Rise of Christianity Final Exam Review
Docetism
"the doctrine according to which the phenomenon of Christ, his historical and bodily existence, and thus above all the human form of Jesus, was altogether mere semblance without any true reality." [3][4] Broadly it is taken as the belief that Jesus only seemed to be human, and that his physical body was a phantasm
Pastoral Epistles
(1,2 Timothy, Titus)-Writers in Pauline tradition trying to "domesticate" Paul aka the Acts of Paul and Thecla was too rigorous in its asceticism; 120s-130s, possibly penned by Polycar; composed altogether as a literary ensemble
Second Revolt
(132-136 CE), The revolt established an independent state of Israel over parts of Judea for over two years, but a Roman army made up of six full legions with auxiliaries and elements from up to six additional legions finally crushed it. The Romans then barred Jews from Jerusalem, except to attend Tisha B'Av. Although Jewish Christians hailed Jesus as the Messiah and did not support Bar Kokhba, they were barred from Jerusalem along with the rest of the Jews. The war and its aftermath helped differentiate Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism
Hadrian
(76 C.E. - 138 C.E.), was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. He is also known for building Hadrian's Wall. He was the third of the Five Good Emperors.
Vespasian
(9 - 79 AD / ruled 69 - 79 AD, first century) 9th emperor of Rome. worked hard to restore law, order and self-respect to Rome after the civil war. He established the new, Flavian dynasty. Born to a Roman knight and tax-collector. Distinguished service Vespasian's early career was spent mainly in military service. Further success led to more honors and, in 51 AD, he became consul in Britain. In 63 AD, Vespasian was appointed proconsul in Africa. Four years later, in 67 AD, Nero appointed Vespasian to put down the Jewish rebellion in Judaea. His success here, where others had failed, meant that, by 68 AD, Vespasian was one of Rome's most successful generals. His humble origins had led Nero to believe that he was no threat. While Nero was alive, this was true.
Josephus
(first century C.E.) was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 C.E. in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 C.E. he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession he returned to Jerusalem in 65 C.E. to find the country in revolt against Rome. Although Josephus had deep misgivings about the revolt, it became inevitable, due to reasons he discusses in his history, primarily the abuses of the Romans; this spurred the growth of fanatical Messianic Jewish movements which believed that the world was coming to an end shortly. In 66 C.E. the Masada was seized by the Zealots and the Romans were on the march; Josephus was appointed the commander of Galilee. Josephus had to fight a defensive war against overwhelming force while refereeing internecine squabbles in the Jewish ranks. In 67 C.E. Josephus and other rebels were cornered in a cave during the siege of Jotapata and took a suicide pact. However, Josephus survived, and was taken hostage by the Romans, led by Vespasian. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. His prophecy became true in 68 C.E. when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Roman and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 C.E., the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 C.E. He wrote Against Apion in about 96-100 C.E. and The Life of Josephus, his autobiography, about 100. He died shortly after.
Johannan ben Zakkai
(first century C.E.), tanna, considered in talmudic tradition the leading sage at the end of the Second Temple period and the years immediately following the destruction of the Temple. Johanan b. Zakkai's personality and work are depicted in a blend of fact and legend. The most important tanna in the last decade of the Second Temple, and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, the founder and first president of the academy at Jabneh. According to the theory formulated in the Mishnah (Ab. ii. 8), that traditions were handed down through an unbroken chain of scholars, Johanan, in receiving the teachings of Hillel and Shammai, formed the last link in that chain
Titus
(first century) the elder son of emperor Vespasian, was born in 39 C.E. From 61 to 63 C.E. he served in Germany and Britain as a military tribune. Titus was appointed quaestor, and then became commander one of his father's three legions in Judaea in 67 C.E. Later in 79 C.E. Vespasian died and Titus succeeded to the throne. was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father. As emperor, he is best known for completing the Colosseum. After barely two years in office, Titus died of a fever in 81 C.E. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.
The Didache
100/140 CE The "12". Talks about Jesus's Teachings. One of the earliest pieces of Church order literature, ie the way church services should go. Probably produced out of one stream of Jewish Christian tradition. Shows dependence on Matthean tradition as well as Jesus's sayings and "Two Ways" tradition. Evidence for formal development of liturgy. Shows increasing degree of formalization but also preserves a number of more traditional forms that go back to the 1st century.
