In Quest of the Historical Pharisees - Paperback

by Jacob Neusner (Editor), Bruce D. Chilton (Editor)

This work sketches the many portraits of the Pharisees that emerge from ancient sources. Based upon the Gospels, the writings of Paul, Josephus, the Mishnah, the Tosefta, and archeology, the volume profiles the Pharisees and explores the relationship between the Pharisees and the Judaic religious system foreshadowed by the library of Qumran. A great virtue of this study is that no attempt is made to homogenize the distinct pictures or reconstruct a singular account of the Pharisees; instead, by carefully considering the sources, the chapters allow different pictures of the Pharisees to stand side by side.

Author Biography

Jacob Neusner was Research Professor of Theology and Senior Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College.

Bruce D. Chilton is Bernard Iddings Bell Professor of Religion, Rector of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and Executive Director of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College.