The Development and Influence of Gregory Baum's Theological Thought on the Post-Vatican II Relationship Between Christians and Jews in Canada and Internationally
This research project was awarded a $40,000 SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship.
“...I come to this project as someone who belongs to neither religious tradition, therefore, I am a neutral-third party. My interest is to promote dialogue and appreciation, to strengthen religious relations and advance human understanding."
Abstract
This dissertation, supported by a prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
(SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship, examines the development and influence of Gregory Baum’s
theological thought on the post-Vatican II relationship between Christians and Jews in Canada
and internationally. Following Vatican II’s landmark declaration Nostra aetate, the Catholic
Church formally committed itself to dialogue with non-Christian religions, especially Judaism.
While much scholarship has explored the Council’s transformation of Jewish-Christian relations,
less attention has been devoted to the Canadian context and to significant Canadian theologians
who contributed to this shift. Gregory Baum (1923-2017), himself of Jewish origin and an
instrumental figure behind the initial drafting stages of Nostra aetate, stands out as a seminal, yet
underexamined, voice in this arena.
Drawing on extensive archival research, a thorough analysis of Baum’s published works,
and a critical review of secondary sources, this study traces Baum’s evolving theological
perspective and active contributions to Jewish-Christian relations from the postwar era into the
21st century. It situates his insights and contributions within Canada’s distinct religious and social
milieu, while also considering their resonance on the international stage. This contextualization
reveals Baum’s impact, as well as the limitations of his influence in the area of Jewish-Christian
relations. By examining whether his impact resonated more strongly at the Canadian level or on
the international stage, and by measuring the lasting importance of his contributions, this study
offers a comprehensive evaluation of his role in fostering Jewish-Christian understanding in the
post-Vatican II era.
The contribution of this dissertation is threefold: it enriches the historiography of Jewish-
Christian relations by adding a comprehensive examination of Baum’s contributions; it highlights
the unique Canadian dimension of interfaith organizations and dialogues; and it informs
contemporary theological discourse by recovering a model of theological engagement that
remains relevant amid ongoing efforts to foster religious pluralism, interfaith understanding, and
resistance to antisemitism. Collectively, these findings position this dissertation as a key resource
for those committed to understanding religious pluralism, encouraging interfaith engagement,
and combatting anti-Jewish hatred.