Chapter Six: Jerusalem and Early Christianity Culture and Values, 7 th Ed. Cunningham and Reich Culture and Values, 7 th Ed. Cunningham and Reich

Jerusalem and Early Christianity  Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture  Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews  Period of the Patriarchs  Period of the Exodus  Period of the Conquest  The United Monarchy  Divided Kingdom and Exile  The Return  Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture  Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews  Period of the Patriarchs  Period of the Exodus  Period of the Conquest  The United Monarchy  Divided Kingdom and Exile  The Return

The Hebrew Bible and Its Message  “Bible”  Byblos  The Law, the Prophets, the Writings  Hebrew canon (C.E. 90)  Septuagint  Moral guide, ethical and religious stability  Not a philosophical treatise Old and new testaments create a rift. The ancient world only knew the old testament.  “Bible”  Byblos  The Law, the Prophets, the Writings  Hebrew canon (C.E. 90)  Septuagint  Moral guide, ethical and religious stability  Not a philosophical treatise Old and new testaments create a rift. The ancient world only knew the old testament.

Basic Motifs of the Bible  Biblical Monotheism  God exists before the world  God pronounces creation as “good”  Humans are the crown of creation  God deeply involved in the world What are examples of how these motifs have permeated our Western culture?  Biblical Monotheism  God exists before the world  God pronounces creation as “good”  Humans are the crown of creation  God deeply involved in the world What are examples of how these motifs have permeated our Western culture?

Basic Motifs of the Bible  Covenant  “I will be your God; you will be my people”  Testament = Promise  Renewed covenant = New Testament What is the difference between the God of the Old testament and the God of the New testament?  Covenant  “I will be your God; you will be my people”  Testament = Promise  Renewed covenant = New Testament What is the difference between the God of the Old testament and the God of the New testament?

Basic Motifs of the Bible  Ethics  Moral code for individuals and society  Ten Commandments  Prohibitions, positive commands  Prophetic writings  Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor  Reminders of the covenant  Definition of prophet  Ethics  Moral code for individuals and society  Ten Commandments  Prohibitions, positive commands  Prophetic writings  Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor  Reminders of the covenant  Definition of prophet

Basic Motifs of the Bible  Models and types  Events, stories, characters as models  Contemporary impact of biblical tradition  Literature  Art  Social institutions  Models and types  Events, stories, characters as models  Contemporary impact of biblical tradition  Literature  Art  Social institutions

The Beginnings of Christianity  Life of Jesus  Gospels  Prophetic tradition of Jesus  Parables, Beatitudes  Jesus as Christ, the Messiah  Significance of resurrection  Life of Jesus  Gospels  Prophetic tradition of Jesus  Parables, Beatitudes  Jesus as Christ, the Messiah  Significance of resurrection

Christianity Spreads  Saul of Tarsus (Paul)  Tireless missionary  Non-Jewish converts  Theological letters  Social, religious factors for growth  Peace, facility of travel, koine, audience  Emphasis on salvation, freedom  No class distinction  Saul of Tarsus (Paul)  Tireless missionary  Non-Jewish converts  Theological letters  Social, religious factors for growth  Peace, facility of travel, koine, audience  Emphasis on salvation, freedom  No class distinction

Christian Persecution  Nero’s Circus  Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian pg. 140  Christians as traitors to the state  Refusal to express piet à s  Apologists  Justin Martyr ( )  Emperor Constantine Why is Christianity threatening?  Nero’s Circus  Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian pg. 140  Christians as traitors to the state  Refusal to express piet à s  Apologists  Justin Martyr ( )  Emperor Constantine Why is Christianity threatening?

Early Christian Art  Catacombs, underground cemeteries  Frescoes  Salvation; Communion; Virgin and Child  Glass and Sculpture  Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disks  Carved sarcophagi  Inscriptions  Name, date of death, decorative symbol  Catacombs, underground cemeteries  Frescoes  Salvation; Communion; Virgin and Child  Glass and Sculpture  Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disks  Carved sarcophagi  Inscriptions  Name, date of death, decorative symbol

Example of Glass Art

Example of inscription

Dura-Europos  Evidence of religious tolerance and coexistence  Religious buildings on “Wall Street”  Complex religious existence  Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles  Precursor of Byzantine art  Evidence of religious tolerance and coexistence  Religious buildings on “Wall Street”  Complex religious existence  Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles  Precursor of Byzantine art

Aerial view of Dura-Europos

Remains of Christian Chapel

Early Christian Architecture  Emperor Constantine (C.E )  Edict of Toleration  Basilica-Style Churches  Current site of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican)  Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)  Jesus’ burial site  Emperor Constantine (C.E )  Edict of Toleration  Basilica-Style Churches  Current site of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican)  Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)  Jesus’ burial site

Old St. Peter’s Basilica Today

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Christ’s Tomb

Early Christian Music  From Jewish traditions  Chanting sacred texts  Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor  Greek doctrine of ethos  Instrumental music = unsuitable  Standardization of vocal music  Responsorial, antiphonal  From Jewish traditions  Chanting sacred texts  Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor  Greek doctrine of ethos  Instrumental music = unsuitable  Standardization of vocal music  Responsorial, antiphonal