Ritual Combat in the Gospels and Josephus: a New Methodological Approach

Abstract

Examples of ritual combat can be found in Josephus as well as in other Jewish traditions and the Gospels. Ritual combat was part of an elaborate liturgy (including pilgrimage, holy war, and temple restoration) which was performed in Second Temple Judaism. The ideology associated with this rite and the recursive practices which it motivated can be called the Temple Restoration Gestalt. It was firmly embedded in the culture of the period. In order to reconstruct the TRG, a new method is required. This procedure is explained. Its application not only sheds new light on the problem of Christian origins, but also contributes to the sociology of early Christianity.