faithology - background & beginnings 1 background and beginnings

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*Background and Beginnings

Faithology - Background & Beginnings

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*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

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*Jewish History(from the Bausch, Chapter 1)AbrahamGods promise to him and his son Isaac that they would father a great nationJacobIsaacs son (later called Israel) has twelve sons who were to head the twelve tribes

Gods 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 ApostlesJosephRemember the multicolored coat? Sold into slavery but in time became the Prime Minister of EgyptSettlement in EgyptYears 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

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*Jewish History(from the Bausch, Chapter 1)MosesLet 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 ThreatSolomonIsrael 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

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*Jewish History(from the Bausch, Chapter 1)Civil WarAssyrian Invasion/Exile721 B.C.E.

North (Samaria) separate from the South (Judea)

Samaritans:1. only Pentateuch2. Mt Gerizim (Holy of Holies - not Jerusalem temple!)

Samaria conquered1. Jewish Elite deported2. Jewish peasantry stays and mixes with non-Jewish inhabitants

Babylonian Captivity587 B.C.E.Babylonian Defeat538 B.C.E.Persia defeats Babylon

Judea conquered Temple razed Jews carried off into captivity

Judea survives until 587 B.C.E.

Covenant Re-examinedNew 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 endsSome Jews chose to remain where they were settled and other return to their homeland

Temple Rebuilt516 B.C.E.

Judeans:1. Samaritans half breeds and heretics2. Jerusalem Temple (Holy of Holies - not Mt Gerizim!)

Faithology - Background & Beginnings

Faithology - Background & Beginnings*Jewish History(from the Bausch, Chapter 1)Formative AgeAlexander the Great defeats Persia331 B.C.E.

Liturgy assumes its definitive shape

Synagogue emerged as an established institution

Hellenization via Egypt occurs Alexandria & Philo of Alexandria2. Septuagint

Rededication of the Temple165 B.C.E.Civil War63 B.C.E.Rome intervenes

Hellenization ContinuesTwo camps: Sadducees ConservativeNationalisticIsolationisticPhariseesMore LiberalTorah Centered (perhaps legalistic)

Seleucids of AntiochDesired an empire uniform in culture and religion - corrupted Judaism

Jerusalem under Roman controlThousands of Jews forced into slaveryJerusalem becomes a Roman protectorate under the leadership of the Sanhedrin and Herod3. Upon Herods death, territory divided up - each section under a governor, e.g. Pilate, 26 - 36 C.E.

Works of the Hebrew Bible assembled in an authoritative fashion

Maccabee Revolt

Faithology - Background & Beginnings

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