Course Plan for BCS 654: Late Second Temple Judaism
Cincinnati Christian University
Fall 2007
3 graduate credits
Tom Thatcher
(513) 244-8172
tom.thatcher@ccuniversity.edu
RATIONALE
Competent exegesis of the New Testament is facilitated by an understanding of the first-century Judaism from
which Christianity emerged. This course introduces students to major currents in Palestinian and Diaspora
Judaism at this time. Learning experiences will focus particularly on the relationship between first-century
Judaism and the life and teachings of Jesus and Paul.
OBJECTIVES
The student who satisfactorily completes this course should:
1) Display competence in the use of source documents for historical research.
2) Be acquainted with the socio-economic atmosphere of Palestine in the time of Jesus.
3) Be acquainted with the various facets of Jewish thought in the first century.
4) Be able to describe conditions surrounding the rise of the movement associated with John the Baptizer.
5) Be able to situate Jesus= major teachings in the context of first-century Palestine.
6) Be acquainted with the social situation of first-century Diaspora Jews.
Individual achievement of these objectives will be measured via classroom participation and completion of
course assignments.
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
The Quest for Purity: Palestinian Judaism
I. The Purity Problem
A. Purity in the Hebrew Bible
1. The Temple and Purity
2. Gentiles and Purity
B. Challenges to Purity in the Late Second Temple Period
1. Defilement of the Temple
2. The Spiral of Violence
II. Judaisms in Palestine in the Time of Jesus
A. The Pharisees
B. The Sadducees
C. The Qumran Community
D. The Samaritans
E. Apocalypticism and Messianism
F. John the Baptist
G. Jewish Christians and Judaizers
The Quest for Integration: Diaspora Judaism
III. Life in the Diaspora: Purity and Integration
A. The Scope of the Jewish Diaspora
B. Greco-Roman Views of the Jews
C. The Status of Jews in the Diaspora
D. Philo and Philosophical Judaism
MAJOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Course Texts:
Carter, Warren. The Roman Empire and the New Testament: An Essential Guide. Nashville, TN: Abingdon,
2006.
Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Wise, Michael, Martin Abegg, Jr., and Edward Cook, eds. and trans. The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New
Translation. New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 1999.
Whiston, William, ed. and trans. The Works of Josephus. Rev. ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1988.
The text by Ferguson is a reference tool which may be helpful as a guide to your reading and future research.
Purchase of this resource is strongly recommended.
1) Class discussion, and preparation for such discussion, is the primary learning experience.
2) Read the book by Carter and take careful notes, indicating the page number of each note. Place an asterisk
in the margin next to notes that are particularly striking to you. Notes will be graded on the basis of two criteria:
coverage of the book and depth of detail. A typed copy must be submitted by October 22.
3) Reading assignments based on source documents will precede class discussions. These readings will be
either from the required texts above or from further readings included in the copy pack. For each assignment,
read the indicated sections from the source documents and be prepared to discuss the assigned questions. After
the class discussion, you will have 2 weeks to turn in a 5-page answer to the assigned questions, including your
personal perspective, using the source documents to support your views. All assignments must be turned in by
December 10.
ATTENDANCE
Because the primary learning experience involves participation in class discussion, failure to attend or
participate will dramatically affect one=s final grade. After the first absence, each absence will result in a
reduction of 3pts. from the student=s AAttendance and Participation@ grade. Failure to prepare for class
discussion may also result in a reduction in the attendance grade. Note that class will not meet the week of
Thanksgiving.
GRADING POLICY
Attendance and Participation -- 15%
Carter Assignment
-- 5%
Written Assignments
-- 80% (20 pts. each)
Late work is always accepted but may incur a penalty. Students cannot pass the course without turning in all
assignments, irrespective of their final percentage grade.
NOTICE: This course plan, as distributed in class the first day of the Fall 2007 semester, overrides all earlier
versions of the course plan for the same class. All terms and conditions stated in this course plan, including
objectives, outline of contents, required texts, assignments, attendance policy, and grading scale, are subject to
the professor=s unilateral revision at any point before, during, or after the semester.