Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Introduces the history, literature and ideas of Judaism in the era before Christ, from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to the Herods, and even up to Masada. Fills in the "missing story" between the Old and New Testaments. Expands understanding of the New Testament world highlighting the ideas, subplots and characters that shaped the world of Jesus and the first Christians. Informed by the best of recent scholarship. Includes bibliographics for further reading. Features maps, glossary, time line and other helps.
Synopsis
Highlighting the ideas, subplots and characters that shaped the world of Jesus and the first Christians, Anthony J. Tomasino skillfully retells the story of Judaism before Jesus, from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to the Herods, and even up to Masada.
Synopsis
Turning the page from Malachi to Matthew, we skip a lot of history. In fact, it is something like missing several key episodes in an ongoing television saga. The setting and main plot line are familiar, but new characters have appeared and more recent events and developments are assumed. Did anyone record the episodes we missed? Fortunately a few did. Their reception wasn't always good, and there are annoying cuts and splices. But Anthony J. Tomasino has put together the missing episodes and skillfully retells the story of Judaism before Jesus, from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to the Herods, and even up to Masada. The result is an entertaining, informative and enlightening retelling of the story of Judaism and the development of the ideas, subplots and characters that shaped the world of Jesus and the first Christians.
Table of Contents
Putting together the past -- Returning and rebuilding -- The Persian impact on Judaism -- The Greeks in the East -- The fight for freedom -- Jewish diversity in the Hasmonean era -- The second Jewish commonwealth -- The Hellenistic inheritance -- The Romans and the Jews -- Oppression, resistance, and messianic hopes -- Epilogue: Anno Domini -- A compendium of Jewish history.