This course covers the development of Judaism from 200 B.C.E. to 200 C.E., examining the religious literature of the Second Temple period, the Judaism of the Dead Sea Scrolls, messianic movements in Judaism including, the emergence of Jesus movement in its Jewish context in the first century C.E., relations between emerging Christianity and Judaism, the rise of the rabbinic movement, as well as the development of the synagogue as a religious institution.
It gives a historical contextualization of Christianity within its Jewish context in the first century, among other Jewish groups at the time (Pharisees, priests, scribes, etc.).
This course helps students to contextualize the early Christian writings in their contemporary Jewish religious setting.
The writings of authors such as apostle Paul and other texts from the Bible are part of the readings.
It analyses Christianity vis a vis other religious groups in the ancient context and looks at Judaism in its complexity and diversity in antiquity.
The course focuses specifically on 200 BC to 200 AD period of the development of Judaism in antiquity.
The courses considers the diversity of Jewish religious groups in the Roman Empire.
The course focuses on religious texts from antiquity.
The courses takes into consideration the different religious perspectives and views in the ancient period.
