Exploring the world of Jesus (BS2501Y)

Content

Israel between 200 BCE and 70 CE was a complex society affected by the domination of empires past and present. Political, social, economic and religious aspects will be studied. People such as the Samaritans, Sadducees, Pharisees, the Dead Sea Sect (Essenes?), the Zealots, and the poor will feature, as will attitudes to women, the main Jewish festivals, modes of worship and their institutions. Sources, which include some Biblical and apocalyptic books, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the works of the Jewish historian Josephus, and of Philo the Jewish philosopher, will be explored. Together these illuminate the world of Jesus.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

First level units in BA and BN

Pedagogy

Lectures, readings, focus texts assigned to each week for group work, class discussions

Indicative Bibliography

Secondary Works

• Vanderkam, J.C., An Introduction to Early Judaism. Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge, UK: Eerdmans, 2001
• Heyler, L.R., Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students. Downers Grove, Il: Intervarsity Press, 2002
• Schürer, E., A History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (rev. ed.), Vols. 1, 2, 3, 3.2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979-1986
• Sanders, E.P. (ed), Jewish and Christian Self-Definition, Vol. 2. London, SCM, 1981.
• Portier-Young, A.E., Apocalyptic Against Empire: Theologies of Resistance in Early Judaism, Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans, 2014
• Collins, J.J., Between Athens and Jerusalem. Jewish Identity in the Hellenistic Diaspora. Grand Rapids, MI/ Cambridge UK: Eerdmans, 2000

Primary Sources in addition to the Bible:

• Charlesworth, J.H., The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vols 1&2. London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1983-85.
• Garcia Martinez, F., The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated: the Qumran Texts in English. Trans. W.G.E. Watson. Leiden/New York/ Cologne: Brill, 1994
• Philo of Alexandria, Works. Trans. F.H. Colson, and G.H. Whittaker, Loeb Classical Library, London/Cambridge, Mass: Heinemann/Harvard University Press, various dates.
• Josephus, The Works of Josephus. Trans. W. Whiston, Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson, 1987

Assessment