HELLENISTIC INFLUENCE

On Hebrew and Christian Scripture

Hellenistic Era

dates about from the death of Alexander 323 BCE for about 500 years to the early centuries CE

overlapped Roman expansion

Empire of Alexander the Great

Jewish and Christian literature

During this period, the last books of the Hebrew Bible were written, along with the entire New Testament, and a large body of noncanonical Jewish and Christian literature

Pre-existing ideas influence Christian scripture

Greek-speaking converts interpreted Jesus’ significance in parallel ways to some pre-existing Greek ideas and traditions

koinē

Greek, the common international language of the era

Hebrew Bible translated into koinē in 250 BCE

Septuagint

Greek edition of the Hebrew Bible used by Diaspora Jews and by early Christian movement

The New Testament was produced in koinē (Greek)

Philosophy

“philosophy” means ‘love of wisdom’ New Testament writers combine

Jewish heritage + Greek philosophical concepts

Socrates

Athens, circa 469-399 BCE regarded human life as an ongoing

quest for truth, a pilgrimage toward the unseen world of eternal spirit

parallels with Jesus

Using humor, Socrates cross examined artisans, teachers, and politicians, irritating many

He had some devoted followers He was executed for criticizing the ethical inadequacy of

his opponents’ policies and practices Neither left anything in writing; message

depended on disciples

Plato, disciple of Socrates circa 427-347 BCE, made his teacher

the hero of a series of philosophical dialogues in which a saintly and humorous Socrates always out-argues and outwits his opponents

Separating Plato’s ideas from those of Socrates is difficult; (same with Jesus, and what his disciples wrote)

Dualism

For Plato, the duality of the physical, imperfect world and a perfect world of eternal ideas

Stoicism

emphasizes the order and moral purpose of the universe.

Reason is the divine principle that gives coherence and meaning to our complex world.

Paul as example of stoicism Stoic teaching urges the individual to

listen to the divine element within, to discipline both body and mind to attain a state of harmony with nature and the universe. . . .

noble indifference to both pleasure and pain. . . .endure personal gain or loss with equal serenity . . .

Paul echos Stoic values

Paul’s self discipline and ability to endure want or plenty, echo Stoic values commonplace in Greco-Roman society

“I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:11-13)

Logos

means ‘word’, A cosmic intelligence that unifies the

world and makes it intelligible to the human intellect.

Human souls are sparks of the divine Logos.

Jesus as logos

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us . . .” John 1:1,14

Epicureanism

Asserts that everything is completely physical, including the soul, which after death dissolves into nothingness;

gods may exist, but have no contact or interest in humanity

Roman Empire 30 BCE-14 CE

Herod’s territory circa 4 CE