Land as an Issue in Christian-Jewish Dialogue

Abstract

T wo tendencies played prominent role in shaping the Christian outlook on the issue of the Jewish People and the land of Israel over the centuries. These tendencies have their roots in the early centuries of Christianity. The first of these tendencies was the so-called theology of perspective with respect to the Jewish People. This theology became so imbedded in popular Western culture that even plant came to bear its name. According to the theology, Christians look upon Jews as forever relegated to the status of displaced persons among the nations of the world. A prevailing mindset is evident in many of the patristic writings. When the veil of the Temple was rent and the covenant between God and his people broken permanently as result, Jews received a bill of divorce, as it where, and from that time onwards they were doomed to roam restless over the face of the This perpetual wandering theology continued in force throughout Christian history into the modern period. The noted biblical scholar who in fact defended Nazism Gerhard Kittel and served as editor of the very influential Theological Dictionary of the New Testament viewed post-biblical Judaism as largely community in dispersion. Authentic Judaism, he wrote abides by the symbol of the stranger wandering restless and homeless on the face of the earth. And even the great Cardinal Augustin Bea, who played such central role in the development, passage