Jews and Christians in Antioch as Seen by John Chrysostom (386-387 CE)

In recent decades a scholarly consensus has emerged according to which the parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity, and between Jews and Christians, was a much more protracted and complex process than previously thought. Support for this thesis is said to derive from various sources, not least the eight Discourses against the Jews delivered in Antioch in the 380s CE by John Chrysostom. From the Discourses we learn that some of the good Christians of Antioch attended synagogue on the Jewish New Year and on other festivals. They revered the ark which contained the holy scrolls. They believed that oaths taken in the synagogue were more fearsome than oaths taken in the church. And, in general, says Chrysostom, they showed more respect towards Jews and Judaism than a proper Christian ought to do. Do these actions of the Antiochene Christians document blurred and inchoate boundaries between the Jewish community and the Christian? In brief, the answer is no. If we read Chrysostom closely, we will see that the verdict of religious confusion and blurred boundaries derives entirely from his own malicious and prejudiced interpretation of the events. Obviously there was friendship and good will between the members of the Jewish community of the city and the members of the Christian community, but this hardly implies identity confusion or boundary uncertainty. On the contrary, the Christians who are befriending the Jews, showing them respect, and venerating synagogues, are doing so as Christians; these actions are part of their Christianity.