The Judaeo-Christian Tradition

by J.H. Hexter

Jack H. Hexter's (5/25/10–12/8/96) classic survey of the historical roots of Judaism & Christianity is now available with a new preface & updated bibliography. The book defines the main components, principal influences & most significant transformations of ancient Hebrew religious beliefs & then considers those of Christianity, showing how early Christianity arose out of the Judaic heritage. The first part of the book deals with the evolution of ancient Israel down to the end of the 6th century BCE; the second chronicles the transition from Judaism to Christianity & the struggle of the early Christian communities against the pressures & power of the Roman Empire. Ranging over some 1500 years of ancient history, the book illuminates the cultural & intellectual impact of the Judaeo-Christian tradition.

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Jack H. Hexter (who published as J.H. Hexter) received his doctorate from Harvard and later taught at Yale and Washington University (St. Louis), specializing in Tudor history and seventeenth century British history, as well as historiography.

Reviews

[Marcelo Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing the book, I maintain my pre house assessment that while it was a good primer in the past, recent scholarship has gone in different directions and this book will ultimately cause confusion more than clarity.

[David Stockard · Rating 3 out of 5]

1:48:13

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a history of Judaen and Christian traditions (ca. 2000 BCE- 410 CE) written by a specialist on historiography and Tudor history. Since most such histories are written by church historians or academics in tangent fields (biblical archaeology, theology, ancient historians, classicists etc.), this basic introduction, while offering no new insights, is interesting.

[Nivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew very little of Judaism and Christianity before this. Good book