the inter-testamental period 400 years of history in ten minutes

THE INTER-TESTAMENTAL

PERIOD

400 Years of History in Ten Minutes

LIFE UNDER THE GREEKS

• Alexander the Great dies in 323 BC• His empire is divided among his general• Israel is caught between

Ptolemy in the south (Egypt) Seleucids in the north (Syria)

• Greek culture has powerful influence, leading to translation of OT into Greek The Septuagint (LXX)

LIFE UNDER THE GREEKS

• 198 BC, the Seleucids defeated the Ptolemies and gained control of Judah, but not Egypt.

• The Seleucids were determined to “civilize” the people of Judah.

ANITIOCHUS IV

• 175 B. C., Antiochus IV, Epiphanies(the illustrious one).

• The Jews called him “Epimanes” (the madman).

• Antiochus looked upon orthodox Judaism as an obstacle to the unification of his empire.

ANITIOCHUS IV

• He looked upon the office of high priest as a political office. A Benjaminite named Melanus pays money to

become High Priest. The orthodox Jews were infuriated.

• Antiochus attacks Egypt. Almost won, but was defeated by the Romans.

ANITIOCHUS IV

• Antiochus takes his anger out on Israel. He sent his army to attack the orthodox Jews

on the Sabbath. He decreed that Greek deities were to be

worshipped. He put a statue of Zeus in the Temple and

sacrificed a pig on the altar. He held drunken orgies to the god Bacchus

and forced attendance.

ANITIOCHUS IV

• Antiochus takes his anger out on Israel. He forbid the Jews to practice circumcision on

the threat of death. The Sabbath was forbidden. The observance of Jewish feasts was

forbidden. Copies of the Scriptures were burned.

THE MACCABEES

• 165 BC, An aged priest, named Mattathias, was commanded to offer a sacrifice to Zeus at the town of Modin.

• He refused and killed the next man who tried.

• Together with his five sons, he destroyed the altar and ran for the hills.

THE MACCABEES

• For the next few years, they fought a guerrilla war against the Seleucids.

• After having several killed on the Sabbath, when they would not fight, Mattathias decreed that fighting in self-defense on the Sabbath was allowed.

JUDAH THE MACCABEE(the Hammer)

• He continued the raids and guerrilla warfare.

• Antiochus had battles in other parts of his kingdom and couldn’t focus on them.


• Eventually, the Maccabees took Jerusalem, entered the Temple and removed all signs of paganism that they found there. They tore down the altar to Zeus and built a new altar

to the Lord. One day of oil burned for eight. This is the Festival of Lights or “Hanukkah.”


• Judah’s victory was short-lived. Antiochus sent his army against him, promising

religious freedom if they surrendered. The people chose to surrender and Judah ran away. He did not stop fighting, however, and died in battle.

JONATHAN, JUDAH’S BROTHER

• Won by diplomacy.• Jonathan sought to become high priest,

even though he was not of the right lineage.

• The Syrians later murdered him.

SIMON,ANOTHER BROTHER

• Became both military commander and high priest.

• Expelled the Syrians from the land. • The offices of priest, field commander, and

ruler were all given to him by the people and made hereditary.

• Began the Hasomanean dynasty.

THE HASOMANEAN DYNASTY

• The parties of the Pharisees and the Sadducees began

• After about 75 years, the Hasomeaneans fell to fighting each other.

• The Roman general, Pompey, offered to mediate. He conquered the land and ended the arguments. In 63 BC, Israel came under Roman domination.

THE ROMANS

• Jews generally fared well; Romans gave a lot of independence

• Still, longed for freedom• Herod the Great

Began ruling in 37 BC Rebuilt several cities and six fortresses In 20 BC, began building Temple; finished in

68 AD

THE NEW TESTAMENT ENVIRONMENT

GRECO-ROMAN WORLD

• Genuine belief in the gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome had given way to a general agnosticism.

• Growth in superstition and astrology

GRECO-ROMAN WORLDPhilosophies

• Platonism Taught that true reality is not found in the objects of

sense, but in the idea or form which lies behind each object.

By grasping and participating in the eternal forms, the soul is lifted and attains true well-being.

The soul’s real home is the world beyond the senses. The body is a prison for the soul. This release takes place at death.


