The differing beliefs that emerged between Christianity and Judaism, especially in the first two centuries AD, were mainly caused by the introduction of heavenly beings in the Jewish religion. This resulted in the predominance of a messiah, who will be sent by God as salvator mundi. Mainly Paul preached and practiced the conversion of pagans to Christianity, without obligating them to practice the Jewish law. In the course of time the baptized pagans represented the mainstream of Christianity which caused a conflict between them and those Jews who practiced the Jewish law but also believed in Jesus as the Messiah. The development of these tendencies is described in this book.

Peter Landesmann, born 1929 in Vienna; 1952 graduate engineer at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna; 1994 PhD in Judaic Studies; 2001 Doctor of Protestant Theology; since 2006 Honorary Professor for Jewish Studies, 2007 Doctor of Catholic Theology; publication of several books and articles on Theology and related subjects.

Leseprobe

Contents: Multiple exegesis – Israel’s hopes for the future – The apocalyptic influence – The doctrine of wisdom and the term «logos» – The statements made by Jesus about Judaism – Why was Jesus crucified? – The sacrifice of Jesus as atonement – The congregation of Jesus following his crucifixion – The conflicts within the Christian community – The split between Jewish Christians and Judaism.