As a theologian and scholar I am specialised in New Testament exegesis. My interests vary over time, but the last 15 years, they have evolved around New Testament exegesis in relation to Jews and Judaism. Press the arrows for more!
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Anyone studying John’s Gospel soon finds that the Jews play another role here than in the Synoptics. And some scholars describe the gospel as anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish, whereas others find small problems with the role of the Jews.
But why it has been so easy for scholars to construct the Johannine Jews as bloodthirsty. Secondly, each reference must again be read in context. My hypothesis is that the picture is far more complex than is currently assumed.
Icon by my brother Lars Gerdmar
Christian exegesis has more often than not constructed the ‘Jew’ as the perpetual other. In a forthcoming book with this working title, I begin in New Testament texts, looking for how they describe the relationship to Jews and Judaism. Secondly, I follow the history of exegesis in relation to the Jews, talking about a ‘hermeneutics of exclusion’. Finally I discuss the linkage between exegetical theology and genocide, but not only that. I try to outline a ‘hermeneutics of association’, starting in Romans 9–11.
As Adolf Hitler strategised his way to power, he knew that his anti-
Semitic agenda needed to gain the support of theology and the Church.
The role of the exegetes is the theme of my book Roots of Theological anti-Semitism. Due to its publication I will give papers this fall in Uppsala and Hannah-Arendt-Institut in Dresden.
Picture: The buckle with ‘God with us’ was on belts of Nazi soldiers.
