Here is the fourth instalment of Richard Bauckham's assessment of the new book by Simcha Jacobovici and Barrie Wilson, The Lost Gospel. In it, he responds to Simcha Jacobovici's Response to his reviews found here: Response to Prof. Bauckham’s critique of The Lost Gospel Part 1 and Part 2.
Assessing The Lost Gospel
Part 4: Responding to Simcha's Responses
by Richard Bauckham
The above link is to a PDF of the article. A Word version is also available. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here. (When the response is complete, I'll gather links to all the parts in a single post).
Joseph and Aseneth is a later prophet's answer to the story about Shechem a gentile who wanted to marry the daughter of Jacob, Leah (Gen 34). The father of Shechem, a Hivite, who seems fair minded, says to Jacob and his sons, that he would like to see intermarriage between his people and Jacob's. Shechem says, I will pay any price. The sons of Jacob answer we will give our consent if you agree to circumcise all your males. Jacob obviously wanted a peaceful settlement. He kept quiet. After the Hivites had agreed to and completed this proposal the sons of Jacob went back on their word and killed all the male Hivites, and took their women and children.
ReplyDeleteThe later priest's view agreed with what the sons of Jacob did. This is implied by CD(BII):15-20, the Complete DSS, page 135, Geza Vermes: "But those who turn from the sin of Jacob, who keep the Covenant of God ... that their step may take the way of God." Intermarriage was not allowed under any circumstances.