New Testament World 3: Religion, Magic & Superstition

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "New Testament World 3: Religion, Magic & Superstition"

Transcription

1 Agrarian concerns Surrounded by invisible powers Threatened Protected Contract religion Corpus of rules & codes to gain influence what to do what to avoid governed proper ritual not a code for behaviour Prayer Attempt at coercion (Lat. Pietas, Gk. Eusebeia) NT. Godliness unqualified acceptance of one s obligations to the gods. Attitude of respect trying not to offend the gods Avoid taboos Invocation Request Perform ritual New Testament World 3: Religion, Magic & Superstition The Nature of Greco-Roman Religion Sacrifice Characteristic form: Public worship Private worship The Sacrifice Bull, sheep or pig Bird, food or incense Killed Entrails examined Inedible parts Edible parts Leftovers to meat market (makellon) Different Emphasis on Greco-roman Religion Hellenistic (Greek) Roman Anthropomorphic gods Correct belief in gods important Atheism Continuity of belief & practice The Imperial cult was the worship of the Roman emperor as a god The Cult of the Emperor very popular in Asia Minor Temple of Dea Roma and Divus Julias High Priest in Asia: men or women Essential to Rome's survival Neglect was treasonous No one exempt from the cult Important social factor in everyday life in the Empire A means of political control Imperial Cult Abstract gods Correct rites for gods important Sacrilege Business contract Priene Calendar 9 BC Since providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a saviour, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance excelled even our anticipations, surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good tidings (evangelion) for the world that came by reason of him which Asia resolved in Smyrna. "The cult was a major part of the web of power that formed the fabric of society. The imperial cult stabilized the religious order of the world. The system of ritual was carefully structured; the symbolism evoked a picture of the relationship between the emperor and the gods. The ritual was also structuring; it imposed a definition of the world. The imperial cult, along with politics and diplomacy, constructed the reality of the Roman empire." S.R.F. Price, Rituals and Power: The Roman Imperial Cult in Asia Minor (Cambridge: CUP, 1984), p Dr Richard J. Hawes 1

2 Diaspora scattered Considerably more Jews outside Palestine by 1st AD A very visible presence Various levels of integration Identity markers: Sabbath Circumcision Dietary restrictions Strict monotheists Cosmos overflowing with supernatural beings Good angels Evil (fallen) angels Actively involved in human affairs Humanity defenceless & expendable pawns Jubilees & 1 Enoch fallen angels responsible for evil Elaborate & complex hierarchies of angels Reason for angelic speculation Examples: Distinct Religions/Cults Cult of Demeter Cult of Dionysus Cult of Isis Cult of Cybele Cult of Mithras Diaspora Judaism Judaism in the Greco-Roman World Jewish Superstition & Magic Greco-roman Mystery Cults Jews had exemption rights Own law & customs Jewish & Greek legislation equally valid Collect their own Temple tax Did not have to partake in gentile religious activities Cause of gentile festering resentment Jews kept a low profile Magic resided on the margins Fortune tellers, exorcists & sorcerers (Acts 8:9; 13:6-12; 19:13-20) The Prayer of Jacob Magical text Summoning formula Secret names Nonsense words Recitation ritual Asks for moral transformation and angelic mortality Common Features Annual plant cycle symbolize life, death, rebirth Secret ceremonies Initiation rites Achieve union with deity Mythic stories: defeated enemies or returned to life after death Cult members shared in triumph Redemption from the earthly Uninterested in doctrine & arguments Ultimately attained immortality State religion unsatisfying Not personal, no emphasis on afterlife, lacked salvation, interested only in state & great men Greco-roman Superstition Greatest concern Demons & malevolent spirits Superstition, divination, astrology & magic Spiritual Universe Multi-storeyed insula (block of flats) Crossroads Spirits (daemones) midway between gods & men Controlled by divination & magic Magicians, soothsayers, sorcerers, & witches Charlatans & swindlers preying on the gullible Two Roman ladies consult a witch (Pompeii) Dr Richard J. Hawes 2

3 Magic Protective Magic Evil spirits, black magic, illness Imprecatory Magic Invoke curse on enemy or competitor Love Magic Compelling affection in another Books devoted to sorcery and spells Know the deity/spirit name Formulae, terminology, summons, request, dismissal Symbols to be inscribed Procedures enacted Oracles Consult an Oracle Wait for answer to be given by idol Question to a priest on a lead tablet Sit quietly & listen to passers-by Spend night in shrine & have dream Dreams come from Zeus (Pliny) Controlling & Knowing the Spirits Divination Knowledge of the unknown Future event Hidden truth Supernatural guidance Discerning the will of the gods haruspicy: entrail examination augury: flight patterns cosmological phenomena: lightning, eclipse, earthquake Astrology Could plot one s life or one s day Horoscopes drawn up at birth Heavenly bodies determined: Fate Fortune Character Temperament Omen Bad or good omen any form! Great care had to be taken interpreting Cosmological phenomena The inconsequential Rampant paranoia Avert evil omen Amulet, talisman, charms Metal, papyrus or gem stones Often phallus-shaped Dr Richard J. Hawes 3

