“‘What Thank They the Jews?'”

In the aftermath of the attack on the Chabad synagogue in Poway, California, I’ve posted at least three connected items on either anti-Semitism or interfaith relations more generally.  Here’s another:

About five years ago, Dr. Matthew Bowen, of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, published an article in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 12 (2014) titled

“‘What Thank They the Jews’?  (2 Nephi 29:4): A Note on the Name ‘Judah’ and Antisemitism”

Abstract:  The Hebrew Bible explains the meaning of the personal and tribal name “Judah”—from which the term “Jews” derives—in terms of “praising” or “thanking” (*ydy/ydh). In other words, the “Jews” are those who are to be “praised out of a feeling of gratitude.” This has important implications for the Lord’s words to Nephi regarding Gentile ingratitude and antisemitism: “And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them?” (2 Nephi 29:4). Gentile Christian antisemitism, like the concomitant doctrine of supersessionism, can be traced (in part) to widespread misunderstanding and misapplication of Paul’s words regarding Jews and “praise” (Romans 2:28-29). Moreover, the strongest scriptural warnings against antisemitism are to be found in the Book of Mormon, which also offers the reassurance that the Jews are still “mine ancient covenant people” (2 Nephi 29:4-5) and testifies of the Lord’s love and special concern for them.

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Not surprisingly, the following item, from Bloomberg, has drawn unfavorable comment in certain quarters (mostly thus far, it must be granted, in quarters where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cannot ever reasonably expect to draw favorable comment):

“Mormon Church in Talks to Buy $129 Million London Office Building”

Instead of giving its money to the poor, the critics say, the Church — that evil and soulless corporation — is seeking merely to maximize its wealth.

But such criticism, while superficially plausible, seems to me to illustrate a fundamental misunderstanding of economics and, in a sense, of the real world.

I’ve found myself on many occasions, when faced with this type of criticism, calling attention to a brief but lucid 2012 article by Nate Oman that, in my judgment, suggests the proper light in which to view such matters.  And it seems an appropriate time to call attention to it yet again:

“City Creek and the Choices of Thrift”

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Finally, Mitch Davis is the initial and principal scriptwriter for the dramatic portion of our Witnesses film project.  Here’s the official trailer for his forthcoming film:

The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith