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The Once and Future Messiah in Early Christianity and Chabad

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2001

JOEL MARCUS
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Abstract

The recent history of the modern Chabad (Lubavitcher) movement of Hasidic Judaism provides insight into the development of early Christianity. In both movements successful eschatological prophecies have increased belief in the leader's authority, and there is a mixture of ‘already’ and ‘not yet’ elements. Similar genres of literature are used to spread the good news (e.g. miracle catenae and collections of originally independent sayings). Both leaders tacitly accepted the messianic faith of their followers but were reticent about acclaiming their messiahship directly. The cataclysm of the Messiah's death has led to belief in his continued existence and even resurrection.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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