03_Biblica_Foster_Layout 1 08/07/13 12:56 Pagina 376 03_B 376 PAUL FOSTER two categories may be debated, but such groupings were seen as of- fering a recognizable taxonomy for readers. Modern attempts to define the term “Jewish Christianity” are both difficult and notoriously contested. Some have rejected the whole en- deavour, seeing the utility of such an umbrella term as being “very ques- tionable indeed” 33. Perhaps the second part of the label is easier, since it is typically taken as denoting some type of adherence to the belief that Jesus was (at least) the promised messianic figure, or a divinely au- thorised teacher. The adjective “Jewish” has proved extremely prob- lematic. Divisions exist among scholars as to whether this terminology denotes praxis in relation to religion, beliefs, and lifestyle 34, or if it is an indication of ethnic origin and identification 35. These are not the only possibilities. In Daniélou’s influential work on the subject he sug- gested an even broader understanding: “a type of Christian thought ex- pressing itself in forms borrowed from Judaism” 36. It would appear on Daniélou’s definition that virtually all forms of Christianity would be classed as Jewish Christianity, since the thought-world of Christianity is permeated with Old Testament and Jewish motifs 37. Perhaps in the ancient period, only Marcion’s reformulation of Christianity with its radical separation from Judaism and rejection of the God of the Hebrew Bible could be considered as non-Jewish Christianity. Despite the over- all value of Daniélou’s work, his definition lacks the precision required to make it a useful tool. Therefore, one is forced to make a choice be- Acta Pavli, Acta Petri et Pavli, Acta Pavli et Thecla, Acta Thaddaei (ed. R.A. LIPSIUS) (Leipzig 1891) 122-123. J.E. TAYLOR, “The Phenomenon of Early Jewish-Christianity: Reality 33 or Scholarly Convention”, VC 44 (1990) 313-334, here, 327. This has perhaps been the more widespread approach. See G. QUISPEL, 34 “The Discussion of Judaic Christianity”, VC 22 (1968) 81-93; S.K. RIEGEL, “Jewish Christianity: Definitions and Terminology”, NTS 24 (1978) 410-415; S.C. MIMOUNI, “Pour une définition nouvelle du judéo-christianisme ancien”, NTS 38 (1991) 161-186. The most recent representative of this category is SKARSAUNE, “Jewish 35 Believers in Jesus in Antiquity”, 3-21. J. DANIÉLOU, The Theology of Jewish Christianity. Vol. 1, The Devel- 36 opment of Christian Doctrine before the Council of Nicea (trans. J.A. Baker) (London 1964) 9. A similar observation is made by M. JACKSON-MCCABE, “What’s in a 37 Name: The Problem of “Jewish Christianity””, Jewish Christianity Recon- sidered. Rethinking Ancient Groups and Texts (ed. M. JACKSON-MCCABE) (Minneapolis, MN 2007) 24-25. © Gregorian Biblical Press 2013 - Tutti i diritti riservati