• Cynics Believed “simple pleasures are the best” and taught

an extreme frugality. Salvation lies in returning to nature. Cynics took their beliefs to the people. Cynics’ style called the “diatribe” which consisted of

questions and answers.


• Epicureans Rejected Plato How you feel should be the standard of truth. Wisdom consists in the pursuit of happiness and

enjoying life, but not to excess. There is no afterlife, so you best enjoy life now while

you can. The gods, if they do exist, have nothing to do with us. At death, the body dissolves. This tended to bring about atheism and self-

indulgence.


• Stoics Encouraged the development of a moral fiber. Divine Reason pervades the universe and it is our

duty to live in accord with Reason. Ethical living was very important to the Stoics. Interpreted the Roman myths allegorically. The soul is the divine spark of Reason trapped within

the human body. We have the ability to rise above our circumstances

and face them with dignity.

GRECO-ROMAN WORLDMystery Religions

• Most of these started in the east and were brought to Rome later.

• Believed everyone worshiped the same god or gods, just used different names.

• They are called “mystery religions” because the members were not supposed to tell non-members what was going on.

• Generally, anyone could join.


• Eleusians Founded at the Eleusis a small town near Athens. Based on the myth of Persephone and Pluto. As she was searching for Persephone, Demeter came

to Eleusis. She was so well treated by the people that she

initiated the king into the sacred mysteries. The worshippers would re-enact the mythic story, thus

brining the people into the reality of the tale.


• Mithraism We have more information on this group than just

about any other cult. Very popular among the military. Restricted to men.


• Mithraism In the worship area, there was a statue of Mithra

slaying a bull. His left knee is astride the bull, which is forced to its knees. His left hand pulls back the nose of the bull and the right

hand plunges in a dagger. From the wound comes three stalks of grain. The picture is the light of Mithras in victory over the wild life

of the bull.


• Mithraism Ethics were very important for this group. There were seven degrees of membership,

with costumes and head pieces for each level. The final level was a baptism in the blood of a

bull which was supposed to give eternal life.

JUDAISM AND ITS DIVISIONS

• Synagogues “Synagogue” means “meeting place”. Not sure when they began, probably during

the Babylonian Captivity. The synagogues were places for the reading

of Scripture and prayer.

JUDAISM AND ITS DIVISIONS

• Synagogues There was a synagogue in virtually every village in

Israel One rule for the establishment of a synagogue: there

had to be ten men. Men and women sat in different sections of the

building. The “God-fearers” stood along the back wall.

THE TEMPLE

VARIOUS GROUPS AND HOPES

JEWISH MESSIANIC EXPECTATIONS


• The Spirit of God would return to-the covenant land.

• God would send the Messiah to free His covenant people and the covenant land from the Romans Of Davidic line Man, not divine, but empowered by God's Spirit sad

kept righteous He would be righteous and just in His rule, serving as

God's Messianic agent.


• The Messiah's victory would be marked by Judgment Non-Jews and all wicked Jews destroyed --Tax-

collectors, prostitutes, other public sinners The covenant people would be set free and

empowered to live totally as God’s people.


• An age of "heaven on earth" Imagery of the year of Jubilee An abundance of food with little work and toil No more sorrow, sickness and death No more oppression ant unrighteousness Non-Jews would, sometime in the future, stream to

Jerusalem to become part of the covenant people. The coming of a "new heaven and a new earth"

THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM

Q AND SOURCE THEORYOTHER CRITICAL

THEORIES


• What is the relationship among the three Synoptic Gospels? The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark and

Luke

• A historical question, does not necessarily impinge upon authorship and inspiration.


• That there is a relationship is obvious The general scheme of the three Gospels is

the same. Not only do Jesus’ words match, but also the

narrative events.


Where there is a difference Matthew and Mark agree the most often. Sometimes Luke and Mark agree. Rarely, Matthew and Luke agree.


There are passages that Matthew and Luke have that Mark does not.

Some stuff in Matthew and Luke is similar, but not identical.

Each Gospel has its own material.


• What is the relationship?• St. Augustine

Matthew wrote first. Luke used Matthew. Mark wrote a Reader’s Digest version of

them.


• Early Church Matthew wrote first. Mark wrote his Gospel independently, using

Peter as his source. Luke used Matthew to write his Gospel.


