The thesis of this book can be summarized in a two-part sentence: The beginnings of Christian reflection can be traced to interpretations of Israel’s Scriptures, and the major focus of that scriptural interpretation was Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah. The thetical sentence may seem disappointingly commonplace. Some commentary is necessary to explain why it should merit a book-length study. Most would agree, perhaps, that early Christian reflection made use of the Scriptures of