Adult Sunday School, 2016 Autumn Quarter — Jesus and His Jewish Influences — Lectures by Jodi Magness, Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

September 11, 2016 — Jewish Ritual Purity: The Sons of Light  

Turn from the Pharisees to the Essenes, the sect associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. In the first of three lectures on this fascinating sect, focus on how a strict system of ritual purity was a fundamental part of everyday life at Qumran (the site where the Scrolls were found).

http://rmcdiscussiontext.blogspot.com/2016/09/lecture-13jewish-ritual-purity.html

September 18, 2016 —  The Dead Sea Scrolls: Earliest Hebrew Bible  

Unpack the hidden meaning and significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls themselves - some of ancient history's most fascinating texts, which date back to the time of Jesus. Among the findings you'll explore here: early copies of the Hebrew Bible, fragments of a Greek translation of the Septuagint, and early biblical commentaries.
http://rmcdiscussiontext.blogspot.com/2016/09/lecture-14the-dead-sea-scrolls-earliest.html

September 25, 2016 — Was Jesus an Essene?

Most of what scholars know about the Essenes, and their apocalyptic outlook, comes from the ancient historians Josephus and Philo. After a deeper dive into who the Essenes were (and how Essene women lived), Professor Magness makes her case for why Jesus could not have been an Essene.
http://rmcdiscussiontext.blogspot.com/2016/09/lecture-15-was-jesus-essene.html

October 2, 2016 — The Hebrew Scriptures and the Septuagint 

First, examine the Letter of Aristeas," which describes translating the Torah into Greek. Then, meet Philo of Alexandria, whose writings (preserved by Christians) are based on an allegorical method of interpreting the Bible. Finally, using a passage from Isaiah, discover why Jews eventually came to reject the authority of the Septuagint translation."

http://rmcdiscussiontext.blogspot.com/2016/09/lecture-16-hebrew-scriptures-and.html

October 9, 2016 — The Reign of Herod the Great 

What are the historical roots of the often-disputed Massacre of the Innocents reported in the Gospel of Matthew? Find out in this lecture on the reign of Herod the Great, a man notorious for killing members of his own family and best remembered for his biblical campaign of infanticide.

http://rmcdiscussiontext.blogspot.com/2016/09/lecture-17-reign-of-herod-great.html

October 16, 2016 — Pontius Pilate: A Roman Prefect 

Following the death of Herod the Great, there began a period of direct Roman administration of Judea under prefects, the most famous of whom was Pontius Pilate, who would later oversee the trial of Jesus. Learn the historical backstory of both this figure and another contemporary of Jesus, Herod Antipas.

October 23, 2016 — Anarchy in Judea 

In the first half of this lecture, examine the growing anarchy that led to the First Jewish Revolt against Rome - including the rise of others who, like Jesus, claimed to be the messiah. Then, follow the story (as related by Josephus) of the trial and execution of Jesus's brother, James the Just.

October 30, 2016 — Jesus's Prophecy: Jerusalem's Destruction 

The First Jewish Revolt against Rome culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Explore how this cataclysmic event had profound aftershocks for subsequent Jewish history - as well as early traditions surrounding Jesus (for example, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants" in the Gospel of Matthew)."

November 6, 2016 — Flavius Josephus: Witness to 1st Century A.D .

One cannot explore Jesus and his Jewish influences without understanding the life and works of Flavius Josephus, the ancient Jewish author who was a witness to the period during and after the life of Jesus. Here, learn how his fascinating historical writings complement what the Gospel authors relate.

November 13, 2016 — Jesus's Apocalyptic Outlook 

Join Professor Magness as she shares some of her own research into Jesus, comparing and contrasting his apocalyptic beliefs with those of the Qumran sect associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. As you'll discover, one cannot understand Jesus's exorcisms and healings without understanding the notion of apocalyptic purity.

November 20, 2016 — Jesus's Teachings and Sayings in Context 

Close out this insightful course with a pointed consideration of how selected passages from the Gospels can be better understood within their Jewish context. The three passages you explore involve the concept of Hell, Jesus's cleansing of the Temple, and John's account of Jesus's healing of a blind man.

November 27, 2016 — Rabbinic Judaism's Traditions about Jesus
What was Jewish life like after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.? How did the religion survive this trauma? With insights from various historical sources, chart the rise of Rabbinic Judaism and the literature of Jewish sages who portray Jesus as an illegitimate child and magician.