Political and Religious Background of the New Testament J. Brian Tucker, Ph.D. Moody Theological Seminary

2 NT Background I. What is the NT? II. Historical Background: Important Dates and Cities III. Second Temple Literary Texts IV. Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT V. Contemporary Research and the Historical Jesus

3 What is the New Testament Handbook for Christian Living History book of Christian Events Fairy story book of Religious Myths A Great Literary Masterpiece Views of the NT Current Today

4 What is the New Testament NT is the source of truth for belief and life Does give us our guidelines for life It is a history of real events Does have wonderful stories-parables Does have its moments literarily But it is more: It's Revelation! God's good news to us! Views of the NT Current Today

5 What is the New Testament Gundry’s Four Reasons for Studying NT Historical Cultural Theological Devotional Views of the NT Current Today

6 Three Introductory Problems Language-Greek True, one understands better if familiar with the language But, concepts do transcend language and we can know enough to come to Christ and to grow by reading NT in English How you can be sure of what it's saying if you don't read the language it was written in?

7 Three Introductory Problems Problem is there: But problem is more apparent than real because But haven't we lost the original writings and thus can't be sure what the Bible even says?

8 Three Introductory Problems This is the problem of the canon Criteria of authenticity But no one decided that Scripture was Scripture church recognized inspiration Necessity of faith that the Holy Spirit preserved His Word for us to have But didn't men get together and decide which books were inspired anyway? How do you know you have the right books?

9 NT Background I. What is the NT? II. Historical Background: Important Dates and Cities III. Second Temple Literary Texts IV. Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT V. Contemporary Research and the Historical Jesus

10 Historical Background 722/721 BC: The northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Assyria (2 Kings 17:1-6). The ten tribes were transplanted into what is today northern Iraq (then Assyria) and intermarriages produce the Samaritans. Important Dates

11 Historical Background 587/586 BC: The southern kingdom of Judah was taken captive by Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-12). Jerusalem was destroyed and most of the population was deported to what is today Northern Iraq (then Babylon). Important Dates

12 Historical Background 400 BC: Close of OT canon with Malachi. Important Dates

13 Historical Background 331 BC: Alexander the Great conquered the world at the age of 25 by finally defeating the Persians at Arbela (hellenization). Important Dates

14 Historical Background 323 BC: At Alexander’s death, Ptolemy (descendants become the Ptolemies) takes over Egypt (capital in Alexandria) and Seleucus (descendants become the Seleucids) takes over Syria (capital in Antioch). (Didachoi) Important Dates

15 Historical Background 198 BC: The Seleucids gain control of Palestine under Antiochus III and enforce Hellenization much more stringently than the Ptolemies had before them, especially under Antiochus IV (Epiphanes). Important Dates

16 Historical Background 168 BC: Date of Antiochus Epiphanes’ “Abomination of Desolation” (cf. Mt. 24:15) being set up in temple. He apparently erected an altar to Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem and ordered that the temple be called the temple of “Olympian Zeus.” Important Dates

17 Historical Background 142 BC: Hasmonean dynasty. Important Dates

18 Historical Background 37 BC: Herod the Great. Important Dates

19 Historical Background 63 BC: Pompey, a Roman, conquers Seleucid Empire and takes control of Palestine. Important Dates

20 Historical Background 44 BC: Julius Caesar assassinated, Rome thrown into civil war. Important Dates

21 Historical Background 31 BC: Augustus (then Octavian) wins battle of Actium and established himself as new heir to throne of Rome. (Pax Romana) Important Dates

22 Historical Background c. 5 BC: Birth of Jesus. Important Dates

23 Historical Background 4 BC: Death of Herod the Great. Important Dates

24 Historical Background AD 33: Approximate date for death of Jesus, during the reign of Tiberius. (beginning of Jesus’ ministry AD 29) Important Dates

25 Historical Background AD 64-65: Reign of Nero to Rome, Time of Neronian persecution. Important Dates

26 Historical Background AD 66: Beginning of Jewish war. Important Dates

27 Historical Background AD 70: Destruction of temple in Jerusalem. Important Dates

28 Historical Background c. AD 90: NT comes to approximate close with Gospel of John and possibly Revelation. Persecution of Domitian. Important Dates

29 Historical Background the Holy City; obviously crucial to whole NT message. Roman presence felt every day (Mt 5:41 - extra mile). Jerusalem

