DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an introduction to the history, literature, and theology of Second Temple Judaism, focusing on the importance of the Jewish context as the soil from which Christianity arose.

An understanding of the Jewish background is vitally important to the understanding of the New Testament and hence also to the preaching and teaching ministry of the church. A proper understanding of Judaism is increasingly important in our pluralistic world and vital for an ongoing, fruitful dialogue between Christians and Jews. It is also crucial in the battle against anti-Semitism.

The class will consist primarily of lectures and class discussion of the reading. Student presentations will be given on selected subjects and on selected Second Temple literature. Class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

Any modern translation of the Bible which contains the (OT) Apocrypha.

Selected documents of the Pseudepigrapha and portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus and Philo.

deSilva, D. A. Introducing the Apocrypha: Message Context, and Significance. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Helyer, L. R. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Skarsaune, O. In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Evans, C. A. and D. A. Hagner, eds. Anti-Semitism in Early Christianity: Issues of Polemic and Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.

Nickelsburg, G. W. E. Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah: A Historical and Literary Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981.

Scott, J. J., Jr. Jewish Backgrounds to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

Schiffman, L. H. From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. Hoboken, NJ: KTAV, 1991.

Stone, M. E. Scriptures, Sects and Visions: A Profile of Judaism from Ezra to the Jewish Revolts. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980.

VanderKam, J. C. An Introduction to Early Judaism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

_________. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Participation in discussions of assigned readings; report on assigned topic to be presented in class (and turned in [3-5 pages]); 15-page term paper.

NS500 and NS501.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

No.