Attitudes to Gentiles in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity

This volume describes the attitudes towards Gentiles in both ancient Judaism and the early Christian tradition. The Jewish relationship with and views about the Gentiles played an important part in Jewish self-definition, especially in the Diaspora where Jews formed the minority among larger Gentile populations. Jewish attitudes towards the Gentiles can be found in the writings of prominent Jewish authors (Josephus and Philo), sectarian movements and texts (the Qumran community, apocalyptic literature, Jesus) and in Jewish institutions such as the Jerusalem Temple and the synagogue. In the Christian tradition, which began as a Jewish movement but developed quickly into a predominantly Gentile tradition, the role and status of Gentile believers in Jesus was always of crucial significance. Did Gentile believers need to convert to Judaism as an essential component of their affiliation with Jesus, or had the appearance of the messiah rendered such distinctions invalid? This volume assesses the wide variety of viewpoints in terms of attitudes towards Gentiles and the status and expectations of Gentiles in the Christian church.

Autorentext

David C. Sim is Associate Professor in the School of Theology at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.

James S. McLaren is Professor in the School of Theology at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.

Inhalt

**Introduction - James McLaren

Chapter 1: GENTILES, GOD-FEARERS AND PROSELYTES
David C. Sim

Chapter 2: PHILO AND THE GENTILES
David T. Runia

Chapter 3: GENTILES IN THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
John J. Collins

Chapter 4: JOSEPHUS AND THE GENTILES
James S. McLaren

Chapter 5: THE PORTRAYAL OF GENTILES IN JEWISH
APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
Michael P. Theophilos

Chapter 6: THE TEMPLE AND GENTILES
James S. McLaren

Chapter 7: THE SYNAGOGUE AND THE GENTILES
Donald Binder

Chapter 8: Q AND THE GENTILES
Christopher M. Tuckett

Chapter 9: PAUL'S ATTITUDES TO THE GENTILES
Sean F. Winter

Chapter 10: FISHING THE OTHER SIDE:
THE GENTILE MISSION IN MARK'S GOSPEL
Ian J. Elmer

Chapter 11: THE ATTITUDE TO GENTILES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
David C. Sim

Chapter 12: 'TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH':
ATTITUDES TO GENTILES IN LUKE-ACTS
Elizabeth V. Dowling

Chapter 13: GENTILES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN:
NARRATIVE POSSIBILITIES - JOHN 12.12-43
Mary L. Coloe

Chapter 14: GREEKS IN COLOSSAE: SHIFTING ALLEGIANCES IN THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS AND ITS CONTEXT
Alan Cadwallader

Chapter 15: 'YOU SHALL NOT GIVE WHAT IS HOLY TO THE DOGS' (DIDACHE 9.5):
THE ATTITUDE OF THE DIDACHE TO THE GENTILES
Jonathan A. Draper

Chapter 16: JEWS, CHRISTIANS AND GENTILES: OBSERVATIONS AND SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS
David C. Sim

Bibliography 267
Index of References 287
Index of Authors