This book is really timely, because it’s tricky right now for many Catholics in terms of what they believe about Jews, Judaism, and Israel (both spiritual and temporal).
Some Catholics tell me that Christianity replaced Judaism so completely that they don’t have to give the Jews a second thought.
And they don’t, except to dismiss them for not accepting Jesus as the Messiah.
Others are openly antisemitic and not only believe that Christianity replaced Judaism, but that the Jews have worked collectively ever since to destroy it.
And there are a range of views in between these two, and out to the ends of what feels like a very broad spectrum.
So if this is a topic that you know nothing about, then this book is a great starting point.
It would also be a good book for Catholics who think they know exactly what “the church teaches” about this, because you’re almost certainly wrong.
From Sinai to Rome is a collection of 12 essays by Catholic theologians, including Scott Hahn, Gavin D’Costa (described by one of his colleagues as the “best and nicest British theologian we have”) and Jesuit scholar and Jewish convert Fr David Neuhaus.
There are three parts to the book. The first is “Roots” which will teach you that there is a far deeper and older impress of Judaism on Catholicism than you probably realised.
It will enrich your understanding of Marian devotion, the church itself, and the Catholic priesthood.
The second part, “Tradition”, takes on the difficult medieval period when relations between Judaism and Christianity were at their lowest ebb.
Bruce Marshall’s essay on Aquinas’ writings on the Jews – which are often wheeled out by Catholics who want to shut down this discussion – is especially valuable.
Aquinas was great, but he wasn’t infallible, and he was also a man of his times.
The third part, “The Church in the Modern World”, looks at how far we’ve come since Vatican II’s declaration Nostra aetate (60 years old last year).
It examines the question – as yet unsolved – of how much Jewish beliefs and practices can and should be continued when a Jewish person converts to Christianity.
We know some of this was solved in the early church, but not all of it. There’s been 2000 years of changes in Judaism since then. So how does that fit in?
How can we provide better ministry for Jewish people who are converts? And with such a long history of acrimony and forced conversions behind us, how can we evangelise Jewish people better?
This reminds me of the discussion that went on for years between the Catholic Church and the traditional Anglican community.
They were desperate to come into union with Rome but also loved their patrimony.
Benedict XVI was able to solve this with a generous compromise that’s worked ever since. I think with this precedent, there are certainly ways forward for Jewish converts.
It will take time and patience to work this out, but at least we’re moving in the right direction.
The depth of scholarship in this book is impressive and refreshing.
Many of these authors have more than just skin in the game, being converts to Christianity who have lived devout lives as Jews and now as Christians.
They have written carefully and clearly, with balance and common sense. This is a sensitive topic, and it’s treated with the respect it deserves.
As a lifelong philosemite who sits firmly in the church’s post-conciliar relationship with Judaism, I really enjoyed this book.
It’s an important step towards healing centuries of prejudice and hatred.
It’s refreshing to know that there are so many people of goodwill involved in this process on both sides.
This includes many educated, articulate Catholic converts from Judaism who want to preserve and share the treasures of their patrimony.
So perhaps 2026 can be the year when you open your mind and heart a little more to our Jewish extended family, the first to hear the word of God, that they may continue to grow in the love of his name and in faithfulness to his covenant.
 and Jesuit scholar and Jewish convert Fr David Neuhaus.){kind=link}