Playing a Jewish Game: Gentile Christian Judaizing in the First and Second Centuries CE

Jay Newman is a professor of philosophy at the University of Guelph. His
most recently published works are Biblical Religion and Family Values,
Inauthentic Culture and Its Philosophical Critics, and Religion and
Technology.

This carefully crafted and intellectually stimulating monograph is an
admirable contribution to an important Canadian series on relations
between Judaism and Christianity in the ancient world. Author Michele
Murray of Bishop’s University is a specialist in the field of
Christian origins, and she focuses in this study on early Christian
anti-Judaic texts that appear to have been directed not at Jews but at
Gentile Christian “Judaizers,” who, despite their commitment to the
Christian faith, were attracted to certain Jewish rites. In the eyes of
their ancient Christian critics, these Christian Judaizers were
“playing a Jewish game” that posed a threat to the forging of a
distinct Christian identity. Close study of these particular anti-Judaic
texts provides a valuable perspective on Christian origins, the
historical relations of Christianity and Judaism, and religious
competition generally. Among the diverse texts that Murray examines are
the New Testament Books of Galatians and Revelation, the Epistle of
Barnabas, and Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho; there is also an
interesting discussion of the pertinent views of the very strange and
unorthodox Marcionites.

Murray provides a concise conclusion that explores the motives of
Christian Judaizers, how Christian Judaizers identified themselves, and
how Christian Judaizing influenced Jewish–Christian relations. An
appendix surveys the views of various modern scholars—including
Harnack, Marcel Simon, and Rosemary Ruether—on ancient
Jewish–Christian relations. The monograph also provides detailed
notes, an estimable bibliography, an ancient-sources index, and a
general index. Though in places the reader will be uncomfortably
reminded of this study’s origin as a doctoral dissertation, it is a
conscientious exercise in “mirror reading” that sheds light on some
fascinating and influential texts and on a wide range of historical,
theological, and sociological issues. It will be a valuable addition to
any religious studies collection.