{"product_id":"josephus-and-the-theologies-of-ancient-judaism-paperback","title":"Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJonathan Klawans\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough 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 \u003cem\u003eJosephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism\u003c\/em\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMany 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWithout denying the importance of Jewish law-and recognizing Josephus's embellishments and exaggerations-\u003cem\u003eJosephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJonathan Klawans\u003c\/strong\u003e is Professor of Religion at Boston University. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eImpurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ePurity, Sacrifice, and the Temple: Symbolism and Supersessionism in the Study of Ancient Judaism\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 9.2 x 6.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e December 01, 2016\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47649419952349,"sku":"9780190646189","price":96.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/9867\/8237\/files\/GxC93gSIAu9780190646189.webp?v=1773882645","url":"https:\/\/handfulofbooks.com\/products\/josephus-and-the-theologies-of-ancient-judaism-paperback","provider":"Handful of Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}