Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Essays on the Relationship between Christianity and Judaism

by Gerald McDermott (Editor)

2022 Christianity Today Book Award Finalist for Biblical Studies 2022 Academy of Parish Clergy (APC) Top 10 Books of the Year
How Jewish is Christianity? In this volume, a variety of leading scholars and theologians explore the relationship of Judaism and Christianity through biblical, historical, theological, and ecclesiological angles. This cutting-edge scholarship will enrich readers' understanding of this centuries-old debate.
The question of how Jesus' followers relate to Judaism has been a matter of debate since Jesus first sparred with the Pharisees. The controversy has not abated, taking many forms over the centuries. In the decades following the Holocaust, scholars and theologians reconsidered the Jewish origins and character of Christianity, finding points of continuity.
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity advances this discussion by freshly reassessing the issues. Did Jesus intend to form a new religion? Did Paul abrogate the Jewish law? Does the New Testament condemn Judaism? How and when did Christianity split from Judaism? How should Jewish believers in Jesus relate to a largely gentile church? What meaning do the Jewish origins of Christianity have for theology and practice today?

Genres: Theology, Judaism, Christianity, History, Church History

264 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Gerald McDermott is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and an expert on mythology. His work often combines bright colors and styles with ancient imagery.

He has created more than 25 books and animated films. His first book, Anansi the Spider, was awarded a Caldecott Honor, and he’s since won the Caldecott Medal for Arrow to the Sun and another Caldecott Honor.

Reviews

[Marty Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of essays that address exactly what the title and subtitle suggest. I had my doubts when this one arrived in the mail, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

This book, edited by Gerald McDermott, is a collection of essays about different topics concerning the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. While the essays are academic, written by different scholars and professors, they are also very accessible. While they are accessible, they are also grounded in research with good footnotes. Some of my favorite chapters were those that examined the way the Jewish and Christian faiths split and drifted apart; it offers a good evaluation of multiple understandings and historical theories.

This is another one of those reads I will be recommending for that often-asked question of, “If I wanted a few books to start learning about the Jewish roots of my faith, where would I start?” I would recommend this book alongside authors like Lois Tverberg, Sandra Richter, and Kenneth Bailey.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Christianity emerged out of first century CE Judaism, Christian history is stained by the way in which we have not only treated Jews but misrepresented the relationship. It is no wonder that even though the two religions are intimately interconnected Jewish-Christian relations have always been difficult. Nothing is more difficult than having a conversation about Jesus. We've made much progress in the decades since the Holocaust and the founding of the nation of Israel has made the conversation essential.

On the Christian side of things, there are varying positions on the relationship. For some Jews and Christians form two separate religions, with whom God words separately. Two covenant in essence. For others, Christianity is an extension of Judaism. Of course, there are still others who assume that Christianity replaces or supersedes Judaism. Then there is the phenomenon of Messianic Judaism, which some, especially among Jesus, suggest is an oxymoron. You are either Christian or Jewish, but you can't be both. Then there is the issue of Israel. Is this nation simply a political entity or does it have theological significance? If it does, what about the Palestinians? Where do they fit into this?

This book, edited by Gerald R. McDermott, presents a series of essays that delve into biblical, theological, and historical questions concerning the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Most of the essayists are evangelical, and several are by self-identification Messianic Jews (note Jennifer Rosner and Mark Kinzer. The contributors to this volume, whatever their self-identification are scholars and religious leaders who are committed to exploring this relationship. Central to the message here is the reminder first of all that Jesus was Jewish and that this must be understood and affirmed if we are to understand Christianity.

As with any volume of essays by different authors, there is a variety of perspectives and varying quality. Some essays will speak more to the reader and than others will. I especially appreciated the opening essays by Mark Gignailliat, which explore how the New Testament authors used Tanak (Old Testament) and Matthew Thiessen's "Did Jesus Plan to Start a New Religion." Regarding the first, Gigniliat reminds us that there is no New Testament without the Old Testament. Yes, if you are a New Testament Christian, you have no text without the text used by the writers of the New Testament and that would be the Tanak. I find this a helpful response to the undercurrent of Marcionism present in the church, even if unrecognized and unacknowledged. Without that text, we are, as the author reminds us, cut off from the God of Israel, and thus the God of Jesus. Thiessen follows that up with a reminder that Jesus did not attempt to found a separate religion. He was Jewish from his birth to his death to his resurrection. That means Jesus was a Torah-observing Jew. This serves as a challenge to scholars seeking to discover the "historical Jesus" by seeking that which is unique in such a way that it separates Jesus from his context (I see you Jesus Seminar).

There are chapters that explore Paul's understanding of the Law (we've largely misunderstood Paul, so say the authors). There is a chapter focusing on the book of Hebrews discussion of sacrifice and the new covenant. That is an intriguing chapter by David Moffitt. There is a chapter on the roots of Christian worship and an important essay, this one by Isaac Olver, who explores when, how, and why the Christian ekklesia separated from the synagogue. Was it inevitable? The author says no. If that is true, then what might we do? These are good questions.

There are several other essays that explore dimensions of the conversation, but there is one more essay I'd like to note. That is Mark Kinzer's essay on "Messianic Judaism" and what that means for "recovering the Jewish character of the Ekklesia." Here again, there is a conversation about whether Christianity and Judaism are separate religions so that if a Jew follows Jesus they are converting from Judaism to Christianity, something that early Christians such as Paul did not conceive of. So, Kinzer believes that the church needs the "visible corporate presence of Jewish disciples of Jesus within the ekklesia" (p. 185). He details how in the modern era Jewish Christians have taken hold of their heritage as Jews and embraced this along with Jesus. The question is, is this possible? Kinzer believes that if Christianity is to rediscover its Jewish roots/origins we need a visible Jewish Christian presence. This is, of course, controversial. It's a vision I've largely dismissed, at the behest of my Jewish friends. But might he have a point? I don't know, but it's worth exploring as part of a larger conversation about the relationship between Jews and Christians.

There is much to commend here, and worth exploring, lest we continue to struggle with discerning our own origins in Judaism.

[Mackenzie Root · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of content in a very short amount of time to get it done for class. I want to read other viewpoints— so much complexity and depth to the theology of all of this. Still left with many questions but a helpful entering into theological conversations on this.

[Logan Carrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very helpful read in learning about some of the Jewish cultural context surrounding the New Testament, but also some very insightful historical background post-New Testament. The essays in Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity were concise, to the point, and reflected good, scholarly material that is easily accessible and helpful to read as a Christian. Though I did not agree entirely on their treatment of books like Hebrews, Romans, or texts like the Sermon on the Mount, it challenged my already held perspective and beliefs. I am giving it 4 stars because it helped me analyze, think through and challenge things that I held to be true about the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. It also showed the value of the Jewish community and the faith they passed down and how richly it has impacted the Christian faith being that Jesus himself was a Jew. The Jewish roots of Christianity are not to be ignored but learned, understood and used to help us have a deeper and more vibrant faith church. I think it was worth the read.
*This book was given to me for free by the publisher and I was not required to write a positive review*

[Tim Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection on essays that point out connections between early Christianity and Judaism and the lasting importance of understanding these ties. The last couple of essays felt a little redundant, but some really great stuff early on in the book.

[Paul J Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing introduction of the separation between Judaism and Christianity. Different perspectives allow the reader to process and decide further studies into various aspects of history whether down the dark past of pain or a deeper understanding of what leads to healing and peace.

[Carter John Fleck · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAKE CHRISTIANITY JEWISH AGAIN!