Likewise, Augustine made the effort of historical imagination to register to the full the Jewishness of Jesus and the apostles. And now, he wrote to Jerome in a series of subtly argued polemical exchanges, it was necessary to preserve Jews in the undisturbed observance of their traditions and laws, for God must have wanted them to be universally dispersed, wandering the face of the earth, as custodians of the Bible's prophecies of Christ – a living museum of perpetual anticipation.
Augustine demonstrated a historical imagination that allowed him to appreciate the Jewish identity of Jesus and the apostles fully. In correspondence with Jerome, he engaged in nuanced arguments regarding the Jews' role in the world. He believed it was crucial to let Jews continue practicing their traditions and laws without interference.
Augustine posited that their dispersion across the globe was part of God's plan, positioning them as guardians of the biblical prophecies concerning Christ. This perception framed the Jewish people as a vital connection to ongoing spiritual anticipation and fulfillment.
