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.