Dear M.O.: That is really a tough question
because, to be real honest with you, there is so little
out there that really discusses first-century
Christianity and deals specifically with that period
that it is extremely difficult to find reference
material.
Because the question is
pertinent, I have asked some of
my colleagues
to also lend their opinions which
will be noted below. However,
before I asked them to share
their opinions, I thought long
and hard about the question
and, from my own personal library, I would have to
say the three books that I would recommend dealing
with first century Christianity would have to be Our
Father Abraham by Dr. Marvin Wilson, Jewish
Sources in Early Christianity by Professor David
Flusser, and Jesus and His Jewish Parables by Dr.
Brad Young.
Dr. Brad Young suggests Judaism and Christian
Beginnings by Samuel Sandmel from Oxford Press;
Judaism and the Origins of Christianity by David
Flusser from Magnes Press in Jerusalem, Israel; and
Paul and Palestinian Judaism by E. P. Sanders from
Fortress Press, now merged with Augsberg Press.
Dr. Marvin Wilson's list also includes Paul and
Palestinian Judaism. Then he adds three more: The
Jewish People in the First Century by Shmuel Safrai,
edited by M. Stem and published by Fortress Press;
Paul and Rabbinic Judaism by W. D. Davies from
Fortress Press; and The History of Jews in the Age
of Jesus Christ (175 B.C.-A.D. 135) by Emil Schurer,
Revised Edition by G. Vermes, and published by T
& T Clark of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dr. Ken Hanson's recommendations also include
The Jewish People in the First Century, Jesus,
Rabbi and Lord by Robert Lindsey, available from
Ken and Lenore Mullican of HaKesher in Tulsa,
Oklahoma; and Jewish Sources in Early Christianity
by David Flusser from Modan
Publishing in Bellmore, New
York.