30 Historical Background Capital of Empire, center of political power. Founding of church in Rome. Rome

31 Historical Background Still intellectual center of world though little fresh thought comes out of there in 1st century. Paul brought Gospel to the intellectual as well as common man (Acts 17). Athens

32 Historical Background Antioch (S) was Paul's home ‘church’ from which he was sent out on journeys. Important sea-port, third largest city (behind Rome and Alexandria) of empire. Antioch (Syria)

33 Historical Background Famous center of trade with control of Corinthian canal. But during the first century – it was a thoroughly Roman colony and the Imperial cult is Paul’s primary interlocutor. Corinth

34 Historical Background Largest and most important city in province of Asia. John the Apostle exiled to there and probably wrote Rev, Gospel, 1-3 John there. Ephesus

35 Second Temple Texts I. What is the NT? II. Historical Background: Important Dates and Cities III. Second Temple Literary Texts IV. Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT V. Contemporary Research and the Historical Jesus

36 Second Temple Texts The Apocrypha The Pseudepigrapha The Representative examples of the literary categories Introduction Old Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha

37 Second Temple Texts 1 Esdras 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees Historical Literature

38 Second Temple Texts Tobit Judith Letter of Aristeas 3 Maccabees Sibylline Oracles Fictional romances/novels/apologies

39 Second Temple Texts Ecclesiasticus Wisdom of Solomon Wisdom Literature (didactic)

40 Second Temple Texts 1 Enoch Apocalyptic Literature

41 Second Temple Texts Continuation of Jewish writings during Hellenistic era Describe Jewish cultural context before Christianity Set the scene for the coming of Jesus Significance of the Apocrypha/ Pseudepigrapha

42 Second Temple Texts Described the social and religious context in Israel Details the way Persian influence merged into a Rome one Shows how OT scriptures were interpreted and applied Significance of the Apocrypha/ Pseudepigrapha

43 Second Temple Texts Introduction - 1947 The History and Nature of the Library The Library at Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls)

44 Second Temple Texts OT Books – all except Esther Apocrypha/Pseudepigrapha – Tobit and 1 Enoch OT Commentaries Collections of OT passages on various themes Sectarian writings of the Qumran community Contents of the mss at Qumran

45 Second Temple Texts Commitment to Torah/devout life Sovereignty of God End times messianism Beliefs in Qumran

46 Second Temple Texts They enrich our understanding of the Jewish world They provide parallels for theological language (messianism) They offer insight into the process of canonization Contributions of DSS discoveries to biblical studies

47 Second Temple Texts They provide comparative material for early Christianity They outline Jewish sectarian ideology and beliefs Contributions of DSS discoveries to biblical studies

48 Second Temple Texts The son of a Jewish priest who claimed kinship with the Hasmonean dynasty (Mattathias). Joined the Pharisees at 19, but never was more than a nominal member. After the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, went to Rome as the friend and pensioner of Emperor Vespasian. It was here he adopted his family name Flavius. Josephus

49 Second Temple Texts The Jewish War (AD 77). The Antiquities of the Jews (AD 93). Against Apion Principle source for Jewish history Antiquities 18.3.3; 20.9.1 Josephus: while in Rome, he wrote…

50 Second Temple Texts Midrashim Mishnah and Tosefta Talmud Targumim Rabbinic Literature

51 NT Background I. What is the NT? II. Historical Background: Important Dates and Cities III. Second Temple Literary Texts IV. Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT V. Contemporary Research and the Historical Jesus

52 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Greek and Roman gods still carried a lot of respect in ancient world. Presence of gods in homes, idols Myths about events still believed (Ac. 14:8ff) Pagan Religious Thought Greco-Roman Myths

53 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Began under Augustus (during Jesus’ lifetime) Caligula required it of himself (AD 37-41) Connection to worship of gods Emperor Worship

54 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Difficulty of ascertaining hard info Similar to occult today But some forms no more man glorified fraternity initiation Questionable influence on Christianity (Gundry 2003: 48) Mystery Religions

55 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Epicureans Stoics Others = Peripatetics, Platonists, Orphists NT propensity to take language from these and use for relating of Christian truth Philosophies

56 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT No sacrifice Center for worship each Sat. and study of Law Service Synagogue was local school, community center, place of gov't Elders were civil authorities of community, magistrates and guardians of public morality Jewish Religious Thought Synagogue: community center

57 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Beauty and Pride of Jews (Mk 13:1) Worship and Sacrifice, circumcisions Porticos used for teaching Center for all religious life Temple: Herod's Temple

