The Performative Preaching of John Chrysostom: A Warning from History

This article offers a critical review on John Chrysostom’s Homilies Against the Jews, first preached in Antioch in 386 CE. They are the supreme example of anti-Judaic writing among the patristic Fathers, and arise out of this author’s work on the history of interpretation of anti-Jewish texts in Mat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Birch, Ian (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: International Baptist Theological Study Centre 2023
In: Journal of European Baptist Studies
Year: 2023, Volume: 23, Issue: 2, Pages: 25-46
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B John, Chrysostomus 344-407, Adversus Iudaeos / Antisemitism / Judaizers / Judaism
RelBib Classification:BH Judaism
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
Further subjects:B Jews
B John Chrysostom
B Antisemitism
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Summary:This article offers a critical review on John Chrysostom’s Homilies Against the Jews, first preached in Antioch in 386 CE. They are the supreme example of anti-Judaic writing among the patristic Fathers, and arise out of this author’s work on the history of interpretation of anti-Jewish texts in Matthew’s Gospel. Other scholars have undertaken to provide an account of John Chrysostom’s preaching, but here I offer my own analysis of his homilies for those who may be only vaguely aware of his antisemitic convictions. The importance of keeping this material in the public eye is to sensitise ourselves to antisemitic currents in Christian history, to be cognisant of the contribution Christians have made to the terrible atrocities perpetrated against the Jews throughout history. Reviewing the sermons of John Chrysostom against the Jews is also to be reminded of the power of the pulpit, and the responsibility of all who preach to perform words that contribute to the peace of God’s kingdom, to be ambassadors of reconciliation.
ISSN:1804-6444
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of European Baptist Studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.25782/jebs.v23i2.1234