1 / 25

Chapter Six: The Rise of the Biblical Tradition

Chapter Six: The Rise of the Biblical Tradition. Abraham. Age of Hebrew Patriarchs Hebrew Bible Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Biblical History. Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews Period of the Patriarchs Period of the Exodus

alena
Download Presentation

Chapter Six: The Rise of the Biblical Tradition

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter Six:The Rise of the Biblical Tradition

  2. Abraham • Age of Hebrew Patriarchs • Hebrew Bible • Judaism, Christianity, Islam

  3. Biblical History • Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture • Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews • Period of the Patriarchs • Period of the Exodus • Period of the Conquest • The United Monarchy • Divided Kingdom and Exile • The Return

  4. 6.2 Spoils of Jerusalem (detail from the Arch of Titus), 81ce. Rome, Italy

  5. The Hebrew Bible and Its Message • “Bible” Byblos • The Law, the Prophets, the Writings • Hebrew canon (C.E. 90) • Septuagint • Moral guide, ethical and religious stability • Not a philosophical treatise

  6. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Biblical Monotheism • God exists before the world • God pronounces creation as “good” • Humans are the crown of creation • God deeply involved in the world

  7. Basic Motifs of the Bible • The Covenant • “I will be your God; you will be my people” • Testament = Promise • Renewed covenant = New Testament

  8. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Ethics • Moral code for individuals and society • Ten Commandments • Prohibitions, positive commands • Prophetic writings • Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor • Reminders of the covenant

  9. Basic Motifs of the Bible • Models and types • Events, stories, characters as models • Book of Job • Contemporary impact of biblical tradition • Literature • Art • Social institutions

  10. Dura-Europos • Evidence of religious buildings—early Christian meeting house and synagogue • Complex religious existence—pagan temples and homes • Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles

  11. 6.6 Fresco of Moses and the Exodus, from the Dura-Europos synagogue. Damascus, Syria

  12. The Beginnings of Christianity • Life of Jesus • Gospels • Prophetic tradition of Jesus • Parables, Beatitudes • Jesus as Christ, the Messiah • Significance of resurrection

  13. Christianity Spreads • Saul of Tarsus (Paul) • Tireless missionary • Theological letters • Early martyrs—Vibia Perpetua • Social, religious factors for growth • Peace, facility of travel, koine, audience • Emphasis on salvation, freedom • No class distinction

  14. Christian Persecution • Nero’s Circus • Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian • Christians as traitors to the state • Refusal to express pietàs • Apologists • Tertullian (155/160-225) • Justin Martyr (100-165) • Emperor Constantine

  15. Early Christian Art • Catacombs, underground cemeteries • Frescoes • Salvation; Communion; Virgin and Child • Glass and Sculpture • Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disks • Carved sarcophagi • Inscriptions • Name, date of death, decorative symbol

  16. 6.7 The Good Shepherd, early 4th century ce. Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy

  17. 6.9 Chi-rho monogram, 4th century ce. From a wall painting in a Roman villa, Lullingstone, Kent, England. Detail of wall painting, 90 cm, diameter of inner circle. The British Museum, London, United Kingdom.

  18. 6.8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce. Mosaic from the Catacombs of Hermes, Sousse, Tunisia

  19. Early Christian Architecture • Basilica-Style Churches • Current site of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican) • Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem) • Jesus’ burial site

  20. Early Christian Music • From Jewish traditions • Chanting sacred texts • Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor • Greek doctrine of ethos • Instrumental music = unsuitable • Standardization of vocal music • Responsorial, antiphonal

  21. Chapter 6: Discussion Questions • Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the permeation of the biblical tradition in our culture. • Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a political standpoint, was the severity of punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why or why not? • Consider the archeological findings of Dura-Europos. In what ways does history over-simplify past events? In two thousand years, what will future generations assume about our culture, religions, and religious tolerance? Explain.

More Related