Description
Our ‘Gospel truths’ are largely sourced and redacted from the Hebrew Bible. The Death of Jesus the Jew demonstrates how the Passion Narratives have little to do with ‘Gospel truth’ and how these stories, with their anti-Jewish polemic, hosted the unintended seedbed for the racial anti-Semitism of the nineteenth century, which in turn led to the Holocaust.
Judas didn’t betray Jesus with a kiss even if this ‘event’ inspired Caravaggio and many other artists; Judas didn’t hang himself or take 30 pieces of silver and probably died in his bed. Women were almost certainly present at the Last Supper where no one was ordained; Jesus never met Pilate and died a faithful Jew.
While this book makes no claim to originality, it hopes to make established scholarship more accessible to lay people, clergy and teachers.
About the Author
Peter Keenan was born in Dublin. He studied for the priesthood but left before ordination. He holds a B. A. degree in Theology, specialising in history and religious studies. Peter has lectured extensively at clergy, student, lay and teacher gatherings.
In 1986, Peter was appointed an advisor to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. He served for many years as secretary to its Committee for Catholic- Jewish Relations. Peter has led educational visits/pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He describes himself as a post-Holocaust Catholic.
Endorsements
“Peter Keenan picks his way delicately and accessibly through the minefield of New Testament scholarship, ensuring that its many differing and often conflicting opinions can enrich rather that confuse our understanding of ‘the death of Jesus’.” – Timothy Kinahan, Priest, Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Writer
“The Death of Jesus the Jew is a timely contribution to our understanding of the Bible. Not everyone will agree with Peter Keenan’s conclusions about the life and death of Jesus, but the points he makes are important. In this Synodal Church, the book will be a useful resource for the discernment and reflection in these changing times.” – Tony Flannery, Redemptorist Priest and Writer