The Gospel of Matthew as Jewish Literature

This curriculum is designed as primarily a Jewish adult education course exploring questions around Second Temple and Early Rabbinic Jewish literature and its relationship to the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. The curriculum includes many citations and can be adapted to Christian or other communities wanting to explore the Jewish context of the Gospel of Matthew. The curriculum includes at least 12 hours of class time (8 sessions, 1.5 hours each), but the density of material can easily be expanded to fit your needs. Topics include: the historical context of the period and texts (e.g. Jewish sects, text background, defining Jews), Jesus' life story in comparison to Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and Talmudic stories, the use of rabbinic language, the teachings of Jesus and the Law/Torah, Midrash, Parables, Prayer, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocalypticism and eschatology and more.