Series:

Cambridge Library Collection - Biblical Studies

5 primary works

Volume 1

Cover of Philo und die Alexandrinische Theosophie: Volume 1
A keen student of theology, August Friedrich Gfroerer (1803-61) became professor of history at the University of Freiburg and also sat as a representative in the Frankfurt parliament, agitating for the reunification of Protestantism and Catholicism. His academic work marked the modern period in the Christian study of Judaism, making full use of primary sources without pursuing an obvious apologetic or polemical agenda. This two-volume work, published in 1831, is a critical study of early Christianity and the influence that Judaism had on the New Testament. Volume 1 provides a thorough exposition of Philo of Alexandria's philosophy and theology. Gfroerer also offers a biographical sketch of Philo and gives an informative overview of his writings and his time.

Volume 1

Cover of Geschichte des Urchristenthums: Volume 1, Das Jahrhundert des Heils
A keen student of theology, August Friedrich Gfroerer (1803-61) became professor of history at the University of Freiburg and also sat as a representative in the Frankfurt parliament, agitating for the reunification of Protestantism and Catholicism. This three-volume work, published in 1838, may be regarded as marking the modern period in the Christian study of Judaism. Gfroerer was the first scholar who attempted to recount the history of Palestinian Judaism at the time of Jesus by using primary source material and without pursuing an obvious apologetic or polemic agenda. More than 2,000 pages in length, the work is a formidable scholarly achievement of lasting value in the field of religious studies. Volume 1 accounts for first-century Jewish education and scholarship, and discusses the doctrine of revelation. The author also addresses the Jewish understanding of God and of spirits, angels and demons.

Volume 2

Cover of Geschichte des Urchristenthums: Volume 2, Die heilige Sage
A keen student of theology, August Friedrich Gfroerer (1803-61) became professor of history at the University of Freiburg and also sat as a representative in the Frankfurt parliament, agitating for the reunification of Protestantism and Catholicism. This three-volume work, published in 1838, may be regarded as marking the modern period in the Christian study of Judaism. Gfroerer was the first scholar who attempted to recount the history of Palestinian Judaism at the time of Jesus by using primary source material and without pursuing an obvious apologetic or polemic agenda. More than 2,000 pages in length, the work is a formidable scholarly achievement of lasting value in the field of religious studies. Volume 2 discusses the authenticity and literary character of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. According to Gfroerer, the Gospel of John has a distinct character which sets it apart from the other Gospels.

Volume 2

Cover of Philo und die Alexandrinische Theosophie: Volume 2
A keen student of theology, August Friedrich Gfroerer (1803-61) became professor of history at the University of Freiburg and also sat as a representative in the Frankfurt parliament, agitating for the reunification of Protestantism and Catholicism. His academic work marked the modern period in the Christian study of Judaism, making full use of primary sources without pursuing an obvious apologetic or polemical agenda. This two-volume work, published in 1831, is a critical study of early Christianity and the influence that Judaism had on the New Testament. Volume 2 is devoted to substantiating the thesis that the core principles of Philo's theology were already discernible among the Alexandrian Jews. Gfroerer traces how Philo's theology and philosophy were transplanted to Palestine via such sects as the Therapeutae and the Essenes as well as through the historian Josephus. The Apocrypha serve as Gfroerer's main primary source.

Volume 3

Cover of Geschichte des Urchristenthums: Volume 3, Das Heiligthum und die Wahrheit
A keen student of theology, August Friedrich Gfroerer (1803-61) became professor of history at the University of Freiburg and also sat as a representative in the Frankfurt parliament, agitating for the reunification of Protestantism and Catholicism. This three-volume work, published in 1838, may be regarded as marking the modern period in the Christian study of Judaism. Gfroerer was the first scholar who attempted to recount the history of Palestinian Judaism at the time of Jesus by using primary source material and without pursuing an obvious apologetic or polemic agenda. More than 2,000 pages in length, the work is a formidable scholarly achievement of lasting value in the field of religious studies. Volume 3 is dedicated to an exploration of the Gospel of John. According to Gfroerer, the dogma of God's transcendence is fundamental to both Judaism and Christianity, as told in the Gospel of John.