The Journal of Biblical Studies
Oct-Dec
2001
Vol.1 No. 4
Articles in this issue are in HTML,
MS Word, and Abode PDF format.
If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click on the graphic below and you
will be taken to the Adobe site to download your free copy.
If you would like to be notified when new material is added please join the
Journal of Biblical Studies mailing list.
- Articles
- The Fate of Josephus's Antiquitates Judaicae 13.171-173:Ancient Judean
Philosophy in Context by Ken Penner, M.C.S., M.A.
Word
PDF
HTML
(SPIonic
and SPTiberian
fonts are needed to view this article correctly in html. Please download
the latest version.)
Abstract:
We cannot rely on Josephus' account of the differences between the three
Judean sects in Ant. 13.171-173 for historical information about what
their main disagreements were, or for their views of fate because
Josephus is exaggerating and shaping the truth for his purposes.
We know he is exaggerating because the Essenes depicted in the rest of
Josephus' writings are not characterized by total determinism; they do
exercise choice. Nowhere else besides in Josephus are Essenes described
as total determinists. Furthermore, if Essenes produced the Dead Sea
Scrolls, they acknowledged an element of choice in joining the group.
Likewise, the Sadducees could hardly have totally eliminated God's role
in human affairs if they believed the Torah, with its constant accounts
of God's intervention.
In Ant. 13.171-173 Josephus does not use the key word ei(marme/nh
in his usual way. Instead of associating it with death, as he usually
does, here he uses the term in its technical, philosophical sense. He
calls the three groups ai(re/seij, his term
for schools of philosophy, and has them differ on a philosophical point,
the same point by which Cicero distinguishes three Greek philosophical
schools.
Josephus' purpose is evidently not to describe the main point on which
the three disagreed with historical accuracy, but to indicate the
antiquity of Judean philosophy. Josephus does not connect Ant.
13.171-173 to its literary context in any way other than
chronologically. The chronological reference is significant because
Josephus often uses appeals to the antiquity of customs or institutions
as a way of legitimizing them.
I do not doubt that Josephus would have been capable accurately
describing the main disagreements among the Judean groups, if that had
been his intention. But because his rhetorical point was not dependent
on historical accuracy, we ought not to ascribe excessive historical
value to his description of their differences here. Instead, we can use
this passage to get to know Josephus' concerns, above all his desire to
present Judean culture as a venerable and philosophical society, using
categories readily understood by an audience of Roman elites.
- Dating Early Christian Gospels by Andrew Bernhard
Word
PDF
HTML
(Silar.ttf font is
needed to view this article correctly in html.)
Abstract:
In
this article, I discuss the limitations to our knowledge of dating early
Christian gospels. I begin by using manuscript and patristic evidence to
establish that twelve gospels must have been written before 200 C.E.:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter,
Secret Gospel of Mark, Gospel of the Ebionites, Gospel
of the Nazareans, Gospel of the Hebrews, the “Unknown
Gospel” of Papyrus Egerton 2, and Marcion’s Gospel. I then consider
how precisely the gospels can be dated on the basis of hard evidence. I
conclude that it is not possible to date any early gospel to a single
year or decade. I suggest that the gospels should be assigned to the
general time period of 60-150 C.E. to avoid inadvertently and
unjustifiably prioritizing them.
- Jesus' Use of Old Testament Themes in Matthew 23:34-39 by Susan Rieske
Word
PDF
HTML
ABSTRACT:
In
an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the issues concerning the
nation of Israel and its future in God's plan for the world, this
article examines Jesus' use of Old Testament themes in one of the key
passages concerning Israel: Matthew 23:34-39. It attempts to demonstrate
that a correct understanding of which Old Testament passages Jesus makes
reference to is essential in determining the intended meaning of his
statements in the text. The study begins with the premise that Jesus'
proclamation is modeled after that of the Old Testament prophets. It
then traces the themes emphasized back to the giving of the Law through
Moses and to the prophets' proclamations of judgment on the individual
evildoers within Israel and on the nation as a whole.
- Short Studies
- Only the Father Knows: A Response to Harold F. Carl by Kris J. Udd,
M.Div., M.L.S.
Word
PDF
HTML
Abstract
Jesus declared himself ignorant of the day and hour of judgment in
Mark 13:32. This statement has given rise to much controversy throughout
church history. Rather than assign omniscience to one nature and
ignorance to the other, the solution is found in a proper definition of
the term “nature” and in a realization that omniscience is not
essential to divinity.
- A Three Source Theory for the Synoptic Problem
Word
PDF
HTML
ABSTRACT
This paper posits that Luke used three written sources: Mark's gospel,
an
early sayings source and subsidiarily, Matthew's gospel. Evidence is
provided for Luke's knowledge of Matthew's gospel, and for the
incongruity
of Q as normally delineated. Some of the pericopae usually assigned to Q
are
shown to have typical Matthean features and so to be unlikely to have
originated in the sayings source. Instead it is suggested that Luke
derived
these pericopae directly from Matthew's gospel. This Three Source Theory
is
shown to combine the best features of the Farrer-Goulder Theory and the
prevailing Two Source Theory.
- Project Reports
- Post Modern Bible Commentary by Tim Bulkeley
Word
PDF HTML
Abstract:
This report covers a project, begun in 1995, to produce a hypertext
biblical commentary.
Interface design considerations in the current Amos
commentary are sketched. The material currently available includes
Bible Dictionary and Glossary, as well as Commentary, making the
resource accessible to a wide range of users. These materials deal with
background to the text. Literary and linguistic features, historical and
archaeological background are covered.
A second phase to the commentary will seek to stimulate users to move
from text-to-world. Groups using the background commentary provided,
will brainstorm ideas for material including: pictures, facts and
figures, news items, poems etc.. Providing open-ended resources so that
different users can find stimulation which suits their spiritual needs.
A wider project is envisaged to produce eventually a commentary on the
whole Bible. This will involve a nonprofit trust to appoint and seek
support for writing teams. The purpose is: To stimulate the production
of and to publish, at affordable prices, hypertext and other new media
resources for biblical scholarship and Bible study, which (i) respect
the role of the various biblical canons as Holy Scripture for Christian
and Jewish Communities (ii) represent accurate and careful biblical
scholarship.
|
