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| Hellenization is the melding of Greek culture within the surrounding territories. |
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| Group identify is the tendency to define self in terms of the larger domain of a group such as the family, the city, the state, the ethnic group, etc. In the 1st century, group identity rose above individual identity. |
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| This concept is the attributing of esteem or withdrawal of that esteem by peers, family, and other socioeconomic groups for the pleasing or failing to please that group. This concept goes hand-in-hand with the issue of “Group Identity.” The values associated with honor and shame include wealth, education, rhetorical skills, family lineage, political connections, etc. This concept made class consciousness a significant issue in the 1st century. |
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| At the pinnacle of the hierarchy in Roman society was the Emperor followed by the senators, equestrians (military leaders and political figures), followed by the aristocrats (land owners). Following them were the retainers (religious officials, bureaucrats, etc). Then came the merchants, slaves and working class, and expendables (widows, orphans, and disabled). |
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| Slavery was much different than that of our perception of slavery from the Civil War days of our country. Slaves were obtained through many avenues such as piracy, conquest, taking in abandoned children, even self-made through choice for various reasons. Slaves were found in all levels of society. It is estimated that 40%-50% of the population were slaved. They could be doctors, cooks, teachers, soldiers, etc. Many slaves would be freed by the time they were 30 years of age. Others could be freed by their owners as a sign of appreciation for their service. Slavery had a detrimental effect on the Roman society as slaves occupied most of the available jobs which caused Romans to limit the number of their children. Consequently, the slave population continued to increase while the number of Roman citizens decreased. Laws were finally passed in attempt to control the slavery population. |
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| This term means Roman Peace |
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| To be Jewish was to confess and worship ONE God. (YHWH). Jehovah God meaning the “self-existing God” is the creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all life. Reference Deuteronomy 6:4-9. |
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| By the 1st century, 85% of Jews in the Roman Empire lived outside Palestine as a result to the many deportations from Palestine from the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, etc. |
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| This was the largest Jewish religious sect of the 1St century and most influential. It is estimated that 6000 Pharisees lived in Palestine at this time. The Pharisees were conservative in doctrine and believed in the entire Old Testament, resurrection, angels, etc. They served on the Jewish civil council, the Sanhedrin. |
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| These were liberal, wealthy Jewish aristocrats who were more politically motivated than spiritually motivated. They were in control of the Temple in the 1st century. They also served on the Jewish civil council, the Sanhedrin. |
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| This group is NOT mentioned in the New Testament. They lived in the area of the Dead Sea, were primarily isolationists, and probably responsible for the Dead Sea scrolls discovered in 1947. |
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| The Herodians are only mentioned in the New Testament. They seemed to be supporters of the Herodian dynasty and possibly were more of a political group than a sect. |
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| The Zealots were Jewish revolutionaries who hated the Romans and refused to pay taxes. They initiated the Jewish revolt in 66 AD that resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple under Titus and his Roman legions. |
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| The Scribes were the copyists of the Old Testament Scripture and were often asked to decide crucial points of Jewish Law. They could be considered the “lawyers” of the Jews with a religious perspective. |
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| The Samaritans were products of mixed marriages of Jews and Assyrians after the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria in 722 BC. They were hated by the Jews for mixing their Jewish blood line with Gentiles. |
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| These were Gentiles who followed Jewish religious customs but were not circumcised. Cornelius in Acts 10 is called a God-Fearer. |
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| These were Gentiles who completely converted to Judaism including circumcision. |
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| This term refers to the poor common people of the Land. They represented about 90% of the Jewish population of the 1st century. |
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| The goal of the Stoics was to live life in harmony with reason and not emotions. They strived to “apatheia” meaning a total indifference to their surroundings. This group is mentioned in Acts 17:18. |
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| This group desired to live life for pleasure (Hedone) but only to the extent that there was no pain involved. In other words, they would |
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| The Cynics sought a life that was lived by instinct. They believed that whatever was natural was permissible to be done in public. Their goal was to be released from all rules, inhibitions and morals of society. Nothing was indecent. |
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| The Skeptics were those who believed that nothing could be known for sure. All truth was subjective. They doubted everything. |
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| Arrangement of Paul’s letters in the New Testament |
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| The arrangement is by length not chronology |
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| Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, II Timothy |
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| Number of Missionary Journeys for Paul |
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| Functions of the Jewish synagogues |
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| The synagogues would be used for weekly Sabbath worship services, a place for religious instruction, a school for boys up to age 13, and a place of fellowship for the Jewish community. |
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| Number of Paul’s letters in the New Testament |
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| Characteristics of Paul’s preaching and methods |
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| Narrative in Nature, Occasional in Purpose, Pastoral in Heart, Authoritative in Tone |
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