DOCSLIB.ORG

The Sect of the Zealots Bible References

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Sect of the Zealots Bible References The Sect of the Zealots Bible References: All four times this group is mentioned in the New Testament is in reference to one of the Twelve Apostles named Simon (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13). Meaning Of Their Name: The English word “Zealot” (along with the English words “zeal” & “jealous”) come to us from the Greek language - ζηλωτής [zelotes /dzay·lo·tace/] and ζῆλος [zelos /dzay·los/] – all arising ultimately from a base word that has to do with “boiling over” with emotion. The Aramaic term for a member of this group (used by both Matthew & Mark in their respective Gospels) was “Kanani,” meaning “a zealous Jew.” Unfortunately, this was transliterated into some English versions (including the KJV) as “Canaanite,” which can then be confused with the ancient pagans who occupied the Promised Land. Josephus’ Testimony About Zealot Philosophy & Origins “But of the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy, Judas the Galilean32 was the author. These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty; and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. “They also do not value dying any kind of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man ‘Lord;’ and since this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to a great many, I shall speak no farther about that matter; nor am I afraid that anything I have said of them should be disbelieved, but rather fear, that what I have said is beneath the resolution they show when they undergo pain. “And it was in Gessius Florus’s time33 that the nation began to grow mad with this distemper, who was our procurator, and who occasioned the Jews to go wild with it by the abuse of his authority, and to make them revolt from the Romans; and these are the sects of Jewish philosophy.” Antiquities 18.1.6 “Now Cyrenius, a Roman senator,34 and one who had gone through other magistracies, and had passed through them till he had been consul, and one who, on other accounts, was of great dignity, came at this time into Syria, with a few others, being sent by Caesar to be a judge of that nation, and to take an account of their substance. 32 Mentioned by Rabbi Gamaliel in his (AD 33?) warning to the Jewish Sanhedrin about how to respond to the Apostles’ teaching about Jesus (Acts 5:34-40). 33 Roman Procurator of Judea, AD 64-66. 34 Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was the Roman Legate of Syria, AD 6-12. His first responsibility in that role was to put Judea under direct Roman administration after the abysmal failure of King Herod’s son, Archelaus (reigned 4 BC – AD 6). Legate Quirinius is mentioned by name in Luke 2:2. In fact, I believe the proper translation of that passage should be, “This registration [Caesar Augustus’ registration] was one prior to that when Quirinius was governing Syria.” The Jewish riots associated with the first time that Judea was directly taxed made it a notorious chronological marker. 19 “Coponius35 also, a man of the equestrian order, was sent together with him, to have the supreme power over the Jews. Moreover, Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance, and to dispose of Archelaus’s money; but the Jews, although at the beginning they took the report of a taxation heinously, yet did they leave off any farther opposition to it, by the persuasion of Joazar, who was the son of Boethus, and high priest.36 So they, being over-persuaded by Joazar’s words, gave an account of their estates, without any dispute about it. “Yet there was one Judas, a Gaulonite, of a city whose name was Gamala,37 who, taking with him Sadduc, a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt, who both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery, and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty: as if they could procure them happiness and security for what they possessed, and an assured enjoyment of a still greater good, which was that of the honor and glory they would thereby acquire for magnanimity. They also said that God would not otherwise be assisting to them, than upon their joining with one another in such counsels as might be successful, and for their own advantage; and this especially, if they would set about great exploits, and not grow weary in executing the same; so men received what they said with pleasure, and this bold attempt proceeded to a great height. “All sorts of misfortunes also sprang from these men, and the nation was infected with this doctrine to an incredible degree; one violent war came upon us after another, and we lost our friends, who used to alleviate our pains; there were also very great robberies and murders of our principal men. This was done in pretense indeed for the public welfare, but in reality for the hopes of gain to themselves; whence arose seditions, and from them murders of men, which sometimes fell on those of their own people (by the madness of these men towards one another, while their desire was that none of the adverse party might be left), and sometimes on their enemies; a famine also coming upon us, reduced us to the last degree of despair, as did also the taking and demolishing of cities; nay, the sedition at last increased