1. Chapter Six: The Rise of the Biblical Tradition

2. Abraham Age of Hebrew Patriarchs Hebrew Bible
Judaism, Christianity, Islam

3. Biblical History Biblical tradition + Graeco-Roman Culture
Children of Israel, Israelites, Jews, Hebrews
Period of the Patriarchs
Period of the Exodus
Period of the Conquest
The United Monarchy
Divided Kingdom and Exile
The Return

4. 6. 2 The Spoils of Jerusalem, c. 81 ce
6.2 The Spoils of Jerusalem, c. 81 ce. Passageway relief from the Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy// © Werner Forman/ Art Resource, NY
6.2 Spoils of Jerusalem (detail from the Arch of Titus), 81ce. Rome, Italy

5. The Hebrew Bible and Its Message
“Bible”  Byblos
The Law, the Prophets, the Writings
Hebrew canon (C.E. 90)
Septuagint
Moral guide, ethical and religious stability
Not a philosophical treatise

6. Basic Motifs of the Bible
Biblical Monotheism
God exists before the world
God pronounces creation as “good”
Humans are the crown of creation
God deeply involved in the world

7. Basic Motifs of the Bible
The Covenant
“I will be your God; you will be my people”
Testament = Promise
Renewed covenant = New Testament

8. Basic Motifs of the Bible
Ethics
Moral code for individuals and society
Ten Commandments
Prohibitions, positive commands
Prophetic writings
Critics of social injustice, defenders of poor
Reminders of the covenant

9. Basic Motifs of the Bible
Models and types
Events, stories, characters as models
Book of Job
Contemporary impact of biblical tradition
Literature
Art
Social institutions

10. Dura-Europos
Evidence of religious buildings—early Christian meeting house and synagogue
Complex religious existence—pagan temples and homes
Artistic mingling of Eastern and Roman styles

11. 6. 6 The Crossing of the Red Sea, c. 239 ce
6.6 The Crossing of the Red Sea, c. 239 ce. (© Princeton University Press/Art Resource, NY)
6.6 Fresco of Moses and the Exodus, from the Dura-Europos synagogue. Damascus, Syria

12. The Beginnings of Christianity
Life of Jesus
Gospels
Prophetic tradition of Jesus
Parables, Beatitudes
Jesus as Christ, the Messiah
Significance of resurrection

14. Christianity Spreads Saul of Tarsus (Paul)
Tireless missionary
Theological letters
Early martyrs—Vibia Perpetua
Social, religious factors for growth
Peace, facility of travel, koine, audience
Emphasis on salvation, freedom
No class distinction

16. Christian Persecution
Nero’s Circus
Claudius, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian
Christians as traitors to the state
Refusal to express pietàs
Apologists
Tertullian (155/ )
Justin Martyr ( )
Emperor Constantine

17. Early Christian Art Catacombs, underground cemeteries Frescoes
Salvation; Communion; Virgin and Child
Glass and Sculpture
Christ as Good Shepherd, glass disks
Carved sarcophagi
Inscriptions
Name, date of death, decorative symbol

18. 6. 7 The Good Shepherd, early 4th century ce
6.7 The Good Shepherd, early 4th century ce. Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy

19. 6. 10 The Good Shepherd, ca 300 ce. Marble, 3’3” (99 cm)_ high
6.10 The Good Shepherd, ca 300 ce. Marble, 3’3” (99 cm)_ high. Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
6.10 The Good Shepherd, c. 300 ce. Marble. 3´3˝ (99 cm) high. Museo Pio Cristiano, Vatican Museums, Vatican State//© Scala/Art Resource, NY

20. 6. 9 Chi Rho Monogram, 4th century ce
6.9 Chi Rho Monogram, 4th century ce. From a wall painting in a Roman villa, Lullingstone, Kent, England. © British Museum, London/HIP/Art Resource, NY
6.9 Chi-rho monogram, 4th century ce. From a wall painting in a Roman villa, Lullingstone, Kent, England. Detail of wall painting, 90 cm, diameter of inner circle. The British Museum, London, United Kingdom.

21. 6. 8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce
6.8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce. Mosaic from the Catacombs of Hermes, Sousse, Tunisia//© The Art Archive/Archaeological Museum, Sousse, Tunisia/Gianni Dagli Orti
6.8 Anchor with entwined fish, 4th century ce. Mosaic from the Catacombs of Hermes, Sousse, Tunisia

22. Early Christian Architecture
Basilica-Style Churches
Current site of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican)
Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem)
Jesus’ burial site

23. Early Christian Music From Jewish traditions
Chanting sacred texts
Professional Chorus vs. Single Cantor
Greek doctrine of ethos
Instrumental music = unsuitable
Standardization of vocal music
Responsorial, antiphonal

24. 6. 14 The Blind Harper, ca 1340-1330 B. C. E
6.14 The Blind Harper, ca B.C.E. From the tomb of Paatenemmhib, Saqqara, Egypt. Limestone basalt relief, detail, 11 ½” (29 cm) high. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Leiden, Netherlands.
6.14 The Blind Harper, c. 1340–1330 bce. From the tomb of Paatenemmheb, Saqqara, Egypt. Limestone basalt relief, detail, 111⁄2˝ (29 cm) high. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden, Netherlands// © Erich Lessing/Art Resource, NY

25. Chapter 6: Discussion Questions
Discuss contemporary examples that illustrate the permeation of the biblical tradition in our culture.
Explain why Nero and other Roman emperors were unwilling to tolerate Christianity. From a political standpoint, was the severity of punishment inflicted on Christians warranted? Why or why not?
Consider the archeological findings of Dura-Europos. In what ways does history over-simplify past events? In two thousand years, what will future generations assume about our culture, religions, and religious tolerance? Explain.