Studies in Exegesis attempts to interpret and explain debates that were argued between 70 C. "This book was written to illuminate the Jewish side of its very early debate with Christianity by taking a fresh look at what Jewish sages saw as their issues in what was at stake (2)." It does not, however, concern itself with the opposing theologies between Christianity and Judaism.
Basser takes his time developing arguments and often focuses on just one or two words within a statement made by one side or the other to clearly define their full position. He first provides the question of the debate in the title of each part of the book, then Basser gives the reader the passage from the New Testament Gospel record, and finally he attempts to tackle the "popular" notion of the significance and meaning of the passage.
He examines the fierce debates between Christians and Jews, which took place in the aftermath of the Christian break from Judaism. After the Christian-Jewish schism, church writers recast dialogues of law and lore into descriptions of bitter controversies between Jesus and the Pharisees. These reflected the strife then current between Christians and Jews. Jews justified their ill will towards Christians who undermined their doctrines. By closely examining the exegetical underpinning of controversies between Jews and Christians, Basser discovers the Jewish side to a debate that, until now, has not received adequate scholarly treatment.
While Judaism is certainly different from Christianity in today's world, Basser does a commendable job explaining how they are not polar opposites because one (Christianity) is merely a branch from the tree (Judaism). Because each religion relies on different primary sources to provide interpretation or exegesis as his title states, Basser uses these texts as references to show the reader how each side would formulate their respective opinions on the argument at hand.