so high, that the very temple of God was burnt down by their enemy’s fire. “Such were the consequences of this, that the customs of our fathers were altered and such a change was made, as added a mighty weight toward bringing all to destruction, which these men occasioned by thus conspiring together; for Judas and Sadduc, who excited a fourth philosophic sect among us, and had a great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults at present, and laid the foundation of our future miseries, by this system of philosophy, which we were before unacquainted withal; concerning which I shall discourse a little, and this the rather, because the infection which spread thence among the younger sort, who were zealous for it, brought the public to destruction.” Antiquities 17.1.1 35 The very first Roman governor of Judea, AD 6-9. 36 A Sadducee who had briefly served as Jewish High Priest under King Herod in 4 BC, but was removed from office by Archelaus for not being able to prevent riots associated with the new king’s ascension to the throne. 37 While Judas was a Galilean by birth, he lived at Gamala in Gaulanitis, a territory NE & East of the Sea of Galilee (modern name: the Golan Heights). 20 Direct Roman Rule of Judea When Herod the Great died in 4 BC, some Jews preferred direct Roman rule of Judea, rather than having his son Archelaus (18 years old) govern them. They even sent a special entourage to Rome to petition Caesar Augustus on this matter. Caesar decided to let Archelaus try to govern. Direct Roman rule of Judea began when Caesar removed & banished Archelaus in AD 6 and remained in place until Claudius Caesar declared his friend Herod Agrippa as the new “King of the Jews” in AD 41. The Herodians & the Zealots of the Gospel period may have both desired an end to direct Roman rule by the re-establishment of the Herodian royal family to power in Judea. When Herod Agrippa died by God’s divine wrath in AD 44 (Acts 12), Claudius Caesar was intending to appoint Agrippa II (17 years old) as the new “King of the Jews.” However, his advisors convinced him that this would be unwise, so once again Judea was placed under direct Roman rule. The first of these new series of governors, Cuspius Fadus (AD 44-46), decided to assert control over the High Priest’s uniform. This was appealed to the emperor, who then gave official control of the uniform, along with all things relating to the Jewish Temple, into the hands of the brother of the late Herod Agrippa, one Herod of Chalcis.38 Upon the death of Herod of Chalcis in AD 48, this authority over Judaism & its Temple was passed by Claudius to King Herod Agrippa II (now 21 years old), but Claudius kept direct Roman control over the Judean portion of Roman Syria. This division of sacred & secular authority over Judea remained in place until the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Tiberius Alexander was an Egyptian Jew by birth and governed Roman Judea in AD 46-48. During his tenure, he crucified two sons of Judas the Galilean, James & Simon (Antiquities 20.5.2). While no specific reason is given, it is generally assumed that they were actively engaged in rebellion against direct Roman rule. Ventidius Cumanus served as Roman governor of Judea from AD 48 until AD 52. Festival disturbances during his tenure resulted in the deaths of 10,000 – 20,000 worshippers being trampled in a stampede out of the Temple complex. Because of other problems which arose, he was banished by Claudius for incompetence. Marcus Antonius Felix served as Roman governor of Judea from AD 52 until AD 58. While serving in Judea, he married Drusilla, the youngest sister of King Herod Agrippa II. Because this involved divorces for both parites & because Felix was not circumcised, this caused a rift between Agrippa II and Drusilla.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Imprisonment in Caesarea
    ACTS ACTS 23:1–24:27 A PLOT UNCOVERED – ACTS 23:12–22 156 TRANSFER TO CAESAREA – ACTS 23:23–35 157 TRIAL BEFORE FELIX: THE CHARGES – ACTS 24:1–9 158 TRIAL BEFORE FELIX: PAUL’S DEFENSE – ACTS 24:10–21 159 A PRIVATE AUDIENCE WITH THE GOVERNOR ACTS 24:22–27 160 PERSONAL APPLICATION – ACTS 25:1–27 161 Imprisonment in Caesarea CHRISTIANS IN PRISON Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; How sweet would be their children’s fate, If they, like them, could die for thee! FREDERICK W. FABER Christians since the very beginning have been “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10). They have been arrested, imprisoned and executed because they took a stand against evil and made a faithful testimony for the Gospel of Jesus. Some of their stories are well-known. Sir Thomas More was imprisoned in the Tower of London and finally beheaded for daring to oppose the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested by Hitler’s Gestapo and kept at Tegel Prison in Berlin for rescuing Jews. More recently, Pastor Yang Hua was imprisoned in China for his Christian witness. In varying degrees, all these men were able to make some written or oral testimony of faith while imprisoned. Countless other Christians had no such opportunity, though they are not forgotten by God! The apostle Paul spent the final years of his life in prison because his witness about Jesus to the Gentiles had stirred the ire of his Jewish compatriots.
