Faithology - Background & Beginnings 1 Background and Beginnings

Faithology - Background & Beginnings 2 Jewish History (from the Bausch, Chapter 1) † Most Catholics have some vague memories about Jewish history… At best they can recall only a few things they have learned in school or read. But more than a vague memory is needed if they are to understand the beginnings of Christianity, for Christianity is a mid-Eastern religion imported to the West. † It takes its roots from Judaism. † Its early theology and liturgy are grounded in Jewish terms and ways and in the cultural context of Israel, an Eastern country, not a European one.

Faithology - Background & Beginnings 3 Jewish History (from the Bausch, Chapter 1)Abraham God’s promise to him and his son Isaac that they would father a great nation Jacob Isaac’s son (later called Israel) has twelve sons who were to head the twelve tribes God’s Chosen People Identity adopted by early Church (the “new” People of God) Identity reasserted as recently as Vatican II; L.G. 2 refers to the Church as the “People of God” Twelve Apostles Joseph Remember the multicolored coat? Sold into slavery but in time became the Prime Minister of Egypt Settlement in Egypt Years of prosperity followed by oppression and slavery when the Hittites gained control of Egypt “I am Joseph, your brother!” (Gn 45:4) Pope John XXIII

Faithology - Background & Beginnings 4 Jewish History (from the Bausch, Chapter 1)Moses “Let my people go!” Freed from bondage, wandered in the Sinai wilderness for 40 years. Entered into the “Promised Land.” Period of the Kingdom Covenant (Ex 19:3-25) Torah Hebrew language developed (mesh of Canaanite & Aramaic) Philistine Threat Solomon Israel becomes a “player” as a nation! Samuel appoints Saul King Scriptures Division between Judea & Israel Kingdom temporally unites but separates after threat diminishes Division between Judea & Israel Temple Built Jerusalem internationalized multiculturalism

Faithology - Background & Beginnings 5 Jewish History (from the Bausch, Chapter 1) Civil War Assyrian Invasion/Exile 721 B.C.E. North (Samaria) separate from the South (Judea) Samaritans: 1. only Pentateuch 2. Mt Gerizim (Holy of Holies - not Jerusalem temple!) Samaria conquered 1. Jewish Elite deported 2. Jewish peasantry stays and mixes with non-Jewish inhabitants Babylonian Captivity 587 B.C.E. Babylonian Defeat 538 B.C.E. Persia defeats Babylon Judea conquered 1. Temple razed 2. Jews carried off into captivity Judea survives until 587 B.C.E. Covenant Re-examined New emphasis on spiritual deliverance, restoration of the Davidic monarchy, and a Messiah. The Torah become even more important. Jewish people & faith now all over the world Exile ends Some Jews chose to remain where they were settled and other return to their homeland Temple Rebuilt 516 B.C.E. Judeans: 1. Samaritans half breeds and heretics 2. Jerusalem Temple (Holy of Holies - not Mt Gerizim!)

Faithology - Background & Beginnings 6 Jewish History (from the Bausch, Chapter 1) Formative Age Alexander the Great defeats Persia 331 B.C.E. Liturgy assumes its definitive shape Synagogue emerged as an established institution Hellenization via Egypt occurs 1. Alexandria & Philo of Alexandria 2. Septuagint Rededication of the Temple 165 B.C.E. Civil War 63 B.C.E. Rome intervenes Hellenization Continues Two camps: 1. Sadducees Conservative Nationalistic Isolationistic 2.Pharisees More Liberal Torah Centered (perhaps legalistic) Seleucids of Antioch Desired an empire uniform in culture and religion - “corrupted” Judaism Jerusalem under Roman control 1.Thousands of Jews forced into slavery 2.Jerusalem becomes a Roman protectorate under the leadership of the Sanhedrin and Herod 3. Upon Herod’s death, territory divided up - each section under a governor, e.g. Pilate, C.E. Works of the Hebrew Bible assembled in an authoritative fashion Maccabee Revolt