Paula Fredriksen

Aurelio Professor of Scripture Emerita. Scholar of Roman-period religions whose research has focused on the Bible and its interpretation and use by late antique Christian authors. She examined in particular how scholars draw upon these sources to make historical judgments about the separation of 'Jews' and 'Christians,' and how ancient biblical interpretation has contributed to the development of Christian anti-Judaism. In her influential book, From Jesus to Christ (1998), she explored with great insight and clarity the development of the depictions of Jesus and of 'the Jews' in the gospels. Augustine and the Jews: A Christian Defense of Jews and Judaism (2008) presents a provocative new reading of Augustine's position on Jews and on Judaism as less overtly hostile and more theologically complex than conventionally thought. Her most recent book is, Sin: The Early History of an Idea (2012). She is widely recognized as one of the most influential scholars working on pagan-Jewish-Christian relations in antiquity. Recipient, Yale Governor's Best Book Award for From Jesus to Christ (1988); National Jewish Book Award for Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (1999).