• Current Scholarship Mark was the first Gospel written. Matthew and Luke used Mark and an

unknown source called “Q.” From the German Quelle meaning “source.”


• Why do scholars think that Mark is the first Gospel? The amount of Mark found in the other Gospels. Generally, Mark’s order of events used.

Sometimes, Matthew and Mark have a different order than Luke.

Sometimes Luke and Mark differ from Matthew. But Matthew and Luke never differ from Mark.

Historical candor Style


• Biggest problem with Markan priority Early church witness states that Matthew was

the first Gospel written. There is no external evidence to back up this

claim. Still, most scholars think this scheme answers

more questions that it gives.

Q AND SOURCE THEORY

• Q = Information that is common to Luke and Matthew, but not in Mark About 250 verses, mostly sayings with very little

narrative material s. Eusebius quotes a man named Papias who wrote

early in the second century. Papias states that Matthew wrote down the “logia”

(sayings, oracles) of Jesus in the “Hebrew dialect.” Many think that this might have been a type of Q

document.

Q AND SOURCE THEORY

Except for the temptation of Jesus, most of this material is in different locations in each Gospel.

This means one of two things: Jesus taught the same thing more than once That one or the other edited the material and put it

where he wanted. Most scholars think Luke has the “original” order.

Q AND SOURCE THEORY

• Q Problems There is no hard evidence of its existence. There is absolutely no parallel type of

literature in that era.

Q AND SOURCE THEORY

• Q Problems Q had no passion account. Scholars have come up with no less that 18

different possibilities of what was in Q. Some of the stuff in Q strikes me as two

different parables or something that Jesus would have taught more than once.

Q AND SOURCE THEORY

• What Do We Do With All This? This is a historical question and does not

necessarily impinge on authorship or inspiration.

We know that Luke, at least, used sources. A good argument can be made for putting

Mark first. Q is a open question.

OTHER CRITICAL THEORIES

• Form Criticism Definition: The task of inferring what the oral

tradition of Jesus was like before it was written down.


• Form Critics identify five types of literature• Paradigms

A story that ends with an important saying. Plucking ears on the Sabbath.

• Tales (Miracle stories) These have no important sayings and tend to show

Jesus as a miracle worker. The stilling of the storm.


• Sayings Not attached to a narrative. The Sermon on the Mount and the parables.

• Legends Poor choice of words. The idea was an extraordinary story about a holy

person. The infancy narratives.


• Myths Another poor choice of words. Times when Jesus and God interacted. The transfiguration.


• Positives of Form Criticism The Form Critics help bring attention to the

preaching and teaching character of the Gospels.


• Negatives of Form Criticism Biggest problem: the presuppositions which the critics

use. Began with the belief that the Church either

modified or totally made up the words and actions of Jesus.

The Gospels tell us more about the life situation of the early church than they do about Jesus.

They divided the “Jesus of history” from the “Christ of faith.”


• Negatives of Form Criticism Biggest problem: the presuppositions which the critics use.

The Gospels have layers: geographical notations, dating, miracles, and doctrinal elements were all added by the later church.

• Critics argue that we need to strip the layers from Gospels to get to the “real Jesus” and “the real words of Jesus.”

• This lead to the so-called “search for the historical Jesus.”

• When the search for Jesus is stripped away, you are left with someone who looks much like you do.


• Negatives of Form Criticism The uncertainty of exact classification

Often arbitrary in selection of forms: paradigms, tales, sayings, legends, myths

All interest in the person and life of Christ are ruled out

The "community myth" Contradicts all we know about primitive communities Rules out the influence of Christ and of the apostles

on the community The Good News produced the community, not vice

versa


• Negatives of Form Criticism The folk-lore analogy is dubious

A little more or less than a generation separates Mark from the event

Ignores the memory of men who were eyewitnesses

Neglects the tradition of Jesus' actual words Makes insufficient allowance for the existence of an

authentic tradition of Christ's words, e.g. 1 Cor. 7:10, 12, 25; 15:3 - 11


• Negatives of Form Criticism Ignores the way people learned

Memorization—the only way to preserve a statement or text and the Jews were very tenacious about it. • The Rabbis spoke tersely and incisively. The avoided

wordy talk; they expressed themselves in concise terms. • There were poetic devices: alliteration, parable, rhythmic

phrases, etc. Repetition—which would answer why the same

stuff shows up in more than one gospel in a different location, Jesus was repeating himself.

