Identity Matters: John, the Jews and Jewishness (Supplements to Novum Testamentum, Vol. 118) (Supplements to Novum Testamentum)

This book challenges current scholarly consensus concerning John’s references to the Jews in two ways. First, the author suggests that John’s portrayal of the Jews cannot be understood as a response to the violent policy of John’s opponents. Second, the author claims that John’s portrayal of Jewishness is much more ambivalent than is often claimed today. The first part of the book offers a detailed criticism on the so called two-level reading strategy which claims that John’s references to the Jews emerge from the conflict with rabbinic Judaism. The second part examines in detail John’s relationship to some basic markers of Jewishness. The book contributes to the ongoing discussion of anti-Judaism in John and efforts to understand John’s historical setting. Readership: New Testament and Johannine scholars, rabbinic scholars, undergraduate students, all those interested in early Christianity, early Jewish-Christian relations and modern Jewish-Christian dialogue. This Book Challenges Current Scholarly Consensus Concerning John's References To The Jews In Two Ways. First, The Author Suggests That John's Portrayal Of The Jews Cannot Be Understood As A Response To The Violent Policy Of John's Opponents. Second, The Author Claims That John's Portrayal Of Jewishness Is Much More Ambivalent Than Is Often Claimed Today. The First Part Of The Book Offers A Detailed Criticism On The So-called Two-level Reading Strategy Which Claims That John's References To The Jews Emerge From The Conflict With Rabbinic Judaism. The Second Part Examines In Detail John's Relationship To Some Basic Markers Of Jewishness. The Book Contributes To The Ongoing Discussion Of Anti-judaism In John And Efforts To Understand John's Historical Setting.--book Jacket. Introduction -- Fallacies In Scholarly Consensus -- Jesus, The Jews And The Worship Of God -- Jesus, The Sabbath And Circumcision -- Jesus, The Jews And Moses -- Believing Jews, Abraham And The Devil -- Synthesis: The Johannine Christians, The Jews And Jewishness. By Raimo Hakola. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-274) And Indexes. The book suggests that John's portrayal of the Jews is not a response to Jewish persecution of early Christians. It proposes instead that the exclusive faith in Jesus led the Johannine Christians to abandon some basic markers of Jewish identity Even a cursory comparison of the Fourth Gospel to the synoptic gospels reveals that Jesus' relationship to his Jewish contemporaries is presented in a singular way in this gospel.