Fourth Generation
110-150 CE — "parting of the ways," beginnings of institutionalization, and early "heresy" questions (e.g., docetism); also persecution begins. [Gospel of John & 1 John, Hebrews, Apostolic Fathers, plus latest phase of NT writings, e.g., 2 Peter, Jude, 2-3 John, & Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy & Titus); also Apocalypse of Peter and Marcion]
Third Generation
110-150 CE — "parting of the ways," beginnings of institutionalization, and early "heresy" questions (e.g., docetism); also persecution begins. [Gospel of John & 1 John, Hebrews, Apostolic Fathers, plus latest phase of NT writings, e.g., 2 Peter, Jude, 2-3 John, & Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy & Titus); also Apocalypse of Peter and Marcion]
Ignatius of Antioch (Letters of)
113-117 or 117-138; written after passing through churches on way to Rome (he was arrested); gives advice on church life/organizational issues; concern over false teaching; attacks doectism; "live in harmony with will of the bishop" =monepiscopacy ; A bishop in Syria. He is one of the apostolic fathers who sought a hierarchal structure of the church in Asia -- his idea of church structure is what we know today as "ministry." These apostolic fathers span from the third into the fourth generation. He and his followers prescribed to monepiscopacy. Died a martyr's death in Rome.
2 Peter
120s/130s, author unknown, attributed to the apostle Peter, located in Rome. Opening verses take the form of a civic decree honoring the individual but turned to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. An exhortation to live in accordance with the truths that have come from being called into his kingdom but set forth as "Peter's" last will and testament. Primary concern is false teaching, which is largely based on a reworking of the letter of Jude. The special problem addressed is the delay of Jesus's return. 2 Peter seems to have been used by the author of the Apocalypse of Peter after the Bar Kochba revolt. 2 Peter (along with Jude) reflect growing concerns over "false teachers" probably meaning the kinds found in Thomas or Marcion. They represent an effort to consolidate the "orthodox" tradition around Peter, James, and Paul.
2 & 3 John
120s/130s; 2 John is about the issue of accepting false teachers, 3 John is about a congregation that wrongly turned away an authorized preacher; attributed to "the elder"
Marcion
130s/140s; advocated getting rid of Jewish Scriptures, Paul is only legitimate source, Jesus not actual flesh and blood (docetism); forced Xtian leadership to determine what exactly constituted orthodoxy, argued that the creator God of Genesis was a different and inferior God to the Father of Jesus Christ (idea of a bigger God) → Marcion was NOT a Gnostic, argued that Paul alone had understood the true message that brought freedom from the laws of the creator God, formed his own collection of authoritative scriptures contained only an expurgated form of the Gospel of Luke and ten letters of Paul (referred to as the Gospel of the Apostolicon meaning Apostolicon meaning "Apostolic Witness" or just "Apostle"), included Antitheses, which set passages from the Jewish scriptures in opposition to passages from his twofold canon. Viewed himself as a reformer out to restore Christianity to its true center, the teachings of Jesus as understood correctly by Paul alone. Hung the heresy label on any Christian who read the Septuagint.
First Generation
30-70 CE — early Jesusbewegung up to destruction of Jerusalem [Aramaic Substratum, Q, and Paul (genuine letters only!)] Note: the war itself is still a "1st generation" event.
Tacitus
56 C.E. - 117 C.E., was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors ( 69C.E). These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus in 14 C.E. to the years of the First Jewish-Roman War in 70 C.E. There are substantial lacunae in the surviving texts, including a gap in the Annals that is four books long. Tacitus is considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. He lived in what has been called the Silver Age of Latin literature. He is known for the brevity and compactness of his Latin prose, as well as for his penetrating insights into the psychology of power politics.
Gospel of Thomas
60/70 CE-Docetism, a collection of 114 sayings (or logia) of Jesus originally composed in Greek. Meets needs of the new community situation. The eschatology is thoroughly spiritualized or "realized" and Jesus speaks as a heavenly figure with the voice of Wisdom giving instructions to those who are presently in the divine kingdom. *No reference to Jesus' death, burial, resurrection. Figure of Jesus has docetic features that are symbolized in the idea of "twinship"-human believer=thomas the twin, and the "living Jesus"=inner spiritual light. They require interpretation or instruction in order to be used as a means of entry into the community.
