Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus

Mahlon H. Smith, Rutgers University.. Website..
Primary texts on the Judaic and Roman world from which Christianity emerged.
As background for our course on Christian origins see the following sections:

Political Climate

Religious Issues

Who and Where

Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Maccabean Revolt
Hasmonean Regime
Rise of Antipater & Sons
Herod's Reign of Terror
Uprisings after Herod
Galilee under Antipas
Crises from Pilate to Caligula
Demagogues and Despots
Revolt against Rome

 

Judean-Samaritan Feud
Pharisees & Sadducees
Essenes & Dead Sea Scrolls
Baptism: Water & Spirit
Rabbinic Wisdom
Prayer & Piety
Food & Fellowship
Purity & Social Relations
Sacred Days & Seasons
Sin & Justice

 

Josephus
The Hasmonean Dynasty
The House of Herod
The House of Caesar
Roman Rulers
Persona in Rabbinic Tradition
Map: Land of Israel in 1st c. CE
Historic Sites
Dead Sea Scrolls
Rabbinic Texts & Tradition

Intellectual and Cultural Climate

Authors & Works
Scribes & Sages
Targum & Midrash
Messianic Exegesis
New Covenant Eschatology
Rabbinic Wisdom
Dead Sea Scrolls
Apocalyptic Speculation
Philosophy & Allegory
Samaritan Theology
Rhetorical Chreiai
Spirit Possession & Exorcism