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

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Hellenistic/Greek Conquest
Alexander the Great
Judea was part of his conquest of Egypt and the Near East
Antiochus IV Epiphanes ( BCE)
Hellenization ( 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

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

8. 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 ( BCE)

9. 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

10. 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???

11. 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)

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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 CE
Second unsuccessful rebellion

21. Triumphal Arch of Titus, built 82 CE

22. 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

23. Discussion Question
How do you think the failed rebellions between CE shaped early Christian ideas?

24. 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(?)