58 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Oral →Mishnah→Talmud Josephus, Antiquities 13:297-98 Especially after the destruction of the Temple, the Law became crucial for people; their religious significance became wrapped up in it. The Law (Mk 7:5)

59 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Based on agricultural year Sacrifices, worship services, dancing, parades, ritual actions The Festivals (Gundry 2003: 58)

60 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Passover/Unleavened Bread Pentecost (weeks) Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) Booths (Tabernacles) Lights (Hanukkah) Purim Main Feasts

61 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Jews as the people of God Messianic fervor Qumran - Two Messiahs Political ruler of zealots Political/Spiritual ruler of mainstream Judaism All looked for overthrow of Rome (Jn 6:14-15) Jewish Theology of First Century

62 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Importance of strict code of ethics based on the Law (4 major sects) Pharisees - "forbade spitting on the bare ground during the Sabbath lest the action disturb the dirt and thus constitute plowing which would break the prohibition of working on the Sabbath" (Gundry 2003: 63-64). Jewish Theology of First Century

63 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Importance of strict code of ethics based on the Law (4 major sects) Sadducees - political, controlled the priesthood. Denied validity of the oral law, accepted only first five books of OT. Affluent, conservative, powerful, guarded their status. Jewish Theology of First Century

64 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Importance of strict code of ethics based on the Law (4 major sects) Essenes – They practiced a stricter halakhah than the Pharisees: “No one shall stay in a place near Gentiles on the Sabbath” (Damascus Document 11:14-15) Jewish Theology of First Century

65 Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT Importance of strict code of ethics based on the Law (4 major sects) Zealots – The resisted the Roman occupation of Palestine and were opposed to paying taxes to foreign emperors because their tribute was only owed to God. (See Köstenberger, Kellum, Quarles 2009: 96). Jewish Theology of First Century

66 NT Background I. What is the NT? II. Historical Background: Important Dates and Cities III. Second Temple Literary Texts IV. Theological and Philosophical Views and the NT V. Contemporary Research and the Historical Jesus

67 Contemporary Research It is quite normal to speak of three quests for the historical Jesus, these represent scholarly categorizations and really oversimplifies a very complex set of research programs. The Quests for the Historical Jesus

68 Contemporary Research Herman S. Reimarus may be serve as the originator of the First Quest for the historical Jesus. A common idea found during this period is that Jesus was only a man who taught a system of ethics and emphasized God’s love and mankind’s brotherhood. (Adolf von Harnack) D. F. Strauss The First Quest

69 Contemporary Research Four scholars helped to bring this quest to a close: Martin Kähler Johannes Weiss William Wrede Albert Schweitzer The end of the First Quest

70 Contemporary Research Rudolf Bultmann Few attempts to write a life of Christ Ernst Käsemann James Robinson Günter Bornkamm Assessment No Quest and the New (Second) Quest

71 Contemporary Research Application of historical criteria to determine authenticity. Reclamation of Jesus the Jew Diversity of first-century Judaism The Third Quest

72 Contemporary Research E. P. Sanders – Eschatological (Apocalyptic) Prophet Geza Vermes – Charismatic Holy Man Gerd Theissen and Richard Horsley – Social Reformer John Yoder – Proactive Peacemaker John Meier and N.T. Wright – Marginalized Messiah Emphasizing Jesus’ Deeds

73 Contemporary Research Ben Witherington – The incarnation of divine wisdom Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza – Sociopolitical liberator John Dominic Crossan and F. Gerald Downing – Cynic sage Warren Carter – Imperial discourse Jesus Seminar – Oriental guru James Dunn – Messianic herald of the kingdom Emphasizing Jesus’ Sayings

74 Contemporary Research Previous elements can be combined Jesus concern for the inauguration of the kingdom and his role as the messianic king cannot be blurred. Assessment:

75 Contemporary Research Understanding the Jewish context Recognizing Jesus’ mission Approximating Jesus’ identity Nature of Jesus’ death Interpreting the miracle stories Evans notes five gains from the Third Quest:

76 Contemporary Research Criteria of authenticity Dissimilarity Multiple attestation Palestinian environment or Semitic language Coherence Secondary ones Wright’s double similarity and double dissimilarity Assessment and Criteria Authenticity

77 Contemporary Research Anti-supernaturalist Burden of proof Tools and Philosophical Assumptions

78 The End