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On Hebrew and Christian Scripture. Hellenistic Influence. Hellenistic Era. dates about from the death of Alexander 323 BCE for about 500 years to the early centuries CE overlapped Roman expansion. Empire of Alexander the Great. Jewish and Christian literature.
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On Hebrew and Christian Scripture Hellenistic Influence
Hellenistic Era • dates about from the death of Alexander 323 BCE for about 500 years to the early centuries CE • overlapped Roman expansion
Jewish and Christian literature • During this period, the last books of the Hebrew Bible were written, along with the entire New Testament, and a large body of noncanonical Jewish and Christian literature
Pre-existing ideas influence Christian scripture • Greek-speaking converts interpreted Jesus’ significance in parallel ways to some pre-existing Greek ideas and traditions
koinē • Greek, the common international language of the era • Hebrew Bible translated into koinēin 250 BCE
Septuagint • Greek edition of the Hebrew Bible used by Diaspora Jews and by early Christian movement • The New Testament was produced in koinē(Greek)
Philosophy • “philosophy” means ‘love of wisdom’ • New Testament writers combine Jewish heritage + Greek philosophical concepts
Socrates • Athens, circa 469-399 BCE • regarded human life as an ongoing quest for truth, a pilgrimage toward the unseen world of eternal spirit
parallels with Jesus • Using humor, Socrates cross examined artisans, teachers, and politicians, irritating many • He had some devoted followers • He was executed • for criticizing the ethical inadequacy of his opponents’ policies and practices • Neither left anything in writing; message depended on disciples
Plato, disciple of Socrates • circa 427-347 BCE, made his teacher the hero of a series of philosophical dialogues in which a saintly and humorous Socrates always out-argues and outwits his opponents • Separating Plato’s ideas from those of Socrates is difficult; (same with Jesus, and what his disciples wrote)
Dualism • For Plato, the duality of the physical, imperfect world and a perfect world of eternal ideas
Stoicism • emphasizes the order and moral purpose of the universe. • Reason is the divine principle that gives coherence and meaning to our complex world.
Paul as example of stoicism • Stoic teaching urges the individual to listen to the divine element within, to discipline both body and mind to attain a state of harmony with nature and the universe. . . . • noble indifference to both pleasure and pain. . . .endure personal gain or loss with equal serenity . . .
PaulechosStoic values • Paul’s self discipline and ability to endure want or plenty, echo Stoic values commonplace in Greco-Roman society • “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:11-13)
Logos • means ‘word’, • A cosmic intelligence that unifies the world and makes it intelligible to the human intellect. • Human souls are sparks of the divine Logos.
Jesus as logos • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us . . .” John 1:1,14
Epicureanism • Asserts that everything is completely physical, including the soul, which after death dissolves into nothingness; • gods may exist, but have no contact or interest in humanity
