Palestine in the Time of Jesus: Social Structures and Social Conflicts [Paperback]

K. C. Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0800663098 | ISBN-13: 978-0800663094 | Edition: 2

Hanson and Oakman's award-winning and illuminating volume has become a widely used and cited introduction to the social context of Jesus and the early Jesus movement. This second edition updates all the discussions in light of more recent scholarship, improves clarity and readability of diagrams and maps, provides additional diagrams and images to enhance the book for student use, and includes new classroom resources, for professors and students, on a Companion Web site.
Along with an overview of the ancient Mediterranean worldview, Palestine in the Time of Jesus explores major domains and institutions of Roman Palestine: kinship, politics, economy, and religion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

K. C. Hanson has taught biblical studies at Episcopal Theological School and the School of Theology at Claremont, Creighton University, and St. Olaf College. Douglas E. Oakman is Professor of Religion and Dean at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press; 2 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800663098
• ISBN-13: 978-0800663094
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > History > Middle East > Palestine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the World Jesus Lived In, September 17, 2003

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Palestine Time of Jesus CDROM [With CDROM] (Paperback)

Palestine in the time of Jesus is an excellent resource for students of scripture, preachers, and anyone who is interested in life at the time of Jesus Christ. The book pays attention to the archeological evidence that can help us better understand scripture, but its greatest strength is the way in which it looks at the social world of Jesus' days. Hansen and Oakman delve into topics such as kinship, patronage, public religion (as opposed to personal faith) and economic realities. Some of the information in the book can be somewhat complicated, especially when a twenty first century reader attempts to think in terms of the mindset of a person living in ancient Palestine, but thinking in the mindset of a person in the ancient world can help a reader better understand the world Jesus was speaking to and apply the message to the world of today. Preachers who are tired of delivering the same old sermon or homily can find new twists for old passages after reading this book--insights that can challenge congregations to think about scripture in a new way without upsetting the faith.

The book has an ample bibliography fore students doing research. It also contains a scriptural and ancient writings index, an author cited index, as well as a general index for quick reference.

Just an interesting note: When I first purchased this book two years ago, I looked for reviews by putting the name Douglas Oakman in a search engine. In the process I came across his own website that includes a listing of his other publications as well as links to other scripture related sites. H e also includes links to some of his other interests including jazz and railroads.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The complicated story of a rich and conflicted land, January 3, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Palestine Time of Jesus CDROM [With CDROM] (Paperback)

Collaboratively written by biblical scholars K. C. Hanson (School of Theology at Claremont, Creighton University) and Douglas E. Oakman (Associate Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington), Palestine In The Time Of Jesus: Social Structure And Social Conflicts is an impressively presented, detailed introduction to the politics, social institutions, governmental structures, and social structure of the antiquarian Palestine of 2000 years ago. Drawing heavily on both Scriptural reference and archaeological data, Palestine In The Time of Jesus is a scholarly and thought provoking "window in time" revealing the complicated story of a rich and conflicted land. Enhanced with an accompanying CD-ROM, Palestine In The Time Of Jesus is a welcome and throughly reader friendly addition to any personal seminary, university, or community library New Testament Studies reading list and reference collection.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Diagrams and Clear Information, January 5, 2008

By 

Emily Jamison "Emily" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Palestine Time of Jesus CDROM [With CDROM] (Paperback)

The book has outstanding diagrams that really add to one's understanding of the political, economic and social systems prevalent back then, although they take some serious studying to understand.

While the book is hardly easy reading, the authors have gone out of their way to make it user-friendly. There is a glossary, an accompanying CD and a website designed for readers of the book. It also has a great list of suggested reading at the back of each chapter - not just a list of books, but a targeted commentary on what book is best for the specific type of information you want.

I absolutely loved the content of this book, but I found the title misleading. I don't know how they define `social conflicts,' but I was looking for conflict between the classes - rich and poor, tax collectors and peasants, etc. If you're looking for explanations of how that played out socially, such as whether tax collectors were banned from the synagogue or could witness in court, don't buy this book.

I also wish it had more pages! Some of the cultural chapters left me with a realization of how much I don't know, rather than a clear idea of what I learned.