Book Reviewed: When Christians Were Jews: The First-Generation by Paula Fredriksen

The beginnings of Christian communities Paula Fredericksen, a Biblical scholar presents the history of early Christianism when it was still at its infancy. Then, Jesus and apostles were themselves practicing Jews, and considered themselves as part of a Jewish apocalyptic movement of First century. She reconstructs a historical, religious, and cultural history of the first three hundred years when Jesus movement emerged within Jewish society before becoming a distinct religion. Over this period, Christianity was transitioned into a separate religion due to theological, social, and political developments. In the first century, the earliest followers of Jesus practiced Jewish customs, laws, attended synagogues, and observed the Torah. Peter and Paul were central in spreading Jesus' teachings. Paul’s missions to the Gentiles (non-Jews) began to open up the movement to a broader audience. The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-136 CE) diminished Jewish influence. The Christian writings, such as the Gospels and the letters of Paul, began to form a distinct theological identity centered on Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). The Constantine and the Edict of Milan (313 CE) granted religious tolerance to Christians which greatly elevated the status of Christianity in the Roman Empire. The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) was pivotal in defining orthodox Christian beliefs and combating heresies further distinguishing Christianity from other religious traditions. Emperor Theodosius I (380 CE) declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire with the Edict of Thessalonica. This official status marked a clear separation from Judaism and other religions. The Codex Sinaiticus is the first Bible written in the mid-fourth century (330–360 C.E) in Greek, the common language of the Eastern Roman Empire. It should be noted that the Jewish beliefs in strict monotheism in an indivisible God (Yahweh) changed for Christians who believed in the holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), which is not monotheistic. Jewish scriptures were the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) that consisted of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, but Christians adopted the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and added the New Testament, consisting of Gospels, Epistles, and other writings. Jews observed Mosaic Law (Torah), including dietary laws, Sabbath observance, circumcision, and various purity laws that included fasting and feastings on key Jewish observances. Their worship was centered around the Temple (until its destruction in 70 CE) and later synagogues. Worship involved animal sacrifices and readings from the Torah. But Christians: Gathered in house churches, focusing on communal worship, prayer, healing services, and the Eucharist. Jews anticipated a future messianic age with the restoration of Israel, but Christians believed in the imminent return of Jesus, the final judgment, and the establishment of God's kingdom. These differences evolved over time, especially as Christianity spread beyond its Jewish roots and developed its own distinct identity and theological framework. The gospels contain passages that blames Jewish leaders and, by extension, the Jewish people for Jesus' death. For example, in Matthew 27:25, the crowd is depicted as saying, "His blood be on us and on our children," which has historically been interpreted as the Jewish people accepting collective responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion. Christian writers like Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and John Chrysostom articulated views that reinforced the idea of Jewish responsibility for Jesus' death. This is the beginning of the antisemitic feelings among Christians. The book makes a fascinating reading, but lacks some details regarding Paul’s views on Jewish purity laws. I recommend this book to anyone interested in early Christian history and the challenges and opportunities to form a new religion when the founders of the faith did not have any clue that they were creating a new faith system independent from Judaism.

Book Reviewed: Sacred Foundations: The Religious and Medieval Roots of the European State by Anna M. Grzymała-Busse

Christian footing in Europe The author presents some surprising and contrasting ideas in this book that suggests that the medieval Roman Catholic Church that emphasized spiritual monopoly in Europe also encouraged secular concepts such as the separation of church and state, education, the potential of human capital, the rule of law, representation, and sovereignty of European monarchies. The argument is that a secular state would be built on a sacred foundation of an established religion. I beg to differ from these arguments since the ambitions of the church were its authority and supremacy in all matters of the life of a person. It is an autocratic institution that allows little room for an independent democratic institution that may question the corruption of the church with European-state politics. The transformation of empires into democratic societies in Europe was slow and arduous.

Book Reviewed: Rain of Ash: Roma, Jews, and the Holocaust by Ari Joskowicz

Romas under the ash The genocide orchestrated by Nazi Germany in various concentration camps, particularly in places like Auschwitz-Birkenau were literally under the rain of ash. This is the literal falling of ash from the crematoria where the bodies of Jewish and Roma victims were burnt. Half a million European Roma were exterminated by the Nazi regime; many more were subjected to a policy of racial discrimination similar to that suffered by the Jewish people. However, the persecution and torment of Roma in Europe did not make into the history books. With the Romani people having been denied recognition as victims of Nazi Germany, this book focuses on the survivors, and their struggle for recognition. Historically, the cause of the Romani people was combined with Jewish holocaust in the same analytical framework. This book discusses an unequal entanglement of Jewish and Romani sufferings for justice and representation.

Book Reviewed: Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland by Jan T. Gross

Massacre in Jedwabne The Jedwabne massacre is a tragic event that took place during World War II, on July 10, 1941, in the town of Jedwabne, Poland. This massacre involved the brutal killing of sixteen hundred members of the local Jewish population by their Polish neighbors. The Jedwabne massacre exemplifies the complex interplay of local and occupying forces in the Holocaust highlighting the multifaceted nature of responsibility. This massacre demonstrates the ways in which ordinary people can become complicit in atrocities under some circumstances. It underscores the importance of historical accuracy, the dangers of nationalism and anti-Semitism. Before World War II, anti-Semitic sentiments were present in Poland, and these were echoed by elements within the Catholic Church. Some clergy members propagated negative stereotypes about Jews contributing to a climate of hostility. In medieval and early modern Europe, a myth known as the "blood libel" was prevalent, which falsely accused Jews of ritually murdering Christian children, especially boys, to use their blood for religious rituals like Passover. This baseless accusation led to widespread anti-Semitic sentiments, violence, and persecution of Jewish communities. The blood libel first emerged in England in the 12th century with the case of William of Norwich. The author narrates the sad story of Jedwabne and concludes that there was no direct encouragement or participation of the Nazi troops stationed in Poland.

