Transcript Chapter 3

Chapter 3
The Two Worlds in Which Christianity
Originated: Jewish and Greek
© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
Key Topics/Themes
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Early Christianity born within Palestinian Judaism
Rapidly expanded into surrounding Greco-Roman
world
Interpreted by Gentile converts in light of Hellenistic
thought and culture
Eventually resulted in Christianity’s separation from
parent religion of Judaism
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The One God, Yahweh
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The Shema
The divine name
The Jewish deity’s name in the New
Testament
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The Torah
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The Mosaic Covenant
The purity laws
Views of Hebrew Bible authors concerning
applicability of Mosaic Covenant
Views of New Testament authors concerning
applicability of Mosaic Covenant
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The Divine Promises
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The promise to Abraham
The Hebrew monarchy
Attitudes toward the divine promises after the
fall of the Hebrew monarchy
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The Jerusalem Temple
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History of the Jerusalem Temple
Significance of the Temple for devout Jews
The Day of Atonement
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The World of Greek
Thought and Culture
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The impact of Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323
B.C.E.)
The Hellenistic period (323 B.C.E.-312 C.E.)
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Death of Alexander 323 B.C.E.
Conversion of Roman emperor Constantine 312 C.E.
Impact of Greek culture during Hellenistic period
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Greek Philosophy
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Socrates, Plato, and the immortal soul
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Socrates (ca. 469-399 B.C.E.)
Plato (ca. 429-347 B.C.E.)
Plato’s philosophical dualism
Impact of Plato’s thought
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Greek Philosophy (continued)
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Stoicism
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Founded by Zeno (ca. 336-263 B.C.E.)
The Logos as the divine principle
Influence of Stoicism in the Hellenistic world
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Greek Philosophy (continued)
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Epicureanism
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Founded by Epicurus (ca. 342-270 B.C.E.)
Relationship with atomistic doctrines of
Democritus (b. ca. 460 B.C.E.)
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Greek Philosophy (continued)
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Cynicism
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Founded by Diogenes of Sinope (ca. 404-323
B.C.E.)
Antimaterialism
Opposition to cultural norms
Relationship to lifestyle of Jesus of Nazareth
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Greco-Roman Religion
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The twelve Olympians
The Hymn to Zeus an image of ancient
devotion to the Olympian gods
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Gods Offering Worshipers
a Personal Relationship
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Asclepius
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God of healing arts
Worshipped at healing shrines throughout Greco-Roman
world
Dionysus
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Son of a god and a mortal
God of wine making
Myth involved Dionysus dying and rising from death
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The Mystery Religions
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Orphism
Mithraism
The Isis Cult (worship of the mother goddess)
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Summary
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Christianity anchored in Judaism
Developed in society dominated by
Hellenistic worldview
Competition with wide variety of Hellenistic
religions
Inevitable parallels between early
interpretations of Christianity and other
Greco-Roman religions
© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.