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Bellwork Friday, Oct. 26 th , 2012

Bellwork Friday, Oct. 26 th , 2012. Was Jesus a visionary and a teacher, a magician and a prophet, or a rebel and a revolutionary? Explain your answer. Do you consider the Gospels a primary or secondary source? Why? What are the difficulties with asserting the historicity of Jesus?

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Bellwork Friday, Oct. 26 th , 2012

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  1. Bellwork Friday, Oct. 26th, 2012 • Was Jesus a visionary and a teacher, a magician and a prophet, or a rebel and a revolutionary? Explain your answer. • Do you consider the Gospels a primary or secondary source? Why? • What are the difficulties with asserting the historicity of Jesus? • What do the connections between Jesus and the monomyth tell us about humanity and religion/mythology?

  2. The Rise of Christianity Western Civilization University High School

  3. Judea • in modern-day Israel • ruled by King Herod from 37 – 4 BCE • unpopular for embracing Greek culture • Herod was a nasty guy…

  4. Problems In Judea • Jews revolt after Herod’s death  civil war! • famine, plague, war  end of the world? • Some predicted the coming of a Messiah (savior of Israel)

  5. Rome Steps In & Takes Control • Judea put under control of officials who answered directly to the emperor • some officials harsh, unaccepting of Jewish culture (esp. tax collectors!) • 2 Jewish responses…

  6. Response #1: Zealotry • Zealots: extremists who wanted Rome out of Judea • refused to pay Roman taxes • many violent conflicts with Roman army

  7. Response #2: Apocalypticism • belief that the Messiah is coming soon • literal belief; most desperate times? • Dead Sea Scrolls  972 texts from Hebrew Bible, Jewish cultures preparing for arrival

  8. Jesus of Nazareth • born roughly 7-2 BCE • raised in Galilee • difficult to separate truth from fiction

  9. Jesus of Nazareth • primary source (?) of Jesus info: the four Gospels (“good news”) of the New Testament • written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John • records of Jesus’ teachings, doctrines • earliest ones written 75 years after Jesus’ death • 2006: Gospel of Judas Iscariot discovered

  10. Jesus’ Teachings • heaven  eternal happiness after death • mostly traditional Judaism; claimed to be Messiah • not establishing an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one

  11. The Death of Jesus • Jesus was controversial! • Some loved him. Some hated him. Some wished he would be more forceful vs. Rome… • Pontius Pilate: Roman prefect • concerned about violence, chaos • condemned Jesus to death • hung from a cross to die • 3 days later: Resurrection? (Body stolen?) • central tenet of Christianity (immortality)

  12. Spreading Jesus’ Ideas • Paul of Tarsus: most important figure in turning Christianity from sect/cult to independent religion • urged universal Christianity • urged Jews to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the faith

  13. Spreading Jesus’ Ideas • Christianity reaches Rome • center of Western civilized world (literally & metaphorically) • appealed to commoners/poor • forgiveness, afterlife, salvation… • being a good Christian = spreading God’s word

  14. Augustus’ Successors Western Civilization University High School 2011-12

  15. A Time of Transition • Augustus dies in 14 CE • Julio-ClaudiansandFlavians • the next wave of Roman emperors (27 BCE – 96 CE) • some were capable (Tiberius, Claudius) • some less so… (Caligula, Nero)

  16. Julio-Claudians • Praetorian Guard: • segment of Roman military established by Augustus • imperial bodyguard • 41 CE: kills Caligula, declared Claudius emperor • Senate agrees (under threat of force) • 54 CE: Claudius killed by 4th wife • allow her son (from previous marriage), Nero, to take power

  17. Emperor Nero • 64 CE: Great Fire of Rome • many believed he started it to clear room for palace complex • “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” • 68 CE: facing rebellion & assassination, Nero commits suicide

  18. Flavians • clan that took control after Julio-Claudians • Vespasian • emperor from 69 – 79 CE • re-conquered Judea to stop civil unrest • Titus & Domitian • Vespasian’s sons; subsequent emperors • Domitian hated by many (Senate), assassinated

  19. Age of “Five Good Emperors” • 96 – 180 CE • wise, fair, just emperors • wars were at the frontiers only, generally won • Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, & Marcus Aurelius

  20. Hadrian • emperor from 117 – 138 CE • took over for Trajan • noted for building Hadrian’s Wall

  21. Hadrian’s Wall • built across Great Britain (begun in 122 CE) • marked northern border of Roman empire • Purposes of the Wall? • defense • expression of Roman power • control over immigration, customs, trade?

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