Josephus and the theologies of ancient Judaism

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Last edited by MARC Bot
September 5, 2024 | History

Josephus and the theologies of ancient Judaism

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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.

Publish Date
Language
English
Pages
388

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Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism
Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism
2017, Oxford University Press, Incorporated
in English
Cover of: Josephus and the theologies of ancient Judaism
Josephus and the theologies of ancient Judaism
2013, Oxford University Press
Hardcover in English

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Book Details


Table of Contents

Theology, Josephus, and understandings of ancient Judaism
Fate, free will, and ancient Jewish types of compatibilism
Afterlives and noble deaths
Torah, tradition, and innovation
Josephus and Judaism after 70 CE.

Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Published in
Oxford, New York

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
296.309/015
Library of Congress
DS115.9.J6 K53 2013, DS115.9.J6K53 2013, DS115.9.J6 K53 2012

The Physical Object

Format
Hardcover
Pagination
xiv, 373p.
Number of pages
388

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL25206738M
Internet Archive
josephustheologi0000klaw
ISBN 13
9780199928613
LCCN
2012005611
OCLC/WorldCat
775664210

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History

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September 5, 2024 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
August 3, 2020 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
July 27, 2020 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
February 15, 2012 Created by LC Bot import new book