The Trial of St. John: Was the Gospel of John Responsible for the Holocaust? You Decide.

By David J. Diamond

A twelve year old Jewish girl is kidnapped by a gang of boys on Good Friday. They tell her the Bible claims all Jews are responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They seek revenge and tie her to a cross of Jesus in a church courtyard.  She is stripped naked and sexually assaulted. Her father is a history professor and is horrified by what happened to his daughter. He searches for the reasons for the hatred of Jews and finds it in the words of the Gospel of John in the New Testament. He writes a book accusing St. John of lying about the Jews and being the source of  anti-Semitism that led to the massacres of Jews throughout the centuries culminating

in the Holocaust.

 

An extreme Christian organization does not want a book published that criticizes the Holy Bible. Kidnapping and attempted murder are used to stop the publication of the book. Embedded in the exciting story is a fictional trial of St. John.  John and others in the story defend the Gospel of John.  They deny that John’s words are responsible for the Holocaust. Both sides are fairly represented.  You decide if John is guilty or innocent of the murder of  the Jews since the birth of Christianity.

 

This is a provocative story with memorable characters and an intriguing plot. This controversial book is destined to trigger an intense national debate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Feb 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480873124

David J. Diamond

David J. Diamond is a history professor at the University of Maryland University College who holds a Master’s Degree in international relations from the University of Chicago. Prior to his teaching career, Mr. Diamond was president and CEO of Sam Diamond Knitting Mills. He and his wife, Jeanne, have three children, six grandchildren, and enjoy traveling the world.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 David J. Diamond.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

King James, 3 quotes

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-7311-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7312-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018914718

Archway Publishing rev. date: 01/30/2019

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter One

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Two

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Three

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Four

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Five

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Six

Chapter Thirty-Three

The Trial Of St. John

Chapter Seven

Chapter Thirty-Four

Bibliography

The Jews are the odious assassins of Christ, and for killing God there is no expiation possible. ….Christians may never cease vengeance, and the Jews must live in servitude forever. God always hated the Jews, and whoever has intercourse with Jews will be rejected on Judgment Day. It is incumbent upon all Christians to hate the Jews.

— Saint John Chrysostom

Patriarch of Constantinople, Fourth Century

…Auschwitz would not have been possible without Christianity.

— Elie Wiesel

From: Harry James Cargas in Conversations with Elie Wiesel (page 34)

Dedication

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED with love and admiration to my wife Jeanne who has been my dear companion on life’s long journey.

Jeanne sang many roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

She is also a Cantorial Soloist whose beautiful voice has inspired so many.

Jeanne is the devoted and proud mother of our children: Mark, Larry and Debbie and grandmother to our six wonderful grandchildren.

Thank you Jeanne for your encouragement in bringing this book to the public and for your many helpful suggestions.

Acknowledgement

MY SINCERE THANKS TO my son Mark for his dedicated editing of the manuscript for The Trial of St. John.

My thanks also to my other son Larry for enlightening me about the mysteries of the computer world. Larry also read the manuscript and made important suggestions.

I am also grateful to my lifelong friend Dr. Mitzie Eisen for her enthusiasm after reading the manuscript and urging me to publish this book.

My thanks also to my sister Shiphra Davis for her valuable suggestions and to my family and friends who took the time to read the manuscript and share their ideas with me: Marilyn Reinish, Ellen Lees, James Lees, Leonard and Phyllis Kipnis.

Introduction

ANTI-SEMITISM PLANTED THE SEEDS for the Holocaust. Where did hatred for the Jews come from? Who started it?

This story begins with the brutal sexual assault of a twelve year-old Jewish girl by a gang of boys. Her father, a history professor, wanted to know why those boys hated Jews. His research led him to the New Testament and the Gospel of John.

Woven into an exciting story with memorable characters is a fictional Trial of St. John. John defends his Gospel as do other key figures in the intriguing plot.

Is the Gospel of John responsible for the Holocaust? Both sides of the argument are fairly presented. You decide.

Chapter

One

THE FOUR YOUNG MEN drinking Coors in the White Hen store parking lot watched the girl get off the Metra train.

Dumb kid should know not to go through the park at night, Luke said as he watched her cross the dark expanse of grass that stretched along the railroad tracks.

