Border Lines

In Border Lines, Daniel Boyarin reexamines the origins of Judaism and Christianity, arguing that their separation was artificially constructed and not inherent to their early beliefs.

In Border Lines, Daniel Boyarin challenges the conventional understanding of the historical separation between Judaism and Christianity. He argues that the division is often oversimplified, depicting a single religion fracturing into two distinct entities. Instead, Boyarin posits that before the emergence of Christianity, there existed a shared cultural landscape where beliefs and practices were fluid, and both Jesus-following Jews and non-Jesus-following Jews coexisted. This perspective invites readers to reconsider how we define religious identities in late antiquity.

Boyarin presents a compelling case that the characteristics we often attribute to Judaism and Christianity were not inherently distinct during this period. He suggests that the beliefs in a second divine being and various practices, such as observing the Sabbath and dietary laws, were widely shared among different groups. The distinctions that we recognize today, he argues, were artificially constructed by heresiologists who sought to delineate boundaries and create a clear identity for Christianity.

Ultimately, Border Lines serves as an invitation to rethink the origins of these two faiths and the very notion of religion itself. By exploring the complexities of early Judaeo-Christianity, Boyarin encourages readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that existed before the imposition of rigid borders. This thought-provoking work is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the historical interplay between these two influential religions.