PALESTINE IN THE TIME OF JESUS ($21)
16.95
AUG: 0-8006-2808-X
Winner of Academy of Parish Clergy—Book of the Year
award
In order to understand the New Testament, it is crucial to
comprehend the social values and social institutions of ancient
Palestine. Through a judicious use of social-science
methodology, Hanson's and Oakman's enormously helpful
volume explains in a readable way the primary social institutions
and structures there, with a view to how they are reflected in and
shape the early Jesus movement.
The book begins with
an overview of the use of models (or scenarios) in social
analysis, social domains, the ancient Mediterranean worldview,
and how an ancient agrarian culture differs from a post-industrial
society such as ours. The core of the book systematically
presents major domains and institutions of family/kinship,
politics/patronage, and economy, always with reference to
specific biblical texts. In a concluding chapter, the authors
explore the religious institutions, especially Herod's Temple
system and Jesus' relation to it. The wealth of archaeological
and documentary data and analysis are augmented by extensive
charts, diagrams, study questions, glossaries, and suggest
readings.
For more info, please see the following:
About the Author
K.C. Hanson is Biblical Studies Editor for Fortress Press.
About the Author
Douglas E. Oakman is Associate Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma,
Washington, and author of Jesus and the Economic Questions of His Day.