4 Significant Mystery Cults 1 The cult of Demeter was perhaps the oldest Greek mystery religion. In the myth, the god of the underworld kidnapped Persephone, daughter of Demeter, goddess of the soil. Demeter's absence in pursuit of them caused vegetation to stop growing. To prevent all humans from dying, Zeus allowed Demeter and Persephone to be reunited each year for a short time, thus allowing annual cycles of plant growth. The rites connected with this cult, the Eleusinian Mysteries, were held each year in Eleusis near Athens. The Orphic mystery religion of Greece began in Thrace as the orgiastic cult of Dionysus. It toned down the more savage elements of the earlier religion and added a sacred literature that offered salvation through personal purification and secret ceremonies. This religion was strongly dualist, teaching that the soul is imprisoned by the body and must be released from the body's corrupting influences. It espoused the belief that the soul can become purer through repeated reincarnations. The cult of Isis originated in Egypt, but spread throughout the Empire as it changed nature. It started as a typical Near Eastern religion, in which Isis was the goddess of heaven, earth, sea and underworld and was assisted by her husband, Osiris. In some versions of the myth, Isis brings Osiris back to life after he is killed by his brother. When Alexander the Great's general Ptolemy took power in Egypt, c. 300 B.C., he changed the religion in order to bring together Egyptian and Greek beliefs and practices. He replaced Osiris with a new god, Serapis. The religion's elaborate rituals and emphasis on human immortality made it popular, and by the mid-first century A.D. it could claim an impressive temple in the centre of the city of Rome. The cult of Cybele, the Great Mother or Corn Mother, was very popular around the Mediterranean in the New Testament era. Starting as a nature goddess in Phrygia, she came to be seen as the mother goddess of all gods. The cult's central myth taught that Cybele drives insane her human lover, Attis, when he is unfaithful to her. When Attis castrates himself and later dies, Cybele goes into mourning and so introduces death into the world. But then she preserves Attis's body from decay (or turns him into a tree), and life is restored to nature. Its most well-known ritual was the taurobolium, in which initiates lay underneath boards on which a bull was sacrificed, catching its blood on their faces and sometimes drinking the blood. Its priests typically were eunuchs, having duplicated Attis's action as part of the annual rites. The cult of Mithras originated in Persia, but it had undergone significant changes in Syria before it achieved its popular form. Roman soldiers apparently first brought it into the Empire and would eventually help carry it as far north as Britannia. Its core myth described the god Mithras springing to life from a rock, battling the sun and then slaying a bull, an act that represented the first act of creation. This slaying gave rise to the human race. Heavy with dualism, Mithraism saw humans as trapped in the struggle between good and evil. The souls of humans on earth were seven levels removed from their original home in heaven and contaminated by contact with the body. The soul that passed the tests of this life would eventually reunite with the good god. Mithras was seen as a mediator to help humans fight evil and as a judge of humans. The cult made extensive use of astrology and astrological symbols. It was the only mystery religion that called on its followers to live an ethical life. It did not share other mystery cults' notions of a life-death cycle. Mithraism would become the most important of all mystery religions in the Empire, even rivaling the popularity of Christianity for a time, but in the New Testament era it was relatively unknown. 1 James S. Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1999), pp Dr Richard J. Hawes 4

5 Annotated Bibliography Moyer V. Hubbard, Christianity in the Greco-Roman World (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2010). Hubbard s chapter on Greco-Roman religion provides an excellent overview of all the aspects concerning superstition and its attendant magical practices. He also looks at Diaspora Judaism and the Hellenistic influences that played on shaping its more superstitious elements. He deals with the Imperial cult in the chapter on City & Society. Lots of helpful NT examples.. James S. Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1999). Jeffers chapter on religion provides a good survey of the major civic cults of the more important Greco-Roman gods. He also does an excellent job examining the various Mystery Religions with attention to their common features as well as their specific manifestations. R.M. Ogilvie, The Romans and Their Gods in the Age of Augustus (London: Chatto & Windus, 1969). A very accessible and cheap primer on Roman religion, gods and practice. Deals with civic public cults right through to private household religion. Valerie M. Warrior, Roman Religion (Cambridge Introduction to Roman Civilization; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006). Another beautiful little primer on Roman religion. Deals with most aspects of the subject. Lavished throughout with pictures and photos, many of which are in colour. Dr Richard J. Hawes 5

Lesson 2 Religious Views & People in the NT

Lesson 2 Religious Views & People in the NT Lesson 2 Religious Views & People in the NT Pagan Religions a. Each family worshiped the gods of their own tribe or home. - These gods were a personification of the forces they met in daily life. - All

More information

Roman Rule. Empire 2: Life. Empire 2: Life. Empire 2: Life Caesars Flavians Golden Age. Empire 2: Life. Gladiator Imagery. 1.

Roman Rule. Empire 2: Life. Empire 2: Life. Empire 2: Life Caesars Flavians Golden Age. Empire 2: Life. Gladiator Imagery. 1. Roman Rule Caesars Flavians Golden Age 1. Roman Engineering A. Roman aqueducts: fresh water, crucial element of a Roman city, extraordinary feats of engineering B. Roman roads: dependable transportation

More information

The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions?

The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions? The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions? Dr. Pat Zukeran examines the myths from mystery religions which are sometimes argued to be the source of our Gospel accounts of

More information

Does the Madonna and Son debate prove that Christianity's origins are founded upon pagan mythology?

