Peeling away centuries of misinterpretation, The Reluctant Parting tells the painful story of how the New Testament authors fought—ultimately in vain—to preserve their legitimacy as members of the Jewish community. Biblical scholar Julie Galambush, a former Baptist minister who converted to Judaism, reveals the diversity within first-century Judaism and how an intra-Jewish debate about what it means to be Jewish included the followers of Jesus as one Jewish sect among many.
Although other books have demonstrated the Jewishness of Jesus, none have grappled with the implications of the New Testament authors' identity as Jews. What would it mean to read this Christian scripture as it was meant to be read—as a collection of Jewish books? Through lively and accessible scholarship, Galambush identifies the distinctively Jewish goals of the New Testament authors and sheds new light on the common roots of modern Judaism and Christianity. The Reluctant Parting breaks new ground by exposing the volatile historical backdrop that produced the New Testament, offering rich rewards for both Jews and Christians wanting a fuller understanding of their inherited tradition.