The Debate between Jews and Christians Until the Age of Theodosius - The processes of differentiation from the 2nd to the 4th Centuries CE Reconsidered

In the last two decades new paradigms concerning the discussion of the processes of the separation of the ways of Christians and Jews appeared. The time of separation was moved to a later point in time, now rather to the middle of the second century or even later. In addition, the question of processes of differentiation within the two religions arose. Mention should not only be made to the discussion of the "Parting of the Ways" but also to the groundbreaking articles by Arye Edrei and Doron Mendels in the "Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha" (vol. 16 [2007], 91-137; vol. 17 [2008], 163-187; printed separately as "Zweierlei Disapora", Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2010). Edrei and Mendels argue that there was a separation within Judaism between the Eastern and the Western Diaspora which was the result of a not-understanding of the languages of the two Diasporas. The Western Diaspora became what today is known as "Christianity" whereas the Aramaic-speaking Diaspora built the basis of the rabbinic Judaism.

The workshop aims at a new perspective on that recent discussion by a close 'relecture' of exemplary texts of the time in focus, be it Jewish, Christian or Roman.