The Jewish Context- Persecution, Rebellion, and Division RELS 3300: Early Christianity Monday, January 23, 2017

Announcements First blog response due on Wednesday, January 25th by MIDNIGHT (11:59pm)- The Roman Context, Lynch Ch. 3 + Ehrman Ch. 3 See list on WordPress for Ehrman chapter titles (under “supplementary”) Paper assignment discussion on Monday, January 30th

Where we left off… Solomon’s political, military, and economic policies caused division with in the kingdom of Israel. Upon Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into two nations Israel, in the North Judea (Judah) in the South

After Solomon and the Divided Kingdom Israel conquered by Assyrians in (approx.) 722 BCE Judah conquered by Babylonians in 597 BCE King Nebachudnezzar Babylonian exile Babylonia, Egypt, Asia Minor Diaspora Persia invades, conquers Babylonians in 538 BCE Cyrus the Great Jewish people allowed to return, many did not Rebuilt and rededicated the Temple; the second Temple

Under Foreign Rule Persian rule (520-332 BCE) Hellenistic rule/ Greek (332-63 BCE) Roman rule (63 BCE- 395 CE)

Hellenistic/Greek Conquest Alexander the Great Judea was part of his conquest of Egypt and the Near East Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BCE) Hellenization (171-168 BCE) Spread of Greek culture and language Overturned the Jewish priesthood Placed statues of Greek gods within the Temple, forced worship Forbade adherence to Jewish Law- no sacrifices, no circumcision, no kosher

Discussion Question Why would Antiochus focus primarily on the elimination of Jewish religious practices? Goal? Methods? Effectiveness?

Maccabean Rebellion (167-160 BCE; war until 142 BCE) Refusal to accept forced Hellenization Mattathias the Hasmonean Judas Maccabeus “The Hammer” Establishment of Hasmonean dynasty Small Jewish kingdom with Jerusalem at the center Lasted approximately eighty years (142-63 BCE)

Hasmonean Dynasty (142-63 BCE) Backlash against Hellenization 1. Separation and sense of superiority intensified 2. Strict observance of Mosaic Law enforced 3. Mutual dislike grows among neighbors and non-Jews 4. Precedence for martyrdom 5. Proliferation of apocalyptic literature This was not a great time; tensions inside and outside

Roman Conquest and Rule General Pompey, conquest of eastern Mediterranean shore, 63BCE Jewish kingdom left under Jewish rule until 40 BCE King Herod (“The Great”) 37-4 BCE Appointed by Roman Senate Hated by Jewish people Known for his building projects Romans take direct control of Judea in 6 CE Why don’t they like me???

The Second Temple Rebuilt after Babylonian exile in 516 BCE Herod did massive renovations to the Temple in 20 BCE Role of the Temple Economic center Daily religious rituals Pilgrimage site Strict designation of space (Jews and Non- Jews)

Synagogues “Houses of prayer” Served daily religious needs of Jews living outside of Judea Discussion of law- scribes Charity, teaching, community

Judaism(s)- General Beliefs One true God Mosaic Covenant Mosaic Law Temple as holiest place throne of Yahweh Observance of Sabbath Dietary restrictions Willingness to die for religion

Judaism(s)- Sects Orthopraxy vs. Orthodoxy Sadducees Pharisees Esenes Only the Torah Aristocratic leaders Rejected Messianic concepts Worked closely with Romans No Revolt Pharisees Josephus Adaptable; used oral and written law Working class Story Oriented No Revolt Esenes Monastic, secret society Separated, avoided Temple Battle between children of light + darkness Zealots Only God as king Rebellious; militant

Judaism(s)- Others Proselytes “God-Fearers” Gentiles that converted to Judaism “God-Fearers” Admirers of Judaism, but not converts

Discussion Question How do you think class and social status affected belief and practice among the different Jewish sects?

Diaspora Caused by Babylonian exile; migration Dispersion of Jews outside of Judea Refers to a state of being, not a place Jews living outside of Judea; they still consider Judea to be the homeland and themselves to be Jews

Diaspora vs. Jerusalem Jews were given special allowances by the Roman government Peace was easy to maintain in the Diaspora than in Judea Jews in Judea wanted direct rule of God, or through Jewish leaders Tensions and rioting Pontius Pilate Caligula

Discussion Question Why do you think Roman rule was more easily maintained among the Jewish Diaspora than among Jews in Judea?

Jewish Wars- 66-73; 132-135 CE High taxes and rent Priests refused to sacrifice in the name of the Emperor Titus attacks Jerusalem Five months of seige Captured the city in 70 CE Temple destroyed Triumphal Arch of Titus 132-135 CE Second unsuccessful rebellion

Triumphal Arch of Titus, built 82 CE

Results of Jewish Wars + Unsuccessful Rebellions Synagogues became centers of Jewish worship Without the Temple, movement toward text-based religion with strict emphasis on the Law No converts Rejection of Hellenization

Discussion Question How do you think the failed rebellions between 66-135 CE shaped early Christian ideas?

Looking Forward The Greco-Roman context of the Jesus Movement Roman social, political, and religious structure Making connections- how does this all fit together? The man, the mystery, the messiah(?)