Continuing Seminar:
Second Temple Judaism and Christian Origins

Menu

Click on the buttons below to go to the day's program for this Continuing Seminar or to navigate to other Meeting program elements.

SUN MON TUE  History  CONTINUING SEMINARS   SCHEDULE

 AGM Assistance

Description

The Continuing Seminar takes up the leading question: “What does Second Temple Period/early Jewish literature contribute to the theological and historical interpretation of the New Testament and early Christianity?” Phrasing the question in such a way allows for a broad discussion in which to weigh the options for interpretation rather than predetermining whether the Second Temple Period writings and theological perspectives were (or were not) decisive for the authors of the NT and other early Christian writings. In this approach, the focus question is not simply how early Christians departed from Jewish tradition, but rather how they participated in the wealth of Jewish tradition leading up to and during their time. In particular, the CS shall focus on how individual NT authors and their communities anchored convictions about Jesus within the shape of thought, practice, and trust in the God of Israel.

Seminar Leaders in 2026

• Archie T. Wright, The Catholic Biblical Association of America
• Angela Kim Harkins, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry 
• Ronald Herms, Fresno Pacific University 

Program Details for 2026

 Presenter: TBA

 Menu

 Presenter: TBA

 Menu

 Presenter: TBA

 Menu

History

2025

• Presenter: Gregory E. Sterling, Yale Divinity School

  “It is Elemental: The Explanation of Miracles in Philo’s De vita Mosis”

  Abstract: Ancient authors used different methods of handling miracle stories in their traditions. Some authors referred the story to the judgment of the reader, e.g., Josephus, A.J. 2.347–348. Philo of Alexandria used a Stoic explanation for the miracle stories in De vita Mosis that suggested that the elements of nature were altered by God. He thus defended divine intervention but offered a rational analysis that made the stories more credible to an ancient audience. This paper will explore the Stoic background and the texts in Philo’s De vita Mosis. 

• Presenter: Angela Kim Harkins, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry

  “Psalm 72 and Solomonic Messianism”

  Abstract: This paper investigates how Hebrew-language psalms and hymnody are the site for the expansion of the Solomonic traditions in the Second Temple period, specifically during the Hellenistic period. This chapter critiques the compartmentalization of Hellenism to only those texts written in the Greek Language, and argues in favor of Hellenistic cultural influence, specifically the divine ruler cult, in the Hebrew-language canonical psalm associated with Solomon, Psalms 72. 

• Presenter: José David Padilla, Barry University

“The Hellenistic Impact on Second Temple Jewish Literature: An Analysis of Virtue and Vice Catalogues”

Abstract: This investigation emerged from research conducted during the preparation of my doctoral dissertation on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. In examining the rhetorical strategies employed by Paul when grouping actions deemed sinful across various chapters of his epistles, I sought to demonstrate that classical moral theology frequently developed its theological frameworks based not necessarily on foundational biblical texts, but rather on pedagogical instruments commonly utilized by diverse ethical schools of the first century. Paul was not unique among New Testament authors in employing such groupings of sins or blessings within his writings. Rather, various Christian authors demonstrated familiarity with this rhetorical device. This investigation demonstrated that classical catalogs of virtues and vices functioned as pedagogical tools within the ethical schools of Mediterranean cultures. The subsequent research trajectory became apparent: the New Testament emerged within a specific cultural and literary context from which it adopted and reinterpreted elements of its ethical and moral teachings. I began exploring, then, Hellenistic Judaism of the Second Temple period and examining how these communities were influenced by various Greek philosophical schools in their presentation and articulation of moral and theological traditions.  The present article represents the initial phase of a comprehensive examination of virtue and vice catalogs in Second Temple period literature.

