Chapter Six:Jerusalem and Early

Christianity

Chapter Six:Jerusalem and Early

ChristianityCulture and Values, 6th Ed.

Cunningham and Reich

Culture and Values, 6th Ed.Cunningham and Reich

Jerusalem and Early Christianity

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

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

“Bible” Byblos The Law, the Prophets, the Writings Hebrew canon (C.E. 90) Septuagint Moral guide, ethical and religious

stability Not a philosophical treatise

Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible

Biblical MonotheismGod exists before the worldGod pronounces creation as “good”Humans are the crown of creationGod deeply involved in the worldCovenant (testament)

Renewed covenant = New Testament

Biblical MonotheismGod exists before the worldGod pronounces creation as “good”Humans are the crown of creationGod deeply involved in the worldCovenant (testament)

Renewed covenant = New Testament

Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible

EthicsMoral code for individuals and societyTen Commandments

Prohibitions, positive commandsProphetic writings

Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor

Reminders of the covenant

EthicsMoral code for individuals and societyTen Commandments

Prohibitions, positive commandsProphetic writings

Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor

Reminders of the covenant

Basic Motifs of the BibleBasic Motifs of the Bible

Models and typesEvents, stories, characters as modelsContemporary impact of biblical

traditionLiteratureArtSocial institutions

Models and typesEvents, stories, characters as modelsContemporary impact of biblical

traditionLiteratureArtSocial institutions

The Beginnings of Christianity

The Beginnings of Christianity

Life of JesusGospels

Prophetic tradition of JesusParables, Beatitudes

Jesus as Christ, the MessiahSignificance of resurrection

Life of JesusGospels

Prophetic tradition of JesusParables, Beatitudes

Jesus as Christ, the MessiahSignificance of resurrection

Christianity SpreadsChristianity Spreads

Saul of Tarsus (Paul)Tireless missionaryNon-Jewish converts Theological letters

Social, religious factors for growthPeace, facility of travel, koine,

audienceEmphasis on salvation, freedomNo class distinction

Saul of Tarsus (Paul)Tireless missionaryNon-Jewish converts Theological letters

Social, religious factors for growthPeace, facility of travel, koine,

audienceEmphasis on salvation, freedomNo class distinction

Christian PersecutionChristian Persecution

Nero’s CircusClaudius, Decius, Valerian,

DiocletianChristians as traitors to the state

Refusal to express pietàsApologists

Justin Martyr (100-165)Emperor Constantine

Nero’s CircusClaudius, Decius, Valerian,

DiocletianChristians as traitors to the state

Refusal to express pietàsApologists

Justin Martyr (100-165)Emperor Constantine

Early Christian ArtEarly Christian Art

Catacombs, underground cemeteriesFrescoes

Salvation; Communion; Virgin and ChildGlass and Sculpture

Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disksCarved sarcophagi

InscriptionsName, date of death, decorative symbol

Catacombs, underground cemeteriesFrescoes

Salvation; Communion; Virgin and ChildGlass and Sculpture

Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disksCarved sarcophagi

InscriptionsName, date of death, decorative symbol

Dura-EuroposDura-Europos

Evidence of religious tolerance and coexistenceReligious buildings on “Wall Street”Complex religious existence

Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles Precursor of Byzantine art

Evidence of religious tolerance and coexistenceReligious buildings on “Wall Street”Complex religious existence

Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles Precursor of Byzantine art

Constantine and Early Christian Architecture

Constantine and Early Christian Architecture

Emperor Constantine (C.E. 306-337)Edict of Toleration

Basilica-Style ChurchesCurrent site of St. Peter’s Basilica

(Vatican)Church of the Holy Sepulchre

(Jerusalem)Jesus’ burial site

Emperor Constantine (C.E. 306-337)Edict of Toleration

Basilica-Style ChurchesCurrent site of St. Peter’s Basilica

(Vatican)Church of the Holy Sepulchre

(Jerusalem)Jesus’ burial site

Early Christian MusicEarly Christian Music

From Jewish traditionsChanting sacred texts

Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor

Greek doctrine of ethos Instrumental music = unsuitable

Standardization of vocal musicResponsorial, antiphonal

From Jewish traditionsChanting sacred texts

Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor

Greek doctrine of ethos Instrumental music = unsuitable

Standardization of vocal musicResponsorial, antiphonal

Chapter Six: Discussion Questions

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.

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.