The Greco-Roman backgrounds of Christianity

Where does the story begin? To understand conflicts that arose within Christianity in its earliest stages, we need to look back into Jewish history before the time of Christ. Christianity began during a time of Hellenization. After Alexander the Great conquered the Jews, Greek culture became the dominant culture Some Jews took Greek names and adapted Judaism to Greek culture. They became known as “Hellenistic Jews” or Hellenists. Greek culture is known as Hellenism Hellenism means to speak Greek

Roman Empire Strong army (at this time) The Roman Empire conquered the Greeks Strong army (at this time) People entered the empire by being conquered They lost their independence but were protected by the empire and often gained greater political stability The Jews continue to be the chosen people but are no longer the rulers in in their own homeland The heart of the empire was the city of Rome

Greco-Roman world Jesus was born in a Greco-Roman world Greco-Roman world refers to the areas conquered by Rome but influenced by Greek culture Most Jews during this time spoke Greek only. Hebrew Scriptures were translated to Greek. This translation was called Septuagint Jews did not know how to read Hebrew

The Greco-Roman influence on Judeans Hellenism influenced Judeans in the following ways: Greek philosophy Greek education – body and mind (gymnasium) the term “gymnasium” is used for educational institutions Greek religion God and goddess worship (animal and grain sacrifices, rituals and feasts) Greek culture Social customs (women and men often dined separately)

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans Romans believed that polytheism provided some answers to life’s questions of why things don’t go as people want them to: the gods are dysfunctional! People need to please them and if the gods aren’t happy – smite. Judaism offered an alternative – an entirely good God, and just One, at that. Thus, Judaism was in direct conflict with Greco-Roman polytheism.

State Religion Romans required obedience to the State Religion Refers to the worship of the Roman gods and emperors Public sacrifices were not just to Roman gods and goddesses; they were a sign of loyalty to the State and the Emperor. Anyone who did not do so was considered a traitor Concentrated on order in society and in the cosmos, but did not give meaning or purpose to life

Mystery religions Since the State Religion did not provide a spiritual aspect to the people, the practice of mystery religions was allowed. Common during the 1st century Kept their rituals secret, revealing them only to people who initiated into the religion Provided the kind of emotional connection to divinity that Roman state religion had no interest in providing

Characteristics of mystery religions Characteristics of a mystery cult included: An initiation Baptism Secret rituals Secret knowledge A god, often foreign, who Had died but resurrected or reincarnated Or had gone to the underworld and come up again Followers would also overcome death and find new life in the community of believers and their god

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans Mithraism was one of the most popular mystery religions Mithraism Had a Persian god, Mithra Initiates were baptized Bread and wine was ritually shared Mithra had a miraculous birth celebrated on the Roman equivalent of Dec. 25 Shepherds brought gifts to the newborn god Christianity was considered a mystery religion by the Romans early on

Roman religious practices and their impact on the Judeans For the most part, the Romans let the Jews practice their religion. The Romans respected the fact that the Jews had an ancient Holy Book and that their religion was already 1,000 yrs. old. Therefore, Jews were exempt from being required to publically offer sacrifices to Greco-Roman gods