THE JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY:

Our Father Abraham:

Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Aithor: Marvin R. Wilson  

Marvin Wilson is the Harold J. Ockenga Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.  A leader in the dialogue between Christians and Jews, he has Co-edited many books and written numerous articles on Christian-Jewish relations.

Format: Paperback, 373pp.

ISBN: 0802804233

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co

Pub. Date: April 1989

Description

Although the roots of Christianity run deep into Hebrew soil, many Christians are regrettably uninformed about the rich Hebrew heritage of the church.

This volume delineates the link between Judaism and Christianity, between the Old and the New Testament, and calls Christians to reexamine their Hebrew roots so as to effect a more authentically biblical life-style.

As an introduction to the world of Hebrew thought, Our Father Abraham is biblical, historical, and cultural in nature.

At the same time, the writing is personal and passionate, reflecting Marvin Wilson’s own spiritual pilgrimage and his extensive dialogue with Jews.

The book

1. develops a historical perspective on the Jewish origins of the church,
2. sets forth the importance and nature of Hebrew thought,
3. discusses how the church can become more attuned to the Hebraic mind-set of Scripture, and
4. offers practical suggestions for interaction between Jews and Christians.

The study questions at the end of each chapter enhance the book’s usefulness as a text and also make it suitable for Bible-study and discussion groups.

All Christians—and Jews too—will profit from Wilson’s sensible treatments of biblical texts, his thorough understanding of both the Christian and the Jewish faith, and his honest historical analysis of the general failure of the Christian church to acknowledge and understand its relation to Judaism.

Table of Contents

A New People: Abraham’s Spiritual Children

THE ROOT AND BRANCHES “

Look to Abraham Your Father” Athens or Jerusalem? The World of the Bible The Olive Root and Branches Grafted into Israel

GENTILES, JEWS, AND JEWISH HERITAGE

A New Spiritual Family A Western World with an Eastern Book The Problem of Judaizing Paul and the Law Jewish Heritage and Today’s Church

Church and Synagogue in the Light of History

THE EARLIEST CHURCH AND JUDAISM

Jesus and His Followers Beginnings: A Jewish Church The Hebraists and the Hellenists Stephen and the Hellenists Outreach to Gentiles The Special Calling of Paul Further Success among the Gentiles The Council of Jerusalem

THEOLOGICAL CONFLICT AND PERSECUTION

Theological Differences Persecutions Summary

“HERETICS” AND THE SYNAGOGUE

The Birkat ha-Minim: Definition The Origin of the Benediction The Minim and Notzrim “Put out of the Synagogue” The Nidduy and Herem Conclusion

THE JEWISH REVOLTS AND THE PARTING OF THE WAY

The First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66-73) Between Revolts: The Academy at Yavneh From Sabbath to Lord’s Day The Second Jewish Revolt (A.D. 132-135) The Parting of the Way

A HISTORY OF CONTEMPT: ANTI-SEMITISM AND THE CHURCH

The “New” Israel Emerges From De-Judaizing to Anti-Judaism The Early Fathers: Blaming the Victims Allegory: An Attempt to Rescue the Jewish Scriptures Anti-Semitism in the Middle Ages From Luther to the Present

Understanding Hebrew Thought

THE OLD TESTAMENT: HEBRAIC FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH

The Heresy of Marcion Neo-Marcionism A Neglected Treasure The Bible of the Early Church Two Parts, Yet One Book The Theological Key God-Breathed and Useful Discovering the Jewish Jesus Other Early Jewish Sources The Shema: Core Affirmation of Israel’s Faith Christianity Is Jewish The Hebrew Bible and American Beginnings Foundational, Not Optional

THE CONTOUR OF HEBREW THOUGHT

An Energetic People, a Descriptive Language The Power of Poetry Painting Verbal Pictures Block Logic A Time for Meditation Everything Is Theological Religion as a Way of Life A Different View of Time and History

WHERE THE CHURCH WENT WRONG

Dynamic Unity versus Dualism Otherworldliness versus This-Worldliness The Individual versus the Community

Jewish Heritage and the Church: Selected Studies

MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY THROUGH HEBREW EYES

Current Attitudes Biblical Foundations: Genesis and Marriage Marriage and Sinai: Two Covenants Compared Jewish Insights into Marriage and the Family Values within the Home Learning about the Family through Fiddler Older and Better: Aging through Hebrew Eyes

PASSOVER AND LAST SUPPER

The Origin of Passover Passover in Old Testament Times Passover in New Testament Times Jesus’ Last Supper Passover Today Passover and Contemporary Christianity

JEWS, CHRISTIANS, AND THE LAND

Jews and the Land: An Overview Christian Approaches to the State of Israel Christians and Support of Israel Epilogue: Prospects for Peace

A LIFE OF LEARNING: THE HEART OF JEWISH HERITAGE

Education in Old Testament Times The Hebrew View of Wisdom Young Fools and Old Fools The Hebrew View of Knowledge Education with a Difference The Sweetness of Learning Hebraic Insights on the Task of Teaching Education in New Testament Times Everyone a Student Teaching Methods and Priorities Study as Worship “Guard It Well, for It Is Your Life”

Toward Restoring Jewish Roots

IF NOT NOW…WHEN?

Preliminary Considerations for Christians Face-to-face in Dialogue Education and Personal Growth Social Action “The Greatest of These Is Love”