Judaism And Christianity

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 3

Judaism And Christianity

IKeview-a by G MJ Jesus of Nazareth; the Hidden Years. By Robert Aron. Hamish Hamilton. 192 p.p. For many centuries there has been constant speculation about what is called “the hidden years” in the life of Christ. Many books have been written and most amazing conclusions have been put forward in the attempt to penetrate what is quite clearly a mystery. Christ was 33 when He died and for thirty of those years, with the exception of one incident we know nothing of what He did and said. The effect of the last three years of the life of Christ has no counterpart in known history. He changed the climate of thought and brought into being a philosophy as well as a religion which have survived for nearly two thousand years. Robert Aron, a Jewish thinker aiid writer of distinction, has written the latest book concerning the hidden years, the thirty years of which we know practically nothing. His book is creating rising interest in the United States and Britain. We are told nothing at all of what Jesus did and said during those years; Mr Aron’s contribution —and it is a real one—to the mystery is that he gives a lucid account of the religious and cultural life of the day of Christ and the effects of such upon the mind and outlook , of the young man from the quiet village of Nazareth The book cover has a statement by Albert Schweitzer which in view of his own profound writing on the historical Christ is illuminating: “In my studies of Jesus in history, I have always regretted being unable to form an idea of his religious education. Your book has made a profound impression upon me. I am very grateful.” The last few words will be repeated by many, for here is something fresh and deeply significant. The only incident in “the hidden years” of which there is any record is the occasion of the visit to the Temple at Jerusalem by Jesus as a lad of twelve. The description of the Temple and the doctors (teachers) who are at the service of any worshipper, especially young worshippers. in the Temple is most interesting. For three days Jesus attended the classes

and was encouraged to ask questions. The author is of the opinion that these three days were the beginning of the movement ultimately known as Christianity. This is perhaps wishful thinking but it is a point worth considering. The place of the synagogue in the life of the nation is made clear and it was in the synagogue, not the Temple, where the young were taught and with their elders, worshipped. At no point in the life of a Jew is life untouched by the sacred. Even the Talmud with its perplexing multiplicity of observation and interpretations is shown as a continual development and not a rigid code. Perhaps the most startling difference between Jesus as a teacher and the Rabbis was the use of the first person. “I say unto you” was something very different from the traditional form of giving instruction. Christ spoke as if He had a personal covenant with God.

The author is really astray when he states that “Jesus's passion and death came out of the fatal clash of two civilizations (Roman and Greek).” This is patently out of fccus with facts as the Gospels have recorded In a piece of fine reasoning the author speaks of Jesus as a turning point in the story of God and goes on to say that today we are facing a new turning point. If Christ came back the author asserts, He would find the two religions still living and influencing human affairs, Judaism and Christianity. It is impossible in a short review to do justice to the many points raised in an outstanding book which certainly gives us a splendid account of the religious and cultifral life that surrounded Jesus in those years we call “hidden.” The book is translated excellently from the French. ’

Oswald Spengler's masterpiece, “The Decline of the West,” is a work which by its very size might daunt many would-be readers. An abridged edition that preserves the essentials and the fine stream of Spengler’s eloquence has been produced by Helmut Werner—the English abridged edition by Arthur Heeps. The book, which runs to 393 pages, is published by Allen and Unwin.