Second Generation
70-110 CE - post war reconstruction & initial phase of reinterpretations [Synoptic Gospels, incl. Luke-Acts; Pauline School (debated letters), 1 Peter, Revelation, Gospel of Thomas, Epistle of James]
Gospel of Mark
70-75 CE, the earliest of the Gospels written by Mark, a disciple of Peter in Rome. Deals primarily with the issue of "birth pangs," and the rethinking of eschatology right after the destruction of the Temple and the Revolt. Imminent-delayed. Many NT scholars think that Mark was the source of text in Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Mark narrates the Ministry of Jesus from his baptism by John the Baptist to his death and resurrection. (from quizlet- add more!)Cursing of the fig tree-->Cleansing of Temple (this is what gets him killed)-->Fig tree is withered; Thus The cleansing was a curse, and the withered fig tree represents the Temple's destruction Mathew and Luke tells the story differently. Jesus cleanses the temple immediately upon arrival. Mark's Gospel was written to reinforce the beliefs of those within the Jesus community by responding to the implied criticisms or their own misconceptions. FJTC 231 - 238
Gospel of Matthew
80-90 CE, attributed to Jesus' disciple Matthew. Primarily deals with fulfillment of the prophecies and the period soon after the First Revolt. Uses Marginal Differentiation "Our Church" vs. "Their Synagogue." Discusses the Jewish identity of the Jesusbewegung as well as the Pharisee sect. (from quizlet- add more!) Bulk of the narrative is devoted to the Galilean ministry of JesusJesus is portrayed more as a teacher than a miracle worker Matthew tries to mirror Jesus after Moses. i.e Jesus - 5 sermons an allusion to the five books of Moses
(Epistle to the) Hebrews
90-115 CE-Supersessionism of Christ (replacing Judaism), Christ as High Priest, associated with Paul but does not bear his name, seeks to bolster faith by giving Christological exposition, way of reinforcing communal identity. Earliest manuscripts of Hebrews place it among the letters of Paul.
Gospel of John & 1 John
90-135 CE. Traditionally thought to have been written by John, son of Zebedee, the apostle during his time in Ephesus. However, the author is never explicitly named within the text, except as "the beloved disciple" or "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Internal sources point to the fact that at the time of its compilation, both Peter AND John are already dead. (from quizlet- add more!)
Revelation of John
95-96 CE, a reaction to the fall of Jerusalem and a recasting of imminent eschatology in a political view. Anti-Roman, Seems to be predicting the fall of Rome but in a very short time. The fall of Rome is punishment for the destruction of Jerusalem. Presupposees that Jerusalem has been destroyed but will be restored. Revelation is a resurgence of apocalyptic ideas. The whole point is that if you participate in the imperial cult (Worship Domitian), you are worshipping Satan himself--> worshipping the people who destroyed Jerusalem.
Pliny the Younger (correspondence with Trajan)
About 112 CE. Trajan appointed Pliny the Younger, a distinguished Senator and literary man, as governor of Bithynia -- a province suffering from previous maladministration. The nature of the governor's problems and the obligation he was under of referring very petty matters to the Emperor appears clearly in the following letters. This correspondence of Trajan and Pliny (given here only in small part) is among the most valuable bits of historical data we have for the whole Imperial Age. Pliny the Younger was governor of Pontus and Bithynia from 111-113 CE. We have a whole set of exchanges of his letters with the emperor Trajan on a variety of administrative political matters. These two letters are the most famous, in which Pliny the Younger encounters Christianity for the first time.
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna
An early martyr (ca. 156 CE), collected letters of Ignatius
normative self-definition
Associated with Matthew --defining self as a different Jewish group and different from Rabbinic Pharisaic tradition and Rabinic Judaism. Deals with...Luke/Acts-Define themselves as Gentiles.
"Parting of the Ways"
Becomes very clear after 2nd revolt causes rabbinic judaism to turn away from apocalyptic, thus making the continuing apocalyptic of Xtians stand out
1 John
Ca. 120-130 CE; written for a particular Christian group that is facing challenges from another Christian group. (from quizlet- add more!) Written by John the apostle, and not John the elder as 2 John and 3 John or the John of the book of revelation since for the latter author there is no evidence of what John he is.
delay of Parousia
Delay of return of Christ
marginal differentiation
Distinguishing two products, that are essentially the same, from one another; stressing the differences. A direct continuation of sectarianism. EX. Matthew... Christians Vs. Pharisees; as the Pharisees began to move away from Jerusalem, they began threatening the Jesus movement in numbers, so the Matthean group saw the Pharisees as their principal opponent
Luke-Acts
Effort to write a history of the movement is a new moment of self-definition..place Jesus movement on the world stage of the Roman Empire The first apologetic movement (b/c he might be seen as a rebel, therefore increase Jesus innocence, increase Jewish guilt) 90-95ce by Luke. A historiography written to a primarily Gentile audience; uses Future-Distant Eschatology. Divides the history into three Epochs. Believes that the Kingdom has arrived but we do not know yet when Jesus will return... 'already but not yet.' (from quizlet- add more!) A two volume work of Christian Historiography. The author of Luke was clearly from a Pauline Church tradition. Probably written in Antioch or Ephesus. Contained a Jerusalem motif and the "centralization" in Jerusalem. Pivotal events in the narrative include: The Rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4:14-32) and The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Motif known as "Salvation History" referring to the transformation of traditional apocalyptic into a new Christian eschatology. Bifurcation of traditional apocalyptic eschatology. The first Christian apologist. Luke-Acts reflects the first self-consciousness about the name Christians as a feature of self-definition. Also shows strong awareness that the movement is now becoming increasingly Gentile.
