MMW 12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Jesus Movement, Western Wall, Synoptic Gospels
22 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
1/18/17 Lecture Intro to Christianity: The context of its origin
Middle East: Israel-Palestine had been part of Alexander’s Hellenistic Empire
Romans took over in 63 BC, ruled by the Romans, but cultures with Greek were mixed
in
There were a lot of Jews who learned Greek philosophy and were very interested in
Aristotle and Plato because they were monotheist.
Hebrew Bible was translated by the 2nd century BC.
Jew name Philo wrote a commentary about everybody who is not a Jew (Gentiles)
Issues that would divide Jews and Greeks
When the Romans took over, there were some incidents:
Roman Eagle over the temples
Jewish men knocked the thing down
Different groups of Jews in Tension:
Hellenistic: assimilated, Greek-speaking
Pharisees: conservatives, vs. assimilation
Sadducees: local officials answerable to Rome
Make sure there is no rebellion ruling
One of their authority were accepted both sides (wanted things to go smoothly)
No troubles
Essenes: seeking purification in expectation of the restoration of Kingdom of Israel
lived a very aesthetic life
God had made a promise to the Jews that when the tie was right, he would be
established
Some Major Religions of the 1st Century AD:
Greco-Roman gods: requiring sacrifice and prayer
Mithra: ritual of baptism (in ox blood) and rebirth
Cybele and her son Attis, who dies and is resurrected
Isis and her brother Osiris, who dies and is resurrected
Cybele and Isis - Great Mother, Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, Star of Sea
Ideas were around that made Christianity sound familiar
Various notions of Messiah:
Document Summary
1/18/17 lecture intro to christianity: the context of its origin. Middle east: israel-palestine had been part of alexander"s hellenistic empire. Romans took over in 63 bc, ruled by the romans, but cultures with greek were mixed in. There were a lot of jews who learned greek philosophy and were very interested in. Hebrew bible was translated by the 2nd century bc. Jew name philo wrote a commentary about everybody who is not a jew (gentiles) When the romans took over, there were some incidents: One of their authority were accepted both sides (wanted things to go smoothly) Essenes: seeking puri cation in expectation of the restoration of kingdom of israel lived a very aesthetic life. God had made a promise to the jews that when the tie was right, he would be established. Some major religions of the 1st century ad: Mithra: ritual of baptism (in ox blood) and rebirth. Cybele and her son attis, who dies and is resurrected.