Recitation


• Negatives of Form Criticism Overstepped the legitimate limits of their method

Went from form, speculative in itself, to content Over-ruled or ignored literary and historical truths

If the main contention of form criticism were true, then the burning issues of the early church would be reflected in the Gospels, e. g. The problem of integrating the non-Jew into the

Christian community; Speaking in tongues.


• Redaction CriticismWhy the material is arranged the way it

isOverall, pretty positiveHowever, comes from form-critical

school with its problems.Tends to see a theological motive where

others might night.

FEATURES IN THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF

JESUS

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

• When was Jesus born? Herod the Great died in 4 BC There was an imperial census in 8 BC.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

• The Problem of Quinirius. Quinirius was governor around 6 AD, which is too late

for the birth of Jesus. There are three possible answers:

Luke is in error here. Luke has been mistranslated.• “First” should be translated “before”• “Governor” should be translated “governing”

Luke doesn’t give the whole story.• Started under Herod• Completed under Quinirius

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

• The Genealogies• Two suggestions:

Matthew is highlighting Joseph’s heritage; Luke is highlighting Mary’s. But both say they are Joseph’s heritage. If Mary, Jesus would be considered illegtimate.

Joseph is the product of a Levirite marriage.

JESUS’ MINISTRY

• PARABLES One third of Jesus’ teaching was done in parables. The parables describe the Kingdom of God in action. There are 3 kinds of parables:

A simple saying A comparison Allegories

A parable has only one main point of comparison

JESUS’ MINISTRY

• MIRACLES Jesus’ miracles are well-attested to. Josephus calls Jesus a “doer of wonderful

deeds.” Babylonian Talmud accuses Jesus of sorcery.

JESUS’ MINISTRY

• MIRACLES Miracles were part of Jesus’ message.

Jesus’ Mission statement: Luke 4. The Kingdom of God had come to set people free from:• Sickness• Demons• Evils of nature• Death

The key to understanding the miracles was faith: realizing that the miracles were the kingdom of God at work.

THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION

• The Last SupperDid Jesus celebrate the Passover?

Synoptics: Most definitely yes!


Did Jesus celebrate the Passover? John: Well, maybe not… John 18:28, 19:14• John uses the word “Passover” in a wide

sense Passover and the “Feast of the Unleavened Bread• Friday was normally called “Preparation

Day” meaning “Preparation for the Sabbath.”


Did Jesus celebrate the Passover? John: Well, maybe not… John 18:28, 19:14• Saying this was “Preparation for the Passover”

could mean “Friday in Passover Week.”• There were other important meals during

Passover week that might be what John is referring to.• There is some discussion as to whether or not all

the Jews used the same calendar


• THE LAST SUPPER The Order of the Meal

First cup of wine (Luke 22:15-18) At this time, Jesus would have spoken the blessing over the wine.• The footwashing (John 13:1-20)• “One of you will betray me” (Luke 22:22;

Matthew 26:23-24) • Washing the right hand was followed by

preliminary dish. • It consisted of herbs that were dipped in sauce.



First cup of wine (Luke 22:15-18) At this time, Jesus would have spoken the blessing over the wine.• Jesus says that the betrayer would be one who

dipped his hand into the dish with me. • John asks Jesus who the betrayer was. • Jesus says it is the person he gives a dipped

portion to: Judas.



First cup of wine (Luke 22:15-18) At this time, Jesus would have spoken the blessing over the wine.• Judas leaves.• “All of you will leave me.” Matthew 26:31-35;

Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:31-38


The Main Part of the Meal• After the preliminary dish, the second cup of wine was

distributed. • The meal was put on the table. • The youngest would ask, “Why do we eat this meal?” and

the father of the family would respond with the Passover story.

• This was followed by singing some of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 111-118).

• The second cup of wine was then drank and both hands would be washed.


The Third Cup, the Cup o Blessing or Thanksgiving (Eucharist).• It was at this point that Jesus instituted the

Lord’s Supper. Finally, after the meal, Jesus had his great

discourse in John.


• PONTIUS PILATE Pilate served from 26 to 36 AD. There were three major incidents before the trial of

Jesus (RAGS): Roman Standards Aqueduct Golden Shields

When the Jews protested, they basically threatened Pilate. Tiberius was not well. Pilate would have faced exile or suicide.


