Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism

Abstract

This book reexamines the theological positions attributed to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, by the ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. The analysis attends to Josephus's overall literary concerns, while carefully comparing Josephus's accounts with relevant biblical, rabbinic, and Dead Sea texts. The book argues that Josephus provides a relatively accurate picture of Jewish theological diversity in his day. This book also examines Josephus's own theologizing. It argues that Josephus articulated a largely Pharisaic theology, in line with his claim to have adopted this group's ways. This book also establishes that Josephus's own theology points in many of the directions that later, rabbinic Judaism was to follow in its reaction to the destruction of the second temple. Without denying the importance of Jewish law—and recognizing Josephus's embellishments and exaggerations—this project calls for a renewed focus on Josephus's testimony, and models an approach to ancient Judaism that gives theological questions a deserved place alongside matters of legal concern. Ancient Jewish theology was indeed diverse. Jewish theologizing was also sufficiently robust to be able to offer answers to the historical challenges faced by Jews at that time.