Why Tertullian Preferred Symbolic Jews to Real Ones

Jan. 20 2025

A brilliant master of Latin prose and legal reasoning, the Tunisian lawyer-turned-priest Tertullian (ca. 155–220) is considered one of the founders of Western Christianity. Tertullian wrote extensively about Jews and Judaism, in his Adversus Iudaeos (“Answer to the Jews”)—a foundational work of anti-Jewish polemic—and his five-volume Against Marcion, an attack on an influential thinker who wanted to separate Christianity entirely from the Hebrew Bible and Judaism. Considering the attention he paid to Judaism, and the likely presence of a Jewish community in his native Carthage, Stéphanie Binder tries to determine whether the church father had in mind actual, living Jews or Jews as a biblical-theological abstraction. Her conclusion says much about the way non-Jews over the centuries have turned Jews from people into symbols:

The few examples noted above display Tertullian’s reliance on Scripture and previous Christian exegesis to depict Judaism. However, clues show that he was indeed cognizant of details from Jewish contemporary daily life. In his harshest attacks against Jews, Tertullian disregards contemporary Jewish features and focuses on biblical ones, partly because his goal was more to strengthen Christians than to aggress Jews; partly to avoid discomfort with his Jewish neighbors; and partly not to deter Jews from Christianity in the hope that they might convert in the end.

Read more at theTorah.com

More about: Ancient Rome, Christianity, Jewish-Christian relations

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait