Excellent4.8 out of 5On Trustpilot
  1. Bible Study/
  2. Academic Bible Study

The Death of Herod

An Essay in the Sociology of Religion

by Richard K. Fenn

  • Paperback
  • 212 pages
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • 13.7 x 21.4 x 1.2 cm

£38.13

Free UK Delivery

Available - Usually dispatched within 5 days

Buying for a school or church? Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account

Free delivery on orders over £10

This work is intended to be a 'taster' to sociological method for students of the New Testament. While the sociology of the Bible is presently something of a growth industry, Richard Fenn believes that an introduction to the peculiar craft of sociology is missing, a book which demonstrates how fruitful the relationship between the social sciences and biblical studies can be when sociological method is imaginatively applied to the New Testament. Fenn's point of departure is the particular historical event of the death of Herod the Great. He focuses on Josephus' account of the trials of Herod's sons, the death of Herod himself, and the crisis of succession which followed his death. Josephus' account is shown to provide a rich sociological resource, in that he observes how speech was used to conceal rather than to convey individuals' true interests and commitments. His account also reveals the failure of the trial as a critically important institution for restoring confidence in public discourse. The result, the author argues, is the intensification of conflict within, and between, generations, at every level of Palestinian society.The succession-crisis thus becomes a crisis in the ability of Palestinian society to reproduce itself from one generation to the next, the effects of which can still be observed in the legacy of the Jesus movement. The example presented therefore casts light on the general question of how societies may pass on their sources of authority from one generation to another.This work is intended to be a 'taster' to sociological method for students of the New Testament. While the sociology of the Bible is presently something of a growth industry, Richard Fenn believes that an introduction to the peculiar craft of sociology is missing, a book which demonstrates how fruitful the relationship between the social sciences and biblical studies can be when sociological method is imaginatively applied to the New Testament. Fenn's point of departure is the particular historical event of the death of Herod the Great. He focuses on Josephus' account of the trials of Herod's sons, the death of Herod himself, and the crisis of succession which followed his death.Josephus' account is shown to provide a rich sociological resource, in that he observes how speech was used to conceal rather than to convey individuals' true interests and commitments. His account also reveals the failure of the trial as a critically important institution for restoring confidence in public discourse. The result, the author argues, is the intensification of conflict within, and between, generations, at every level of Palestinian society. The succession-crisis thus becomes a crisis in the ability of Palestinian society to reproduce itself from one generation to the next, the effects of which can still be observed in the legacy of the Jesus movement. The example presented therefore casts light on the general question of how societies may pass on their sources of authority from one generation to another.
The Death of Herod and Key Thinkers In The Sociology Of Religion
Key Thinkers In The Sociology Of ReligionThe Death of Herod

  • Author

    Richard K. Fenn

  • Book Format

    Paperback

  • Publisher

    Cambridge University Press

  • Published

    July 1992

  • Weight

    259g

  • Page Count

    212

  • Dimensions

    13.7 x 21.4 x 1.2 cm

  • ISBN

    9780521425025

  • ISBN-10

    0521425026

  • Eden Code

    1151512

Featured in

Over 14,000 churches and schools have upgraded to an Advance Account and we‘d love to welcome you into this free program. We know that church volunteers and school teachers often use their own money, then have claim it back on on an expense form. We can take all of that hassle away by invoicing your church or school directly and delivering your order straight away.

Opening an account is quick and easy, with most accounts being approved and setup within a few hours of filling in the form below (on weekdays, not weekends). As soon as we‘ve approved the application we‘ll send you an email to let you know that its done.

Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account
Write a review
      Ask a question
      Open Doors Ad