The Jews as âChildren of the Devilâ (John 8:44) in Nazi Childrenâs Literature
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Kathleen Gallagher Elkins in
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Abstract
Biblical interpreters have long wrestled with the vicious anti-Jewish rhetoric of Johnâs gospel including, mostly famously, when Jesus calls Jews âchildren of the devilâ (8:44). Post-Shoah, the anti-Jewish rhetoric of Johnâs gospel is even more horrifying. This article seeks to highlight the use of John 8:44 and other anti-Jewish rhetoric from Johnâs gospel in childrenâs literature from Nazi Germany. The childrenâs books under consideration show a progression from advocating for forced displacement of the Jews to advocating for murder. Seeing the intensification and advancement of this rhetoric, even in something seemingly harmless like childrenâs literature, is a warning to biblical scholars who may try to downplay or overlook the hateful language of Johnâs gospel.
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The Jews as âChildren of the Devilâ (John 8:44) in Nazi Childrenâs Literature
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Kathleen Gallagher Elkins in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Biblical interpreters have long wrestled with the vicious anti-Jewish rhetoric of Johnâs gospel including, mostly famously, when Jesus calls Jews âchildren of the devilâ (8:44). Post-Shoah, the anti-Jewish rhetoric of Johnâs gospel is even more horrifying. This article seeks to highlight the use of John 8:44 and other anti-Jewish rhetoric from Johnâs gospel in childrenâs literature from Nazi Germany. The childrenâs books under consideration show a progression from advocating for forced displacement of the Jews to advocating for murder. Seeing the intensification and advancement of this rhetoric, even in something seemingly harmless like childrenâs literature, is a warning to biblical scholars who may try to downplay or overlook the hateful language of Johnâs gospel.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 22914 | 2288 | 178 |
| Full Text Views | 3296 | 49 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 4921 | 99 | 5 |
