Quiz 4 Flashcards
What does Cassidy mean by a “canonical” approach to the New Testament in his study?
At the very least we can say the bible is composed of 3 steps: An event (something happens), oral tradition, and then it is put into writing. Look at the final versions of the books of the new testament, we don’t care about the other stuff beforehand.
What are the three main constituencies whose support Augustus needed and, in each case, the main policy he implemented to secure its support?
Senatorial and equestrian classes: wealth through trade
-Populus of the city of Rome: (the lower class) “bread and circuses”
-Military/soldiers: land grants, Roman citizenship, salaries
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What are the four elements making Roman rule palatable (and the meaning of pax atque quietas)
- Public work:
- Peace and order (pax atque quietas):
- Utilization of regional or municipal elites: uses it as a kind of bond
- Dissemination of convincing propaganda: Romans were the bringers of peace
Explain what maiestas laws were and how their application evolved as the first century progressed.
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Explain why the case of first-century Palestinian Jews is unique vis-à-vis postcolonial theory.
1.) Jewish sources: it is weird because the Jewish sources are many and they survived (dealing with the ruled and not rulers)
2.) Roman sources: none
This inverts the entire expectation of what post-colonial theory would lead us to expect; we would expect many different accounts coming from the rulers supportive of the public transcript of power. And nothing from the ruled.
Explain the key characteristics of the situation in Roman Judaea before the First Jewish Revolt based on
extant contemporaneous documentary sources.
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Explain who the lēstai and the sicarii were.
Bryan says there are a lot of meanings and contexts
Lestes (singular)/Lestai (plural): bandit/rebel; Josephus uses this
Sicarii: “Sica” means dagger; men who kept swords in their sleeves and attacked people terroristically (violent resistance)
Explain the four possible approaches to Roman rule and their respective Old Testament precedents.
1.) Full Cooperation: Joseph, Ezra, and Nehemiah ——(Jeremiah)—–not sure where he wants jeremiah
2.) Accept, but challenge: Esther, Daniel
3.) Non-violent rejection: Eleazar, Mother and seven children
4.) Violent rejection: Maccabees
Luke: the Evangelist (Gospel author) uniquely interested in situating events in Jesus’ life
within their historical context with specific reference to who was ruling at the time
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Explain Cassidy’s characterization of Jesus’ approach to leadership and authority.
-Humility Service Model:
-Benefactor Model: those in authority use funds that are at their disposal and spend them with the idea of loyalty (ex: Herod gifting other cities as a means for demonstrating the benefactor model)
Contrast Roman and Jewish approaches to leadership and authority.
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Explain Cassidy’s interpretation of Jesus’ and Peter’s payment of the Temple tax in Matt.
Jesus is not giving a direct answer to the question of whether or not the temple tax should be paid. Instead, he is making provision for his payment but in a way that is not likely to be repeated. Cassidy uses this to build on his render-to-Caesar analysis where he ultimately is being presented by an evaluative approach. The evaluative approach is “Is the tax going to be used for lawful purposes and used to follow gods will?” if so, pay the tax.
Explain political apologetic and ecclesial apologetic interpretations of Luke’s Gospel.
Political Apologetic: (polity) Trying to make the defense of Christianity to the governmental system and society.
Ecclesial Apologetic: (Ekklesia) Luke is writing to other members of the church to give them a favorable view to defend the Roman system.
Cassidy’s assessment of the political apologetic and ecclesial apologetic interpretations
Cassidy doesn’t think either of them are on the mark
Roman imperial titles appropriated by John and applied to Jesus
- King: Emperors didn’t claim this tile because ‘king’ is lower than the title emperor. “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews” INRI. Pilate might be mocking Jesus and the leaders of the Jews who brought him there seeking his execution saying “hah here is your king.”
- Lord: Seen when Peter was calling Jesus Lord; raising of Lazaruz
- Savior of the word: only used once in the gospels. Woman refers to him as Lord when Jesus reveals himself as the Messiah.
- Lord and God: Thomas’ faith
the infrequency and the purpose of John’s use of most of these titles
He is saying God in reality is all of those title, not the humans who claim these.
Jesus’ actions which seemed typical for someone perceived as a “prophet”
-the arrival of God’s kingdom
- Gathered followers
-Provided for them
-Warning about future judgment
Jesus’ actions which seemed unusual for someone perceived as a “prophet”
-Offered forgiveness
-Judgment of Temple
-Sovereign
-Associating himself with God’s purposes
Characteristics of Jesus’ ministry potentially off-putting for observant Jews
-Celibacy
-Unchaperoned women
-The calling of men to follow literally out of their houses
-joy
Bryan’s characterization of Jesus’ critique of political authorities
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What is the meaning of blasphemy in the Jewish religious law?
Raising himself to the identity of God or insulting behavior to God. In the Torah the penalty for blasphemy is death by the Roman leaders
What do the historical sources tell us of Pilate personally, his character, and his tenure as
prefect of Judaea?
An attempt to frame the issue as treasonous behavior so that Pilate would care enough to give the death penalty.
reasons leading Bryan to conclude that the Gospel’s Passion Narratives have historical value
first-century historical evidence supporting John’s statement (18:31–32) that the Sanhedrin
lacked the legal authority to execute the death penalty
