Jewish Traditions in Early Christian Literature, Volume 4 Jewish Apocalyptic Heritage in Early Christianity

by James C. VanderKam (Editor)

This volume contains five chapters which investigate the early Christian appropriations of Jewish apocalyptic material. An introductory chapter surveys ancient perceptions of the apocalyses as well as their function, authority, and survival in the early Church. The second chapter focuses on a specific tradition by exploring the status of the Enoch-literature, the use of the fallen-angel motif, and the identification of Enoch as an eschatological witness. Christian transmission of Jewish texts, a topic whose significance is more and more being recognized, is the subject of chapter three which analyzes what happend to 4,5 and 6 Ezra as they were copied and edited in Christian circles. Chapter four studies the early Christian appropriation and reinterpretation of Jewish apocalyptic chronologies, especially Daniel's vision of 70 weeks. The fifth and last chapter is devoted to the use and influence of Jewish
apocalyptic traditions among Christian sectarian groups in Asia Minor and particularly in Egypt. Taken together these chapters written by four authors, offer illuminating examples of how Jewish apocalyptic texts and traditions fared in early Christianity.

Editors
James C. VanderKam is lecturing at the University of Notre Dame;
William Adler is lecturer at North Carolina State University.



Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum

Section 1 - The Jewish people in the first century Historial geography, political history, social, cultural and religious life and institutions Edited by S. Safrai and M. Stern in cooperation with D. Flusser and W.C. van Unnik

Section 2 - The Literature of the Jewish People in the Period of the Second Temple and the Talmud

Section 3 - Jewish Traditions in Early Christian Literature

Genres: Religion

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

VanderKam provides a litany of sources for examining how the early church engage with Jewish apocalyptic literature. The structure of the work makes it a valuable resource for those looking for specific works and their influence and use in Christianity.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

People who are interested in apocalytism in Christianity will find this book very informative.

The Enochian literature was widely read in the second temple period and often referred to by Christians in the second and third century. The Jews rejected it by the late first century and it lost favor with most Christians within a few hundred years. It lasted the longest in Egypt where gnosticism and mysticism retained its popularity for five or six hundred years longer.

There is a chapter about the influence and transmission of 4, 5 and 6 Ezra. It seemed a bit tedious to me because I'm not so interested in the source of documents.

The most interesting part of the book for me was chapter 5, which is about the interpretation of Daniel 9 in the early church. It was worth the price of the book.