Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Pseudepigrapha in the news

OLD TESTAMENT PSEUDEPIGRAPHA WATCH: Ancient writings shed light on Aseneth, Moses (Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan, The Herald Sun).
The Jewish Federation of Durham-Chapel Hill gathers interfaith clergy for an annual conference with a speaker bringing a new perspective of religious knowledge. Ancient texts shared by a University of Minnesota professor were new stories to learn for some longtime clergy at the event held recently at Beth El Synagogue.

Patricia Ahearne-Kroll was the guest speaker and shared excerpts from Jewish writings recorded by Christian scribes in Egypt during the period of the Second Temple, between the fourth century B.C. and first century. The writings include figures already known to Jews and Christians, including Joseph of the “coat of many colors” story and Moses. Ahearne-Kroll is an assistant professor in the department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota. She received her doctorate in Biblical studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

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The ancient texts that Professor Ahearne-Kroll discussed were Joseph and Aseneth and the fragmentary work of Artapanus.