Introduction: Opening up a life story

1. Introduction: Opening up a life story

2. Opening up a Life Story • The importance of memory • “To foretell the destiny of a nation it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past” [Rizal] • “Remember” – Joshua 4, the Lord’s Supper • The danger of falsehoods about the past • The God of the Bible is the God of history • The culmination of history – Revelation 7:9 • The major historical periods

3. Chapter 1: The Cradle

4. Chapter 1: The Cradle • Ancient Greece • hellenes v barbaroi • Alexander the Great’s achievements • 323 BC – Death of Alexander the Great • The rise of Rome • 753 BC – Traditional date for the foundation of Rome • Julius Caesar • 44 BC – Assassination of Julius Caesar • Caesar Augustus • AD 14 – Death of Caesar Augustus Emperor Augustus

5. Chapter 1: The Cradle • Greek and Roman culture • Polytheism • Philosophers • Pythagoras (c. 570-c. 495 BC) • Socrates (c. 470-399 BC) • Plato (c. 429-348 BC) • Aristotle (384-322 BC) • 364 BC – begins studies with Plato • Ecstatic religious expressions Aristotle

6. Chapter 1: The Cradle • Judaism • Sadducees • Pharisees • Essenes • Religious festivals • Diaspora • Philo (c. 20 BC – c. AD 40) • The life of Christ • c. 6-4 BC – Birth of Jesus Christ • c. AD 27-29 – Jesus Christ crucified

7. Chapter 1: The Cradle