Does the Madonna and Son debate prove that Christianity's origins are founded upon pagan mythology? A Weekly Global Watch Media Publication (www.globalreport2010.com) v ecember 20th, 2013 oes the Madonna and Son debate prove that Christianity's origins are founded upon pagan mythology? The Global Watch

More information

The Gospel According To Paul: Romans. Maurice W. Lusk, lll

The Gospel According To Paul: Romans. Maurice W. Lusk, lll Lesson 5: They Gave God Up (Rom 1:24-25) The Gospel According To Paul: Romans Maurice W. Lusk, lll THE REDEMPTION DRAMA (The Theological Block) (1:18-11:36) Paul s first line of argument in this theological

More information

California State University, Sacramento Religions of the Roman Empire Spring 2009

California State University, Sacramento Religions of the Roman Empire Spring 2009 California State University, Sacramento Religions of the Roman Empire Spring 2009 HRS/LIBA 224-01 Dr. Jeffrey Brodd jbrodd@csus.edu Library 126 Office: Mendocino 2028 278-7703 Tuesday, 6:00-8:50 Hours:

More information

Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Religions? by Ronald Nash

Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Religions? by Ronald Nash STATEMENT DB109 Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Religions? by Ronald Nash During the first half of the twentieth century, a number of liberal authors and professors claimed that the New Testament

More information

Death and Resurrection : Readings and Reflections on Easter Day 2014 By Laura Hodges. Reading 1: From The Golden Bough by Sir James Frazer i

Death and Resurrection : Readings and Reflections on Easter Day 2014 By Laura Hodges. Reading 1: From The Golden Bough by Sir James Frazer i Death and Resurrection : Readings and Reflections on Easter Day 2014 By Laura Hodges Reading 1: From The Golden Bough by Sir James Frazer i Under the names of Osiris, Tammuz, Adonis and Attis, the peoples

More information

Greek and Roman Religions (01:190:326) Spring Semester 2008 Rutgers University MW 8:45-10:05 PM, LOR-020 D/C

Greek and Roman Religions (01:190:326) Spring Semester 2008 Rutgers University MW 8:45-10:05 PM, LOR-020 D/C Greek and Roman Religions (01:190:326) Spring Semester 2008 Rutgers University MW 8:45-10:05 PM, LOR-020 D/C Instructor Contact Information Prof. Matthew Fox, Dept. of Classics Email: matfox@rci.rutgers.edu

More information

AFTER AUGUSTUS JULIO-CLAUDIANS

AFTER AUGUSTUS JULIO-CLAUDIANS AFTER AUGUSTUS THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM JULIO-CLAUDIANS TIBERIUS GAIUS CALIGULA CLAUDIUS extended IMPERIAL BUREAUCRACY NERO Left administration to SENECA AD 64 Great Fire of Rome AD 68 Suicide 1 JULIO-CLAUDIANS

More information

Faith and Culture in the Ancient Near East Wonders of Arabia

Faith and Culture in the Ancient Near East Wonders of Arabia Faith and Culture in the Ancient Near East Wonders of Arabia Windstar Cruises Ross Arnold, Fall 2014 Today s World Religions by Date of Founding Pop. (000s) % of World Founded (c.) Where Hinduism 1,100,000

More information

Religion in the Empire

Religion in the Empire Religion in the Empire Mythology Early Italic cultures did not worship specific gods, but rather worshipped undefined spirits called numina Each place had its own numen: rivers and trees, groves, fields

More information

The Gospel of Luke. Reading Luke in the Year of Faith. Friday 1 February 13

The Gospel of Luke. Reading Luke in the Year of Faith.  Friday 1 February 13 The Gospel of Luke Reading Luke in the Year of Faith 1 Sequence Introduction What is a gospel? What s special in Luke? Overview of the Gospel Luke in the Sunday Lectionary A Prayer 2 Introduction The same

More information

* The Dark Age of Greece ( B.C.) By the end of the 12 th century B.C. the Mycenaean's had vanished and Greece entered an undocumented dark age

* The Dark Age of Greece ( B.C.) By the end of the 12 th century B.C. the Mycenaean's had vanished and Greece entered an undocumented dark age By the end of the 12 th century B.C. the Mycenaean's had vanished and Greece entered an undocumented dark age Mainland Greece was depopulated by up to 90% as Greeks fled into the central highlands, or

More information

In the Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived, numerous religious movements. and philosophical systems had found popular acceptance.

In the Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived, numerous religious movements. and philosophical systems had found popular acceptance. Hellenistic and Roman Religions Dr. Mitchell Reddish In the Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived, numerous religious movements and philosophical systems had found popular acceptance. Most people were

More information

Redeem the time; redeem the unread vision in the higher dream

Redeem the time; redeem the unread vision in the higher dream Redeem the time T.S. Eliot Redeem the time; redeem the unread vision in the higher dream T.S. Eliot, Ash Wednesday The Dream of the Cosmos and planet The Dream of Earth the Cosmos Day One the Lunar Era

More information

Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity (509 B.C. A.D. 476)

Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity (509 B.C. A.D. 476) Chapter 6, Section World History: Connection to Today Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity (509 B.C. A.D. 476) Copyright 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper

More information

The Development of Christianity. Chapter 5.4

The Development of Christianity. Chapter 5.4 The Development of Christianity Chapter 5.4 Religion in the Roman Empire Augustus revived traditional Roman religious festivals and ceremonies to bring back the Roman state religion. It focused on the

