New Testament
Introduction to the New Testament
Greco-Roman and Jewish
I. Greco- Roman World: Hellenistic Culture
A. Hellenization - Greek Like
60's BC Pompey marches and conquers for the Roman Empire
Cleopatra was a Greek Queen over Egypt.
Greek culture is the dominate culture like English today
Spreading of Greek Culture to non-Greek areas
B. In some ways Pagan world was ready for Christianity
1. Road
Romans built roads
"all roads lead to Rome
makes travel easy for Christian Ministry
They are still usable today - 2,000 years later
2. Languages
Greek international Trade
New Testament written in 8th grade level Greek
street Greek
not fancy
Most could read Greek
3. Pax Romana
"Roman Peace"
conquest for area of peace
long era of stability when Romans took over
had the role America plays in the world today.
4. Spread of Jewish Population
Diaspora
Jews are everywhere throughout the ancient world
Millions and Spreading Across
Proselytes
gentiles who begin to accept God
did not get circumcised
5. Dissatisfaction with Pagan religion - an exhausted pluralism
C. Yet Pagan society was like today
1. Social Classes
a. slaves exist
no middle class or very small in number
1/3-1/2 the population of the empire was slaves
convicts worked as slaves in the mines
most slaves treated like employees
could earn money
could buy themselves free
b. Free Laborers
paid at night
buys food on the way home
pays rent when he gets home
if he cannot pay his bills, sold back into slavery
A day away from Poverty
c. Craftsman
Blessed
part of the small middle class
might own own shop and employ other craftsman
They own their own means of Production
d. Merchant
We consider the middle class today
craftsman whose shop grew
A very small class
e. Army
Only way out of the lower classes
serve 20-30 years - in the ranks not the officers
come out, you're given land
granted citizenship
great owner
f. Aristocrats
Noble family of ancient empire
Rome was run by no more then 20 families
in its history
The few the proud
People born into money
2. Family: divorce, infanticide
Father was the undisputed authority
a son who committed a crime could be executed
by his father
Strong, stable family in ancient empire - Marriage was a virtue no longer strong in 1 BC
marriage became temporary
Have five or six in a lifetime
treaties became temporary
Would marry for political power
Killing of Babies
Time of the old Republic
common practice
a girl was not prized
a boy was prized
if a baby would be detrimental to the
family, the father would send it out
into the fields to be devoured by animals.
Rite of Acceptance
Father must hold it on his one nee
for it to be accepted
Early Christians saved these babies.
3. Entertainment
Tradition of Olympics
Horse Arena
Theaters
Poems
Stories
Chariot Racing
Greco Wrestling
Mock Naval Battle
filled stadium with water
brought in tigers for Gladiators to fight
4. Morals
Very low in Roman World
Breakdown of virtuous life
Philosophers are in doubt
even the gods were immoral
Zeus had many wives and people
Sacred marriage
pay the temple a large sum of money to marry a goddess.
sleep with the high princess as a substitute for
the goddess
C. Religious Scene(Acts 17)
1. People of ancient world were very religious but... "(Acts 14:11)
religion in the image of man instead of God
Crowds saw what Paul did, the crowds cried that the gods have come down in the form of man
2. Influence of near eastern and Egyptian Religions: Syncreation
take other religions and mix with your own and create a new religion
A good Roman will incorporate the goddess of Egypt
D. Particular Religions
1. Myths - a traditional story that gives meaning
to present circumstances by linking these to the world of gods
Pagan Mythology: Polytheism - humanlike super king – even earthly king
2. Civil Religion and Emperor Worship
Religion of the Emperor
To Bolster authority of the kings or emperor
emperor was as a high priest
Augustus sets up a temple to honor Julius Caesar
Caesar becomes a god to the Empire
Augustus when he dies is also a god
soon while they live, the emperors demand to be gods
By the mid-1st century
burn incest to the Emperor-
The Jews and Christians refused
3. Mystery Religions - We believe religions should be evangelical
these are not because they are secret
organizations that people join by
membership like the Masons where you
cannot tell other people what you're doing
Ancient religions are like that
Isis - goddess of Egypt
Most popular one in Greco-Roman world
Queen of the Universe
Mithras - cult for men "Old soldiers"
Persian Deity
god will overcome death
If you die in battle, you are welcomed by
Mithras
spread throughout the empire
traces found on Britain
Eleusuan- mystery - nothing written down
so nothing is known about them
meant only for the elite
very specific people
very small in number
4. Gnosticism: acetric, libertine
Ascentric
The body is evil
they whipped the body
fasted
Libertine
The body is irrelevant
have fun
sleep around
5. Scholar's Philosophies
Eprathreans
Pleasure are the best ways to help the mind
Stoics
Fate is Fate, can't escape it
Cynics
supreme virtue is a unpretentious life
everyone else is wrong
Skeptics
gave up on the truths that were are found
truth does not exist
6. Street Religions: Syncretism or mixing,
Superstition or Luck, horoscopes,
Statism or Civil Religion
syncretism - mixing of religions
7. A modern parallel: The New Age Moral
Religion asked for little, gave little
Christianity asked for much, gave more
E. Comparative to Christianity
A few rituals or sacrifices
No moral guidance
They are worthless
1. The New Testament(Acts 17:16-23, Romans 1:18-25)
2. Need for Deliverance (Acts 14:15)
Christianity demanded much more
II. Jewish World: Palestinian Judaism, Diaspora Judaism
"Upon three things the world stands: upon Torah, upon the Temple service, and upon deeds of kindness." ------- Rabbi Simeon the Just(c. 300 BC)
A. Relations to Pagan World
Compromise or Separation
B. The Separatists:
1. Love of law, temple, and Synagogue worship
2. Pride in Jewish privileges (Roman 2:17-20)
3. Some scorn, some reach out to pagans
C. Jewish hopes: the triumph of God's rule
1. Foes conquered and judged
2. Messiah reigns for God
3. Suffering Servant forgotten
D. Forms of Worship
1. Temple of Jerusalem:
Priestly ritual and sacrifice
Place of pilgrimage
Public assembly in outer court
Offices: High Priest
Chief Priests
Priestly rotation
2. Synagogue:
Place of Prayer
Bar-Mitzvah --- "Son of the Commandment"
Congregational Worship (Acts 13:14-44)
Proselytes and God-fearers (Acts 10:2)
Offices: President
Rabbi
Hazzan
E. Factions + Parties: See Syllabus
F. Notes about the Jewish People
1. The Leaders
2. The People of the land
3. Their attitude toward Jesus (John 1:12)
4. Jesus' attitude toward his fellow Jews (Matthew 9:36)