Making myths

By Leonard Victor Rutgers

Book Description

In "Making Myths," Leonard Victor Rutgers presents a thoughtful examination of how early Christian communities shaped their understanding of themselves through their relationship with Judaism during Late Antiquity. Through three carefully chosen case studies, Rutgers reveals how the ideas and interpretations developed by early Christians about Jewish people and their faith became far more than abstract theological concepts.

This scholarly work demonstrates how religious thought transforms into lived reality, showing readers how early Christian biblical interpretations and teachings moved beyond the realm of ideas to influence actual social and political conditions. Rutgers traces the profound impact these developing Christian perspectives had on Jewish communities, particularly as they contributed to the gradual restriction of Jewish civil rights and freedoms during this formative period.

For those interested in understanding how religious identity develops and how spiritual communities define themselves in relation to others, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics between two major faith traditions. Rutgers illuminates how the process of early Christian identity formation was deeply intertwined with attitudes toward Judaism, creating consequences that extended well beyond theological discourse.

At 151 pages, this work provides readers with a focused exploration of how religious ideas shape real-world relationships and social structures, offering lessons relevant to anyone seeking to understand the intersection of faith, identity, and community dynamics.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)

📄 Length: 151 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore Christianity and other religions
✓ Explore Judaism, relations, christianity
✓ Explore Frühchristentum
✓ Explore Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
✓ Explore Historia
✓ Explore Fornkyrkan
✓ Explore Literatur
✓ Strengthen your faith journey

Topics Covered

Christianity and other religions Judaism, relations, christianity Frühchristentum Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 Historia Fornkyrkan Literatur Interfaith relations Christianity and other religions, judaism Identitätsfindung Judaism Kristen identitet Judentum Relations Judenbild Christen Primitive and early church Church history Christianity Kristendom och judendom Urchristentum History