    [Show full text]
  • GCSE --- Reviewbackgroundgospel
    Review: Background to the Gospel 1 Choosing the best ending, write a sentence each for the following. The Roman allowed the Jews what privilege? Which religious party at the time of Jesus A Romans never sentenced Jews to death accepted these books as their only rule of life? B Jews didn’t have to pay taxes to Rome A Sadducees C Jews were excused from serving in the B Pharisees Roman army C Zealots Which two dates approximate to the times when Pharisee ‘ separated one’ implies that they Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple were A resisted all pagan influences on Judaism. destroyed? B lived alone as hermits in the hills. A 1200 BC, 70 BC C never mixed with the Sadducees. B 440 BC, 120 AD C 586 BC, 70 AD Most scribes were also A Pharisees. What was the major duty of the priests of the B Sadducees. Temple? C Zealots. A to pray B to collect Temple taxes Between which two groups was there no C to offer sacrifice to God on behalf of the common ground? people A Sadducees and Romans B Publicans and Zealots Which of the following is not used to mean the C Sadducees and Pharisees first five books of the Bible? A Law of Moses Which of the following groups was most B Talmud violently opposed to Roman rule? C Torah A Zealots D Pentateuch B Pharisees C Publicans 2 Write each group with a description that best fits. Zealots Conquerors In each case give a one-sentence reason for your Samaritans Collaborators answer.
    [Show full text]
  • Slide Archeology and the Bible.Pdf
    The Ai Expedition at Khirbet el-Maqatir http://www.Maqatir.com Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project http://tallelhammam.com/ Helping Up Mission http://community.helpingupmission.org Associates for Biblical Research http://www.biblearchaeology.org Gary A. Byers [email protected] Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (NIV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (JKV) 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have planned for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Abraham and Lot Khirbet el-Maqatir Between Bethel/Ai Tall el-Hammam Sodom Moses and Joshua Khirbet el-Maqatir Ai Tall el-Hammam Abel Shittim Looking East Looking West Byzantine church and monastery LB I Fortress (ca 10 dunams = 2.5 acres) Hasmonean/Roman Fortress Khirbet el-Maqatir GAB, BGW, SC Pottery Reading a-123.jpg Discovery of the Kh. el-Maqatir City Gate 1995 Ai of Joshua (Khirbet el-Maqatir) Southern Wall Tower - Khirbet el-Maqatir Western Wall – Khirbet el-Maqatir Israelite House from time of the Judges Byzantine Monastery – Khirbet el-Maqatir Byzantine Monastery – Khirbet el-Maqatir NT House Khirbet el-Maqatir NT House – Khirbet el-Maqatir Bronze Coin of Herod the Great Silver Coin of Demetrius II Nicator First-Century AD House 1st century AD coins (2011) 1) Roman Governor Porcius Festus (year 5 of Nero, AD 58/59) 2) “Year 2” of the First Jewish War (AD 67/68) 1st century AD coins (2012) 1) Earliest coin-Roman Governor Ambibulus (AD 9–12) dated “Year 39 of Augustus” (= AD 9/10).
