God and humanity in Auschwitz

Jewish-Christian relations and sanctioned murder

Donald J. Dietrich

355 pages  |  ~10 hrs

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God and humanity in Auschwitz

Jewish-Christian relations and sanctioned murder

By Donald J. Dietrich

In the aftermath of humanity's darkest chapter, profound questions emerge about faith, prejudice, and our capacity for both evil and redemption. Donald J. Dietrich presents a comprehensive examination of how religious and social forces converged to enable the Holocaust, while offering pathways toward healing and prevention.

Drawing from three decades of scholarly research, this work explores how antisemitism became deeply embedded within theological frameworks throughout Western civilization. Dietrich approaches Auschwitz not merely as a historical tragedy, but as a crucial case study revealing how prejudice can become sanctified through religious institutions and cultural conditioning.

The author examines how both Christian and Jewish theologians have grappled with fundamental questions of faith in the wake of genocide. How do communities of faith reconcile their understanding of divine covenant and human dignity with such systematic destruction? What can religious traditions learn from their role in either enabling or resisting hatred?

Beyond theological analysis, Dietrich incorporates insights from social science to illuminate the psychological mechanisms that transform ordinary individuals into perpetrators of extraordinary evil. This interdisciplinary approach reveals practical strategies for channeling human aggression away from violence toward compassion.

For readers seeking to understand how spiritual communities can actively combat prejudice and protect human dignity, this work offers both sobering reflection and hope for transformation. It demonstrates how theological understanding, informed by social research, can help build more just and merciful societies.

What You'll Discover

  • Explore Judaism, relations, christianity
  • Strengthen your faith journey
  • Explore Relations
  • Explore Christianity and other religions
  • Explore Aspect religieux
  • Explore General
  • Explore Christian Life
  • Explore Social Issues

Topics

Judaism, relations, christianity Interfaith relations Relations Christianity and other religions Aspect religieux General Christian Life Social Issues Holocaust (Christian theology) Holocaust (Jewish theology) Christianisme Christianisme et antisémitisme Christianity and antisemitism Christianity Christianity and other religions, judaism Judaïsme Judaism Holocauste, 1939-1945 RELIGION

Details

Published
1995
Publisher
Transaction Publishers
ISBN-10
156000147X
Pages
355
Language
EN