Journey to the Holocaust: Anti-Semitism, the Bible and History

By Susanna Kokkonen

'Journey to the Holocaust' is an examination of the Holocaust, not just as part of Jewish history, but Christian history. The Holocaust has indeed had universal consequences. The Holocaust happened in the 1930's and 1940's but is still being studied precisely because it has something to say to everyone. It is almost as if we have a pre-Holocaust versus post-Holocaust world. The roots of anti-Semitism are long and deep. In order for us to understand what happened during the Holocaust, we need to know about the Church fathers, Christian theology, the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment. We need to know who are the SS and other perpetrators of the crimes; the silent bystanders and the rescuers, the Righteous Among The Nations. We need to know what happened in the chaos of 1945. Where did the survivors go? How is the Holocaust connected to the State of Israel? In terms of Christian thinking, the Holocaust shows us that Christian values function during a crisis only if they are put to practice. Some pastors were able to do so in Nazi Germany; others joined the Nazi party even when having the freedom to refuse. The Holocaust has had universal ramifications because it shows what happens when humanity falls into an abyss. The conversation about the Holocaust still continues. The event is being denied too even when some of its witnesses are still among us. It is important that we continue speaking and educating. Ours is the last generation that still heard the Holocaust survivors and witnesses. Journey to the Holocaust is an examination of anti-Semitism from the Bible until our days. The story has to do with historical events as well as with their impact on generations. Hatred of Jews has always existed but it is in Europe where it became the most deadly. From traditional anti-Semitism, it progressed to social-economic envy and racism. Today's anti-Semitism shares these elements and some more recent ones. Sadly, this theme is as current right now, as it ever was. Journey to the Holocaust is a journey of ideas and people from the Bible until our days. Using the Bible, the author is able to give a picture of a spiritual problem whilst including academic research and interpretation. The Holocaust took place as a result of existing conditions . The important question is if we understand the circumstances around us. In light of this specific chapter in history, what is our moral and practical generational Christian responsibility?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9529431546
• ISBN13: 9789529431540
• Release Date: April 2020
• Publisher: Finnish National Archives
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"