Introduction to the Christian Scriptures Session 2

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Introduction to the Christian ScripturesSession
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• 4thc BC
• Alexander the Great
• coin from Maccabean Revolt
  
  
• Time of Christ
• Julius Caesar
• Herod the Great
  
• 70 AD
• Emperor Trajan
• Arch of Titus showing sack of Jerusalem

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Effects of Alexander's Conquest

• Building of Greek cities throughout Empire
• Establishment of Greek as the common language
• Adoption of Greek religion and philosophy by
  conquered cultures

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Traits of Hellenistic Judaism

• Infiltration of elements Hellenistic philosophy
  into Jewish thought
• Significant additions to Wisdom literature
• Translation of Hebrew scriptures into Greek
  (Septuagint)
• Universal Torah education
• A new phase of concern for Temple purity as
  Hellenistic leaders attempt to add pagan statues
  to the Temple and to synagogues

• Mosaic from Sepphoris

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Signifcant People and Events Birth of Christ
through the 1st Century A.D.Roman Empire
Judea

• Herod the Great
• Caiaphas and Annas
• Hillel and Gamaliel
• Philo and Josephus
• Destruction of the Temple

• Caesar Augustus
• Quirinius
• Pontius Pilate
• Festus
• Vespasian
• Emperor Trajan

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The Temple in JerusalemHerodian Model
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Sects within 1st Century Judaism

• Sadducees (Zadokites)
• closely concerned with Temple ritual,
• accepted only written Torah,
• did not accept idea of immortality of the soul

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Sects within 1st Century Judaism

• Pharisees (Perushim)
• from term meaning 'separate'
• accepted the oral Torah traditions
• concerned with 'mitzvah'
• forerunner of rabbinic Judaism

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Sects within 1st Century Judaism

• Essenes
• rejected Temple authority as corrupt
• had apocalyptic beliefs
• Dead Sea Scrolls

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Sects within 1st Century Judaism

• Zealots
• nationalistic
• violent against Rome
• Masadah