More information

National Quali cations 2014

National Quali cations 2014 N5 X715/75/01 National Quali cations 201 Classical Studies FRIDAY, 9 MAY 1:00 PM 2:30 PM Total marks 60 SECTION 1 LIFE IN CLASSICAL GREECE 20 Attempt ALL questions. SECTION 2 CLASSICAL LITERATURE 20 Attempt

More information

Greek Religion/Philosophy Background Founder biography Sacred Texts

Greek Religion/Philosophy Background Founder biography Sacred Texts Greek Religion/Philosophy Polytheism Background Emerging out of Greece s archaic period the Gods were formed out of Chaos and took on specific duties to help order the universe. Founder biography Similar

More information

History of the Church: Foundations: Paganism and Roman Religion

History of the Church: Foundations: Paganism and Roman Religion History of the Church: Foundations: Paganism and Roman Religion Gods, Demigods, Emperors and Cults Randy Broberg Grace Bible Church 2002 1 Romans 1:18-25 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven

More information

A Rough Timeline Covering the most of the time frame of the two books

A Rough Timeline Covering the most of the time frame of the two books Ba al Theory of Christianity A Rough Timeline Covering the most of the time frame of the two books The Phoenicians were clearly a people grounded in the belief systems of the Ancients. They expanded this

More information

The Rise and Fall of ROME

The Rise and Fall of ROME The Rise and Fall of ROME Origins of Rome At the same time that Athens and Sparta were becoming world powers, Rome got it s beginnings It started as a small village on the hills overlooking the Tiber River

More information

The Relationship to New Testament Theology 2 The Structure of the Present Work 6 Timeline Second Temple Judaism 19

The Relationship to New Testament Theology 2 The Structure of the Present Work 6 Timeline Second Temple Judaism 19 Illustrations Editor s Note xiii xv Preface xvii Acknowledgments xx Abbreviations xxi Introduction 1 The Relationship to New Testament Theology 2 The Structure of the Present Work 6 Timeline 9 PA R T I

More information

The Romans. Chapter 6 Etruscan and Roman Art AP Art History

The Romans. Chapter 6 Etruscan and Roman Art AP Art History The Romans Chapter 6 Etruscan and Roman Art AP Art History Instructional Objectives: Students will be able to examine the ways that Etruscan funerary art celebrates the vitality of human existence. Students

More information

MASONIC ORIGIN IN THE MYSTERIES R.W. Bro. W.J. Collett, SGW Grand Lodge of Alberta

MASONIC ORIGIN IN THE MYSTERIES R.W. Bro. W.J. Collett, SGW Grand Lodge of Alberta MASONIC ORIGIN IN THE MYSTERIES R.W. Bro. W.J. Collett, SGW Grand Lodge of Alberta Presented at the Western Canada Conference, 1962 The Mysteries were secret religious assemblies that grew up in the Ancient

More information

The Judgment of Mystery Babylon

The Judgment of Mystery Babylon The Judgment of Mystery Babylon Revelation 17 By: Pastor David F. Reagan I. THE VISION OF THE GREAT WHORE (17:1-6) A. The Revelation of the Great Whore (17:1) 1. Shown by one of the seven angels 2. The

More information

Ancient Religions: Public worship of the Greeks and Romans

Ancient Religions: Public worship of the Greeks and Romans Ancient Religions: Public worship of the Greeks and Romans By E.M. Berens, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.07.16 Word Count 1,232 TOP: The temple and oracle of Apollo, called the Didymaion in Didyma, an

More information

Social: classes, status, hierarchy, gender, population (demography)

Social: classes, status, hierarchy, gender, population (demography) Social: classes, status, hierarchy, gender, population (demography) Political: authority, laws, military Religious: creation, death, the supernatural, faith, morality, priesthood, places of worship, scriptures

More information

Leadership Event #3. 22nd Masonic District of The Grand Lodge of Ohio

Leadership Event #3. 22nd Masonic District of The Grand Lodge of Ohio 22nd Masonic District of The Grand Lodge of Ohio Leadership Event #3 March 19, 2016 9:00 11:30 a.m. Rocky River #703, 20149 W Lake Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116 Join the 22 nd Masonic District Leadership Team

More information

STANDARD 2 PART 2 NOTES

STANDARD 2 PART 2 NOTES STANDARD 2 PART 2 NOTES DAYS 1-7 Empires (Man v. Competition) o How does a city-state become an empire? Take someone else s stuff! Sargon of Akkad first emperor in history (Akkadians in Middle East) Middle

More information

1. The day of Christ ascension (1:2) 1:1-2:47 The day of the Spirit s descent: light represented in tongues of fire (2:1)

1. The day of Christ ascension (1:2) 1:1-2:47 The day of the Spirit s descent: light represented in tongues of fire (2:1) Overview of the Seven Days in Acts by, Rev. Eric Alan Greene 1. The day of Christ ascension (1:2) 1:1-2:47 The day of the Spirit s descent: light represented in tongues of fire (2:1) 2. Forming of a Firmament-Barrier

More information

Intertestamental Period

Intertestamental Period Intertestamental Period Over 400 years passed between the testaments. This period is known as the Silent Years. The Silent Years began at the end of Malachi in 425 B.C. and end at the beginning of the

More information

Small Group Bible Study

Small Group Bible Study August 2015 ORCHARD ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Small Group Bible Study The Seven Churches (II) Series Introduction How would the people of God be tested in the Last Days in which we find our today? What

