New Testament

BCM 103Dr. Dave Mathewson

Gordon College/Denver Seminary

Religion Anyone? Take your pick!

Greco-Roman religionsPlato—Platonic dualism

Stoa

Religion Anyone? Take your pick!

StoicismCynicismMagic

Magical Texts“god of gods, benefactor, AW, IAW,

EAU, you who direct day and night, AI AW.”

PGM IV.992-3

Religion Anyone? Take your pick!

Pagan ReligionsGnosticism –cf. Platonic dualism

Gnostic Gospelof Thomas

Greco-Roman ReligionsEmperor worship—politics and

religion intertwined

Emperor Worship/NTWhy is Jesus called “Lord” and

“Savior”Why is the message called

“Gospel”—good newsThese were used of EmperorIt’s not the emperor but Jesus who is

the true Lord and God and Savior

Jewish Religious OptionsWhat does it mean to be God’s

people?Let’s study Torah--ScribesLet’s separate--PhariseesLet’s accommodate—Sadducees Let’s withdraw—Essenes or Qumran

CommunityLet’s fight

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Jewish Religious OptionsLet’s fight—ZealotsChristianity emerged in the

environment of Greco-Roman and Jewish religions and movements