Josephus and the theologies of ancient Judaism
By: Jonathan Klawans
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 388
ISBN-13: 9780199928613
Subjects: Judaism; Jews; History
Description: 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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Theology, Josephus, and understandings of ancient Judaism; title: Fate, free will, and ancient Jewish types of compatibilism; title: Afterlives and noble deaths; title: Torah, tradition, and innovation; title: Josephus and Judaism after 70 CE.