More information

INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE OF

INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE OF INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE OF COLOSSIANS The tell (hill) of Colossae: All that is left of the ancient city. (See last page for map) Charles R. Williams 1 Introduction: TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction and

More information

The Book of Colossians

The Book of Colossians The Book of Colossians Colossians 2:6-7 therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught, and

More information

*X013/12/01* X013/12/01 CLASSICAL STUDIES HIGHER NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 2014 FRIDAY, 9 MAY 1.00 PM 4.00 PM

*X013/12/01* X013/12/01 CLASSICAL STUDIES HIGHER NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 2014 FRIDAY, 9 MAY 1.00 PM 4.00 PM X01/1/01 NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 01 FRIDAY, 9 MAY 1.00 PM.00 PM CLASSICAL STUDIES HIGHER Answer Section 1 and Section. 100 marks are allocated to this paper. SQA *X01/1/01* Section 1 EITHER Answer the

More information

The Intertestamental Period

The Intertestamental Period The Intertestamental Period Tom Pennington September 10, 2017 SECTION 2 The Doctrine of God and New Testament Survey The Silent Years What Happened Between the Testaments? The Intertestamental Period Last

More information

Classical Greece and Rome

Classical Greece and Rome Classical Greece and Rome I. Persia A. Heir to Mesopotamian traditions B. Conquest was a religious obligation (Zoroastrianism) preparing world for Day of Judgement this idea seems to link Persia and ancient

More information

Gnosticism: Doctrine

Gnosticism: Doctrine Gnosticism is a mystical religion and philosophy which contains elements of, among others, the occult, Eastern mysticism, astrology, sorcery, Judaism, Christian doctrine, Greek philosophies and even Zoroastrism.

More information

Bible Study Series: Driving through Church History

Bible Study Series: Driving through Church History Bible Study Series: Driving through Church History Dr. Paul D. Brown April/May 204 Recap summary Overview of the study Orientation of history Definition of the Church History and origins of the Church:

More information

I. AUGUSTUS A. OCTAVIAN 1. CAESAR'S ADOPTED SON 2. FOUGHT FOR POWER. a. 17 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR IN ROME 3. MARC ANTONY

I. AUGUSTUS A. OCTAVIAN 1. CAESAR'S ADOPTED SON 2. FOUGHT FOR POWER. a. 17 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR IN ROME 3. MARC ANTONY ROMAN EMPIRE NOTES I. AUGUSTUS A. OCTAVIAN 1. CAESAR'S ADOPTED SON 2. FOUGHT FOR POWER a. 17 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR IN ROME 3. MARC ANTONY a. MAIN RIVAL, VENGEFUL, DETERMINED, POWERFUL 4. OCTAVIAN WINS a.

More information

CHURCH HISTORY VOLUME 02 CHRISTIAN MISSION

CHURCH HISTORY VOLUME 02 CHRISTIAN MISSION CHRISTIAN MISSION THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF THE EARLY CHURCH 03 WHY DID THE CHURCH TRIUMPH? A small sect of Judaism From an unimportant Roman Province Early followers lacked power, charisma, influence or

More information

An Introduction To Ephesians Landon Rowell / General Prison Epistles / Church at Ephesus; Ephesus / Ephesians 1:22 23

An Introduction To Ephesians Landon Rowell / General Prison Epistles / Church at Ephesus; Ephesus / Ephesians 1:22 23 An Introduction To Ephesians An Introduction To Ephesians Landon Rowell / General Prison Epistles / Church at Ephesus; Ephesus / Ephesians 1:22 23 Introduction Greetings... The City Of Ephesus The history

More information

Listening Guide. James Jude: Letters to Everyone in General & Johannine Epistles. Archaeology & the New Testament. NT227 Lesson 03 of 03

Listening Guide. James Jude: Letters to Everyone in General & Johannine Epistles. Archaeology & the New Testament. NT227 Lesson 03 of 03 James Jude: Letters to Everyone in General & Johannine Epistles Archaeology & the New Testament NT227 Lesson 03 of 03 Listening Guide I. Introduction to Archaeological Evidence [1] What do we examine in

More information

COMMENTARY: Believers Church Bible Commentary. REVELATION

COMMENTARY: Believers Church Bible Commentary. REVELATION COMMENTARY: Believers Church Bible Commentary. REVELATION John R. Yeatts. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Revelation (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2003), Apocalypse: Revelation is called apocalyptic

More information

This Message In Christ Alone We Take Our Stand

This Message In Christ Alone We Take Our Stand Series Colossians This Message In Christ Alone We Take Our Stand Scripture Colossians 2:8-15 In this message we move into the heavy significant portion of the letter, to the section in which Paul takes

More information

Full file at https://fratstock.eu

Full file at https://fratstock.eu Points to emphasize CHAPTER 2: TRIBAL RELIGIONS KEY POINTS Most of our understanding of the religion of earliest humans is based upon inferences from archaeology. There are several common themes found

More information

Week 6 The Kingdom of God is Expanding The Book of Acts

Week 6 The Kingdom of God is Expanding The Book of Acts Week 6 The Kingdom of God is Expanding The Book of Acts The Holy Spirit empowers the church to carry the message of the Kingdom to all nations The book of Acts is an historical account of the spread of

