Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 8-2007 Christian Attitudes toward the Jews in the Earliest Centuries A.D. S. Mark Veldt Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the History of Christianity Commons, and the History of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Veldt, S. Mark, "Christian Attitudes toward the Jews in the Earliest Centuries A.D." (2007). Dissertations. 925. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/925 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TOWARD THE JEWS IN THE EARLIEST CENTURIES A.D. by S. Mark Veldt A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of History Dr. Paul L. Maier, Advisor Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan August 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TOWARD THE JEWS IN THE EARLIEST CENTURIES A.D. S. Mark Veldt, PhD . Western Michigan University, 2007 This dissertation examines the historical development of Christian attitudes toward the Jews up to c. 350 A.D., seeking to explain the origin and significance of the antagonistic stance of Constantine toward the Jews in the fourth century. For purposes of this study, the early Christian sources are divided into four chronological categories: the New Testament documents (c. 50-95 A.D.), the Apostolic Fathers (c. 90-135 A.D.), apologists and theologians (c. 130-260 A.D.), and an era of conflict (c. 250-350 A.D.). Within the last period, special attention is given to the work of Eusebius, particularly The Proof of the Gospel (Demonstratio). This author’s relationship with the Christian emperor and his development of explicit theological responses to the Jews make his contributions especially significant to the question at hand. Jewish and classical sources are also briefly examined to place the Christian views in historical context. The conclusions of this study challenge the work of Rosemary Radford Ruether, who asserted that there was a consistent anti-Jewish theological bias present within Christianity as far back as its New Testament roots. Instead, this research finds that relations between the Christians and Jews in this period were much more complex and diverse than her view suggests, and that political considerations, rather than theological differences, were the most significant factor in the development of Constantine’s stance. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The research revealed that anti-Jewish sentiment was relatively absent among Christians in the earliest periods and increased noticeably only in the fourth century. Throughout the first three centuries A.D., Christian attitudes toward the Jews were built on an underlying foundation of dependence and appreciation, and the occasional outbursts against the Jews were the consequence of the Fathers’ awareness that absorption back into Judaism was a constant threat for a religion so reliant upon its Jewish legacy. Especially enlightening are the instances in which Christian writers align themselves with the Jews against pagan and heretical opponents, for these occasions demonstrate that Jewishness continued to be a sign of Christian orthodoxy throughout the period. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3276416 Copyright 2007 by Veldt, S. Mark All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3276416 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Z eeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by S. Mark Veldt 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Paul Maier, my supervising professor, a great teacher, trusted advisor, and indispensable editor. I am also indebted to my entire dissertation committee: Dr. Rozanne Elder, Dr. Brian Wilson, and Dr. Dimiter Angelov. Through this process, Dimiter has become both a valued mentor and esteemed friend. Special thanks is due to Dr. Larry Simon for serving on my exam committee and for persuading me in 2002 to pursue doctoral studies; also to Dr. Marion Gray and Dr. James Palmitessa for their administrative assistance. I would also like to give credit to past teachers: Mr. William House, my world history teacher at Utica High School in 1970-71, first sparked my interest in history and taught me the importance of critical thinking. Dr. John Wilson and Dr. Ronald Mayers, professors at Cornerstone University, showed me what it meant to uphold both academic excellence and Christian commitment. Most importantly, I would like to thank my wife Renia for her unwavering support throughout my academic efforts. She did not merely patiently endure my pursuit of this demanding project; she passionately insisted that I continue chasing my lifelong dream, even during those times when I was tempted to give up because of the strain it placed on my time and energy. Without her love and encouragement, this dissertation would have remained only a dream. S. Mark Veldt ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................................................................................................... ii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................ viii INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1 PART ONE: EARLY CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES ON THE JEWS........................ 19 CHAPTER I. THE EARLIEST SOURCES: THE NEW TESTAMENT (C. A.D. 50-95)...... 20 The Gospels .......................................................................................................... 20 The Synoptic Gospels ................................................................................... 20 The Gospel of John ....................................................................................... 40 A cts........................................................................................................................ 52 Letters and Revelation ......................................................................................... 66 Letters of Paul ........................................... 66 General Letters............................................................................................... 77 Revelation ...................................................................................................... 87 Summary—The New Testament Writings ....................................................... 91 II. THE SECOND GENERATION: THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS (C. A.D. 90-135).......... 93 The Apostolic Fathers ......................................................................................... 93 The Testament of Abraham .......................................................................... 94 Ignatius of Antioch ........................................................................................ 95 Polycarp .......................................................................................................... 104 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents—Continued CHAPTER Clement of Rome .......................................................................................... 107 The Two Ways, the Didache ........................................................................ 109 The Epistle of Barnabas ............................................................................... 112 The Shepherd of Hermas .............................................................................. 115 The Testaments o f the Twelve Patriarchs .................................................. 117 Summary .............................................................................................................. 119 III. APOEOGISTS AND THEOLOGIANS (C. A.D. 130-260) ................................ 122 Early Apologists .................................................................................................. 122 Aristides.........................................................................................................