Sectarianism in Early Judaism: Sociological Advances »

This volume takes advantage of the latest sociological perspectives on sect formation and development and applies them to the study of Early Judaism, providing fresh insights on early Jewish sectarianism. The studies in this volume lay the groundwork for further application of sociological models in the study of ancient sects and are a timely contribution to social-scientific research in biblical studies, an increasingly important discipline in the field. This book presents eight new and path-breaking studies, which explore the phenomenon of sects in ancient Judaism and the history of sociological theorizing of sectarian movements. Contributors draw on a full range of classical and contemporary sources in the sociology of religion including the work of Max Weber, Ernest Troeltsch, Bryan Wilson, Stark and Bainbridge, and Mary Douglas. The book represents a self-conscious foregrounding of sociological issues that the authors apply to their deep knowledge of the history and texts of the so-called sectarian communities. Critical consideration is given to the contexts in which Jewish sectarianism is to be understood, layers of redaction in the texts, the trajectories of sectarian groups, the location of sectarianism within a long term history of Judaism as well as in the context of the Second Temple; the relations between sects and the wider society, between themselves and between other religious and political movements are considered. Critical approaches are adopted to the reception and application of Weber's ideas and for the first time a comprehensive survey of the contributions of Weber and Bryan Wilson, rooted in the development of their own work across time, is provided. The limits as well as the potentialities of their typologies and sociological theories are considered. Overall the book breaks out of a non reflective and non informed use of sociological typologies to ground conceptualization of sects and their histories in a purposeful sociological context, making controlled use of sociological theory, concepts and substantive findings of other sectarian movements. The book does not argue for any one sociological method or typology but only leads by example by showing the need to be cautious with the use of comparative material, and to ground theorizing in the very texts of the sociological theorist studied just as careful attention needs to be paid to the textual, historical and material evidence that remains.

Sectarianism in Early Judaism: Sociological Advances? Some Critical Sociological Reflections David J. Chalcraft Chalcraft, David J. 2

Pt. I Max Weber on Sects and Voluntary Associations with Specific Reference to Second Temple Judaism

The Development of Weber's Sociology of Sects: Encouraging a New Fascination David J. Chalcraft Chalcraft, David J. 26

Weber's Treatment of Sects in Ancient Judaism: The Pharisees and the Essenes David J. Chalcraft Chalcraft, David J. 52

Towards a Weberian Sociology of the Qumran Sects David J. Chalcraft Chalcraft, David J. 74

A Weber Bibliography 106

Pt. II Sociological Approaches to Sectarianism in Second Temple Judaism

When Is a Sect a Sect - or Not? Groups and Movements in the Second Temple Period Lester L. Grabbe Grabbe, Lester L. 114

Sect Formation in Early Judaism Philip R. Davies Davies, Philip R. 133

Was There Sectarian Behaviour before the Flourishing of Jewish Sects? A Long-Term Approach to the HistorY and Sociology of Second Temple Sectarianism Pierluigi Piovanelli Piovanelli, Pierluigi 156

Atonement and Sectarianism in Qumran: Defining a Sectarian Worldview in Moral and Halakhic Systems Eyal Regev Regev, Eyal 180

Groups in Tension: Sectarianism in the Damascus Document and the Community Rule Cecilia Wassen Wassen, Cecilia Jutta Jokiranta Jokiranta, Jutta 205

Information Processing in Ancient Jewish Groups Albert I. Baumgarten Baumgarten, Albert I. 246