Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews The Dawn of Christianity Between the Testaments and the Early Church Age Lesson 1 Clash of Cultures: Judaism and Hellenism Steve Plaster

Lesson Structure Clash of Cultures: Judaism and Hellenism People of the Book The Sacred Writings Apocryphal Literature, Messiahs, and Resurrection The Essenes and the Maccabees The Herodians, the Romans, and the Prophets Trials and Tribulations of Jesus Resurrection and the Birth of the Church Paul’s Missionary Journeys Paul’s Letters and Trials Jewish Revolt Groups and the Temple Destruction How We Got the Bible

The years 200BC-100AD are known as the inter-testamental period The years 200BC-100AD are known as the inter-testamental period. During 170BC- 70AD, Jewish nationalism resisted the rise of Hellenism. Hellenism dominated the areas of the Middle East following the occupation by Alexander the Great (336-323BC) and his successors.

The challenge to Judaism was the Greek culture and its secular beliefs and practices. The Greek culture was propagated by the lifestyle of the gymnasium, the games and races of the stadium, the hippodrome, the celebrating of pagan festivals and ceremonies, and the wisdom philosophies. Other influences were the Zoroastrian religion, the Aramaic language of Persia, and the mysticism of Egypt. The orthodox Jews were known as the Hasidim or Pious Ones who resisted Hellenistic culture. Groups to emerge from the Hasidim included the Pharisees and the Essenes.

In 168BC, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes decided to destroy Judaism by erecting an altar to Zeus on the temple altar of burnt offerings.

This event triggered the Maccabean Revolt first in the village of Modein by a priest named Mattathias of the House of Hasmon. His three sons led the rebellion under Judas Maccabaeus (166-160BC), Jonathan (160-143BC), and Simon (142-134BC). The temple was cleansed on December 25, 165BC and is hereafter celebrated as the Festival of Hannukkah or Lights. Under Judas, religious freedom was gained for a time but political freedom was also sought.

The High Priesthood was deposed in the House of Onias and established in the House of Hasmon as hereditary and combined the offices of priest, civil head, and military leader into one position as High Priest. John Hyrcanus succeeded Simon serving from 134-104BC. Two religious-political parties emerged by 104BC as the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The successors to John Hyrcanus added the title of king to High Priest resulting in the rule of Aristobulus I (103BC), Alexander Jannaeus (102-76BC), Alexandra (queen) (75-67BC), and Aristobulus II (66-63BC).

In the year 63BC, the Romans under Pompey conquered Palestine In the year 63BC, the Romans under Pompey conquered Palestine. Antipater was made governor of Judea from 63-42BC. Herod the Great, an Idumean, was made king of Judea lasting from 37-4BC. Herod was succeeded by his son Archelaus 4BC-6AD acting as governor of Judea. In 4BC a nationalistic rebellion broke out under Judas the Galilean founding a political party known as the Zealots.

The Dawn of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews The Dawn of Christianity Between the Testaments and the Early Church Age Lesson 1 Clash of Cultures: Judaism and Hellenism Steve Plaster