The Reluctant Parting: How the New Testament's Jewish Writers Created a Christian Book - Hardcover

Galambush, Julie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060596368 ISBN 13: 9780060596361

Publisher: HarperOne, 2005

Synopsis

Peeling away centuries of misinterpretation, The Reluctant Parting tells the painful story of how the New Testament authors fought—ultimately in vain—to preserve their legitimacy as members of the Jewish community. Biblical scholar Julie Galambush, a former Baptist minister who converted to Judaism, reveals the diversity within first-century Judaism and how an intra-Jewish debate about what it means to be Jewish included the followers of Jesus as one Jewish sect among many.

Although other books have demonstrated the Jewishness of Jesus, none have grappled with the implications of the New Testament authors' identity as Jews. What would it mean to read this Christian scripture as it was meant to be read—as a collection of Jewish books? Through lively and accessible scholarship, Galambush identifies the distinctively Jewish goals of the New Testament authors and sheds new light on the common roots of modern Judaism and Christianity. The Reluctant Parting breaks new ground by exposing the volatile historical backdrop that produced the New Testament, offering rich rewards for both Jews and Christians wanting a fuller understanding of their inherited tradition.

About this title

About the Author:

Julie Galambush is an associate professor of religious studies at The College of William and Mary. She holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament studies from Emory University and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Formerly an ordained American Baptist minister, Galambush is a convert to Judaism and a member of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia.

From Booklist:

*Starred Review* Galambush holds religious-studies degrees from William and Mary, Emory, and Yale Divinity School. Formerly an ordained Baptist minister, she is a convert to Judaism--all of which makes her an ideal person to lead readers through the books of the New Testament as seen, one book at a time, in their original context, as Jewish works. Unlike the many recent books that have explored the Jewish origins of the Jesus movement, this one keeps speculation to a minimum, concentrating on the literature itself as it posits answers to major questions--e.g., How is it that books so centered in Jewish spirit and knowledge have been responsible for such agony for the Jewish people? Writing in fluid, easily understandable language, Galambush begins with a historical overview of life during the time of Jesus, showing clearly how various different religious strains were tugging at Judaism during this period. She goes on to explain how the Jesus sect moved from finding its members among Jews to finding them among Gentiles. One of the book's most fascinating elements is the author's analysis of how the different Gospels and letters interface with one another and what they say about those who wrote them and those for whom they were written. An important book in the growing canon devoted to the Jewishness of Jesus and his followers. Ilene Cooper
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About this edition

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0060596368
• ISBN 13: 9780060596361
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352