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Study Guide on the Acts of the Apostles
    Investigating the Word of God Acts Artist’s Depiction of the Apostle Paul Preaching at the Areopagus in Athens Gene Taylor © Gene Taylor, 2007. All Rights Reserved All lessons are based on the New King James Version, © Thomas Nelson, Inc. An Introduction to Acts The Author There are no serious doubts as to the authorship of the book of Acts of the Apostles. Luke is assigned as its author. As early as the last part of the 2nd century, Irenaeus cites passages so frequently from the Acts of the Apostles that it is certain that he had constant access to the book. He gives emphasis to the internal evidence of its authorship. Tertullian also ascribes the book to Luke, as does Clement of Alexandria. That Luke is the author of the book of Acts is evident from the following. ! The Preface of the Book. The writer addresses Theophilus (Luke 1:3), who is the same individual to whom the gospel of Luke was also directed, and makes reference to a “former treatise” which dealt with “all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was received up” (1:1-2). This is very evidently a reference to the third gospel. ! The book of Acts and the gospel of Luke are identical in style, as a number of scholars have pointed out and demonstrated. ! The book of Acts comes as an historical sequel to the gospel of Luke, taking up with the very events, and at the point where the gospel of Luke concludes, namely the resurrection, the appearances following the resurrection, and the commissioning of the Apostles to the task for which they had been selected and trained by the Lord, and the ascension of Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • Revolutionaries in the First Century
    BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 36 Issue 3 Article 9 7-1-1996 Revolutionaries in the First Century Kent P. Jackson Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq Part of the Mormon Studies Commons, and the Religious Education Commons Recommended Citation Jackson, Kent P. (1996) "Revolutionaries in the First Century," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 36 : Iss. 3 , Article 9. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol36/iss3/9 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in BYU Studies Quarterly by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Jackson: Revolutionaries in the First Century masada and life in first centuryjudea Published by BYU ScholarsArchive, 1996 1 BYU Studies Quarterly, Vol. 36, Iss. 3 [1996], Art. 9 revolutionaries in the first century kent P jackson zealotszealousZealots terrorists freedom fighters bandits revolutionaries who were those people whose zeal for religion for power or for freedom motivated them to take on the roman empire the great- est force in the ancient world and believe that they could win because the books ofofflaviusjosephusflavius josephus are the only source for most of our understanding of the participants in the first jewish revolt we are necessarily dependent on josephus for the answers to this question 1 his writings will be our guide as we examine the groups and individuals involved in the jewish rebellion I21 in
    [Show full text]
  • Who Were the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes & Zealots
    Who were the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes & Zealots The Sadducees were mostly members of the wealthy conservative elite. They had opened their hearts to the secular world of Greek culture and commerce, while insisting that the only worthy form of Judaism was to be found in a rather spiritless, fundamentalist, “pure letter-of-the-law” reading of the Torah. Philosophically, they denied such concepts as resurrection, personal immortality, or other ideas that were only found in the Oral tradition (eventually written down in the Talmud). Politically, they contented themselves with the way things were and resisted change – preferring instead to promote cordial relations with the Romans. Although they often held influential positions in society, they were unpopular with the masses who generally opposed all foreign influences. The Pharisees, the largest group, were mostly middle-class Jews who emphasized the exact keeping of the law as it had been interpreted by sages, elders, and rabbis. Politically, they were ardent anti-Hellenists and anti-Romans. The Pharisees were admired by the majority of Jews, but they were never a very large group since most people had neither the education nor the time to join the party and follow all their stringent rules regarding prayer, fasting, festival observance, tithing, etc. Pharisees were greatly influenced by Persian ideas of Good and Evil, and they adhered to the growing belief in the resurrection of the body with an afterlife of rewards and punishments. Over time, many of the finer impulses of Pharisaism would weaken into an empty religious formalism (as is ever the case), focusing on outward actions rather than the inward experience of the soul.
