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Chapter 3

The Two Worlds in Which Christianity Originated: Jewish and Greek

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Key Topics/Themes

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

The Shema The divine name The Jewish deity’s name in the New

Testament

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The Torah

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

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

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 The impact of Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323

B.C.E.) The Hellenistic period (323 B.C.E.-312 C.E.)

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

Socrates, Plato, and the immortal soul 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)

Stoicism 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)

Epicureanism 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)

Cynicism 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

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 Asclepius

God of healing arts Worshipped at healing shrines throughout Greco-Roman

world Dionysus

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

Orphism Mithraism The Isis Cult (worship of the mother goddess)

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Summary

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