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Sholom Asch's Missionary Literature

July 10, 1947—"Sholom Asch's Missionary Literature," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 6: Rather than a "review" of a specific book today, this column is going to discuss some of Asch's most talked about books. These comprise what has been called his "missionary literature." Sholom Asch is the first Jewish writer of note who has turned his distinguished talents to the profitable business of writing about Jesus.  No one begrudges Mr. Asch is profits from The Nazarene and The Apostle. But we do deplore the perversion of his great literary gifts to a cause which is unJewish if it is not actually hostile to Judaism. Asch's ability as a writer, as a master of imagery, is universally recognized. The Nazarene and The Apostle are literary works of art. But they are more than samples of fine literary technique. They are really interpretations. They are theological essays cast in the form of the novel. They are without any doubt works of religious propaganda, and they are distinctly propaganda not in behalf of Judaism. Asch himself would disclaim that he is a theologian and would assert that he wrote these two books "for pleasure." Yet they are decidedly theological, for both The Nazarene and The Apostle are being used today as textbooks in Christian religious seminaries. Asch himself, although he is a poor public speaker, is being deluged with invitations to lecture to the faculties and student bodies of Christian schools and colleges. Mr. Asch is a theologian. But his theology is full of mistakes and distortions which have made life difficult for the Jew. He is by no means a Hebrew scholar, and knows nothing of the Greek language and literature which were so prevalent during the period which his books were set. No doubt he did a lot of research work, but he follows mainly the Christian sources.  If The Apostle is not missionary then there has never been any missionary literature in the world. In both books mentioned, Asch clearly espouses the cause of Christianity of which he is openly enamored. There is not any doubt that books such as these, especially because they spring from the genius of a renowned Jew, will reinforce the hostility of the bigot. Whether they will hurt the Jewish cause is questionable. Under the impact of such literature, it is possible to conceive that a few individual Jews here and there, especially in these days of unexampled trial and tribulation, may falter in their faith and even succumb to the blandishments of Asch's missionary zeal. But Jews as a people who have weathered so many storms, will survive this shock too!