Joodse religieuse uitbreiding in die Nuwe-Testamentiese tydvak : was die Judaisme 'n missionere godsdiens? (Deel I)

Abstract

The dramatic increase in the Jewish population towards the end of the Second Temple period has prompted the theory that Judaism at that stage was an energetic missionary religion. But this phenomenon should rather be ascribed to a variety of factors. In this first article five of these factors are discussed: the Jewish attitude towards procreation, the fact of the Diaspora, forced proselytizing, intermarriage and the "conversion" of nonJewish slaves.