Apocalypse against Empire: Theologies of Resistance in Early Judaism - Softcover

Portier-Young, Anathea E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080287083X ISBN 13: 9780802870834

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014

Synopsis

A fresh and daring take on ancient apocalyptic books. The year 167 b.c.e. marked the beginning of a period of intense persecution for the people of Judea, as Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted ― forcibly and brutally ― to eradicate traditional Jewish religious practices. In Apocalypse against Empire Anathea Portier-Young reconstructs the historical events and key players in this traumatic episode in Jewish history and provides a sophisticated treatment of resistance in early Judaism. Building on a solid contextual foundation, Portier-Young argues that the first Jewish apocalypses emerged as a literature of resistance to Hellenistic imperial rule. She makes a sturdy case for this argument by examining three extant apocalypses, giving careful attention to the interplay between social theory, history, textual studies, and theological analysis. In particular, Portier-Young contends, the book of Daniel, the Apocalypse of Weeks, and the Book of Dreams were written to supply an oppressed people with a potent antidote to the destructive propaganda of the empire ― renewing their faith in the God of the covenant and answering state terror with radical visions of hope..

About this title

About the Author:

Anathea E. Portier-Young is associate professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina.

John J. Collins is Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale Divinity School. His many other books include The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature, Early Judaism: A Comprehensive Overview, and The Oxford Handbook of Apocalyptic Literature.

Review:

“Make no mistake about it: this is a landmark study. It is theoretically informed and sophisticated, broad-ranging and erudite, historically aware, and hermeneutically sensitive. It breaks new ground in the field and should be required reading for anyone interested in early Jewish apocalyptic literature.”
― Choon-Leong Seow
Princeton Theological Seminary

“Anathea Portier-Young’s bold proposal demonstrates how the earliest Jewish apocalypses conjured diverse strategies for resistance against imperial power. Her judicious, sometimes daring, application of resistance theories to the historiography of Seleucid Judea sets a challenging precedent for future research. In that cauldron of cultural and political conflict, the apocalypses emerge as creative vehicles for counterimperial theologizing.”
― Greg Carey
Lancaster Theological Seminary

“Apocalypse against Empire portrays the Second Temple Jewish narrative of hope and survival, resistance and courage, with sensitivity and insight. Scholars and students will appreciate the careful research and fresh approach in this beautifully written book.”
― Sharon Pace
Marquette University

About this edition

• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 080287083X
• ISBN 13: 9780802870834
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 488