FROM AMAZON: In this “masterly history” (Time), National Book Award-winning author James Carroll maps the profoundly troubling two-thousand-year course of the Church’s battle against Judaism and faces the crisis of faith it has provoked in his own life as a Catholic.
More than a chronicle of religion, this dark history is the central tragedy of Western civilization, its fault lines reaching deep into our culture. The Church’s failure to protest the Holocaust — the infamous “silence” of Pius XII — is only part of the story: the death camps, Carroll shows, are the culmination of a long, entrenched tradition of anti-Judaism. From Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus on the cross, to Constantine’s transformation of the cross into a sword, to the rise of blood libels, scapegoating, and modern anti-Semitism, Carroll reconstructs the dramatic story of the Church’s conflict not only with Jews but with itself. Yet in tracing the arc of this narrative, he implicitly affirms that it did not necessarily have to be so. There were roads not taken, heroes forgotten; new roads can be taken yet. Demanding that the Church finally face this past in full, Carroll calls for a fundamental rethinking of the deepest questions of Christian faith. Only then can Christians, Jews, and all who carry the burden of this history begin to forge a new future.
The Church and the Jews – A History
“Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews, A History” is a book written by James Carroll. Published in 2001, the book explores the complex and often troubled relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people throughout history. The title refers to the sword of the Roman Emperor Constantine. He played a significant role in the Christianization of the Roman Empire.
The author, James Carroll, is a former Catholic priest and an accomplished writer. In “Constantine’s Sword,” he delves into the historical roots of anti-Semitism. He examines the ways in which the Church has contributed to the persecution and discrimination of Jews over the centuries. The book covers a wide range of historical periods. From the early days of Christianity to the Holocaust and beyond.
The “monumental” New York Times bestseller in which a Catholic explores the problem of anti-Semitism through Church history.
The Washington Post
Carroll’s work not only addresses historical events. He also reflects on his personal experiences and struggles with the teachings and actions of the Church. The book has received both praise and criticism for its thorough examination of a sensitive and complex topic. It is regarded as a thought-provoking exploration of the historical dynamics between Christianity and Judaism and their impact on the broader history of Western civilization.
“A triumph.”
Atlantic Monthly
If you are interested in the history of religious relations, the development of anti-Semitism, and the role of the Church in shaping these dynamics, “Constantine’s Sword” may be a valuable and insightful read.
My Goodreads Review:
Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews by James CarrollMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The book is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people throughout history. With a meticulous examination of historical events, the author traces the roots of anti-Semitism and highlights the ways in which the Church has contributed to the persecution and discrimination of Jews over the centuries. The title metaphorically refers to the sword of Constantine, the Roman Emperor whose conversion to Christianity played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Western history. James Carroll, a former Catholic priest, infuses personal reflections into the narrative, adding a poignant layer to the historical analysis. The book is a well-researched and insightful account that not only sheds light on the historical dynamics between Christianity and Judaism but also prompts readers to contemplate the broader implications of religious intolerance and its impact on the course of human civilization.
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