Segal RC 1986

Segal argues that both Judaism and Christianity were born at approximately the same time and place in history — 1st century Palestine. Using the biblical analogy of Rebecca and her sons, Jacob and Esau, Segal examines the early struggle between Judaism and Christianity for self-definition.

One of the interesting topics discussed in this book are the sects of Judaism which were present during the first and second centuries C.E. in Palestine, one of which was the Essenes, a monastic group that have often been associated in our time with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Another interesting topic discussed in this book is the term "son of man" and its use by Jesus and later on also by the Church; Segal discusses this subject in the chapter on Jesus, the Jewish Revolutionary, (78-80).