Was Jesus a Nazi? During the Third Reich; German Protestant theologians; motivated by racism and tapping into traditional Christian anti-Semitism; redefined Jesus as an Aryan and Christianity as a religion at war with Judaism. In 1939; these theologians established the Institute for the Study and Eradication of Jewish Influence on German Religious Life. In The Aryan Jesus; Susannah Heschel shows that during the Third Reich; the Institute became the most important propaganda organ of German Protestantism; exerting a widespread influence and producing a nazified Christianity that placed anti-Semitism at its theological center. Based on years of archival research; The Aryan Jesus examines the membership and activities of this controversial theological organization. With headquarters in Eisenach; the Institute sponsored propaganda conferences throughout the Nazi Reich and published books defaming Judaism; including a dejudaized version of the New Testament and a catechism proclaiming Jesus as the savior of the Aryans. Institute members--professors of theology; bishops; and pastors--viewed their efforts as a vital support for Hitler's war against the Jews. Heschel looks in particular at Walter Grundmann; the Institute's director and a professor of the New Testament at the University of Jena. Grundmann and his colleagues formed a community of like-minded Nazi Christians who remained active and continued to support each other in Germany's postwar years. The Aryan Jesus raises vital questions about Christianity's recent past and the ambivalent place of Judaism in Christian thought.
#1992586 in Books Princeton University Press 1991-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.75 x 9.75 x 1.25l; #File Name: 0691068364246 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. it is a good source for the time period in which it was ...By Jake ZirkleLionel Casson’s The Ancient Mariners: Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times (Second Edition) highlights the tremendous impact the sea had on the ancient world. Professor Emeritus of Classics at New York University; Lionel Casson uses his extensive knowledge of the sea and the ancient world to reconstruct the maritime accomplishments of the ancient seafarers of the Mediterranean. Casson’s goal is to connect the preexisting information regarding the ancient world to the more obscure maritime history of the period. Casson covers over 3000 years of history; from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the Byzantine Empire; during which he connects the role of the ancient mariner to major historical events and everyday processes. Through careful analysis of the available information and drawing upon his own knowledge; Casson is able to reach some compelling conclusions. Casson asserts that the Minoans possessed quite the formidable navy based on his observations of the spread of Minoan material culture and the lack of walls surrounding their cities. The implementation of such ideas makes for an extremely engaging and thought provoking work. Casson manages to take a topic that the reader is familiar with and present it in a new light by presenting it from a maritime perspective. This is a well-researched work that uses a variety of sources and evidence to support its claims. Casson uses numerous types of evidence to reconstruct ship building methods; commerce; exploration; and warfare. He uses depictions of ships found in tombs and on pottery; commercial ledgers that have been preserved; written sources (from both historians and poets); and modern marine archaeological sites to weave an informative; yet compelling narrative. The uses of mythological stories and works of fiction from the time period help make the book more entertaining; but they also provide problems. The Iliad describes events that occurred centuries before it was written; which brings into question the authenticity of the factual information that is presented. Casson supplements this weakness with marine archaeological sites which provide a glimpse of the Homeric heroes’ ships and the types of goods that were being traded. While it is risky to use it as a source for the time period it depicts; it is a good source for the time period in which it was written. The method in which Odysseus builds his ship shines a light upon the method used during Homer’s own time; rather than that of the events he is describing. Casson is successful in presenting his ideas and he gives a perspective of the ancient world that is often missing in other works. This work is a tremendous addition to the scholarship of classical studies because it presents major events and civilizations in a new manner. With a flowing narrative and an impressive content knowledge; Casson created a work that is indispensable for historians.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fills in Great Gaps in KnowledgeBy TheEngineerWe know so little about seamanship in the ancient world. What seem like simple questions cannot be conclusively answered. Partially because archeology is difficult with wooden vessels of which no remains can be found and partly because so few individuals engaged in maritime activity. This book collects what is known and integrates it into the history of the time.The history of early civilization is a history of the Mediterranean (apologies to the Americas and Asia) and this grand sea is the center point of enormous activity and integrates so many different cultures and empires. This book improves our understanding of how men covered this body of water and the challenges they faced and the technology they applied.Slightly pedantic; but this cannot be helped since the subject matter requires it. Highly recommended.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Very informative and enjoyableBy BillmanI found this book to be a great read; it flows more like a novel than any dry technical text. Casson is a great writer; I will spare you any quotations; but there are several that would provide a prime example of Mr. Casson's writing skill. I read this together with his Ships And Seafaring In Ancient Times; the two go together like meat and potatoes. By the end of this book I was severely critiquing all those shows on the History Channel that depict ancient ships of any kind. You will know; and be able to describe in fine detail; the difference between a Penteconter and a Trireme; the role of the Pentecontarchos in the Athenian Navy of the fourth century B.C.; or the technical questions of the actual configuration of the "Forty" of Ptolemy IV. EXTREMELY enjoyable; especially since Casson takes the time to flesh out some of the major characters of ancient history like Archimedes; Demosthenes; Phormio; and Odysseus by providing details as to their personal lives. Absolutely a fantastic book.
