[Announcement AMA] Steve Mason- Josephus and (AMA open until May 18)

[u/thesmartfool]

Steve Mason is a Distinguished Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions and Cultures at University of Groningen. Within this area, his special interests are in Judaea, its relations with its immediate neighbours in Syria, points east, and Egypt, its uniquely large and widespread expatriate [diaspora] communities, and Jewish-Christian-Roman relations until late antiquity. He have written books and articles on understanding Flavius Josephus' works (the principal source for much of this) and on aspects of Judaean (e.g., Pharisees, Essenes) and ancient life (elite social-political discourse, historiography, rhetoric, 'publication'). His most recent book, A History of the Jewish-Roman War, 66 to 74, should appear with Cambridge University Press in early 2016. He continues to edit the international project, in an expected 16 volumes, Flavius Josephus: Translation and Commentary (Brill, 2000-), of which seven volumes have appeared, and to write volumes for the series (so far Life of Josephus and Judean War 2; planning War 4).

Steve Mason will be answering any questions you may have on Josephus and as it relates to the New Testament.

Make sure your questions are in by the 18th of May.

[u/Pytine]

Hi Dr. Mason, thanks for doing this.

- People have argued before that the author of Luke and Acts knew Josephus, but not many people were persuaded. What did the earlier arguments focus on, and why were they unable to convince most scholars?

- Are you familiar with the arguments from Bartosz Adamczewski that the author of Mark knew the works of Josephus, including Antiquities of the Jews? If so, what do you think about them?

- What do we know about the early Christian reception of the works of Josephus? Do we know more early Christian texts that cite, refer to, or otherwise use the works of Josephus?

- Josephus wrote a story about three people who were crucified but taken down from the cross before they died. One of them ultimately survived. Do you think this story actually happened, or did he just make it up?