The Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds of Christianity

Where does the story begin?• To understand conflicts that arose within

Christianity in its earliest stages, we need to look back into Jewish history before the time of Christ.

• Christianity began during a time of Hellenization.

– During this period, Jerusalem became known as Judah. Judah, Samaria, and Galilee were called Palestine.

– After Alexander the Great conquered the Jews, Greek culture became the dominant culture

• Some Jews took Greek names and adapted Judaism to Greek culture. They became known as “Hellenistic Jews” or Hellenists.

– Greek culture is known as Hellenism

• Hellenism means to speak Greek

Roman Empire• The Roman Empire conquered

the Greeks – Strong army (at this

time)• People entered the

empire by being conquered

– They lost their independence but were protected by the empire and often gained greater political stability

– The Jews continue to be the chosen people but are no longer the rulers in in their own homeland

– The heart of the empire was the city of Rome

Greco-Roman world

• Jesus was born in a Greco-Roman world

• Greco-Roman world refers to the areas conquered by Rome but influenced by Greek culture– Most Jews during this time spoke

Greek only.• Hebrew Scriptures were translated to

Greek.– This translation was called Septuagint

• Jews did not know how to read Hebrew

Hellenism influenced Judeans in the following ways:Greek philosophyGreek education – body and mind

(gymnasium)In German, the term “gymnasium” is

used for educational institutionsGreek religion

God and goddess worship (animal and grain sacrifices, rituals and feasts)

Greek cultureSocial customs (women and men often

dined separately)

The Greco-Roman influence on Judeans

State Religion• Romans required obedience to the

State Religion– Refers to the worship of the

Roman gods and emperorsPublic sacrifices were not just to

Roman gods and goddesses; they were a sign of loyalty to the State and the Emperor.

Anyone who did not do so was considered a traitor

• Concentrated on order in society and in the cosmos, but did not give meaning or purpose to life

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans

Romans believed that polytheism provided some answers to life’s questions of why things don’t go as people want them to: the gods are dysfunctional! People need to please them

and if the gods aren’t happy – smite.

Judaism offered an alternative – an entirely good God, and just One, at that.

Thus, Judaism was in direct conflict with Greco-Roman polytheism.

Mystery religions• Since the State Religion did not

provide a spiritual aspect to the people, the practice of mystery religions was allowed.

• Common during the 1st century• Kept their rituals secret, revealing

them only to people who initiated into the religion

• Provided the kind of emotional connection to divinity that Roman state religion had no interest in providing

Characteristics of mystery religions Characteristics of a mystery cult

included: An initiation

Baptism Secret rituals Secret knowledge A god, often foreign, who

Had died but resurrected or reincarnated

Or had gone to the underworld and come up again

Followers would also overcome death and find new life in the community of believers and their god

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans

Mithraism was one of the most popular mystery religions

Mithraism Had a Persian god, Mithra Initiates were baptized Bread and wine was ritually

shared Mithra had a miraculous birth

celebrated on the Roman equivalent of Dec. 25

Shepherds brought gifts to the newborn god

Christianity was considered a mystery religion by the Romans early on

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans

For the most part, the Romans let the Jews practice their religion.

The Romans respected the fact that the Jews had an ancient Holy Book and that their religion was already 1,000 yrs. old.

Therefore, Jews were exempt from being required to publically offer sacrifices to Greco-Roman gods

Jesus is born• Jesus was born and grew up in

the Greco-Roman world• During Jesus’ time:

– 2nd temple is being rebuild • Still had priests• Animal sacrifices to God• Pilgrimage to Temple in

Jerusalem– Synagogues are established

• were places for the reading and preaching of scripture

– Judaism was full of groups:• Interpretation of the Law• Desire to kick the Romans out of

their land• There were four main groups

1. Sadducees, 2. Pharisees, 3. Zealots and 4. Essenes

Jesus’ movement: Background of the 12

• In this Greco-Roman world, Jesus formed a community of disciples to preach the KoG

• Disciples = followers

• Were not wealthy or powerful

– John was a member of the priestly class

• But most of the twelve were members of the working class and not leaders

• Peter and Andrew were fishermen

– Middle-class occupation

• Matthew was a tax collector

– Working for the Roman government

• Some of the disciples had some education and others were illiterate

Death of Jesus: Why did he die?• Members of the Sanhedrin feared that Jesus’ followers would try to proclaim him

the Messiah

– The King who would throw off the yoke of Roman rule

– Could provoke a Roman crackdown on Judea

• The Sanhedrin denounced Jesus to the Roman governor -Pilate

– Who had Jesus executed for treason

• For claiming to be the “King of the Jews”

• The Romans simply put to death a troublemaker who could potentially threaten their rule

Fear • After Jesus’ crucifixion

and burial, his followers were devastated. – Lost their beloved

teacher– Felt the fear of being a

known associate of someone executed as a criminal

• They were hiding • Fear led Peter to deny

Jesus three times