    [Show full text]
  • Absolute Dating of John the Baptist, the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and Paul the Apostle
    Absolute Dating of John the Baptist, the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and Paul the Apostle Rainer Walter Kühne Bürgerstr. 4, 38118 Braunschweig, Germany e-mail: [email protected] I suggest the following scenario. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius (14-37), that is late in 28 or early in 29, John began to preach a baptism. Jesus healed and preached and was crucified on the Preparation Day, Friday 3 April 33 during a lunar eclipse. Thereafter the apostles began to preach and raising the number of believers from 120 to 5000. This caused a persecution where Saul converted to Paul late in 33. Afterwards Paul spent three years in Damascus, where Aretas IV was king. Thereafter Paul did his first travel which lasted for fourteen years, that is 36-50. This was followed by the council of the apostles late in 50. Thereafter Paul did his second travel which lasted for at least a year and six months. Then he did his third travel which lasted for at least two years and six months, that is 52-54. Afterwards he was imprisoned for two years by Antonius Felix until Porcius Festus became procurator of Judaea in 56. There is general agreement that Jesus Christ was a historical person. Experts differ in dating his crucifixion (between 27 and 34) and the council of the apostles (between 48 and 51). Here I would like to investigate these two open questions. In his Ioudaike archaiologia historian Josephus Flavius mentioned John the Baptist (Antiquitates Judaicae 18.5.2). He mentioned also that James, the brother of Jesus called Christus, was executed in 62 (Antiquitates Judaicae 20.200).
    [Show full text]
  • SSS 2019 Acts Handouts
    !1 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? The Word of God and Evangelisation Today Holy Cross College 2019 Kieran J. O’Mahony www.tarsus.ie The First Christian History: the Acts of the Apostles Learning today from the very first generations Programme 1. Introduction to the Acts (p. 1) 2. Pentecost tableau (p. 8) 3. Speeches in Acts (p. 14) 4. Conversion of Cornelius (p. 18) 5. Paul in Athens (p. 23) 6. Paul in Rome (p. 28) 1. Introduction to the Acts • First of all • Two “big” stories • Getting started • History? • Date, authorship, location • Prayer / Conversation First of all… • The world of Acts • Our world(s)!!! • This is a rattling good story, full of excitement and drama. • Plenty of friendship • Plenty of conflict • Two “big” stories with lots of little stories around as well… • Two “big” stories: Peter and Paul • Two volumes: Gospel and Acts together • Starts in Jerusalem and ends in Rome. • Really the story of Peter and then Paul; Peter peters out. • Large biblical theology of history, found chiefly in the speeches. • About one third of Acts is made up of speeches. • The break with Judaism and the inclusion of the Gentiles. • The “we” passages in Acts. • The vast number of characters. • Certain scenes receive extensive treatment (Cornelius; the journey to Rome). • Ends happily, but strangely without closure. Two “big” stories Two volumes: Gospel and Acts together Preface Luke 1:1-4 Part I Luke 1:5-2:52 The time of Israel reaches its climax Part II Luke 3:1-Acts 1:26 The time of Jesus Part III Acts 2:1-28:31 The time of the Church www.tarsus.ie !2
    [Show full text]
  • Acts+9.1-19+FINAL
    EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT * 08.09.2020 180Acts 9:1-19 SAUL’S CONVERSION NEAR DAMASCUS ACTS 9:1-19 Acts 5:34–39 (ESV) Gamaliel influences the Sanhedrin. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice … GAMALIEL a respected rabbi and leading authority of the law in the first century. Grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder, founder of the House of Hillel school of tannaim. Gamaliel was recognized as a Pharisee doctor of Halakha (Jewish law). In the Talmud he bears the title of Nasi (prince) and Rabban (our master), he held a senior position in the highest court in Jerusalem.
    [Show full text]
  • Zealots: Jesus and His Day Ones 1. Titus 2:11-14 (Zealots Make The
    Zealots: Jesus and His Day Ones 1. Titus 2:11-14 (Zealots make the First Resurrection .Zealots have proven themselves to be ride or die with Elohim) ● that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people=First Resurrection ● Zealous of Good Works=Uncompromising when it comes to the commandments 2. Revelation 3:13-22 ● Lukewarm=non-Zealous ● gold tried in the fire=Putting in work for the set ● White raiment=Your colors, your flag, your rag. Your set’s attire. You need this to make the First Resurrection. And just like a gang you must put in work to get it. ● be zealous therefore=Circumspect 3. Psalms 119:138-140 ● Righteousness=Keeping the commandments ● Verse 139=Those around you who transgress the law should cause a zeal in you for Yah’s law. Light cannot cohabit with darkness 4. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 5. 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ● Verse 6=Biblical definition of a Zealot 6. Isaiah 59:15-20 (Jesus/Yah is a Zealot) 7. Isaiah 9:6-7 8. Psalms 69:9 9. John 2:13-17 10. Psalms 51:1 (David) ● David prayed this after the sin of adultery and murder. How do you receive these tender mercies I.E. Yah doing you a solid? You got to be a day one with him. A zealot. David was willing to fight Yah’s battles literally. And he did so with faith and no fear. After defeating goliath he had to wait to become King. Henever wavered even with Saul constantly trying to kill him.
