In this book noted scholar Thomas L. Pangle brings back a lost and crucial dimension of political theory: the mutually illuminating encounter between skeptically rationalist political philosophy and faith-based political theology guided ultimately by the authority of the Bible. Focusing on the chapters of Genesis in which the foundation of the Bible is laid; Pangle provides an interpretive reading illuminated by the questions and concerns of the Socratic tradition and its medieval heirs in the Christian; Jewish; and Islamic worlds. He brings into contrast the rival interpretive framework set by the biblical criticism of the modern rationalists Hobbes and Spinoza; along with their heirs from Locke to Hegel. The full meaning of these diverse philosophic responses to the Bible is clarified through a dialogue with hermeneutic discussions by leading political theologians in the Judaic; Muslim; and Christian traditions; from Josephus and Augustine to our day. Profound and subtle in its argument; this book will be of interest not only to students and scholars of politics; philosophy; and religion but also to thoughtful readers in every walk of life who seek to deepen their understanding of the perplexing relationship between religious faith and philosophic reason.
#1441011 in Books Johns Hopkins University Press 1998-05-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .64 x 6.00l; 1.02 #File Name: 0801859387272 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Highly Useful SourcebookBy Stefano NikolaouThere are a number of sourcebooks on Hellenistic Judaism out there but you can't beat this book by Margaret Williams in terms of affordability; organisation and the range of texts included.First; affordability is self explanatory.Second; the organisation. There are seven sections to this book:I - The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic and Early Roman Imperial PeriodsII - Life Inside the Jewish Diasporan CommunityIII - Diasporan Jews and the Jewish HomelandIV - Jewish Interaction with Greek and Roman AuthoritiesV - The Jews among the GreeksVI - The Jews among the RomansVII - Pagans and Judaism: Academic and Real-Life ResponsesI don't know about you but this is certainly the best organisation of source material that I have seen.Finally; the sources. Williams has the standard literary sources. There is Tacitus; Suetonius; Juvenal; Dio Cassius; Josephus; Philo; etc - no real surprises there! There are also a number of standard extracts from Rabbinical literature and Christian literature. However; it is the epigraphic sources are outstanding and very informative. The Aphrodisias inscriptions (VII.11-12) that refer to 'Godfearers' is referred to a lot and now I have the actual text. There are also a number of inscriptions that refer to proselytes (VII.26-33); which indicates how widespread conversions were. There is a host of donor and commemorative inscriptions that illustrate the operation of synagogues (II.28-108). These sources show the importance of women in the community as elders; archons and patrons; something you don't pick up from the literary sources. The famous Theodotos Synagogue Inscription is included (III.2); which shows that Diaspora Jews had established their own synagogues in Jerusalem. Finally; there are three interesting grave inscriptions from 4th century Rome that use Proverbs 10.7 that show Jews were still using the Septuagint as well as Aquila's Old Testament translation (V:42-44). I would have liked more evidence of what bible versions Jews were using as I find it interesting but also lack evidence.Also included in this book are some Egyptian papyri like tax documents and Alexandrian nationalist literature. Tax receipts for the Jewish tax show a decline in the Egyptian Jewish population after the revolt under Trajan (IV.54-64); probably due to massacres carried out as reprisals. One document is from 'The Acts of the Pagan Martyrs' (V.82) in which Alexandrian officials petition the emperor (rather rudely) to reject citizenship rights for the Jews. There are also legal texts from the Codex Theodosianus on the increasing constricted rights of the Jews as the Empire became increasingly Christian.This is a great sourcebook that greatly enhances my understanding of the New Testament. I hope some of my discussion on the content will inspire the prospective buyer to consider this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I agree with Stefano Nikolaou's review that Williams' source material ...By Robert ArangoI agree with Stefano Nikolaou's review that Williams' source material is well organized and that the epigraphic sources are quite informative. However; most of the book sources material from Josephus and Philo. Williams appears biased against Gentile sources; which she claims reflect only "stereotypes; and those largely unflattering." The unanswered question here is; "Why?" Never addressed is how and why the Jews obtained privileges unavailable to other ethnic or religious groups. Unless one is a specialist on the subject; I would suggest that reading Josephus and Philo themselves sufficiently covers the material for the general reader. And; reading the Gentile sources will provide a more complete understanding of the role of the Jews among the Greeks and Romans.
