The essays in this book consider issues of tolerance and intolerance faced by Jews and Christians between 200 BCE and 200 CE. Several essays are concerned with aspects of early Jewish-Christian relationships, several discuss ways Jews and Christians defined themselves against the pagan world, and several consider issues of tolerance that arose in rival groups within early Judaism and within early Christianity. The book derives from the first symposium in this field in which scholars from Israel and the UK shared, and is distinctive in its theme of perennial concern for humanity.

"Gospel" initially referred to oral proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, but was later used to refer to four written accounts of the life of Jesus. How did this happen? Graham Stanton uses new evidence and fresh perspectives to tackle this controversial question. He also examines the earliest criticisms of Jesus, and early Christian addiction to the codex (book) format in place of the ubiquitous roll. (view table of contents)

Jesus of Nazareth and the four New Testament gospels continue to fascinate people from many cultural and religious backgrounds. Who was Jesus? Are Christian claims about him supported by solid historical evidence? How reliable are the evangelists' portraits of Jesus which were written some 50 years after the crucifixion? These questions can be explored only on the basis of a sound grasp of the intentions and methods of the four evangelists. This study examines the distinctive emphases of all four evangelists, discusses briefly the apocryphal gospels, and deals with the methods of assessing evidence which describes Jesus' teaching, his intentions and the reasons for his downfall. (view table of contents)

This book thoroughly examines Matthew's gospel. It discusses appropriate methods for interpretation and considers in detail the gospel's origin, purpose, and social setting. Graham Stanton claims that Matthew wrote the Gospel following a period of prolonged bitter disputes with fellow Jews. With considerable literary, catechetical, and pastoral skill the evangelist composed a gospel for a new people (both Jews and Gentiles) in a cluster of Christian communities. Dividing his book into three sections, Stanton discusses redaction critical, literary critical, and social scientific approaches to the interpretation of Matthew; he confirms that Matthew's Gospel was shaped by the "parting of the ways" with Judaism; and he includes two essays on the Sermon on the Mount and one on Matthew's use of the Old Testament.