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Chapter Six: Jerusalem and Early Christianity

Chapter Six: Jerusalem and Early Christianity. Culture and Values, 6 th Ed. Cunningham and Reich. Jerusalem and Early Christianity. Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews Period of the Patriarchs Period of the Exodus Period of the Conquest

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Chapter Six: Jerusalem and Early Christianity

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  1. Chapter Six:Jerusalem and Early Christianity Culture and Values, 6th Ed. Cunningham and Reich

  2. Jerusalem and Early Christianity • Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture • Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews • Period of the Patriarchs • Period of the Exodus • Period of the Conquest • The United Monarchy • Divided Kingdom and Exile • The Return

  3. The Hebrew Bible and Its Message • “Bible”  Byblos • The Law, the Prophets, the Writings • Hebrew canon (C.E. 90) • Septuagint • Moral guide, ethical and religious stability • Not a philosophical treatise

  4. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Biblical Monotheism • God exists before the world • God pronounces creation as “good” • Humans are the crown of creation • God deeply involved in the world • Covenant (testament) • Renewed covenant = New Testament

  5. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Ethics • Moral code for individuals and society • Ten Commandments • Prohibitions, positive commands • Prophetic writings • Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor • Reminders of the covenant

  6. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Models and types • Events, stories, characters as models • Contemporary impact of biblical tradition • Literature • Art • Social institutions

  7. The Beginnings of Christianity • Life of Jesus • Gospels • Prophetic tradition of Jesus • Parables, Beatitudes • Jesus as Christ, the Messiah • Significance of resurrection

  8. Christianity Spreads • Saul of Tarsus (Paul) • Tireless missionary • Non-Jewish converts • Theological letters • Social, religious factors for growth • Peace, facility of travel, koine, audience • Emphasis on salvation, freedom • No class distinction

  9. Christian Persecution • Nero’s Circus • Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian • Christians as traitors to the state • Refusal to express pietàs • Apologists • Justin Martyr (100-165) • Emperor Constantine

  10. Early Christian Art • Catacombs, underground cemeteries • Frescoes • Salvation; Communion; Virgin and Child • Glass and Sculpture • Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disks • Carved sarcophagi • Inscriptions • Name, date of death, decorative symbol

  11. Dura-Europos • Evidence of religious tolerance and coexistence • Religious buildings on “Wall Street” • Complex religious existence • Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles • Precursor of Byzantine art

  12. Constantine and Early Christian Architecture • Emperor Constantine (C.E. 306-337) • Edict of Toleration • Basilica-Style Churches • Current site of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican) • Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem) • Jesus’ burial site

  13. Early Christian Music • From Jewish traditions • Chanting sacred texts • Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor • Greek doctrine of ethos • Instrumental music = unsuitable • Standardization of vocal music • Responsorial, antiphonal

  14. Chapter Six: Discussion Questions • Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the permeation of the biblical tradition in our culture. • Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a political standpoint, was the severity of punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why or why not? • Consider the archeological findings of Dura-Europos. In what ways does history over-simplify past events? In two thousand years, what will future generations assume about our culture, religions, and religious tolerance? Explain.

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