What is the best Logos book have you found dealing with the intertestamental period?
Hi Pastor James
Others may be able to suggest some introductionary texts, but the most useful studies I've found have been in reading the primary texts of the period, rather than just secondary texts about the period.
For example, read 1 Maccabees. You may already have the Apocrypha in your library, or it could be in a Bible such as NRSV. Combine this history with other passages such as Daniel 11. Then you might like to read Josephus -- particularly what he has to say about the backgrounds of the various Jewish groups (Pharisees, Essenes, ...).
Once you have some idea of the history of the period, move on to read some of the stories and beliefs of the period, such as Tobit (story) or Sirach (widsom). 1 Enoch would also introduce you to the apocalyptic style.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are also useful to get an understanding of how some sectarian Jews were handling Scripture in this period.
As a secondary text on this literature consider Helyer, Larry R. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period : A Guide for New Testament Students. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
I am working through this at the moment and find it very helpful
An interesting clue is presumably what the early Christians did judging from what they 'packaged' with their OT and later the NT. (If I'm not mistaken, Josephus was a popular read.)
Thread => Advice on Logos resources on early Judaism/Second Temple, please includes a reply:
I found the following book very helpful: Oskar Skarsaune, In the shadow of the temple: Jewish influences on early Christianity. 2002. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
I found the following book very helpful:
Oskar Skarsaune, In the shadow of the temple: Jewish influences on early Christianity. 2002. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
+1 [Y] => In the Shadow of the Temple
Keep Smiling [:)]
James, I should also have suggested:
The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism. Edited by Collins, John J. and Daniel C. Harlow. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
Before the A-Z section you have 290 pages of essays that are just supurb introductions to the second temple period:
Well, Allen, that little tidbit of yours will likely cost Logos $30: Ancient Judaism: New Visions and Views, by Michael Stone
I've been gazing at that tome much of the day. Stone did 4Esdras for Hermeneia, and has some strong but interesting views.
But then EDEJ is top quality and already on my PC; I'd forgotten about those 290 pages!
