Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism: A Parallel History of Their Origins and Early Development [Paperback]

Hershel Shanks (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1992

This parallel history of Judaism and Christianity presents both separate and integrated account of the first six centuries in the development of both religions in one understandable volume. This book begins where its companion volume "Ancient Israel" ends.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Biblical Archaeology Society (1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880317087
• ISBN-13: 978-1880317082
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism - A Personal Favorite, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism: A Parallel History of Their Origins and Early Development (Hardcover)

Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism is one of my well-worn reference books. I purchased it several years ago to obtain a better understanding of first century Judaism. It's a very good introductory book for that purpose. The authors are a distinguished group of Jewish and Christian academics who each author a chapter in this parallel history. While some of the Christian history seems to be from a somewhat liberal view, I continue to benefit from the chapters on Rabbinic Judaism and especially appreciate that the book is laden with archeaological evidence and quotations from 1st through 5th century sources. I like this book very much.

Summary: Essentially only the Pharisaic (Rabbinic) and Messianic (Christian) sects of Judaism survived the Jewish revolts of the 1st and 2nd cenuries - this book describes what happened and how they developed as separate groups.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel Parallel: Orthodox Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism, September 4, 2004

By 

Didaskalex "Eusebius Alexandrinus" (Kellia on Calvary, Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism: A Parallel History of Their Origins and Early Development (Paperback)

The best description of this very organized, concisely thorough work is :"An ideal textbook...a remarkable achievement in its field." Expository Times

A parallel history:
This parallel history of Judaism and Christianity presents both independent and integral accounts of the first six centuries in the development of both branches of monotheistic Semitic religion (if we disagree with Jan Assmann), in one comprehensive volume.
"Jews for Jesus" claim that "Christianity is a Jewish religion. The concept of the Messiah became rooted in Jewish inspiration, between the testaments. The first Christians were mostly Jewish, especially in the great Patriarchate of Antioch and Alexandria. They slowly moved from post Templar Judaism "Rabbinic ," without sacrifice, nor priesthood, to Judeo-Christianity until separation started in Antioch.

Rabbinic Judaism:
The Encyclopedia Britannica claims Rabbinic Judaism has originated in the teachings of the Pharisees, who emphasized the need for critical interpretation of the Torah. While this was exactly what 'Rabbi Jesus' rendered to his Jewish audience, a renewal of Mosaic law interpreted in Love, leaves one difference which is the person of the Messiah. Jews and Christians seeking Biblical authority and roots from the same OT books, but their perception of these books is significantly different. While Judaism holds that whatever salvation may exist is found only through good works, close Eastern Orthodoxy emphasizes a continuing life of repentance or metanoia, which includes an increasing improvement in thought, belief and action

Editorial & Textual:
The editor assembled some outstanding team of authors, ten eminent Christian and Jewish scholars who authored a tightly parallel history. The book is so organized, and self instructional that those academics worked themselves out of their tutorial burden, teaching this basic area. The plates are very vivid, and the endnotes are great. You do not need to stand on one leg, you could learn about Rabbinic Judaism while sitting comfortably one week end enjoying your favorite sonatas,
with the company of Charlesworth, Kee, Sanders, and Vermes with al the other wonderful authors whom I came to know through this book.

Didaskalex Criteria:
In 380 pages of clear, organized, coordinated and concise entries of the main 'Turning points' in rabbinic and messianic Judaism, Shanks utilized his outstanding editorial talent that he gained in the Dead Sea scrolls publication controversy fifteen years ago to present an achievement of optimized integrated work. You have to start with this book to discover your roots in belief and tradition. I checked mine in Alexandria, origen, Philo, Therapeutae,etc.