Final answer:
The Epistle of Barnabas is a treatise by an early Christian author that outlines the true nature of Judaism as fulfilled in Christianity, offering spiritual interpretations of Old Testament scripture rather than historical accounts of Jesus's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The noncanonical Epistle of Barnabas is characterized by historians as a treatise that aims to outline the true nature of Judaism and how it is fulfilled in Christianity. It is not considered a historical document focusing on the roots of Jesus Christ nor is it categorized as a Gospel. The epistle is written in the form of a letter and is thought to have been composed between the later parts of the 1st century and early 2nd century, placing it in the era of early Christianity where there was much debate and fluidity in Christian practice and doctrine.
As a treatise, the Epistle of Barnabas diverges in style and content from the four canonical Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—that focus more on the life and teachings of Jesus. Instead, the Epistle of Barnabas primarily deals with interpretative readings of the Old Testament, arguing for a figurative rather than literal understanding of Jewish law and customs, and suggesting that these were always meant to be a prefiguration of the coming of Christ and his covenant with humanity.
Throughout the epistle, the author (traditionally thought to be Barnabas but not definitively established) emphasizes a strong dualistic worldview, separating the spiritual from the carnal and encouraging the reader to understand the Christian faith as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, thus reflecting the evolving nature of early Christianity's relationship with Judaism.