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Ida Nasatir on books
Sholom Asch's Missionary Literature
July 10, 1947—"Sholom
Asch's Missionary Literature," Southwestern
Jewish Press, page 6: Rather than a "review" of a specific
book today, this column is going to discuss some of Asch's most talked about
books. These comprise what has been called his "missionary
literature." Sholom Asch is the first Jewish writer of note who has turned
his distinguished talents to the profitable business of writing about
Jesus. No one begrudges Mr. Asch is profits from The Nazarene and The
Apostle. But we do deplore the perversion of his great literary gifts to a
cause which is unJewish if it is not actually hostile to Judaism. Asch's ability
as a writer, as a master of imagery, is universally recognized. The Nazarene and
The Apostle are literary works of art. But they are more than samples of
fine literary technique. They are really interpretations. They are theological
essays cast in the form of the novel. They are without any doubt works of
religious propaganda, and they are distinctly propaganda not in behalf of
Judaism. Asch himself would disclaim that he is a theologian and would assert
that he wrote these two books "for pleasure." Yet they are decidedly
theological, for both The Nazarene and The Apostle are being used
today as textbooks in Christian religious seminaries. Asch himself, although he
is a poor public speaker, is being deluged with invitations to lecture to the
faculties and student bodies of Christian schools and colleges. Mr. Asch is a
theologian. But his theology is full of mistakes and distortions which have made
life difficult for the Jew. He is by no means a Hebrew scholar, and knows
nothing of the Greek language and literature which were so prevalent during the
period which his books were set. No doubt he did a lot of research work, but he
follows mainly the Christian sources. If The Apostle is not
missionary then there has never been any missionary literature in the world. In
both books mentioned, Asch clearly espouses the cause of Christianity of which
he is openly enamored. There is not any doubt that books such as these,
especially because they spring from the genius of a renowned Jew, will reinforce
the hostility of the bigot. Whether they will hurt the Jewish cause is
questionable. Under the impact of such literature, it is possible to conceive
that a few individual Jews here and there, especially in these days of
unexampled trial and tribulation, may falter in their faith and even succumb to
the blandishments of Asch's missionary zeal. But Jews as a people who have
weathered so many storms, will survive this shock too!