Erich S. Gruen

Jesus, Paul, Luke-Acts, and 1 Clement

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Publication of selected essays from the productive career of David Balch is an event to celebrate. The eleven papers republished here exhibit the versatility and range of this scholar who has moved about comfortably not only in New Testament studies, the center of his contributions, but in Roman history, classical historiography, Greek philosophy, and the visual arts. The ample variety of topics in the collection offer thoughtful reflections for scholars of ancient history, religion, art, mythology, and cultural studies generally.”

Jewish Paideia

World Religions

“This book contributes significantly to a longstanding and important debate on the relationship between Hellenism and Judaism in Second Temple Jewish writings. Jason Zurawski brings a novel approach to the subject by seeing it through the lens of education (paideia), thus injecting fresh insights into the discussion. His extensive analysis of four key works combines a fine philological investigation with a well-honed literary, rhetorical, and philosophical argument, making the case for a fundamental compatibility between Jewish and Hellenic conceptualizations. Zurawski's careful and insightful analysis draws out the universal rather than the parochial or the ethnocentric principles advanced by Jewish intellectuals.”

The Pharisees

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This is a most welcome collection of essays. The volume not only assembles an outstanding group of scholars from diverse disciplines, including Hellenistic Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Second Temple archaeology, New Testament, rabbinics, and patristics, but it also has an admirable mission: to revise the stereotypical image of Pharisees that has fueled prejudice and anti-Semitism. The papers skillfully question or undermine numerous common assumptions, such as Pharisees as representatives of an unyielding Jewish conservatism, Paul as abandoning Pharisaism, and the links between Pharisees, the rabbis, and the church fathers. The volume further traces the changing perceptions of Pharisees from medieval and early modern theologians through modern historiography, film, and contemporary textbooks and teaching. There is no other work like it.”