1. Ancient Judaism

2. Modern Biblical Scholarship
Baruch Spinoza Theologica-Political Treatise1670
Biblical Archaeology 20th Century

3. The Documentary Hypothesis
J – Yahweh E – Elohim D – Deuteronomy P – Priestly

4. Abraham

5. The Exodus

6. A Tale of Two Gods
Yahweh El

7. Hebrew Monotheism Polytheism – Worship of many gods
Henotheism – Belief in many gods but worship of only one
Monothesim – Belief in only one God

9. The Character of the Hebrew God
Tribal war god
god of justice & law
universal God of mercy

10. Kings and Priests

11. The Prophets

12. A tale of Two Theologies
Royal Theology
The King is God's chosen leader
Priests run the religion
Rituals are central
Obey the king and don't ask questions
Prophetic Theology
All are equal before God
Priests and their rituals are not terribly important
Justice and compassion are central
Care for the poor, needy and vulnerable

13. Zoroastrianism
One Good God vs. An evil immortal figure Life after death Final judgment Heaven and Hell Angeles and Demons

14. Greek Philosophy The First Cause (Arche)
Eternal Anaxamanies – Apeiron (the infinite) The Stoics & Neo-Platonists – Ton Theous (God) Philo Judeas (25 CE – 90CE)