Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism (Hardcover)

Though considered one of the most important informants about Judaism in the first century CE, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus's testimony is often overlooked or downplayed. Jonathan Klawans's Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism reexamines Josephus's descriptions of sectarian disagreements concerning determinism and free will, the afterlife, and scriptural authority. In each case, Josephus's testimony is analyzed in light of his works' general concerns as well as relevant biblical, rabbinic, and Dead Sea texts.
Many scholars today argue that ancient Jewish sectarian disputes revolved primarily or even exclusively around matters of ritual law, such as calendar, cultic practices, or priestly succession. Josephus, however, indicates that the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes disagreed about matters of theology, such as afterlife and determinism. Similarly, many scholars today argue that ancient Judaism was thrust into a theological crisis in the wake of the destruction of the second temple in 70 CE, yet Josephus's works indicate that Jews were readily able to make sense of the catastrophe in light of biblical precedents and contemporary beliefs.
Without denying the importance of Jewish law-and recognizing Josephus's embellishments and exaggerations-Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism calls for a renewed focus on Josephus's testimony, and models an approach to ancient Judaism that gives theological questions a deserved place alongside matters of legal concern. Ancient Jewish theology was indeed significant, diverse, and sufficiently robust to respond to the crisis of its day.

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	November 2012
First published:	October 2012
Authors:	Jonathan Klawans (Associate Professor of Religion)
Dimensions:	237 x 162 x 32mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	400
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-992861-3
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Early Church Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Judaism > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian sacred works & liturgy > Sacred texts > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > The Bible > New Testament > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Early Church Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > The Bible > New Testament > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Judaism > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian sacred works & liturgy > Sacred texts > General Books > Christianity > Early Church Books > Christianity > The Bible > New Testament Promotions
LSN:	0-19-992861-4
Barcode:	9780199928613

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