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A review by dngoldman
When Christians Were Jews: The First Generation by Paula Fredriksen
4.0
Professor Fredriksen examines the early Christian movement from the perspective of the people as they were at the time - religious Jews very much part of the milue of their times. Stripping away the imposition of events and believes that were prevalent centuries later. Her writing is clear and authoritative, Fredriksen mines christian, jewish, and roman histories. When Christians Were Jews provides a fascinating insight that both Christians and Jews will profit from. (I’m Jewish, btw).
The temple was a gathering Jews and gentiles, particularly the massive court. Many gentiles were Jewish sympathizers, but not jews themselves. Jesus was one of many prophets and teachers surrounding the temple at this time.
The Gospils were written after the destruction of the temple, while Paul was written before. Thus, Paul assumes the Temple’s existence. All were involved with the Temple cult and none rejected it. They saw themselves very much in the tradition of the prophets - criticizing certain aspects of the cult but no the insitution. Compare to the Jewish subgroup - the Essenes - who outright rejected the cult.
Jesus had frequented Jerusalem many times during his like, more like Luke. He teachings had gone without notice by authorities, roman and Jewish. It was only when Jesus came during Passover, which a large following and attracting crowds did authorities act. (The better translation is the word insurrection than criminal). They were not afraid of Jesus, but did want to keep the peace
Jesus followers expected the end of days to happen during Jesus life, then immediately after his death, and then soon after. In some ways, christianity has been a religion defined by always waiting. Yet the lack of parousia, lead early followers to dig deep. Because they were jews, they dug deep into the Bible. Matching up Jesus’s prophecy with jewish profits and his life with David
Preaching beyond Jews. Because they thought the end of days was near, and non-jews needed to become “god-fearers” the Paul and then others focus on non-Jews. The Jews were already covered. Paul’s rhetoric that seems anti-jewsish and anti-jewish law was really only meant for non-jews. This group didn’t need to be converted to Judiasm. Paul’s vindictive comments are reserved for those apostles who believed non-jews needed to be converted. Paul, himself, remained loyal to jewish custom. His comments appear anti jewish in retrospect of centuries of animosity .
Fredriksen sees early christians as Jews. Jews of that time had a wide array of practices and beliefs (as they do now). Sadducee, Pharisees, Essenes, hellenized jews, non-jews who were judiased. In this enviorment, those who would become Christians easily fit within parameters of jews. The breach happened, but it was later.
The temple was a gathering Jews and gentiles, particularly the massive court. Many gentiles were Jewish sympathizers, but not jews themselves. Jesus was one of many prophets and teachers surrounding the temple at this time.
The Gospils were written after the destruction of the temple, while Paul was written before. Thus, Paul assumes the Temple’s existence. All were involved with the Temple cult and none rejected it. They saw themselves very much in the tradition of the prophets - criticizing certain aspects of the cult but no the insitution. Compare to the Jewish subgroup - the Essenes - who outright rejected the cult.
Jesus had frequented Jerusalem many times during his like, more like Luke. He teachings had gone without notice by authorities, roman and Jewish. It was only when Jesus came during Passover, which a large following and attracting crowds did authorities act. (The better translation is the word insurrection than criminal). They were not afraid of Jesus, but did want to keep the peace
Jesus followers expected the end of days to happen during Jesus life, then immediately after his death, and then soon after. In some ways, christianity has been a religion defined by always waiting. Yet the lack of parousia, lead early followers to dig deep. Because they were jews, they dug deep into the Bible. Matching up Jesus’s prophecy with jewish profits and his life with David
Preaching beyond Jews. Because they thought the end of days was near, and non-jews needed to become “god-fearers” the Paul and then others focus on non-Jews. The Jews were already covered. Paul’s rhetoric that seems anti-jewsish and anti-jewish law was really only meant for non-jews. This group didn’t need to be converted to Judiasm. Paul’s vindictive comments are reserved for those apostles who believed non-jews needed to be converted. Paul, himself, remained loyal to jewish custom. His comments appear anti jewish in retrospect of centuries of animosity .
Fredriksen sees early christians as Jews. Jews of that time had a wide array of practices and beliefs (as they do now). Sadducee, Pharisees, Essenes, hellenized jews, non-jews who were judiased. In this enviorment, those who would become Christians easily fit within parameters of jews. The breach happened, but it was later.