Jesus the Jew as a linchpin for orientation in and for the Church in times of social climate change

Abstract

Despite decades of Jewish-Christian dialogue since the Shoah, and despite the rejection of explicit antisemitism in Christian theology, liturgy and catechesis, a lasting and fundamental revision of some Christian beliefs and their expressions to address and eradicate all and any subtle or subliminal forms of anti-Judaism is still overdue. If theological and ecclesiastical action is guided by the much-invoked “signs of the times”, then it is high time—especially in view of the resurgence of antisemitism around the world—to put Jesus’ Jewishness at the centre of theoretical discussions as well as practical implications in order to redress over 1500 years of Christian anti-Judaism and be able to offer guidance to “society”.
This article outlines concrete, detailed and necessary steps towards such a reorientation of discourse and action in the Church, for example by changing the lyrics in the prayer and hymn book Gotteslob (Praise of God).