More information

Chapter 2: First Civilizations- Africa and Asia

Chapter 2: First Civilizations- Africa and Asia Chapter 2: First Civilizations- Africa and Asia Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: Section 5: Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Egyptian Civilization City-States of Ancient Sumer Invaders, Traders,

More information

History of the Church: Hellenistic and Jewish Roots

History of the Church: Hellenistic and Jewish Roots History of the Church: Hellenistic and Jewish Roots Randy Broberg Grace Bible Church 2002 Nike of Samothrace 1 1 Corinthians 1:17-21 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel not

More information

Serpents in Art and Religion

Serpents in Art and Religion Laval University From the SelectedWorks of Fathi Habashi 2017 Serpents in Art and Religion Fathi Habashi Available at: https://works.bepress.com/fathi_habashi/ 244/ Serpent in Art and Religion Fathi Habashi

More information

The rest of the Olympians were children of Zeus.

The rest of the Olympians were children of Zeus. The Olympians Most accounts also list Aphrodite, goddess of love, among the Olympians although she is of an older generation. She is often seen accompanied by her son, Eros (or lust), whom we call Cupid

More information

Topic Page: Nut (Egyptian deity) Keeping chaos at bay. The mother of all gods. https://search.credoreference.com/content/topic/nut_egyptian_deity

Topic Page: Nut (Egyptian deity) Keeping chaos at bay. The mother of all gods. https://search.credoreference.com/content/topic/nut_egyptian_deity Topic Page: Nut (Egyptian deity) Summary Article: NUT from Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology In ancient Egypt the goddess Nut was known as mother sky. Her body was both the day and the night sky, and the

More information

February 29. EQ- Who were the Greek philosophers?

February 29. EQ- Who were the Greek philosophers? February 29 EQ- Who were the Greek philosophers? Do Now- The Greeks used myths involving the Gods to explain natural events (like storms, earthquakes, eclipses). Can you think of anything similar that

More information

The End to Dominance

The End to Dominance The Midlight Meditation, June 1-2, 2005 The End to Dominance by Carl Johan Calleman The Oneness Celebration of June 6-8, 2004 meant that large groups of people around the world gathered for an event charted

More information

A Response to Joseph McCabe s How Christianity Grew Out of Paganism

A Response to Joseph McCabe s How Christianity Grew Out of Paganism A Response to Joseph McCabe s How Christianity Grew Out of Paganism By Aaron Lockhart The author divides his work into 2 sections. 1) How the Creed was Synthetically Formed, and 2) The Facts About Early

More information

Chapter 5 Final Activity

Chapter 5 Final Activity Chapter 5 Final Activity Matching Match the terms to the descriptions. a. latifundia f. Virgil b. republic g. mercenaries c. Ptolemy h. legion d. heresy i. Augustine e. dictator j. imperialism 1. a belief

More information

A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK. (1) How to read Luke AT LUKE S JESUS

A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK. (1) How to read Luke AT LUKE S JESUS A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT LUKE S JESUS (1) How to read Luke PROGRAMME 1. How to read Luke 2. Birth: Samuel and David (Luke 1-2) 3. Mission: Isaiah (Luke 4)

More information

Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, & the Philosophy of Confucianism

Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, & the Philosophy of Confucianism Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, & the Philosophy of Confucianism This is a group of people who share a common culture and have a similar language. These characteristics have been part of their community

More information

The Hemet Unified School District HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE Content Standards In the Classroom

The Hemet Unified School District HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE Content Standards In the Classroom The Hemet Unified School District HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE Content Standards In the Classroom By the end of sixth grade students will: Describe what is known through archaeological studies of the early physical

More information

The Jesus Myth: Is the Bible True?

The Jesus Myth: Is the Bible True? The Jesus Myth: Is the Bible True? What is the historical basis for believing the Bible is the inerrant Word of God? Not even the actual words Error-ridden copies Centuries removed from the originals Today

More information

Series Revelation. This Message #4 Revelation 2:8-11

Series Revelation. This Message #4 Revelation 2:8-11 Series Revelation This Message #4 Revelation 2:8-11 Chapter 1 of the book of Revelation provided us with some background information about the writer, John. He had been banished by Roman officials to the

More information

Exploring the Background: The Context of ROMANS

Exploring the Background: The Context of ROMANS Exploring the Background: The Context of ROMANS RESTORATION MOVEMENT PIONEERS Thomas & Alexander Campbell (Declaration and Address; Christianity Restored) - CORRECT Hermeneutics: - 1. determining what

More information

LEGACY O F D E R E K P R I N C E

LEGACY O F D E R E K P R I N C E T H E T E A C H I N G LEGACY O F D E R E K P R I N C E Understanding Your Enemy Somewhere in every one of us is a deep longing to make contact with the unknown, with some higher power something greater

More information

Resurrecting Gods. Oglethorpe University. From the SelectedWorks of Ahissa Branson, Oglethorpe University

Resurrecting Gods. Oglethorpe University. From the SelectedWorks of Ahissa Branson, Oglethorpe University Oglethorpe University From the SelectedWorks of sbranson@oglethorpe.edu Fall December 31, 2012 Resurrecting Gods Ahissa Branson, Oglethorpe University Available at: https://works.bepress.com/ahissa_branson/1/

More information

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Our Lady's Catechists THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Part 3 Number 1 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES FIFTEENTH CHAPTER Verses 1-40 READ verses 1-12: The early Church suffered disagreements from within. People came from

