FORMATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON
CANON = "kanon" - Greek for norm; a standard by which something is evaluated.
2 Key Purposes:
1. To clarify beliefs within the Christian community; written authority for universal belief and practice.
2. To provide a unifying force for Christian churches scattered throughout the world.
SOME STAGES IN THE N.T. CANON DEVELOPMENT
2 Peter 3:15-16: Paul’s letters accorded the status of scripture - Mid-2nd century
2 Clement: first surviving reference to the four Gospels - early 2nd century
Oldest surviving N.T. manuscript = fragment of the Gospel of John; 125 c.e.
367 c.e. Easter letter of Athanasius = first official listing of the 27 canonical books
SOME STATES IN THE N.T. CANON DEVELOPMENT
The Muratorian Canon - one of many canonical listings in the late 2nd, early 3rd century.
Some Christian groups excluded the Gospel of John and Revelation because they were thought to by Gnostic works.
Vulgate Bible = translation by St. Jerome into Latin; end of the 4th century.
HELLENISTIC THOUGHT AND CULTURE
Greek influence - philosophy = love of wisdom: a) love learning; b) intense intellectual curiosity; c) confidence in the power of reason
New Testament writers combine Jewish biblical tradition and Greek philosophical concepts
Socrates & Plato (469-399 b.c.e.)
SOME GREEK SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
Stoicism - founded by Zeno (336-263 b.c.e.)
- human souls are sparks of the divine Logos
- the universe has a moral purpose
Epicureanism - founded by Epicurus (342-270 b.c.e.); all is material; no God or afterlife
- all is material; avoid pain; create your own reality; moderation in all things.
SOME GREEK SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
Cynicism - founded by Diogenes of Sinope (404-323b.c.e.) and Crates of Thebes (died 270 b.c.e.)
- virtue is the greatest goal of life
- Cynics emphasized strict self-discipline and opposition to social customs and values
1ST CENTURY JEWISH DIVERSITY
The Sadducees - collaborators with the Romans - Jesus is threat.
The Pharisees - devout Jews who worked among the common people.
The Essenes - monastic group; Qumran community; Dead Sea scrolls
The Zealots - political revolutionaries
THE MYSTERY RELIGIONS
Some similarities to Christian religion:
- several mystery cults honor young male Gods born of a divine father and human mother
- themes of death and resurrection
- communal meal
- baptism ritual
THE MYSTERY RELIGIONS
Dionysus - "life force" energizes all creation; divinity of wine; death & rebirth.
Orphism - underworld becomes place for regeneration and rebirth.
Mithraism - highly popular with Roman soldiers; secret society; blood baptism.
Isis - Mother Goddess; mother of all life.
THE TROUBLED WORLD OF JESUS
Jesus’ career is bracketed by two wars for Jewish independence.
1. Antiochus IV attempts to enforce Hellenization; outlaws Jewish practices.
Result: Maccabean revolt; Syrians grant independence in 142 b.c.e.
THE TROUBLED WORLD OF JESUS
2. 2nd war against Rome (66-70 c.e.)
- Herod and his Roman appointed successors oppress the Jews
- Roman emperors crush the Jewish revolt
- Titus captures and destroys Jerusalem in 70 c.e. (Jewish diaspora until 1948)
- Major impact on grown the Christianity