Anti-judaism In Early Christianity: Volume 1: P... May 2026

The book addresses the "painful reassessment" of Christian attitudes toward Judaism following World War II. It argues that early Christian hostility was driven by two primary needs:

This first volume focuses specifically on the , examining how classic passages contributed to the "teaching of contempt" that later flourished in Christian history.

: The emerging church needed to define its identity against its "parent" religion, Judaism. Anti-Judaism in Early Christianity: Volume 1: P...

: Delineates current scholarly debates on ancient anti-Judaism versus modern antisemitism.

: It sought to clearly differentiate the fledgling Christian community from the Jewish groups with which it was often confused. Structure and Content The book addresses the "painful reassessment" of Christian

: The volume investigates polarization in the trial of Jesus in Mark, as well as the passion narratives in Luke and Acts, exploring how these accounts framed the Jewish role in Jesus' death. Scholarly Significance

: Dedicated chapters analyze Paul's complex relationship with the Law and his fellow Jews in texts like 1 Thessalonians, Galatians, Romans, and 2 Corinthians. Volume 2: Separation and Polemic

The work is notable for its nuanced approach, distinguishing between (a rejection of Jewish religious tenets) and antisemitism (ethnic or racial prejudice), while acknowledging how the former often served as a "seedbed" for the latter. You can find this volume and its companion, Volume 2: Separation and Polemic , at retailers like AbeBooks and Amazon . Anti-Judaism in Early Christianity - Project MUSE