After the Evil

Christianity and Judaism in the Shadow of the Holocaust

Richard Harries author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:3rd Jul '03

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

After the Evil cover

The evil of the holocaust demands a radical rethink of the traditional Christian understanding of Judaism. This does not mean jettisoning Christianity's deepest convictions in order to make it conform to Judaism. Rather, Richard Harries develops the work of recent Jewish scholarship to discern resonances between central Christian and Jewish beliefs. This thought-provoking book offers fresh approaches to contentious and sensitive issues. A key chapter on the nature of forgiveness is sympathetic to the Jewish charge that Christians talk much too easily about forgiveness. Another chapter on suffering in Judaism and Christianity rejects the usual stereotypes and argues for important common ground, for example in the idea that God suffers in the suffering of his people. There are also chapters on the state of Israel and the place of Jerusalem in Christian and Jewish thought. Richard Harries argues that the basic covenant is not with either Judaism or Christianity but with humanity. These, like other religions, are different, distinctive voices in response to God's primal affirmation of human life, which for Christians is achieved and given in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the light of this the author maintains - controversially - that Christians should not be trying to convert Jews to Christianity. Rather Jews and Christians should stand together and build on the great amount they have in common to work together for a better world.

This is a book which challenges everyone who is searching for meaning in life, and who dares to hope that it is possible for us to reach out to one another across the divides of religious prejudice, politics and deeply embedded fears ... This book conveys an exciting sense of hope in the face of fearful events. * The Way *
It is an avowedly personal statement which makes it all the more attractive and interesting ... anyone who wishes to engage in real dialogue with Jews will have to come to terms with the issues debated so honestly and forthrightly in this book. * The Expository Times *
... the book is an optimistic one, and benefits from Harries' lifelong commitment to Jewish-Christian dialogue, along with his easy familiarity with both Christian and Jewish sources on the issues of evil, suffering and forgiveness. What stands out in particular is Harries' refusal to avoid the difficult issues that arise and confront them directly and intelligently ... highly recommended. * The Door *
What shines through this book is the bishop's genuine respect for the teachings of Judaism, and an empathy for other faiths that makes him an outstanding exemplar of true ecumenism. * The Independent Magazine *
As a testament to repentance and an earnest of reconciliation, After the Evil is a vaulable contribution to ecumenical debate. * Daniel Johnson, Sunday Telegraph *
... deep, philosophical, and interesting. * Andrew Marr, Start the Week R4 *

ISBN: 9780199263134

Dimensions: 195mm x 117mm x 15mm

Weight: 412g

248 pages