Chapter Six: Jerusalem and Early Christianity

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Chapter SixJerusalem and Early Christianity

• Culture and Values, 6th Ed.
• Cunningham and Reich

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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

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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

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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
• Covenant (testament)
• Renewed covenant New Testament

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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

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Basic Motifs of the Bible

• Models and types
• Events, stories, characters as models
• Contemporary impact of biblical tradition
• Literature
• Art
• Social institutions

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The Beginnings of Christianity

• Life of Jesus
• Gospels
• Prophetic tradition of Jesus
• Parables, Beatitudes
• Jesus as Christ, the Messiah
• Significance of resurrection

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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

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Christian Persecution

• Neros Circus
• Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian
• Christians as traitors to the state
• Refusal to express pietàs
• Apologists
• Justin Martyr (100-165)
• Emperor Constantine

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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

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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

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Constantine and Early Christian Architecture

• Emperor Constantine (C.E. 306-337)
• Edict of Toleration
• Basilica-Style Churches
• Current site of St. Peters Basilica (Vatican)
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)
• Jesus burial site

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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

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Chapter Six Discussion Questions

• Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the
  permeation of the biblical tradition in our
  culture.
• Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were
  unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a
  political standpoint, was the severity of
  punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why
  or why not?
• Consider the archeological findings of
  Dura-Europos. In what ways does history
  over-simplify past events? In two thousand years,
  what will future generations assume about our
  culture, religions, and religious tolerance?
  Explain.