• Crucifixion There were two types of crosses: T and Latin cross The cross beam was carried by the accused; it

weighed about 100 lbs. A superscription given the reason for the crucifixion

was either put above the head or around the neck. A wooden seat was positioned about half way up. A piece of wood was used to help the body stay on

the cross. Death was caused by suffocation.


• If Jesus Didn’t Rise, then What happened? The “stolen body” theory The “wrong tomb” theory The “swoon” theory The “hallucination” theory


• Evidence in Scripture for the resurrection: The women Early church preaching The Gospels vary in their accounts The disciples Paul


• What did the Resurrection mean? That Jesus is the Son of God. That God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for us. That we live a new, forgiven life. That we will rise again.

THE FOUR GOSPELS

THE GOSPELS

• The Gospels are not biographies as we would normally understand that term.

• The purpose of the Gospels is to present Jesus to the readers.

MATTHEW

• Author: Matthew, the apostle Attested to throughout church history Best argument against it: Why would rely so

heavily on Mark’s Gospel? This is an assumption. He could have read Mark’s Gospel and then

decided to incorporate it to show apostolic unity.

If Matthew not the author, then you have to show why church tradition is wrong.

MATTHEW

• Place of writing: Somewhere in Palestine• Written to Jewish Christians• Date of writing: Depends on presuppositions.

Probably around as 50-60 AD.

MATTHEW

• Key Themes Messianic interest

Jesus is the new Moses Structure:

• Birth and Infancy of Jesus (1-2)• Book 1—The Kingdom of Heaven is Announced

Narrative (Galilean ministry; 3-4)

Teaching (Sermon the Mount; 5-7)

• Book 2—The Kingdom of Heaven is Preached

Narrative (8:1-9:34)

Teaching (9:35-11:1)

MATTHEW



• Book 3—The Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven

Narrative (11:2-12)

Teaching (parables) (13:1-52)

• Book 4—The Church as the Kingdom of Heaven

Narrative (13:53-17)

Teaching (18)

MATTHEW



• Book 5—The Advent of the Kingdom of Heaven

Narrative (19-22)

Teaching (23-26)

• The Passion and Resurrection (26-28)

MATTHEW

• Key Themes Jesus is the fulfiller of prophecy

His passages sometimes bring questions Jew first, then the Gentile The Church

Only Gospel writer to use the word “Church” Eschatology (end times)

MARK

• Author: John Mark Papias states that he wrote from Rome with

Peter as his source. Is he the naked guy?

• Date: 50 to 60 AD• Written to Roman Christians

MARK

• Key themes: Jesus as a busy man Gospel for gentiles Blunt view of people

• Textual question: The ending of Mark

LUKE

• Author: Luke, a doctor and companion of Paul’s Author of both Luke and Acts Both dedicated to same man Only Gentile author in the NT Some wonder if there is medical language or

interests in his Gospel

LUKE

• Date: 60-65 AD ?• Written to Theophilus

“Most Excellent” a social rank Strong catechetical emphasis

LUKE

• Themes in Luke: Universality of the Gospel—Gentiles and women are

prominent Prayer Holy Spirit

JOHN

• Author: John the apostle. John Drane: “The question of authorship has

always been rather confused.” No, it has not.

JOHN

• Author: John the apostle. Early Church evidence

Irenaenus states that Polycarp, who was a student of John’s, said that he was the author of this Gospel and that it was written in Ephesus.

“The Elder John”

• This comes from Papias, once again quoted in Eusebius.

• Would the early church would give a Gospel to man of whom nothing was really known?

• Eusebius mentions the Elder John is to get away from the idea that Revelation was written by the apostle.

JOHN

• Author: John the apostle. Internal evidence

Gives great deal of geographical detail Author claims to be an eyewitness John, son of Zebedee, is never named. There is the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

• This disciple is one of the 12

• Close connection with Peter

• Given care of Jesus’ mother

JOHN

• Date: Around 85-100 AD.• Purpose: John 20:30-31• Themes:

Emphasis on the Old Testament The Sprit Love, truth, light, life, and abiding are all abstract

themes that keep coming up.

the inter-testamental period 400 years of history in ten minutes

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