More information

CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST the meaning behind the music

CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST the meaning behind the music CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST the meaning behind the music The First Noel (GUIDANCE) Christmas Playlist Part 2 Message by Tom Mercer December 9-10, 2017 Leader Notes Here are some things to keep on your radar: This

More information

Antioch Of Pisidia. The Biblical City Of. David Padfield

Antioch Of Pisidia. The Biblical City Of. David Padfield The Biblical City Of Antioch Of Pisidia Roman aqueduct at Antioch of Pisidia But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (Acts 13:14)

More information

Revelation 2B (2011)

Revelation 2B (2011) (2011) Revisiting the first letter, Ephesus In v.7, Jesus inserts this interesting phrase SLIDES 2-9, 2-10 Those who have ears to hear, let them hear In other words, those who have the ability to understand

More information

THE JOURNEY. Introduction. Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11. The Lord s Prayer Jesus Letter to the Church in Smyrna. The Church in Ephesus

THE JOURNEY. Introduction. Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11. The Lord s Prayer Jesus Letter to the Church in Smyrna. The Church in Ephesus THE JOURNEY The Lord s Prayer Jesus Letter to the Church in Smyrna The Church in Ephesus You have abandoned the love you had at first Repent and do the work you did at first, if not, I will come to your

More information

CHAPTER-LEVEL ACTIVITIES:

CHAPTER-LEVEL ACTIVITIES: Table of Contents CHAPTER-LEVEL ACTIVITIES: What Do You Know? Anticipation Guide... 2 Vocabulary Builder Activity... 2 Hands-On Chapter Project:... 3 LESSON-LEVEL ACTIVITIES: Guided Reading: Lesson 1 Early

More information

ERA 6 Jesus Quiz. A BibleMesh Learning Assessment Tool

ERA 6 Jesus Quiz. A BibleMesh Learning Assessment Tool ERA 6 Jesus Quiz A BibleMesh Learning Assessment Tool Use this quiz to test your knowledge of the characters, key events, background information, and theology within ERA 6 Jesus. To obtain the answer key,

More information

The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions?

The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions? The Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow from the Mystery Religions? Dr. Pat Zukeran examines the myths from mystery religions which are sometimes argued to be the source of our Gospel accounts of

More information

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Essential Question: What factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire and what effect did the fall of Rome have on the Mediterranean world? Warm-Up Question:

More information

2017 Q4 The Book of Romans Lesson 2 The Controversy

2017 Q4 The Book of Romans Lesson 2 The Controversy topics@ 2017 Q4 The Book of Romans Lesson 2 The Controversy SABBATH The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1: 17. Is the apostle John correct? Was the law given by Moses?

More information

How Jesus Became God. ACTS Winter St David s United Church Calgary

How Jesus Became God. ACTS Winter St David s United Church Calgary How Jesus Became God ACTS Winter 2017 St David s United Church Calgary How Jesus Became God Chapter 1 Divine Humans in Ancient Greece and Rome Session # 2 Opening Presentation Break Video - PBS Discussions

More information

Grade Six. Prentice Hall: Ancient Civilizations. Social Studies/Treasures Correlation

Grade Six. Prentice Hall: Ancient Civilizations. Social Studies/Treasures Correlation Grade Six Prentice Hall: Ancient Civilizations Social Studies/Treasures Correlation In the 6th grade curriculum, students learn about those people and events that ushered in the dawn of major Western and

More information

KNOW YOUR CHURCH HISTORY (1) The Early Church (AD70-312) - Growth

KNOW YOUR CHURCH HISTORY (1) The Early Church (AD70-312) - Growth KNOW YOUR CHURCH HISTORY (1) The Early Church (AD70-312) - Growth A. Introduction 1. What is church history? Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore

More information

Thursday 4 June 2015 Afternoon

Thursday 4 June 2015 Afternoon Oxford Cambridge and RSA F Thursday 4 June 2015 Afternoon GCSE CLASSICAL CIVILISATION A351/01 City Life in the Classical World (Foundation Tier) *5029683145* Candidates answer on the Question Paper. OCR

More information

REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS. Spring 2010

REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS. Spring 2010 REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS Spring 2010 Professor Patricia Miller Teaching Assistants: Office hours: Tuesday 3:30-5:00 (520 HL) Carson Webb cswebb01@syr.edu plmiller@syr.edu Office hours Th 10-11 HL

More information

Judaism Religion of the Fertile Crescent polytheistic deities patron Origins of Judaism Abraham idols Yahweh monotheistic

Judaism Religion of the Fertile Crescent polytheistic deities patron Origins of Judaism Abraham idols Yahweh monotheistic Judaism Religion of the Fertile Crescent From the time early humans developed religion, most people in the Fertile Crescent were polytheistic (or believed in many gods and goddesses). They believed these

More information

UNIT ONE: Jesus Life and Ministry

UNIT ONE: Jesus Life and Ministry 1Unit UNIT ONE: Jesus Life and Ministry Lessons 1 The New Testament and Its World 2 Jesus and the Gospels 3 Matthew and Mark 4 Luke and John 18 LESSON 1 The New Testament and Its World The world into which

More information

37. Drug abuse affects the mind. According to Matt. 13:15, what two vital functions does the mind play in our salvation?!

