THEO 40217 - Jews and Christians throughout History, Fall 2006
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This course will explore a number of issues which emerge from the history of Christian theology: How did a negative image of Judaism develop within Christianity? In what ways did these unfavorable teachings contribute toward violence against the Jews over the centuries? What is the relationship between Christian anti-Jewish teachings and Anti-Semitism? Is there any corresponding Jewish hostility towards Christians? In what ways have Jewish authors reacted to developments within the Christian tradition?
JEWS AND CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT HISTORYProfessor Michael A. Signer, Rabbi Theology Department University of Notre Dame Course Structure: One hour fifteen minute classes, two times a week |
Strasbourg Cathedral. Photo courtesy of flickr user Orrakle. Some rights reserved.
Course Description
In the final days of the II Vatican Council the publication of Nostra Aetate (Declaration on non-Christian Religions) reversed a negative attitude of the Catholic Church toward Judaism and the Jewish people as well as toward Muslims and Hindus. This remarkable change promoted "dialogue" with Jews, and positive changes in the ways in which Judaism was presented in Liturgy and Catechesis. Reactions from the Jewish communities were diverse: from rejection to welcoming. Subsequent documents produced by the Vatican as well as Bishops’ Conferences have brought more Jews into dialogue with the Catholic Church.
This course will explore a number of issues which emerge from the history of Christian theology: How did a negative image of Judaism develop within Christianity? In what ways did these unfavorable teachings contribute toward violence against the Jews over the centuries? What is the relationship between Christian anti-Jewish teachings and Anti-Semitism? Is there any corresponding Jewish hostility towards Christians? In what ways have Jewish authors reacted to developments within the Christian tradition?
As we survey the past, we shall also want to explore the possibilities of a more constructive theological relationship between the two communities for the future. How can Jews and Christians develop religious responses to modernity? In what senses can a study of Judaism by Christians, or Christianity by Jews, help either community to understand itself better? How can Christians and Jews develop a theology of "the other" which is not triumphalist, but empathetic and based on love and justice?
Course Contents
THEO 40217 - Michael Signer , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Session Two Notes: Nostra Aetate , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Video , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lectures Eleven through Fourteen: Medieval Europe , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - About the Professor , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Scanned Texts , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lecture Fifteen: Stepping Stones to Modernity , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Textbooks/Readings , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lectures , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Assignments , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Sessions Five and Six: Pauline Epistle Lecture Notes , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Session Seven: Epistle to the Hebrews Lecture , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lecture Nineteen: Systematic Approaches , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Reflection Paper I , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lecture Three: The Christian Story and the Jewish People , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Lecture Ten: Rabbinic Judaism and Late Antiquity , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Final Paper , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Syllabus , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - Reflection Paper II , Fall 2006
THEO 40217 - SignerRSS , Fall 2006
