More recent articles

Due to a notice in Paleojudaica, I was made aware of the recent articles published in Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha. Most of them should be relevant for those interested in Diaspora Judaism. Though I don't like too much just to refer to what other bloggers have referred to, this is also a way to pay thanks to those who deserves it.

The articles I find most interesting are: David Bernat, 'Josephus’s Portrayal of Phinehas,'
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha Vol. 13 No. 2 (October 2002): 137-149.
Abstract: In the Antiquities portrayal of Phinehas and his exploits, Josephus engineers a number of small, but potent, alterations of the biblical narratives in which the Aaronide appears. These revisions become Josephus’s vehicle for advancing his views on issues such as penitence, ritual atonement and priestly succession. Perhaps the most striking feature of Josephus’s representation of Phinehas is its autobiographical character. By casting Phinehas as priest, diplomat, general and prophet, Josephus inserts himself into the scriptural setting, and recreates Phinehas according to his own self-image.
Robert Gnuse, 'Vita Apologetica: The Lives of Josephus and Paul in Apologetic Historiography,'
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha Vol. 13 No. 2 (October 2002): 151-169
Abstract: Paul and Josephus both were apologists for their religious communities and thus shared many attributes in common. Since the book of Acts, crafted in the late first century, was contemporary with Josephus’s writings, some critical scholars have suggested dependence by one of these authors upon the other. This article suggests that the author of Acts may have been inspired by Josephan texts when crafting biographical narratives about Paul. The article evaluates possible connections between Acts and Josephan texts in regard to: (1) their references to the same political events in Palestine, (2) the broad educational experiences of both men, (3) shipwreck experiences of both men and (4) visions of dream images, which communicated life-altering messages to both men.
Michael Penn, 'Identity Transformation and Authorial Identification in Joseph and Aseneth,'
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha Vol. 13 No. 2 (October 2002): 171-183. The plot of Joseph and Aseneth often focuses on the identity of the story’s main character; the narrative becomes increasingly concerned with the successful conversion of Aseneth from the impure daughter of a pagan priest to a suitable, Jewish wife for Joseph. Recent scholarship of Joseph and Aseneth often focuses on the identification of the story’s author; scholars have become increasingly concerned with whether the work was originally written by a Jew or a Christian. An examination of the role of kissing in Joseph and Aseneth can help us better understand the process of identity transformation within the narrative and it may also help us with the identification of the text’s author.