Jewish religious expansion in the New Testament era: was Judaism a
missionary religion? (part II)
In the first part of this article five factors were identified which would have
contributed to the significant numerical increase of Jews towards the end of
the Second Temple period. Here six others are discussed: Jewish slaves in
non-Jewish households, adoption of children, the universalistic tendency in
certain circles, the role of the synagogue, the attractiveness of Judaism in
spite of a negative cross-current and the influence of apologetic-propagandistic
literature. In weighing the evidence for a full-scale centrifugal
missionary movement a mostly negative conclusion is reached. In this sense
first century Judaism cannot be described as a missionary religion. We
could, however, speak of an indirect mission in the sense that non-Jews
were attracted to Judaism mainly through the quality of Jewish belief and
life-style and that they were encouraged to do so.
In die eerste aflewering van hierdie artikel is eerstens 'n paar inleidende
opmerkings gemaak. Onder 'n tweede punt is 'n aantal definisies en
omskrywings aangebied. Derdens is demografiese gegewens verskaf wat
dui op die besonder sterk bevolkingsaanwas van die Jodedom rondom die
eerste eeu. En vierdens is vyf faktore vermeld wat vermoedelik tot hierdie
besondere demografiese beeld bygedra het. Vervolgens word nog 'n aantal
ander bydraende faktore vermeld.
