Johannine sectarianism in perspective : : a sociological, historical, and comparative analysis of temple and social relationships in the Gospel of John, Philo, and Qumran / / by Kåre Sigvald Fuglseth.

• Superior document: Supplements to Novum Testamentum, v. 119
• Author: Fuglseth, Kåre.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill,, 2005.
• Year of Publication: 2005
• Language: English
• Series: Novum Testamentum, Supplements 119.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (464 pages)
• Notes: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

The central aim of the investigation is to evaluate the claim that the Gospel of John was a product of a ‘sectarian’ milieu. Fuglseth is using methods primarily derived from sociology and the study of new religious movements today. He discusses in particular the ‘cult’-model as an alternative to ‘sect,’ and compares the Johannine texts with texts from two contemporary milieus: Philo and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The thesis is embedded in a comprehensive survey of research and discussions of methods and of the existence of a Johannine community. There are still serious debates going on about the existence and nature of the Johannine group, its ‘Jewish’ roots and settings, the attitude to the ‘Jews’ and the ‘synagogue’, and the two levels of meanings in the Johannine text according to Martyn and Brown. In this situation Fuglseth’s investigation is of great current interest and gives new answers to central questions in the Johannine research.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- Problem and Method -- Models and Questions -- From Text to Community -- John and the Temple -- The Temple in Philo and Qumran -- Temple-Related Festivals in John -- Social Relationships in John -- Social Relationships in Philo and Qumran -- Conclusions -- Appendices -- Bibliography1 -- General Index -- Modern Authors -- Tanak/Old Testament -- New Testament -- Philo of Alexandria -- Qumran Literature -- Josephus -- Varia.