Introducing the Pseudepigrapha of Second Temple Judaism: Message, Context, and Significance

2020 Center for Biblical Studies Book Award (Reference Works)

This book introduces readers to a much-neglected and misunderstood assortment of Jewish writings from around the time of the New Testament. Dispelling mistaken notions of "falsely attributed writings" that are commonly inferred from the designation "pseudepigrapha," Daniel Gurtner demonstrates the rich indebtedness these works exhibit to the traditions and scriptures of Israel's past. In surveying many of the most important works, Introducing the Pseudepigrapha of Second Temple Judaism shows how the pseudepigrapha are best appreciated in their own varied contexts rather than as mere "background" to early Christianity or emerging rabbinic Judaism. Foreword by Loren T. Stuckenbruck.

Daniel M. Gurtner (PhD, University of St. Andrews) has written extensively on Second Temple Judaism, notably Second Baruch: A Critical Edition of the Syriac Text and the award-winning T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism (edited with Loren T. Stuckenbruck). His primary research interests lie in the Gospels and their interface with the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, as in his published dissertation, The Torn Veil: Matthew's Exposition of the Death of Jesus. He is currently writing the Word Biblical Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.