These two immensely distinguished writers show how the writings of the early church emerged from communities which defined themselves in Judaic terms even as they followed Jesus; how the early movement is best seen as `Christian Judaism'.
Chilton and Neusner contend that, contrary to conventional wisdom, early Christians identified not as Christians, but as Jews. Bound to be controversial, the authors examine the New Testament as a statement of the Torah of Sinai. This important work provides a provocative and trenchant critique of existing scholarship that seeks to view Christianity as autonomous from Judaism.
'Such emphasis on community rather than individual religion, and on the pervasiveness of Jewish attitudes, is of great value.' - Church Times'An excellent volume by two very well respected scholars.' - Deborah Sawyer, Lancaster University, UK'Well written and compellingly argued, this book deserves a hearing within the Jewish-Christian dialogue.' - International Review of Biblical Studies'This is an important, well-conceived book ... the work lends itself to study and stimulating discussion by senior undergraduates as much as by senior academics.' - Markus Bockmuehl, Theological Book Review'This work is to be commended for providing important insights into the dynamics of early Christianity in relation to the Judaisms of the first century ... It has provided a fresh look at how we can read the New Testament in relation to the diverse Judaisms of the first century.' - Helen Fry, Reviews in Religion & Theology