ways that modern Christian faith differs from the religious world of the Greco-Roman Empire into which Christianity was born

ways that modern Christian faith differs from the religious world of the Greco-Roman Empire into which Christianity was born

• Of Tyana was a great pagan man who was holy and a neo-Pythagorean teacher of the 1st century C.E. he worshipped the Roman gods, and his teachings and life are recorded in a book titled The Life of Apollonius which was written by Philostratus, his later follower (Ehrman 18). He is significant for our understanding of the way traditions that developed around Jesus in the Greco Roman world because he shares in the things that Jesus is associated with. His life was similar to that of Jesus, and he was considered a teacher and a miracle worker. Hence by studying his life, one will have in one way or another be conversant with most things that happened in the life of Jesus.

1. Discuss three ways that modern Christian faith differs from the religious world of the Greco-Roman Empire into which Christianity was born?

• the religious world in the Roman Empire, national or international organization of religion who had either elected or appointed leaders with jurisdiction over different cults that were local never existed. Articles for the devotees were also not there. This differs in modern Christian faith because there are many international Christian organizations with appointed elders. Many articles for new and old devotees of Christianity have also been developed.

  Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page

  GET CUSTOM PAPER
• ancient religion, people never worshipped the same gods. There were many various gods who had been localized deities of a particular family or place. This is not the case when it comes to modern Christianity (Ehrman, 22). All Christians believe in one God who lives in heaven and they do not believe in other small gods since Christianity is against having ‘other’ gods before the main heavenly maker.
• Ancient religion also had a portion of people who believed in life after death whole a bigger number never believed in that firmly. In modern Christianity, many people hold firmly on to the idea of life after death. This is a faith that many Christians hold on dearly that encourages them that their belief is not in vain.

The Jewish Context

1. In several sentences each, discuss the three ways in which Judaism differed from other Greco-Roman religions.

All the Greco-Roman religions practiced polytheism. Polytheism is the worship of more than one god. However, this was not the case for Judaism. Before Christianity, only Judaism held on to the idea of worship and praise of one true God. Judaism believed that only the supreme creator God deserved worship from human beings. They believed so much in this God who they saw as holy. This was not the case for other religions; they had many gods they worshipped (Ehrman 33).

Judaism believed that God had made a special covenant with Israel. Majority of the Jews believed that they had been a special people chosen among many nations by God who had established a covenant with them in the past. The other religions did not have any such belief as that of the Jews (Ehrman 34).

Judaism was also law dependent, an aspect that distinguished them from the other Greco- Roman religions. Jews had laws which were composed of rules they were supposed to follow in their communal as well as cultic life. These laws guided them on how to live peacefully with others and how to properly worship God. These rules were written in such books as Leviticus in the holy book. However, other cults and religions did not have regulations and rules that were written to govern, and guide them in their ethical behavior ( Ehrman35).

1. What was the difference between the Jewish Temple and the synagogue?

• the Jewish Temple, Jewish practices like sacrificing animals took place here while in the synagogue sacrifice of animals was not involved since much focus was on discussing sacred Torah traditions, the law and praying to Israel’s God.

1. Discuss four major Jewish sects of the ancient world. How were they each distinctive?

• these referred to the Jews who were committed strongly to purity maintenance of the laws set in the Torah. They came up with their own set of laws to enable them maintain them the purity.
• these were upper class Jews who were connected closely with Temple cult’s advocates in Jerusalem. They were in charge of Jews councils and Sanhedrin. This council of Jews advised the high priest on policy.
• these were Galilean Jews who urged violent resistance after overthrowing the city aristocracy that was reigning at that time in question. .

Essenes- this is a Jewish sect whose members were believed to have produced the Dead Sea Scrolls.