Bibliography
| Title: Proselytes and "Sympathizers" in the Light of the New Inscriptions from Aphrodisias Secondary Title: REJ Volume: 148 Pages: 265-305 Type: Journal Article Year: 1989 Abstract: "The Aphrodisias inscriptions establish one and for all that there was a special class at least in the 3rd-4th centuries A.D. known as theosebeis in contrast to proselytes and presumed born Jews. Man factors attracted non-Jews, and perhaps Christians in particular, to the synagogue, whether simply to visit or to become "sympathizers" (Theosebeis) or even full-fledged proselytes, or for Jewish Christians to continue to practice their formerly Jewish ways. Though there were some connections with talmudic Judaism, the Judaism of Asia Minor was hardly learned and had relatively few contacts with Palestinian Judaism". - D.J.H.
"The new inspcription from Aphrodisias, in conjunction with inscriptions from Sardis and other cities in Asia Minor, writings of pagans and Church Fathers, the canons of the Church Councils, and imperial laws, establish that Judaism, far from being dead in the third century in Asia Minor, as if it had been superseded by Christianity, was quite obviously counterattacking and with consinderable success, particularly winning "God-fearers", sympathizers with Judaism who observed certain practices of Judaism". Keywords: Groups and Religious Movements in Palestinian Judaism |