An exploration of the book of Chronicles vis-à-vis the concept of utopia

An exploration of Cyrus’s role and function in ancient Judean kingship discourse

An exploration of Cyrus’s role and function in ancient Judean kingship discourse

In the second-century Protevangelium of James (henceforth PJ), Mary spins thread for a new temple veil. The episode has fascinated and perplexed both ancient and modern readers: Of all the jobs the author could have chosen for the protagonist, why this one? Scholars of PJ frame the significance of Mary’s work in a variety of ways. Some argue t…[Read more]

This syllabus is for a senior-level biblical archaeology course taught at Ferrum College (VA) in fall of 2016.

In the Synoptic accounts of the transfiguration (Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus and the disciples. One of the more common interpretations of their presence in this scene is that together they symbolize “the law and the prophets.” But from a canonical/narrative perspective, the situation is more complex tha…[Read more]

This chapter examines apocalyptic literature within the framework of “early Jewish mysticism” and compares early Jewish and Christian apocalyptic writings with rabbinic and Hekhalot materials. It begins by focusing on apocalyptic literature and the discourse of “mysticism” in religious studies before turning to continuity and rupture in the Jew…[Read more]

The poetry of Micah’s oracle of doom (Mic 1:8-16) combines two undeniable motifs, the motif of the lament and that of geography. The latter motif is not well understood due to the obscurity of the place names found in vv. 10a-12b. A careful study of the oracle’s geographical con-text, however, will lead to a more precise understanding of the top…[Read more]

An exploration of the Hebrew Bible’s prophetic literature vis-à-vis Science Fiction and Science Fiction theory

An exploration of the Hebrew Bible’s prophetic literature vis-à-vis Science Fiction and Science Fiction theory

מגילות: מחקרים במגילות מדבר יהודה ז [ Meghillot: Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls VII ]. Haifa University and Bialik Institute, 2009 Pages: 157-190

Paul’s identification of Christ with the rock that provided water to Israel in the wilderness has confounded interpreters. This article seeks to demonstrate that Paul depends upon a tradition within early Jewish thinking, as evidenced in poetic works such as Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 78, and Psalm 95, which linked Israel’s God to this rock. Des…[Read more]

Matthew’s use of (kata)luō in Matt 5:17-20 needs to be understood in light of other occurrences of these words in Jewish literature. This paper focuses on two historical events around which these words cluster: the Antiochan persecution and the destruction of the Temple. Since Jewish literature characterizes the Hellenizers of the Maccabean pe…[Read more]

In spite of the genealogical exclusion of non-Israelites evidenced throughout Ezra-Nehemiah, numerous scholars find strategies of inclusivism within the work. In particular, Ezra 6.19-21 and Neh. 10.29-30 have been understood to envision the incorporation of outsiders into the Golah group. After surveying the evidence for exclusivism in…[Read more]

Since the author of Hebrews locates his readers in Israel’s wilderness period in Heb 3.1-4.11 and 11.8-39, the discussion of paideia in 12.5-13 should be interpreted in light of early Jewish conceptions of Israel’s time in the wilderness. Confirmation that this is the correct context in which to understand 12.5-13 will be found in Deuteronomy, Wis…[Read more]

This paper argues that the letter to the Hebrews renarrates Israel’s history as an extended exodus which comes to an end as a result of Christ’s high priesthood. According to the author, the promise of rest in Psalm 95 demonstrates that Joshua was unable to lead Israel into God’s promised rest. Based on this exegetical key, the author rerea…[Read more]

Paul and the Gentile Problem provides a new explanation for the apostle Paul’s statements about the Jewish law in his letters to the Romans and Galatians. Paul’s arguments against circumcision and the law in Romans 2 and his reading of Genesis 15-21 in Galatians 4:21-31 belong within a stream of Jewish thinking which rejected the possibility that…[Read more]

Matthew Thiessen offers a nuanced and wide-ranging study of the nature of Jewish thought on Jewishness, circumcision, and conversion. Examining texts from the Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Judaism, and early Christianity, he gives a compelling account of the various forms of Judaism from which the early Christian movement arose. Beginning with…[Read more]

Decades ago, Werner G. Kummel described the historical problem of Romans as its “double character”: concerned with issues of Torah and the destiny of Israel, the letter is explicitly addressed not to Jews but to Gentiles. At stake in the numerous answers given to that question is nothing less than the purpose of Paul’s most important letter. In Th…[Read more]

Both 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees portray the Sabbath law as a central point of con- tention during the struggle over Judean law and tradition in the second century BCE (e.g., 1 Macc 1:41-50; 2 Macc 6:4-6). The Hasmonean family in particular is at times high- lighted as holding the Sabbath in high regard (2 Macc 5:27). In every available source,…[Read more]