2024

• Presenter: Ariel Feldman, Brite Divinity School
  “Revisiting Phylacteries from the Judean Desert”

Abstract:

Phylacteries or tefillin from the Judean Desert are curious objects. Tiny leather pouches, miniature pieces of parchment, and miniscule scripts rarely fail to impress those who encounter them. And yet, the Judean Desert phylacteries remain on the margins of the scholarly enterprise. It is not that they have been completely ignored. Scholarly work on tefillin proceeded along four main lines of inquiry:

• • Phylacteries as witnesses to the transmission of the biblical text
  • Scribal practices attested to in phylacteries
  • Judean Desert phylacteries and the later rabbinic halakhot pertaining to tefillin
  • Phylacteries as apotropaic objects

This paper seeks to draw attention to the work that has been done so far by briefly sketching the “big picture.” Next, it focuses on the question of whether tefillin originated and functioned as amulets. Earlier scholarship has named several features of tefillin from Qumran as indicating their amuletic origins and nature. This paper reviews them and suggests alternative interpretations.

• Presenter: Carmen Palmer, Stetson University
  “Fosterage or Adoption of Enslaved Female Gentiles in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Beyond”

Abstract:

This paper addresses integration mechanisms of enslaved female gentiles, whether infants or adults, in the Dead Sea movement. Certainly the Dead Sea Scroll rule texts themselves indicate the presence of male and female gentile slaves, evidenced, for example, in CD XII, 10-11, which prohibits the sale of male and female enslaved individuals to gentiles, because “they entered the covenant of Abraham with him.” This rule implies that these enslaved individuals were initially gentile prior to covenant entrance. The rule texts furthermore reveal that these individuals require some sort of conversion mechanism, or at least, an initial relinquishing of gentile nature, to allow their presence among sectarian members. CD XI, 14-15, for example, prohibits staying near gentiles on the Sabbath. But, whereas male slaves could undergo circumcision, what would female enslaved individuals do to relinquish their gentileness? In a broader research project, I propose that enslaved female gentiles could enter the sectarian movement through some combination of marriage, timed integration, immersion, and fosterage or adoption. The present examination focuses on the element of fosterage or adoption. The paper starts with examples from the Scrolls themselves of women who, in addition to those in CD XII, 10-11 specifically described as enslaved individuals, could be gentile enslaved converts, including the beautiful female captive woman of Temple Scroll 11Q19 LXIII, 10-15 and the wetnurse of CD XI, 11. From there, the paper progresses through a variety of comparisons, both contemporary and more broad reaching, such as the writings of Josephus on adoptions among the “Essenes,” early examples of women as adopted workers at Nuzi, and cases of adoption or fosterage of female slaves within Greco-Roman materials. The paper concludes by drawing observations from these cases: held in tension is the fact that these women and girls, while enslaved and regarded to hold economic value, are also integrated within the household even as spouses and trusted caregivers.

• Presenter: Frank Shaw, Independent Scholar
  "The Final Unstudied Primary Source: the Biblical Onomastica"

  Abstract: 
  

  The Greek biblical onomastica are unknown to 99% of modern scholars, yet they are a valuable source of primary data from Second Temple Period Judaism. They are, in fact, the world’s first Bible dictionaries/commentaries. Originating from unknown bi- and trilingual, likely mainly diasporic, Jews, they started out as etymologies in Greek of the meanings of Semitic names in the LXX, designed to help Hebrewless readers understand the many puns, changing of characters’ names, and so on so common in the HB/OT. Over time they became much more. Their importance is greater than colleagues realize. Philo and his Alexandrian Jewish allegorical predecessors used them heavily. NT authors and the early church expositors did too. Sometimes their influence is seen overtly, but other times it is hidden. That they were used heavily by all sorts of literate Jews and early Christians is unmistakable. By Jerome’s day he could say they had “filled the libraries of the world” and had become such a blithering mess that he had to revise them when he translated them into Latin. Eusebius did a revision too. They are beneficial today for such diverse interests as pagan Greek influence on Judaism, LXX textual criticism, understanding Jewish and Christian literacy and bilingualism, interpreting certain passages in the LXX and NT, and as evidence for the continuing verbal use of the divine name well past when

  scholars have traditionally been taught such pronunciation ended. This presentation covers in greater scope the entry on the onomastica I contributed to an upcoming volume in Brill’s in-process Textual History of the Bible, including the critical editions of the onomastica and what (little) scholarship is currently available on them.