Hey man, this is Highland Park, not Chicago. Everyone cuts across the park, John replied taking another gulp of his beer. The two other boys murmured agreement.

Well, I think it is our civic duty to protect the young lady from any evil characters who may be lurking around, Luke persisted.

No one is around, John said before taking a swig of beer.

I know that dummy. You want to just sit around and get stoned all night, or do you want to have some fun?

Doing what Luke? John asked.

Let’s offer the little Jew girl a ride home, Luke laughed.

How do you know she’s Jewish? Matt in the back seat chimed in.

All the girls are Jewish out here. It’s Jew Town. I bet she’s just another spoiled little Jewish princess, Luke replied after another swallow of beer.

I bet she’s not, Pete said.

How much you want to bet? Luke challenged him.

Another six-pack, Pete replied.

OK. Let’s go ask her. Luke took another swig of beer and started up the red Toyota.

Jenny Sanders looked behind her. No one was there. She felt a little funny, a little scared. She walked faster. Her Dad had dropped her off at Gloria’s around dinner time. She and Gloria were going to rehearse a skit for the temple youth group. The plan was for Jenny to sleep over so the girls could gossip all night.

Unfortunately, Gloria got sick after dinner. Gloria’s father offered to drive Jenny home, but Jenny insisted on taking the train from Winnetka. Her house was only a few blocks from the train station and it was only 7 p.m. What could go wrong in Highland Park?

Now she was sorry she had not accepted the ride home. Her folks would be peeved at her for not calling. They were out for a rare dinner date with friends and Jenny did not want to disturb them. The park was dark. No heavenly lights pierced the cloudy sky. A gentle wind caressed her delicate features and her long black hair fluttered in the breeze.

Jenny saw a red Toyota pull up to the curb near the tennis courts where she was headed. From the light of the street lamp she could see a car full of boys. Jenny decided not to take any chances. She turned around and started running to the White Hen store. It was a block away, but she was a fast runner. Jenny looked behind her. Two boys were chasing her. Jenny dropped her overnight bag and raced for safety. She didn’t make it.

Luke drove the Toyota across the grass. Suddenly, the car was right in front of her. Jenny couldn’t stop in time and crashed against the fender. She crumbled to the ground. Two boys picked her up and pushed her into the back seat. The Toyota sped out of the park and stopped across the street from the White Hen.

Luke whispered instructions to Pete. Pete went into the store and came back in a few minutes with a six-pack of Coors and a brown paper bag. The car drove off with Jenny squeezed in the back seat between two husky boys. She was a little bruised, but not badly hurt.

You guys are going to get in a lot of trouble if you don’t let me out of here right now, Jenny demanded.

First we have to settle a bet, Luke said calmly. See, I said you were Jewish, and Pete bet me you were not. So who’s right?

I’m Jewish. So what’s the big deal? Are you some kind of Nazi freak?

Oh no way. We’re 100 percent Americans, Luke replied.

OK. So you won your bet. Now let me out of here!

I guess you don’t know what night this is, Luke said.

It’s Friday night. So what? Jenny struggled to stay calm, but her heart was pounding with fear.

See? That’s the trouble with you Jews, Luke continued in a teasing voice. You don’t care about other people. Tonight is not just any Friday night. It’s special. Tell her John what special Friday this is.

Tonight is Good Friday, John answered from the back seat.

See? Luke smiled as he watched Jenny in his rearview mirror. You learned something tonight. Now, I’m going to give you a test - a very important test. If you pass, maybe we’ll let you go. Tell me why all good Christians celebrate Good Friday?

It has something to do with Easter, Jenny said nervously, not really sure what Good Friday was or why these boys were tormenting her. At least, no one had hurt her - not yet.

You’re not sure, are you? Luke taunted her.

Not exactly, Jenny admitted. She was trying to figure out where the boys were taking her. They seemed to be driving around aimlessly in Highland Park.

Matt, tell our little Jewish friend what Good Friday commemorates, Luke ordered.

It’s the day that Jesus Christ was crucified.

Right on Matt. Luke continued his interrogation. What’s your name little girl?

Jenny. She noticed her voice was trembling. Her whole body was shivering. Please let me go. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

Take her home, Luke. We scared her enough, Pete said.

