|
|
(Larger Image)
|
Judaism: Practice and Belief, 63 Bce-66 Ce
by E. P. Sanders
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Trinity Pr Intl (1992-02)
ISBN: 1563380153
EAN: 9781563380150
Dewy Decimal #: 296.09014
Paperback: 599 pages
SKU: 111408008
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: name written on first page...crease in spine...edge wear on cover
|
Customer Reviews
|
Good Study
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-08-18
E. P. Sanders has headed the study of first century Judaism in the right direction with this book and "Paul the Law and the Jewish People". This work discusses the differences between Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots, as well as High Priests, priests, and Levites. Also, there is a heavy emphasis on the fact that the common Jew was not in any of these groups. Sanders begins the idea of a collective worldview shared by most first century Jews (N. T. Wright in his book "The New Testament and the People of God" carries this through more completely). There are excellent discussions on sacrifices, the tithing system, and synagogue life. There is no way to read this book without coming away knowing more about first century Judaism. The author pushes hard to show that the Pharisees were more liberal than is often supposed. Sanders ascribes more weight to Josephus as a source, and treats the New Testament as less reliable (for me this was a weakness in his presentation). Nevertheless, I do recommend this work along with Wright's.
|
|
GOOD INTRODUCTION TO PRE 70 JUDAISM
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-04-15
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Sanders presents a balanced account of Judaism before the fall of the temple in 70 AD. Although he points out where he believes others have gone wrong, he treats all viewpoints fairly.
Among his views; that too many scholars have wrongly pitted the Phairisees against the aristocratic elite (p 339). He feels the Essenes were "not major players in politics and society" (p 341). He argues in favor of Jewish belief in covenantal nomism and that "suffering and death atone" (p 417) for sin. He also believes that a large majority of Jews at the time believed in some form of an afterlife, or, perhaps, renewed existence. The Sadducees were alone in opposing this view.
Don't miss: his discussion of pietist literature, including the Psalms of Solomon and the Testament of Moses. And anyone interested in the trial of Jesus will want to read his discussion of synedrions and how they judged.
|
|
"Turning on the lights" of ancient Judea
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-06-27
11 out of 15 customers found this reveiw helpful
As a Christian I had to wade through Sanders secular viewpoint which doesn't always represent the spiritual points accurately. Believing students of the Bible will see where Sanders misses what is being said, like those listening to Jesus state we "must eat His flesh and blood" missed the real meaning. This having been said, Sanders is very fair and gentlemanly about his treatment of spiritual concepts, a refreshing occurrence. For anyone who is not familiar with ancient Judaic history and practices, this is as good as any place, and better, to jump in and start studying. His illumination of these beliefs and practices are very helpful for the Christian trying to get a better feel for what is happening in detail in the Bible. I will never read the Bible in quite the same way, now that I understand many things Sanders explained.
|
|
Outstanding depiction of Judaism during the time of Jesus
Rating (5)
Date: 1999-05-27
10 out of 17 customers found this reveiw helpful
It is easy to overlook the fact that Jesus was a pious Galilean Jew during the First Century. Anyone interested in the "historical Jesus" must keep that in mind. Professor Sanders does not discuss Jesus very much in this book (for that, see his excellent "Historical Figure of Jesus") Rather, he shows us what life was like for most Jews in Palestine during this time. Sanders makes this time and place come vividly alive.
|
|
|
|
|