1 Peter
Honor the emperor, reflects Hellenistic influence/need to fit in with Roman world
Clement of Rome (1 Clement)
Letter to the corinthians from the xtians in Rome; concern over the Corinthians whose younger men had ousted a group of elders; 110-120CE; uses Septuagint and 1 Cor. as evidence/support against discord--->no recog of NT as such yet.
"elder (presbyter)"
ORDER: bishop, elder deacon; in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations
Delayed-Imminent Eschatology
Prompted by the failure of the First Revolt; still coming soon, but not as soon as they originally thought. EX. Mark, Matthew, the "birth pangs"
Trajan
Reign 98 C.E. - 117 C.E., Born 53 C.E. Birthplace Italica, Hispania, Died 117 C.E. (aged 63), Place of death Selinus, Cilicia, Buried Rome (ashes in foot of Trajan's Column, now lost) Dynasty Nervan-Antonine. The new Roman emperor was greeted by the people of Rome with great enthusiasm, which he justified by governing well and without the bloodiness that had marked Domitian's reign. He freed many people who had been unjustly imprisoned by Domitian and returned a great deal of private property that Domitian had confiscated (a process that had been begun by Nerva). His popularity was such that the Roman Senate eventually bestowed upon Trajan the honorific of optimus, meaning "the best"
Future-Distant Eschatology
Something has already begun, but the final eschaton is still a ways off. The kingdom has come but Jesus has not yet returned. Only God knows when things will happen. EX. Luke-Acts (becomes the dominant form of eschatology in later Christianity
Imminent Eschatology
The expectation of something happening soon. Is there an example for this? (1st Thessalonians); On this test, the main example is Revelation < Early Jesus mvmt (including Paul) also example
routinization of charisma
The first generation leaders held their status by virtue of their "charisma" due to proximity to disciples/jesus; as these generations passed and the need to establish leadership/stability grew due to heresies and challenge from rabbinic judaism, charisma became attached to a hierarchical position rather than to the person i.e. bishops, elders, deacons
First Revolt
The first of three major rebellions by the Jews of the Judea Province. Took place from 66-74 CE. Originated as a result of Greek and Jewish religious tensions but was taken up another notch by anti-taxation protests and attacks on Roman citizens. The Roman garrison of Judea was overrun quickly by rebels and forced the pro-Roman king Agrippa II to flee. After a lull in the war caused by a Roman civil-war and political turmoil, Titus besieged and crushed the resistance in Jerusalem in 70 CE and defeated the remaining strongholds (Masada) 4 years later. War starts because the Jewish king Agrippa I dies suddenly and the entire kingdom of Judea becomes a Roman province directly under Roman provincial administration. This shi(f)t ignites a revolt. The two principal causes leading to the revolt, according to Josephus, is a corrupt/disreputable Roman governor (Gessius) and the Jews bringing it upon themselves with their apocalyptic prophets and revolutionaries Pg.219-220 FJTC Jerusalem was already a tinderbox, when the actions of the last procurator Gessius Florus set it off by arresting the Jewish leaders of caesarea, blaming them for instigating a riot. He also "stole God's Money" when he sent troops to confiscate the 17 talents from the temple of jerusalem to pay for the fines and damages ( I am guessing for the riot) This resulted in a riot in Jerusalem. Florus sent troops on a bloody rampage through the streets. Then the ambush of the Roman troops in the narrow pass of Beth-horon, sign of "Imminent Victory."
Bar Kochbah
The leader of the Second Revolt (132-135 CE) was Shim'on Bar Koseba. He was known as Bar Kochba, meaning "Son of the Star," in reference to messianic expectations of the verse: "There shall step forth a star (kochab) out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17). Indeed, one of the greatest sages of the time - Rabbi Akiva - had proclaimed Bar Kochba as the messiah.
Nag Hammadi Library
The library that contains the only complete copy of The Gospel of Thomas, seems it was buried in the early fifth century after bishop of Alexandria called for the suppression of "heretical" books. Collection represents a wide array of Christian and non-Christian philosophical texts, but many have a "gnostic" character.
