“Evil Desires” and the Kingdom of God

Table of Contents

I INTRODUCTION

I.1 THEMATIC CONCEPT

I.2 METHODOLOGICAL CONCEPT

II PAGANS ABOUT JEWISH THEOLOGY AND SEXUALITY

II.1 ORIGIN OF JEWS AND JUDAISM

II.2 JEWISH RELIGION

II.3 JEWS AS INDIVIDUALS

II.4 ASPECTS OF JEWISH SEXUALITY

II.4.1 Hecataeus of Abdera

II.4.2 Cornelius Tacitus

II.4.3 Strabo

II.4.4 Pliny the Elder

II.5 SUMMARY

III JEWISH PROFANE LITERATURE ABOUT SEXUAL ETHICS

III.1 FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS

III.2 PHILO OF ALEXANDRIA

III.3 SUMMARY

IV PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT JEWISH “SECTS”

IV.1 ESSENES AND THERAPEUTAE

IV.2 SADDUCEES

IV.3 ZEALOTS

IV.4 THE EARLY CHRISTIAN “SECT”

IV.4.1 Basic Implications of Jewish Holy Scripture

IV.4.2 Purity and Loyalty

IV.4.3 Permanence and Exclusivity

IV.4.4 Sexual Apostasy and the Church’s Intervention

IV.5 SUMMARY

V JEWISH HOLY SCRIPTURE ON ILLICIT SEXUALITY

V.1 THE OLD TESTAMENT

V.2 THE MISHNAH

V.3 ILLICIT SEXUALITY

V.3.1 Bestiality

V.3.2 Homosexuality

V.3.3 Adultery

V.3.4 Incest

V.3.5 Prostitution

V.3.6 Rape

V.3.7 Marriages with Gentiles

V.3.8 Premarital Intercourse

V.3.9 Illegitimate Children

V.4 SPECIAL CURSES

V.5 SUMMARY

VI CONCLUSIONS

VII APPENDIX

VII.1 ABBREVIATIONS

VII.1.1 Biblical Text Versions

VII.1.2 Books of the Bible (OT and NT)

VII.1.3 Apocrypha

VII.1.4 Mishnah

VII.1.5 Flavius Josephus

VII.1.6 Philo of Alexandria

VII.1.7 Other

VII.2 TABLES OF REFERENCES

VII.2.1 Old Testament

VII.2.2 New Testament

VII.2.3 Mishnah

VII.2.4 Flavius Josephus

VII.2.5 Philo of Alexandria

VIII BIBLIOGRAPHY

VIII.1 REFERENCE BOOKS

VIII.2 BIBLE TEXT VERSIONS

VIII.3 INTERNET SOURCES

Objectives and Topics

This thesis examines Jewish sexual ethics in the first century CE, aiming to understand how Jewish schools and communities interpreted and regulated sexuality amidst societal challenges. It seeks to clarify Jewish perceptions of "sexual sin" by investigating Holy Scriptures, profane literature, and the practices of various Jewish sects.

• Analysis of Roman and Greek pagan perceptions of Jewish theology and sexuality.
• Exploration of Jewish profane literature (Josephus, Philo) regarding sexual morality.
• Comparative analysis of sexual ethics across different Jewish sects, including the early Christian "sect."
• Detailed review of Jewish Holy Scriptures and Mishnaic legislation regarding illicit sexual relationships.
• Contextualization of the early church's position within the diversity of first-century Jewish thought.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I INTRODUCTION: Provides the thematic and methodological context for examining Jewish sexual ethics and religious diversity in the first century CE.

II PAGANS ABOUT JEWISH THEOLOGY AND SEXUALITY: Reviews Greek and Roman perspectives on Jewish origins, religion, and family life to understand the external pressures faced by the community.

III JEWISH PROFANE LITERATURE ABOUT SEXUAL ETHICS: Analyzes the writings of Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria regarding their views on marriage, virtue, and morality.

IV PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT JEWISH “SECTS”: Investigates specific ethical stances of the Essenes, Sadducees, Zealots, and the early Christian community.

V JEWISH HOLY SCRIPTURE ON ILLICIT SEXUALITY: Examines biblical laws and Mishnaic interpretations concerning prohibited sexual acts and the definition of a "perfect" marriage.

VI CONCLUSIONS: Synthesizes findings on Jewish sexual ethics, highlighting the diversity of interpretations and the central role of the Torah in guiding conduct.

VII APPENDIX: Provides comprehensive lists of abbreviations and tables of biblical and historical references used in the research.

VIII BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lists the primary and secondary sources, reference books, and internet resources utilized for this thesis.

Keywords

Jewish sexual ethics, first century CE, Mosaic Law, sexuality, adultery, marriage, Torah, Mishnah, Flavius Josephus, Philo of Alexandria, Jewish sects, Pharisees, Essenes, Sadducees, Zealots, Christian church, purity, holiness, procreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?

The work primarily explores the development and interpretation of Jewish sexual ethics during the first century CE, analyzing how different groups and literature defined lawful and illegitimate sexual practices.

What are the central themes of the work?

Central themes include the role of the Mosaic Law as a foundation for sexual ethics, the influence of external pagan criticism, the importance of procreation, and the diverse perspectives among Jewish sects concerning marriage and purity.

What is the primary research goal?

The aim is to provide a well-founded historical understanding of Jewish sexual ethics by investigating the intersection of ancient Jewish Holy Scriptures, profane literature, and the theological struggles of the various Jewish groups, including the early Christians.

Which scientific methods are applied?

The research uses a historical-critical approach, conducting a comparative analysis of ancient sources—ranging from Jewish biblical texts and the Mishnah to Hellenistic Jewish historians and pagan Roman reports—to reconstruct ancient Jewish thinking.

What content is addressed in the main part of the thesis?

The main chapters cover the social and religious status of Jews in the Roman Empire, the perspectives of major writers like Josephus and Philo, the unique moral stances of different Jewish sects, and an exhaustive analysis of legal stipulations in the Torah and Mishna regarding sexual transgressions.

Which keywords best characterize this study?

The study is best characterized by terms such as Jewish sexual ethics, Torah legislation, Mishnaic interpretation, sect diversity, and the historical interplay between purity laws and societal morality.

How does the author view the influence of pagan authors?

The author perceives the pagan accounts (such as those by Tacitus or Juvenal) as often polemical or biased, yet valuable for identifying common tropes and the "pressure" exerted upon the Jewish identity in the first century.

How is the relationship between the Torah and the Mishnah described?

The Torah is identified as the foundational standard, while the Mishnah is presented as an oral tradition or commentary developed to protect the Law and adapt it to contemporary living situations after the destruction of the Temple.

What stance does the work take on the early Christian sect?

The work positions the early Christian sect as a group deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and the Torah, sharing the same foundational ethics while simultaneously debating specific interpretations of these laws with other contemporary Jewish parties.