Augustine Quote by Simon Schama
““Likewise, Augustine made the effort of historical imagination to register to the full the Jewishness of Jesus and the apostles. And now, he wrote to Jerome in a series of subtly argued polemical exchanges, it was necessary to preserve Jews in the undisturbed observance of their traditions and laws, for God must have wanted them to be universally dispersed, wandering the face of the earth, as custodians of the Bible’s prophecies of Christ – a living museum of perpetual anticipation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A History of Britain, 2000
The passage argues that Augustine saw Jewish traditions as essential for preserving biblical prophecy and that Jews serve as custodians of Christian expectations.
In simple terms: Augustine viewed Jews as key keepers of prophecy.
Key Takeaway
Respect and protect cultural traditions.
Themes
religion
history
identity
prophecy
interfaith
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
historical
theological
When to use this quote
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- religious education
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
theology
cultural preservation
diaspora
anticipation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance respect for tradition with modern autonomy?
- What responsibilities arise from being custodians of prophecy?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook Jewish agency and diversity.
![“Modern Christians who find Matthew's preoccupation with [Judaism] tedious and even distasteful, should realise that they live in a very different world from that of early Christians, for whom the 'Jewishness' of Jesus and his church was not just a matter of historical interest but an existential…” quote by R.T. France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5f9/r-t-france-270932_christianity_modern-christians-who-find-matthew-s-pre_2916439.jpg)
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
