For those of you interested in Bibilical History and the development of Christianity and Christian theology, I have a feeling you would find the writings of Maragret Barker fascinating.
quote:She read theology at the University of Cambridge, England, and went on to pursue her research independently. She was elected President of the Society for Old Testament Study in 1998*, and is currently the Editor of the Society’s Monograph Series, published by Ashgate. She has so far written twelve books, which form a sequence, later volumes building on her earlier conclusions.
Margaret Barker is a mother and grandmother, a Methodist Preacher, and has been involved, since it opened in 1977, with the work of a Women’s Refuge.
Her work and theories she has called Temple Theology:
quote:What is Temple theology? Overview
Temple theology traces the roots of Christian theology back into the first Temple, destroyed by the cultural revolution in the time of King Josiah at the end of the seventh century BCE. Refugees from the purges settled in Egypt and Arabia.
From widely scattered surviving fragments, it is possible to reconstruct the world view of the first Christians, and to restore to their original setting such key concepts as the Messiah, divine Sonship, covenant, atonement, resurrection, incarnation, the Second Coming and the Kingdom of God.
Having read her books, I think I can safely say that there are many here at the 'rack who would find her research, theories and conclusions simply fascinating, and perhaps change the way you read the Old Testament.