Dialogue against the Jews

Third Titulus

THIRD TITULUS OSES: YOU HAVE demonstrated with the most clear and indisputable arguments what pertained to the present heading, namely, what the cause of our very long captivity was, or in what way are we able to escape it, and all the things necessary to be said about it. Nor do I see that there is anything further that should be investigated or doubted concerning it. As a result, I eagerly desire that we pass over to the other matters, just as they were listed above. Therefore, I entreat you to explain why you said in the beginning of the book that we err, because we believe that after escaping from captivity an extraordinary miracle will occur among us: namely, that the dead who are resurrected by God will dwell on the earth again. Why does it seem to you that we err in this belief? petrus: You yourselves claim that this miracle is extraordinary [preter usum]. Whatever occurs, however, beyond the customary [order of nature] should not be believed without an authority or argument, before it happens. Therefore, I determine that [you] believe an error that you cannot prove with any authority . moses: But surely we are able to prove this with many authorities . This is demonstrated by Moses’ testimony when speaking to the people of Israel: “See that I alone am he and that there is no other God besides me. I shall kill and make alive, I shall wound and I shall heal.”1 Since, then, God himself promises that one who dies will be made to live again, why does it seem to you that our belief concerning this ought to be rejected? petrus: That authority departs from the path of reason. For he spoke this passage [verbum] to show his omnipotence, not because he is about to revive your dead. moses: Do you concede that at any time God has performed 120 1. Dt 32.39. this miracle, from the day when God promised that he would do it, until the present day? petrus: Certainly he has done all things. For he himself afflicted Miriam, the sister of the prophet Moses,2 [and] Job,3 Hezekiah,4 Naaman,5 and several others, when he wished, and when he wished to do so, he healed them. Likewise, in a single night he killed all the firstborn of Egypt,6 and in the space of one night he slew 185,000 in the camps of Sennacherib.7 But, on the other hand, he revived the son of the Shunnamite by the hand of Elisha,8 and by the hand of Elijah he revived the son of the widow.9 moses: Since you believe that he has indeed already done these miracles, what prevents you from believing that he will yet perform the same miracles at some time in the future? petrus: I do not deny that the almighty can raise the dead, since I confess and I believe that on the day of judgment all men will be revived by him. Yet I do not believe what you add [to this], namely, that they will dwell on the earth again. moses: This ought not appear to you to be contrary to faith, since the one revived by Elijah or Elisha still enjoyed a long life, had a wife, begot sons, and fulfilled all the original functions of human life. petrus: It is true, and it could well be the case that, either by a miracle or by the prayer of a holy man, the body had not yet been destroyed, although we should never believe this unless we have some prophetic testimony concerning it. The faith of men is not easily accustomed to accept as true those things which are wont to occur beyond the usual order, unless they are confirmed by the authority of such prophets, whom the approbation of all who hear them acclaims, and unless the prophets speak of these things very clearly. No prophet, however, openly proclaimed this. But although your sages said this, none of those who lived before Christ predicted it. Their disciples invented this error, however, so that the race of the Jews would persist in its infidelity. THIRD TITULUS 121 2. Nm 12.9–10. 3. Jb 1.13–19. 4. 2 Kgs 20.1–11. 5. 2 Kgs 5.1–14. 6. Ex 12.29. 7. 2 Kgs 19.35. 8. 2 Kgs 4.32–35. 9. 1 Kgs 17.17–24. [18.227...