by James F. McGrath. McGrath (Butler Univ.) examines the meaning of monotheism in the first century CE, establishing the point that belief in one true God had a wide variety of meanings for both Jews and early Christians beyond the basic belief that one worships and sacrifices only to God. He explains his approach to understanding early Jewish and Christian thought about God, and then examines worship and the understanding of Jewish monotheism in the Greco-Roman era. Next, he explicates the concept of monotheism in the letters of Paul, the Gospel of John, and the Book of Revelation. Finally, he sheds new light on the date and reasons for the division between Jewish and Christian monotheism. The author carefully lays out his arguments, accompanying them with extensive endnotes and an excellent bibliography. This is a good book for undergraduates and scholars alike to explore new understandings of ancient concepts by examining their usage in the first century. McGrath stresses throughout that readers should approach these concepts by remaining as free as possible of modern definitions and cultural biases. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above; general readers. B. L. Muller University of Tampa --Library Journal. (Check catalog)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The only true God : early Christian monotheism in its Jewish context
by James F. McGrath. McGrath (Butler Univ.) examines the meaning of monotheism in the first century CE, establishing the point that belief in one true God had a wide variety of meanings for both Jews and early Christians beyond the basic belief that one worships and sacrifices only to God. He explains his approach to understanding early Jewish and Christian thought about God, and then examines worship and the understanding of Jewish monotheism in the Greco-Roman era. Next, he explicates the concept of monotheism in the letters of Paul, the Gospel of John, and the Book of Revelation. Finally, he sheds new light on the date and reasons for the division between Jewish and Christian monotheism. The author carefully lays out his arguments, accompanying them with extensive endnotes and an excellent bibliography. This is a good book for undergraduates and scholars alike to explore new understandings of ancient concepts by examining their usage in the first century. McGrath stresses throughout that readers should approach these concepts by remaining as free as possible of modern definitions and cultural biases. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above; general readers. B. L. Muller University of Tampa --Library Journal. (Check catalog)
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