Negotiating Identities: Conflict, Conversion, and Consolidation in Early Judaism and Christianity (200 BCE-600 CE)

This book explores the formation of group identities in early Judaism and Christianity, tracing the evolution of Jewish group identities into non-Jewish Christian identities, rabbinic Jewish identities, and other forms. It relies on archaeological remains, texts from the Qumran movement, the New Testament, rabbinic literature, and apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 626 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate processes of identity formation within early Judaism and Christianity,spanning from 200 BCE to 600 CE. It explores the diverse aspects that shaped these communities' collective identities,including ethnicity, stereotyping, purity, commensality, and institution building. Through a detailed examination of archaeological findings and various textual sources, including the Qumran movement, the New Testament, rabbinic literature, and apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings, the contributors trace the evolution of Jewish group identities over time. Some of these identities transformed into non-Jewish Christian identities, while others evolved into rabbinic Jewish identities or remained somewhere in between. The book's extensive coverage and the collective expertise of scholars from diverse fields make it a valuable contribution to research on group identity, Jewish and Christian identity formation, the Partings-of-the-ways between Judaism and Christianity, and the interactions between Jews and Christians.

Introduction:
The study of identity formation within early Judaism and Christianity has been a rich field of exploration, shedding light on the complex processes that shaped these communities' collective identities. This book, spanning from 200 BCE to 600 CE, aims to contribute to this understanding by examining the various aspects that contributed to the formation of group identities within these religions.

Identity Formation Processes:
The book explores the processes of identity formation within early Judaism and Christianity, focusing on the negotiations that took place regarding ethnicity, stereotyping, purity, commensality, and institution building. These negotiations played a crucial role in shaping the group identities of these communities.

Evolution of Jewish Group Identities:
Over time, Jewish group identities underwent significant transformations. Some identities evolved into non-Jewish Christian identities, while others remained within the Jewish tradition. The book examines the various factors that influenced these developments, including cultural interactions, religious conversions, and the influence of external forces.

Non-Jewish Christian Identities:
One notable aspect of the book is its exploration of the emergence of non-Jewish Christian identities. It examines how individuals and groups within early Judaism transitioned to Christianity, and the factors that influenced their decision. The book also explores the impact of these conversions on the Jewish communities and the development of Christian theology.

Rabbinic Jewish Identities:
In contrast to non-Jewish Christian identities, some Jewish group identities remained within the Jewish tradition. The book examines the development of rabbinic Jewish identities and the role that rabbinic literature played in shaping these identities. It also explores the interactions between rabbinic Jews and Christians during this period.

Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphical Writings:
The book also relies on apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings, such as the Book of Dreams and the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies, to gain insights into the identity formation processes within early Judaism and Christianity. These texts provide valuable information about the beliefs, practices, and experiences of these communities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive examination of the processes of identity formation within early Judaism and Christianity. It sheds light on the diverse aspects that shaped these communities' collective identities and demonstrates how negotiations involving ethnicity, stereotyping, purity, commensality, and institution building contributed to the formation of group identities. The book's extensive coverage and the collective expertise of scholars from diverse fields make it a valuable contribution to research on group identity, Jewish and Christian identity formation, the Partings-of-the-ways between Judaism and Christianity, and the interactions between Jews and Christians.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978714731