Look chicken Pete. Just shut up. You lost the bet, so this is my show, Luke said angrily. He looked at the girl. Now Jenny, you didn’t pass the first test, but to show you what a good sport I am, I’m going to give you another test - another chance. Tell us who killed Christ? Luke watched in the mirror as Jenny dried her eyes.

The Romans, I think, Jenny said between sobs.

Well, you’re almost right, Luke conceded. The Romans did it, but do you know why?

Jenny was silent.

I’ll tell you why little Jew girl. The Jews told them to kill Jesus. The Jews screamed for His blood. It’s all in the Bible, the whole story. That’s why everyone hates the Jews. Didn’t you know that? How stupid can you be not to know the Jews killed Christ? Luke grabbed the can of beer that Pete was holding and took a big swallow.

Jenny noticed they were driving north on Green Bay Road, past the turnoff to the hospital. Soon they would be in Highwood, the Little Italy of the North Shore with its dozens of quaint restaurants and bars.

Do you know what it feels like to be on the cross? Luke’s tone was not teasing anymore. It was ugly. He was mad. Mad at the Jews for killing his Lord. Mad at all the Jews. And he had one young Jewish girl in the back seat of his car, helpless and in his power.

The red Toyota glided to a stop in front of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church of Highwood, Illinois. The church was dark. Services were over. In the courtyard, set far back from the street behind a wrought iron fence was a lovely garden. In the center of the garden, on a marble pedestal, was a life-size sculpture of Jesus on the cross.

Luke turned around and faced Jenny. We’re taking you out of the car now little Jew girl. There is no one around, but if you open your mouth to scream, I’ll smash your face in. All those pretty white teeth will go right down your throat. You understand?

Please don’t hurt me, Jenny begged. Her whole body was trembling as the boys pulled her out of the car and marched her into the courtyard. They pushed her up against Jesus on the cross. Luke took out the clothesline from the brown paper bag that Pete had bought at White Hen. Matt and John lifted Jenny up while Luke tied her arms to the cold stone cross. Luke cut the rope with his pocket knife and then tied Jenny’s feet to the bottom of the cross. The boys let go and Jenny sagged on the cross, her weight straining against the ropes around her arms.

Please get me down! My arms are killing me, Jenny cried out in pain.

Now you know how Jesus felt, Luke taunted her.

But I didn’t kill Him! Why are you torturing me? I never hurt anyone in my whole life.

You’re a Jew. That’s why, Luke replied as if the answer were self-evident.

Okay Luke, you had your fun. Now let’s get her down and get out of here, Pete demanded.

It doesn’t look right, Luke said ignoring his friend. The boys stepped back and looked at twelve year-old Jenny Sanders crying hysterically as she hung from the cross in the courtyard of St. Christopher’s.

Oh God please help me, Jenny sobbed.

That’s the problem little Jew girl. You got the wrong God. No one can help you now, Luke laughed as he watched Jenny struggle helplessly against the ropes tying her to the cross.

I know what’s wrong, Luke said triumphantly. Jesus was stripped before they nailed Him to the cross.

Oh for Christ’s sake Luke, that’s enough already, Pete protested.

Go bring us some beer Pete and stop being such a Jew-lover.

Luke climbed the steps to the cross. Jenny looked up at the tall muscular young man.

Please get me down. My arms are breaking. I promise I won’t tell. Please let me go. Please! Jenny cried.

Luke unzipped Jenny’s jacket and pulled it open. He watched her small breasts heave up and down against the thin cotton fabric of her blouse. Luke placed his hands on Jenny’s breasts and then he tore open her lavender blouse and ripped off her bra. In one fast motion he undid her jeans and pulled them down with her panties to the ropes around her ankles. The boys stared at her naked slim body. Her white skin glistened with sweat.

Oh God, please help me. Help me somebody, Jenny whimpered in fright and shame.

Luke got the new six-pack of Coors from Pete and carried it up to the cross.

You guys want to help cleanse a Jew? Luke laughed. His friends just watched as Luke opened the cans of beer and poured them over Jenny’s head and body. He massaged her breasts and moved his big hands lustfully up and down her thighs.

I bet you’re still a virgin aren’t you Jenny? Luke said as he squeezed her nipples