The closest connection between Jews and Christians probably lies in the fact that they share a common scriptural basis. All of the books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanach) are included in the ?Old Testament= of the Christian Bible. However, the history of Judaism and Christianity shows that the same books are understood and interpreted quite differently in each of the separate contexts. The new edition of this book emphasizes common ground and differences in understanding and interpretation and takes up the intensive hermeneutic debate that has been taking place over the last 20 years. This includes new findings on interrelationships between Judaism and Christianity in the first few centuries after Christ, as well as advances in Christian&Jewish dialogue. Special attention is given to the reorientation of the relationship with Judaism based on the Second Vatican Council, which led to a new understanding of the Old Testament in Catholic theology.

Prof. Christoph Dohmen teaches exegesis and hermeneutics of the Old Testament at the University of Regensburg. Prof. Günter Stemberger teaches Judaic Studies at the University of Vienna.