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The World of Early Christian Traditions

The World of Early Christian Traditions. Ancestral Period (2000-1550 BCE?). Abraham & Sarah. Isaac & Rebekah. Esau. Jacob (Israel) & Leah, Rachel, Servants. Reuben. Levi. Issachar. Dan. Gad. Joseph. Simeon. Judah. Zebulun. Naphtali. Asher. Benjamin. Timeline.

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The World of Early Christian Traditions

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  1. The World of Early Christian Traditions

  2. Ancestral Period (2000-1550 BCE?) Abraham & Sarah Isaac & Rebekah Esau Jacob (Israel) & Leah, Rachel, Servants Reuben Levi Issachar Dan Gad Joseph Simeon Judah Zebulun Naphtali Asher Benjamin

  3. Timeline • 13th cent. BCE — Exodus: Moses & Covenant in Wilderness • 13th-11 cent. BCE — Joshua: conquest & settlement • 11th cent.-922 BCE — Saul, David, Solomon and the United Kingdom • 922-721 BCE — Northern Kingdom of Israel • 931-598/87 BCE — Southern Kingdom of Judah • 587-539 BCE — Babylonian Exile/Diaspora • 539-400 BCE — Return from Exile/Persian Period • 400-70 BCE — Hellenistic Period to destruction of Temple

  4. Effects of Hellenism • Language — koinē • Cultural Imperialism • Philosophy of Platonic Dualism • Stoic Natural Law — nature & self- control • Cynic Simplicity — rigorous self- discipline

  5. Political Climate of Palestine • 164 BCE — Antiochus Epiphanes & Hasidim & Macabees • 40-4 BCE — Herod the Great • 26-36 CE — Pontius Pilate • 66-73 — Jewish Revolt (Josephus) • 132-135 — revolt of bar Kochba

  6. Socio-economic World of Jesus’ Time • No middle class – either wealthy or poor (most) • As many as 1/3 of people were slaves • Probably 90% were illiterate • Travel was dangerous because of bandits • Dominant culture was polytheistic

  7. Religious World of Jesus’ Time • See “One Remarkable Life” on pp. 20-22 • Various people were identified as wonder workers and even “son of God” • See p. 24-35 – how does modern American views of religion differ from the views of people in Jesus’ time? • View of God • Belief in after-life • Importance of doctrinal beliefs • Relationship between government and religion

  8. Model of Herod’s Temple • Image from http://www.ebibleteacher.com/imagehtml/jerumodel.html • See pp.40- 41 in Ehrman for dimensions

  9. Synagogue • Literally, “gathering together” • Developed in Diaspora for prayer and study by Jews who were distant from the Temple • 10 males or more who gathered to study scripture • Eventually associated with buildings where gatherings occurred

  10. First Century Judaism • Sadducees — upper class, closely tied to Temple priesthood, controlled Sanhedrin, cooperated with Romans; religious conservatives, e.g., resurrection • Pharisees — lay movement associated with synagogue, descendents of Hasidim with focus upon living out entire Torah; religious “liberals” who survive destruction of Temple (Jamnia) • Essenes — ascetic commune responsible for Dead Sea Scrolls, awaited apocalyptic war after which they would restore true Temple priesthood • Fourth Philosophy (Zealots) — anti-foreign control, hope of liberated Israel ruled directly by God

  11. Messianic Hopes • Messiah — “mashiah” = anointed one • King • Priest • Prophet • Cyrus the Great • Various messiahs: • Judas of Galilee circa. 4 BCE • Simon of Perea • Simon bar Kochba (son of the star)

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