Book Reviewed: The Secret Gospel of Mark: A Controversial Scholar, a Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, and the Fierce Debate over Its Authenticity by Geoffrey S. Smith and Brent C. Landau

The controversy surrounding the discovery of the Secret Gospel of Mark (five stars) While cataloging material in the library of the monastery of Mar Saba located in Israel in 1958, Biblical scholar Morton Smith discovered a quotation from a letter of Clement of Alexandria (150-215 CE) copied in the end pages of a 17th century collection of the letters of Ignatius. After more than a decade of collaborative analysis, Smith published his conclusions in 1973 setting off a firestorm. In 1975, a Jesuit scholar, Quentin Quesnell, claimed the letter had been forged and implied that Smith was the forger. Since then, the pages containing the letter have been removed from the book of the Mar Saba monastery and possibly destroyed. This letter suggested that there existed a longer version of the Gospel of Mark, referred to as the "Secret Gospel" and this version included additional teachings meant for advanced Christians. One of the notable additional passages describes Jesus raising a young man from the dead and then spending the night with him teaching him the "mystery of the kingdom of God." This story is reminiscent of the young man who flees naked at the arrest of Jesus in the gospel of Mark (Mark 14:51-52). This discovery is subjected to much debate with some interpreting it as having homoerotic undertones, though others argue it represents a more spiritual or mystical initiation. Many scholars also argue that the style and context fit well within early Christian traditions and Clement's known works. These practices are possibly linked to Gnosticism and other esoteric traditions practiced during the first three hundred years in the early Christian communities in Alexandria. Historically much of the gnostic and apocryphal manuscripts were destroyed by the bishops of early Christian church. Some scholars have come to see the Secret Gospel as an earlier version of the gospel of Mark that existed long before the other three gospels came into existence. Since Mark is the first of the four New Testament gospels. This is a very plausible explanation. The manuscript discovered by Smith has never been subjected to review because it is reportedly lost or unavailable for examination. Some scholars believe the Secret Gospel of Mark reflects genuine early Christian traditions that were suppressed as orthodoxy developed. They argue that the letter's references to secret teachings that align with known practices of mystery religions and esoteric sects within early Christianity. The authors conclude that there is no forgery in Morton Smith’s discovery.

Book Reviewed: A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime by Casey Sherman

A Hollywood homicide: the Lana Turner story Casey Sherman revisits the murder of mobster Johnny Stompanato, the boyfriend of actor Lana Turner. This is one of the most notorious murders in Hollywood that continues to fascinate fans about the darker side of fame and fortune. He provides new insights from his research about the evidence and testimonies offering a new perspective on this case challenging some long-held beliefs about the night when Cheryl Crane, the14 year old daughter of Lana Turner stabbed Stompanato to death. The Sherman’s book explores the glitzy world of Hollywood in the 1950s, where the lines between fame and scandal were blurred. Stompanato, a known associate of the LA mob, became romantically involved with Turner that was marked by violence and intense passion. The book discusses the legal and public fallout from the murder. Cheryl Crane was put on trial for the killing, but the court ultimately ruled it as justifiable homicide. The murder and subsequent trial impacted Lana Turner's life and career. While she continued to work in Hollywood, the scandal impacted both her public image and personal life. The relationship between Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato is documented in the media, but the specifics of their private communications, such as love letters, also illustrate the passion and turbulence. Mickey Cohen, the notorious Los Angeles mobster, and Johnny Stompanato's employer played a role in making the private love letters between Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato public. He saw an opportunity to leverage the high-profile nature of the scandal for publicity and financial gain, and even cast Turner in a negative light. Several books are written about Lana Turner focusing on her life. Some of the most notable books are "Lana: The Lady, the Legend, the Truth" by Lana Turner, and the "Detour: A Hollywood Story" by Cheryl Crane, Lana Turner’s daughter. Most of the information in this book is discussed in other books or blogs.

Book Reviewed: Early Christian Books in Egypt by Roger S. Bagnall

The forgotten origins This book explores the history, production, and use of Christian manuscripts in Egypt during the first three centuries of the Christian era by focusing on the context in which these texts were produced, used, and preserved. The early Christian book production within the broader Egyptian society was influenced by a heterogeneous population of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures. This book does not go into the details of the early Christian texts but documents the rise of Christianity from a minority sect into a significant religion by the fourth century. The author discusses the papyrus and parchments, writing, copying, and publishing the Christian manuscripts monastic communities in Alexandria, Egypt. The production and use of texts played a crucial role in the spread and consolidation of Christian beliefs and practices. This is a scholarly examination of early Christian papyri that offers valuable insights into the early Christian communities in Egypt. Alexandria eventually developed into a centralized episcopate leading to a highly Christianized society with a network of leading bishops who later became important leaders of the Christian Church. Three chapters discussing; the Dating of the Earliest Christian Books in Egypt; The Economics of Book Production; and the Spread of the Codex were of some interest to me. Egyptians participating in the institutionalized civic life of the third century appeared to be the likely milieu for the development of a distinctively Christian Coptic writing system. A body of Greek­ reading, educated, well-to-do, book-owning Christians, interested in developing a religion may have financed church institutions in the first half of the third century. The Codex Sinaiticus is the first Bible written in the mid-fourth century (330–360 ACE) in Greek on a papyrus, the common language of the Eastern Roman Empire at the time. The book reads flawlessly and engages readers to a new fascinating way of looking at the writing, publication, and popularization of early Christian manuscripts. I recommend this to readers interested in Egyptian monastic societies and early Christian history.