Table of Contents

Introduction. Myth in Israelite Society 1. Israel Between Empires 2. Society in the Time of Jesus 3. Jesus, the Jewish Revolutionary 4. Paul, the Covert and Apostle 5. Origins of Rabbinic Movement 6. Communities in Conflict 7. The Ways Divide Notes Scriptural Index General Index

Promotional Information

Alan Segalbrings a new perspective to the early histories of Christinanity and Rabbinic Judaism by showing how they are reponses to the same social situation. The book is sociologically significant, sensitive, historically illuminating, and eminently teachable. -- Robert Bellah, University of California at Berkeley

About the Author

Alan F. Segal was Professor Emeritus of Religion and Ingeborg Rennert Professor Emeritus of Judaic Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University.

Reviews

Segal’s work reveals a broad command of the sources and the multidisciplinary outlook requisite for modern reconstructions. He has raised issues that will excite discussion and respectfully challenge many a traditional approach.
*American Historical Review*

Provocative… [Segal crafts] valuable discussions of the relation between the religious and the political dimensions of Jesus’ teaching, the nature of messianism and apocalypticism, and the functions of myth and mythic language in the creation and maintenance of religious communities.
*Journal of Religion*

The book is enlivened by modern analogies and firmly rooted in social-scientific analysis… A delightful read.
*Studies in Religion*

Alan Segal brings a new perspective to the early histories of Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism by showing how they are responses to the same social situation. The book is sociologically significant, sensitive, historically illuminating, and eminently teachable.
*Robert M. Bellah, University of California, Berkeley*

Segal's work reveals a broad command of the sources and the multidisciplinary outlook requisite for modern reconstructions. He has raised issues that will excite discussion and respectfully challenge many a traditional approach. * American Historical Review *
Provocative... [Segal crafts] valuable discussions of the relation between the religious and the political dimensions of Jesus' teaching, the nature of messianism and apocalypticism, and the functions of myth and mythic language in the creation and maintenance of religious communities. * Journal of Religion *
The book is enlivened by modern analogies and firmly rooted in social-scientific analysis... A delightful read. * Studies in Religion *
Alan Segal brings a new perspective to the early histories of Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism by showing how they are responses to the same social situation. The book is sociologically significant, sensitive, historically illuminating, and eminently teachable. -- Robert M. Bellah, University of California, Berkeley