The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context

James F. McGrath

University of Illinois Press, Jul 20, 2012 - Religion - 168 pages

Monotheism is a powerful religious concept shaped by competing ideas and the problems they raised. Surveying New Testament writings and Jewish sources from before and after the rise of Christianity, James F. McGrath argues that even the most developed Christologies in the New Testament fit within the context of first century Jewish monotheism. McGrath pinpoints when the parting of ways took place over the issue of God's oneness, and explores philosophical ideas such as "creation out of nothing" which caused Jews and Christians to develop differing concepts and definitions about God.

About the author

James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University. He is the author of John's Apologetic Christology: Legitimation and Development in Johannine Christology and The Burial of Jesus: History and Faith.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context
• Author: James F. McGrath
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press, 2012
• ISBN: 0252078799, 9780252078798
• Length: 168 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Comparative Religion; Religion / General; Religion / History; Religion / Judaism / History