Tolerance and Enlightenment in Denmark: the theologian Christian Bastholm (1740–1819) and his attitude toward Judaism

Authors

• Martin Schwarz Lausten Copenhagen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30752/nj.69553

Keywords:

Enlightenment, Bastholm, Christian, 1740-1819, Jews -- Denmark, Theologians, Danish, Christianity and Judaism, Antisemitism in literature, Image of God, Conversion, Stereotype (Psychology)

Abstract

Christian Bastholm was one of the leading theologians in Enlightenment Denmark, and it is in his attitude towards Judaism and the Jews that we shall be able to get some ideas as to how his thoughts about tolerance and enlightenment were able to manifest themselves as to the limits he imposed on those ideas. To him, Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem and the statement that the Jews would be spread throughout the world meant that they would remain scattered for 1700 years and no one had succeeded by means of either threats or promises to induce them to abandon Judaism and become Christians. Bastholm was also involved in the conversion of Dr. Solomon de Meza and Jacob de Mesa from Judaism to Christianity. He knows that one must be tolerant and excuse the Jews who know no better and who have been raised in Judaism. At least in formal fashion he distances himself as a modern enlightened man from Christian prejudices, although he is himself susceptible to prejudice. Thus he acknowledges that the Jews who exercise their faith straightforwardly and truly, even if it is false, can be saved.