Test #1 Flashcards
Lost Christianities
based on the idea that before the 4th century there was no such thing as orthodoxy or canon and therefore there were several different (equal) forms of christianity. The idea that these groups were moved out by the council of Constantine.
Canon
inclusive list (measure) of what counts as scripture. New Testament has 27 books. began in first century
Canon Consciousness
by the early mid first century there was already mention of the three major divisions of the old testament… Jesus also talks about them in the book of Luke. Awareness of groups of major jewish writings that were more important than others. began in first century
Scripture Consciousness
awareness of what should be considered to be the inspired word of began in first century
Gnosticism
early threat to christian orthodoxy. Belief in a second god and a distinction between God and Jesus
Marcionism
old testament god is inferior god and new testament god is superior god of goodness… stripped anything that mentioned the old testament.
Montanism
all true believers in christ would manifest ecstatic outbursts of the holy spirit and by deprivation of the flesh.
Hasmoneon Dynasty
jewish independence party. They came to exist after archeleius.
Herod the Great
named king of the jews by the roman empire. Had a very large empire but he pushed hellenism so hard that there was continuous unrest between himself and the jews.
Pompey: roman general who put and end to jewish independence
Herod Antipas
tetrarch over galilee at the time that Jesus was crucified and Pontus pilate spoke to him regarding what to do with Jesus.
Nero
emperor who persecuted the jewish christians as a scapegoat for the fire in Rome and their tendency to be “antisocial”
Gamaliel
pharisee who trained Paul
Caiphas
high priest appointed by Rome at the time of Jesus’s crucifixion.
Adam
first human. God made creational covenant with him and he was the first to break it (along with eve)
Noah
built an ark and saved his family and animals. This is the recreational covenant with god
Moses
used by god to free the people in captivity in egypt.
David
king of israel. God makes a covenant stating there will always be a child of David on the throne of Israel.
Ur
important urban centre in Mesopotamia where Abrahams family first migrated from.
John the Baptist
prophet who prepares the way from the coming of jesus.
Josephus
jewish historian who mentions Jesus as a historical figure.
Tacitus
roman historian who mentions the crucifixion of Jesus
Orthodoxy
approved theological and ethical beliefs
Orthopraxy
practices based on approved theological and ethical beliefs
Codex
significant for formation of the canon as its the first time you get a fixed order because its possible to fit more than one book
Essenes
eschatological jewish sect believing they were believing in the end times and are responsible for the production of the dead sea scrolls.
Hellenism
mix of green practice and thought with the thought and practice of other cultures that were conquered by Alexander the great and following powers. Significant because there is a great conflict between the jewish people and the forces of hellenism.
Zealots
radical political jewish sect that rebelled against hellenizing forces in roman culture with the intent of bringing back jewish power - led to the jewish war in 66AD and led to the destruction of the temple in 70AD
Pharisees
separate ones. They were careful to interpret the law and applied it to every aspect of life especially in the face of hellenizing pressures in roman rule. Because they believed the way to purify the land was not by military force but by strict observance of the law.
Saducees
members of the jewish aristocracy. Politically and religiously conservative and held control of the temple with support of the romans.
Sanhedrin
group of 71 people who ruled the temple with the high priest. They were under roman rule.
Bet-ab
father’s household. Has to do with the culture of patriarchy.
Redemption
act of patriarch putting his own resources on the line in order to restore a lost family member to a place of security within the kinship circle. A social term that informs our theological understanding.
Covenant
a contract through with a fictive kinship relationship was established. A social term that informs our theological understanding.
Gospels
the first four books of the new testament. They are closest to historical biography but they also seem to be their own specific thing/genre.
Acts
similar to a history. Provides background to theological information you receive from epistles.
Letters/Epistles
more similar to sermons than letters and inform you about the specifics about what is going on during the time.
Discuss the role of honour and shame in the Greek and Roman world.
the most important thing was the donor of ones name so they tended to always do what would avoid shame and receive honor. however, christianity was a shameful thing and was counter-cultural.
Discuss how the story of redemption is revealed through the language of patriarchy.
society was structured around first born sons. How reveals himself as father (patriarchy) who sends his first born son to redeem his lost children and bring them back into the bet-ab so they are able to share in his security and inheritance.
What were the criteria for inclusion in the New Testament canon?
the idea of apostolic origin. written by an apostle or by someone who was in direct contact with them. Must be in agreement with original teachings of the apostles.
Discuss the influence of persecution on the fixing of the New Testament Canon.
the possessions of scripture became illegal, knowledge of the scriptures became more important. They didn’t want to commit sacrilege and they didn’t want to get persecuted for something they weren’t really willing to die for.
Describe the events leading up to the Maccabean Revolt.
Antiochus the 4th had begun religious persecution of the jews. Placed pagan alter and sacrificed animals to zeus (to recognize zeus and god as the same deity). Judas Maccabean rallied other jews to fight this rule.
What effect did the destruction of the Temple have on the canon?
the destruction of the temple led to Judaism becoming a scripture based religion rather than a temple based religion.
What was “the particular Christian offense” in the eyes of the Romans?
monotheism to the exclusion of participation in all other religion (also true of the jewish people) this was accepted in christians as an ethnic peculiarity but not tolerated for christians as they became a threat to roman culture and power.
What are the two common tenants among parties of first century Judaism?
ethical monotheism (idea of one god and only he has implications on how they live eschatological hope (the idea that the messiah would come to save them)
Which 5 covenantal figures help us organize the narrative of the Old Testament? *in order
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David
How was the final Davidic King to be confirmed?
by genealogy and by word of the prophet (visibal representation of holy spirit and the voice of god himself)
