Fri 5 Feb 2010
Reserve Reading – Greco-Roman Backgrounds
Posted by S.G.R. Webster under An Introduction to the New Testament
[12] Comments
“The [Roman] imperial coinage (which was regularly used as a propaganda medium)… is full of the characteristic motifs of Advent and Epiphany, celebrating the blessings which the manifestation of each successive divine emperor was to bring to a waiting world. Among the adulatory formulas with which the emperor was acclaimed, [Prof. Ethelbert Stauffer] mentions, as going back probably to the first century, “Hail, Victory, Lord of the earth, Invincible, Power, Glory, Honour, Peace, Security, Holy, Blessed, Great, Unequalled, Thou Alone, Worthy art Thou, Worthy is he to inherit the Kingdom, Come, come, do not delay, Come again” (p. 155). [in Christ and the Caesars, Ethelbert Stauffer (1955)]. Indeed, one has only to read Psalm 72, “in Latin, in the official language of the empire, to see that it is largely the same formal language which is used alike in the Forum for the advent of the emperor and in the catacombs for the celebration of the Epiphany of Christ” (p. 251). Here there could be no compromise. Who was worthy to ascend the throne of the universe and direct the course of history? Caesar, or Jesus?”
… F. F. Bruce (1910-1990/1), The Apostolic Defense of the Gospel, London: Inter-Varsity Press, 1959, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959, p. 65
On the end of page 15 and beginning of page 16, the “host” character says that “the union with Rome has brought great benefits to the Jewish people and is certainly a gift from God.”
I can see why he would think so, because he is one of the ruling classes, so he would obviously get benefits from the Romans, but would anyone else see the Roman occupation the same way? Or did the lower classes unanimously agree that Roman rule was a curse, not a blessing?
on page 15, the author mentions that the the host “glances around as though he does not trust his slaves” … what is the background of the slaves, and why is there a lack of trust between the slave owner and his slaves?
pg 16-17, The passage briefly describes the “patron-client” relationship. If this relationship weakened the senate and helped lead to the likes of Julius Caesar, why didn’t the senate try to outlaw this practice?
On page 15 it says Rome allied itself with Judea. Why did Rome do this and what were the benefits from it.
on page 17 Jeffers says, ” Judea had voluntarily allied itself with Rome and thereby gained a number of important rights. To begin with, its religion was officially recognized by Rome.”.
We have learned though that upon alling itself with Rome Pompey defiled the temple. So, was Rome which was it did the Romans really recognize the Jewish religion, or did they completely disrespect it?
This Jewish ruling class man that i’m visiting: he acts like it would be stupid not to adopt the culture, even though it breaks some of the mosaic laws… did the jews even attempt to reconcile this? was it a big deal that they were breaking the law or did everyone just look the other direction…
so if judea voluntarily allied itself with ROme as said on page 17…then does that mean they took in a lot of the Romans religion…and then vise versa: did the Romans take in the Jewish Religion that was already established there? Or did they completely stay away from each other for the most part?
I’ve been thinking about the system and class order of the Roman times… why does it say on page 17, that you can buy your way into the system?
on page 1 right as the book starts off Mr. Jeffers states that you would be surprised by the things you would find in the home of a member of the Jewish ruling class. Well i was, and i was just wondering if this was common for every member of this class. He sounds very wealthy and wise. So was this common?
pg 18 soooooooooooooooooo……julius caeser was never actually a complete ruler of Rome. he was just a senator?
Pg. 15 –> What was the benefit of the Jews from the weakened state of the Seleucids?
so if ancient people looked down on traders, doctors, artists, and scientists what professions did they think were respectable? Besides the stated one in agriculture.