37. Drug abuse affects the mind. According to Matt. 13:15, what two vital functions does the mind play in our salvation?! 37. Drug abuse affects the mind. According to Matt. 13:15, what two vital functions does the mind play in our salvation?!!! 1. Understand 2. Return (repent)! 38. If someone is abusing drugs, how can God

More information

THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS. Chapter 1, Section 1 Glencoe World History Modern Times

THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS. Chapter 1, Section 1 Glencoe World History Modern Times THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS Chapter 1, Section 1 Glencoe World History Modern Times Ancient Mesopotamia Main Idea: In ancient Mesopotamia, city-states elaborated the concept of the law code and divine kingship

More information

Matthew 2: Stanly Community Church

Matthew 2: Stanly Community Church For many Christians, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior and King. We rejoice because God has sent His Son into the world to redeem us from sin and deliver us into His

More information

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT This sermon was preached at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cherry Log, Georgia Sunday, June 2, 2013, by Pastor Paul Mims. KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT Acts 19: 8-41 One of the most famous lines of the 19th century

More information

Department of Religious Studies. FALL 2016 Course Schedule

Department of Religious Studies. FALL 2016 Course Schedule Department of Religious Studies FALL 2016 Course Schedule REL: 101 Introduction to Religion Mr. Garcia Tuesdays 5:00 7:40p.m. A survey of the major world religions and their perspectives concerning ultimate

More information

Rome: Society and Culture

Rome: Society and Culture Rome: Society and Culture According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus, the sons of Mars, the god of war Romulus killed his twin brother Remus to gain sole control of the empire Religion Roman religion

More information

Listening Guide. Acts: Crucifixion, Resurrection & Proclamation. What Influenced Life s Daily Routines for Jesus. NT222 Lesson 02 of 04

Listening Guide. Acts: Crucifixion, Resurrection & Proclamation. What Influenced Life s Daily Routines for Jesus. NT222 Lesson 02 of 04 Acts: Crucifixion, Resurrection & Proclamation What Influenced Life s Daily Routines for Jesus NT222 Lesson 02 of 04 Listening Guide I. Introduction to Physical, Political, and Gentile Religious Settings

More information

REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS. Fall 2013 Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-6:20pm Crouse Hinds Hall 101 Syracuse University

REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS. Fall 2013 Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-6:20pm Crouse Hinds Hall 101 Syracuse University REL 206: GRECO-ROMAN RELIGIONS Fall 2013 Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-6:20pm Crouse Hinds Hall 101 Syracuse University Professor Virginia Burrus (mvburrus@syr.edu) Office hours: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30, Thursdays

More information

LIFT UP THE CROSS August 2013

LIFT UP THE CROSS August 2013 LIFT UP THE CROSS August 2013 EPHESUS AND HIERAPOLIS RUINS STILL SPEAK TO VISITORS AND PILGRIMS: LIFT UP THE CROSS Christianity still present in the ruins of Ephesus My Dear Friends, While on visit to

More information

Information for Emperor Cards

Information for Emperor Cards Information for Emperor Cards AUGUSTUS CAESAR (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.) has been called the greatest emperor in all of Roman history. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, war broke out among the many groups

More information

Ezekiel 30. (2014) The Bible not only reveals God s eternal plans purposes and promises. But also shows how you can know God for yourself.

Ezekiel 30. (2014) The Bible not only reveals God s eternal plans purposes and promises. But also shows how you can know God for yourself. Welcome to: - Bible House of Grace. God, through His Son Jesus, provides eternal grace for our failures and human limitations. Ezekiel 30. (2014) The Bible not only reveals God s eternal plans purposes

More information

The Book of ACTS. The Acts of the Apostles Acts of the Holy Spirit! Book of Acts - Jesus continued to do!

The Book of ACTS. The Acts of the Apostles Acts of the Holy Spirit! Book of Acts - Jesus continued to do! The Book of ACTS By Luke, probably a physician our dear friend the Doctor, Luke in Colossians 4.14 Luke is an accomplished writer, extremely well educated. Precise and detailed accounts. to Theophilus

More information

THE PROMISED PROPHET. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, WA December 6, 2015, 10:30AM

THE PROMISED PROPHET. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, WA December 6, 2015, 10:30AM THE PROMISED PROPHET. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, WA December 6, 2015, 10:30AM Text for the Sermon: Deuteronomy 18:9-22 Introduction. We have a new year quickly approaching.

More information

The Principles of Judaism

The Principles of Judaism The Principles of Judaism The Israelites were a group of Semiticspeaking people. Their religion of Judaism would influence the later religions of Christianity and Islam. The Jews of ancient history were

More information

Your New Freedom. Lesson

Your New Freedom. Lesson Lesson 10 Your New Freedom Many people today want freedom. Some want freedom from bad laws and harsh dictators. Still others want the freedom to say and do anything they please. What is real freedom? Can

More information

The Book of Colossians:

The Book of Colossians: The Holy Bible It is also referred to as God s Word, or the Holy Scriptures. This book is made up by 66 books penned by various authors over a period of approx. 1600 years, although written by men; God

More information

Is it a form of numerology? By Duane D. Miller

Is it a form of numerology? By Duane D. Miller (גימטרייה) The Gematria Is it a form of numerology? By Duane D. Miller Introduction The question of whether the Gematria is a form of numerology is an interesting and important question in light of many

More information