Editing Max Weber (section)

====''Ancient Judaism''====
{{Main|Ancient Judaism (book)}}

In ''Ancient Judaism'', Weber attempted to explain the factors that resulted in the early differences between [[Eastern world|Eastern]] and [[Western world|Western]] [[religiosity]].{{sfn|Bendix|Roth|1977|pp=200–201}} He contrasted the innerworldly [[asceticism]] developed by Western Christianity with the mystical contemplation that developed in India.{{sfnm|1a1=Bendix|1a2=Roth|1y=1977|1pp=200–201|2a1=Kaesler|2y=1988|2p=127}} Weber noted that some aspects of Christianity sought to conquer and change the world, rather than withdraw from its imperfections.{{sfn|Bendix|Roth|1977|pp=200–201}} This fundamental characteristic of Christianity originally stemmed from ancient Jewish [[prophecy]].{{sfn|Bendix|Roth|1977|pp=204–205}} Weber classified the Jewish people as having been a pariah people, which meant that they were separated from the society that contained them.{{sfnm|1a1=Kaesler|1y=1988|1p=127|2a1=Bendix|2a2=Roth|2y=1977|2pp=200–201|3a1=Radkau|3y=2009|3pp=444–446}} He examined the ancient Jewish people's origins and social structures. In his view, the [[Israelites]] maintained order through a [[Covenant (biblical)|covenant]] with the war god [[Yahweh]] and the practice of warrior asceticism. Under [[Solomon]], that changed into a more organised and law-based society than the old confederation was. Religiously, the priests replaced the previous charismatic religious leaders. Weber thought that [[Elijah]] was the first prophet to have risen from the shepherds. Elijah promulgated political prophecies and opposed the [[Kings of Israel and Judah|monarchy]].{{sfnm|1a1=Kaesler|1y=1988|1pp=127–130|2a1=Bendix|2a2=Roth|2y=1977|2p=225}}