Acts of Paul & Thecla
Thecla hears Paul speak and decides to break off her marriage with Tharymis and become an ascetic--->becomes problematic as per Pastoral epistles which will try to tone down this asceticism, later removed because of its positive portrayal of women and sexual renunciation.
Acts of Thomas
Tom (the twin bro of Jesus) goes to India; docetic views/proto-gnostic ; syria, beg. of 3rd century
monepiscopacy (or monarchical episcopate)
aspect of emerging institutionalization diversity at first, with gradual consolidation. Church government by monarchical bishops: monarchical episcopacy
The Apostolic Fathers
group of authors or writings that seem to continue the apostolic legacy in the generation immediately following the apostles; concern to give instruction, exhortation, or correction to existing Christian groups regarding the proper ordering of church life
Ebionites
group of script Jewish Christians, name used by Irenaus (and later Epiphanius, ca 373 CE) to refer to a broad stream of Jewish Christianity that resisted the general abandonment of Jewish observance and tradition by other, typically gentile, forms of the Christian movement. Sometimes called "Nazoreans". Insisted on Torah observance, and claimed that Jesus was human-born and only adopted as God's son, the messiah, at his baptism, in accordance with the scriptures.
Ps-Clementines ("Acts of Peter")
homily with distinctively Jewish Christian theology. Circulated with three pseudopigraphic covering letters- one from Peter to James, brother of Jesus, followed by James's attestation of Peter's instruction, and the third from Clement of Rome to the same James. By the later second century, 1 Clement was considered part of the NT scriptures. Contains a homily with distinctively Jewish Christian theology. The Pseudo-Clementine novels stress the basically Jewish message and identity of Jesus, as preserved authentically by Peter, James, and Clement. These traditions come from the Ebonites. Last issue in Pseudo-Clementines-Simon Magus, the archenemy of Peter, became a cipher for Paul.
church order literature
is a genre of early Christian literature, ranging from 1st to 5th century, which has the aim to offer authoritative "apostolic" prescriptions on matters of moral conduct, liturgy and Church organization. A characteristic of this genre is their pseudepigraphic form. Church Orders were mutually interrelated documents and often circulated in collections
"deacon"
is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, meaning "servant", "waiting-man", "minister" or "messenger"
heresy-orthodoxy
is adherence to accepted norms, Orthodoxy is opposed to heterodoxy ("other teaching") or heresy. People who deviate from orthodoxy by professing a doctrine considered to be false are called heretics, while those who, perhaps without professing heretical beliefs, break from the perceived main body of believers are called schismatics
"bishop (episkopos)"
is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Old Catholic and Independent Catholic churches and in the Assyrian Church of the East, bishops claim apostolic succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles
Gnosticism
is the dualistic belief that the material world should be shunned and the spiritual world should be embraced. Gnosticism was primarily defined in a Christian context
imminent eschatology-renewed
spoken at the last chapter of Revelations "He which testifies these things say, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus" Dr. White however didn't elaborate much on the relationship between this type of eschatology to the future eschaton, if any.
Rabbinic Judaism
the normative form of Judaism that developed after the fall of the Temple of Jerusalem (ad 70). Originating in the work of the Pharisaic rabbis, it was based on the legal and commentative literature in the Talmud, and it set up a mode of worship and a life discipline that were to be practiced by Jews worldwide down to modern times. Its formation began over 1,900 years ago when the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Before then, "Judaism" was centered around the Temple and the sacrificial system according to the Torah (the Law or the five books of Moses). After the destruction of the Temple the Rabbis reorganized Judaism, adding many new laws, rules and traditions. Today, their writings and commentaries (Talmud, Midrash, ect) form the foundation of Rabbinic Judaism. Rabbinic Judaism consists of several branches: Orthodox (very traditional), Chassidic (Ultra-Orthodox), Conservative (middle of the road), Reform (liberal) and Reconstructionist (very liberal). Some are still looking for the Messiah to come in the form of a Man, while others are looking for a Messianic Age
Catholic
universal; DO NOT think Roman Catholicism
scripture/canon
wants to unify congregations by list of books; creation inspired by actions of heretics (later deemed) like Marcion who attempted to set aside a group of scripture as "correct".
Domitian
was Roman Emperor from 81 C.E to 96 C.E. Domitian was the third and last emperor of the Flavian dynasty. Domitian's reign came to an end in 96 when he was assassinated by court officials. The same day he was succeeded by his advisor Nerva
