The Eucharist and the parting of the ways: A border between Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus, A.D. 90 to A.D. 190
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine how the celebration of the Eucharist among Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus contributed to the eventual definition of “Judaism” and “Christianity” as two separate religious entities. During the past two decades scholars have recognized significant cultural as well as theological fluidity between Jews and Christians in the first five centuries of the Common Era. This study seeks to improve the precision of that discussion. Analyzing primary sources spanning an entire century, from A.D. 90 to A.D. 190, this study reveals that Jewish believers in Jesus had no developed sacramental theology concerning the Eucharist. In contrast, Gentile apologists understood the Eucharist as an integral aspect of a believer’s salvation. The difference of interpretation between Jewish and Gentile believers divided the Jesus movement by race. The conflict over Eucharistic interpretation pushed Jewish believers away from Gentile Christianity allowing for the Gentile church to grow apart from its Jewish roots.
Degree
M.A.
Advisors
Stabler, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Religious history|Religious history|Ancient history
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