Christians or Jews?

Early Transylvanian Sabbatarianism (1580–1621)

By (author) Réka Tímea Újlaki-Nagy Series edited by Herman J. Selderhuis Associate editor Christopher B. Brown Associate editor Günter Frank Associate editor Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer Associate editor Tarald Rasmussen Associate editor Violet Soen Associate editor Zsombor Tóth Associate editor Günther Wassilowsky Associate editor Siegrid Westphal

Book cover: Christians or Jews?

Extent: 292 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Early Modern & Renaissance Studies, Jewish Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Refo500 Academic Studies

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2022)

ISBN: 9783525573310

6.3 x 9.25 inches

Price: $188.00

In stock

Is it possible to be a Christian and a Jew at the same time, or is the choice between the two inevitable?


Transylvanian Sabbatarianism emerged from the aspirations of the Reformation, without direct contact with the Jews. Although the most frequently asked question about them concerns their identity – were they Christians or Jews – the answers of the literature are superficial, biased, and take only an external point of view. The aim of this book, therefore, is to move closer to the 16-17th century Sabbatarian manuscripts and to examine how much they were still connected to Christianity in their biblical interpretations, doctrines and religious practices, how they adapted to Judaism, and how they saw themselves in relation to the two world religions. The analysis of Reka Timea Ujlaki-Nagy shows that although they still held some Christian beliefs, these were considered to be incidental and unnecessary to salvation. Sabbatarians followed the ideal of an age preceding Christ, consequently the Reformation effort to restitute apostolic Christianity disappeared from their religious thought.

  • By (author) Réka Tímea Újlaki-Nagy
  • Series edited by Herman J. Selderhuis
  • Associate editor Christopher B. Brown
  • Associate editor Günter Frank
  • Associate editor Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer
  • Associate editor Tarald Rasmussen
  • Associate editor Violet Soen
  • Associate editor Zsombor Tóth
  • Associate editor Günther Wassilowsky
  • Associate editor Siegrid Westphal