Keywords
Josiah, Margaret Barker, Christian temple theology, Book of the Law
Abstract
Margaret Barker has written a number of fascinating books on ancient Israelite and Christian temple theology. One of her main arguments is that the temple reforms of Josiah corrupted the pristine original Israelite temple theology. Josiah’s reforms were therefore, in some sense, an apostasy. According to Barker, early Christianity is based on the pristine, original pre- Josiah form of temple theology. This paper argues that Josiah’s reforms were a necessary correction to contemporary corruption of the Israelite temple rituals and theologies, and that the type of temple apostasy Barker describes is more likely associated with the Hasmoneans.
Recommended Citation
Hamblin, William J.
(2013)
"Vindicating Josiah,"
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: Vol. 4, Article 12.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/interpreter/vol4/iss1/12
