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

Galambush, Julie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060872012 ISBN 13: 9780060872014

Publisher: HarperOne, 2006

Synopsis

Now in paperback, The Reluctant Parting is a poignant look at the New Testament exploring the forgotten question of intention and identity in Christianity's core writings– How did Jesus's followers stop being Jewish without meaning to?

While other books have demonstrated the "Jewishness" of Jesus, none have grappled with the implications of the New Testament authors' relationship to their own Judaism. The Christian New Testament has led a life never imagined by its Jewish sectarian authors. Through lively and accessible scholarship, Galambush reveals the anguish of the early Christians as they first struggled with, and then left behind, the larger Jewish community. She illuminates the human drama of the split between Jews and Christians, revealing a deep loss at the heart of Christian tradition that continues to cry out for reconciliation between Christianity and the Judaism it so painfully left.

Not just another well–credentialed scholar, Galambush is uniquely positioned as both a convert to Judaism and a former associate pastor to identify what is at stake for Jews as well as for Christians. The book's deeply empathic portrayal of the early Christians' struggle with their Jewish identity will allow it to serve as a resource for Jews and Christians alike.

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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Edition details

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060872012
• ISBN 13: 9780060872014
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 352