in God's revealing activity in history. The scale of what happened to them is not something that can be ignored. This event is literally of Biblical proportion, and to the Biblical people. I don't agree with the standard evangelical understanding of the event. But at least they acknowledge the fact that there are clear connections to the Biblical record.
3) Related to #2, the event confronts in a way no other human evil does, with the problem of evil. We must acknowledge that this event is different. It is a crime like no other. It cannot be dance around by any simple formula.
So Christians must wrestle theologically with the Holocaust, and in a major way. It must become a part of the language of our faith, as the events of scripture are. These are my suggestions of HOW they should be wrestled with. These are important features of my faith. Some may be opposed vehemently by some Christians. But they at least should be listened to as a way to start thinking in a certain direction, I think.
1) Christians must repent for their part in the Holocaust. We must acknowledge and seek ways to do penance for our parts both intellectual and practical.
2) Active proselytization of Jews must end altogether. This would be the most important act of collective penance we could undertake. It would be an act of solidarity and open acknowledgment of the real cost of what we did, and a clear message that we will have no hand in any future persecution or marginalization of the Jewish people.
3) Supersessionist theology must end. We must re-examine the roots of Christian anti-judaism and burn it out of our hearts, minds and souls. This may mean some radical re-interpretation of doctrine, including different ways of thinking about atonement and incarnation. These concepts must be modeled in such a way that they bring Christians and Jews together in spiritual solidarity. Any theology that impedes this goal should be rejected.
4) We need to struggle with the problem of evil in a new way. We must see the Holocaust as a real challenge to all that has been said before on this issue. As Jews struggle with the question, "where was God?", so must we. This is our ways of saying, "yes, this was different, this raises new questions."
If we can do these things, then we can pull some modicum of good from this horror, and go a long way to making sure it never happens again. So may it be. Amen.
Josh, forgive my ignorance but I'm trying to understand what some of the things are which you have mentioned here.
ReplyDeleteSupersessionist/Supersessionism: I presume this is the Christian doctrine that Christianity supersedes and is meant to envelope (eradicate perhaps) all believers of the Jewish faith. Is this what is meant?
You say "I don't agree with the standard evangelical understanding of the event." Without giving too much ink to an idea you oppose, what is this standard understanding? I have a guess but I'd rather hear what you mean.
As for all of the rest of it: on this we are in violent agreement. The Holocaust strains all understanding of God which I have ever encountered. As a Roman Catholic growing up the rampant anti-semitism promoted by Catholic leaders for centuries was downplayed. Hitler's own upbringing in the heart of deeply anti-semetic Europe is often glossed over lest we offend the churches.
I've also witnessed anti-semitism up close. It is a damnably insidious thing. My paternal grandmother would never have sent anyone away from her door hungry, yet she carried and voiced often the Eastern European anti-semitism that she learned from her family. When I heard how easily the vitriol rose to her lips I could see how easily that could become wishing Jews out of your neighborhood, your country or life.
Yet never, never did I hear any priest preach about the evils of anti-semitism. I heard often the blood libel, the Jews rejected Jesus and so they suffer and all of the rest that past for polite, theological discussion that covered for a basic, un-inspected, un-repented anti-semitism.
I remember reading The Merchant of Venice and the anti-semitism of the play was not emphasized and Shylock's forced conversion to Christianity met with something like approval. At least his soul would be saved.
Thank you Josh for coming at this thing head on. It needs to be addressed and in the ways you mention.
Ad Astra Per Aspera,
Kevin
Supersessionism is the view that Christiabity has superseded and replaced Judaism. And Evangelicals see the holocaust as the doorway to the creation of Israel and the stage-setting for the End of Days.
ReplyDeleteThey correspond it to Revelation 12.
ReplyDeleteI read this and could not help but think of this scene:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d2fabC2qvk