    [Show full text]
  • Judaism: Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots Extremist Fighters Who Extremist Political Freedom Regarded Imperative
    Judaism: Pharisees,Scribes,Sadducees,Essenes,andZealots © InformationLtd. DiagramVisual PHARISEES SCRIBES SADDUCEES ESSENES ZEALOTS (from Greek for “separated (soferim in ancient Hebrew) (perhaps from Greek for (probably Greek from the (from Greek “zealous one”) ones”) “followers of Zadok,” Syriac “holy ones”) Solomon’s High Priest) Evolution Evolution Evolution Evolution Evolution • Brotherhoods devoted to • Copiers and interpreters • Conservative, wealthy, and • Breakaway desert monastic • Extremist fighters who the Torah and its strict of the Torah since before aristocratic party of the group, especially at regarded political freedom adherence from c150 BCE. the Exile of 586 BCE. status quo from c150 BCE. Qumran on the Dead Sea as a religious imperative. Became the people’s party, Linked to the Pharisees, Usually held the high from c130 BCE Underground resistance favored passive resistance but some were also priesthood and were the Lived communally, without movement, especially to Greco-Roman rule Sadducees and on the majority of the 71-member private property, as farmers strong in Galilee. The Sanhedrin Supreme Sanhedrin Supreme or craftsmen under a most fanatical became Council Council. Prepared to work Teacher of Righteousness sicarii, dagger-wielding with Rome and Herods and Council assassins Beliefs Beliefs Beliefs Beliefs Beliefs • Believed in Messianic • Defined work, etc, so as • Did not believe in • Priesthood, Temple • “No rule but the Law – redemption, resurrection, to keep the Sabbath. resurrection, free will, sacrifices, and calendar No King but God”. They free will, angels and Obedience to their written angels, and demons, or were all invalid. They expected a Messiah to demons, and oral code would win salvation oral interpretations of the expected the world’s early save their cause interpretations of the Torah – enjoy this life end and did not believe in Torah resurrection.
    [Show full text]
  • Pauline Epistles Overview
    Session 1 of 15 Pauline Epistles Overview Pauline epistles Apostle of the Crucified Lord, Michael Gorman, 2004 is the main book I studied along with notes and references in the New Jerusalem Bible and my own class notes. Historical, literary, theological, and religious aspects of Paul’s letters to be covered 1. Pay attention to small details and grand themes - the themes inform the details and the details create the themes. This is the “hermeneutical (interpretative) circle.” 2. Six key words describe the frame of reference in which Paul is understood: a. Jewish b. Covenantal c. Narrative - salvation history from promise to ultimate fulfillment (eschatalogical) d. Countercultural e. Trinitarian f. Cruciform 3. Worked directly with Greek text; scriptural quotations come from New Revised Standard Version 4. Let’s engage Paul and his letters as the pastoral, spiritual, and theological challenge Paul intended his letters to be. Our driving question is: What does this letter urge the Church to believe, to hope for, and to do? Study Guide developed by Ginger Herrington, Director of Adult Formation, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 2021 Session 1 of 15 Pauline Epistles Overview Chapter 1: Paul’s Worlds 1. Greek-speaking (koine = common); born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Benjamin - a Pharisee of Second Temple Judaism; a Roman citizen under Caesar Augustus. Culture: Greek; Religion: Judaism; Political power: Romans. 2. Hellenization - most people of the time spoke, thought, and wrote in koine; Jews used Greek translation of Hebrew Scripture (Septuagint, LXX). Greek culture permeated the Mediterranean basin, but did not replace local customs - rather, Greek culture merged with each local community.
    [Show full text]