theology exam 5

why Cassidy thinks the sequence of composition of Romans and Philippians is important, despite his otherwise “canonical” methodological approach 

• Cassidy frames analysis as he sees romans and philippines as having different approaches as how should face roman empire

• In that case what matters is how did Paul end up? And give that more serious weight

• Roman-highly accommodative view, thorough-going accomodation

• Phil- more a resistance view

• What came first and what came later in Cassidy's view?? Whatever came later should be taken more into account?

why Cassidy considers Romans 13:1–7 to represent a thoroughgoing accommodation to Roman rule 

• Divine warrant for Roman rule

•  Approval of authorities’ use of the sword

• General requirement to “be subject”

• Paying the taxes

possible factors which influenced Paul in writing Romans 13:1–7 

• The first factor is “given the social and political turbulence involving the Jews of Rome, Paul may have been convinced that the Christians of Rome should distance themselves from all politically controversial conduct” (CRRNT 73). (avoid political controversy)

• The second factor is “Paul may have been motivated by eschatological considerations” (CRRNT 73). (eschatological concerns - the theology or study of "last things," focusing on the end of history, the afterlife, and final divine judgment)

• The third factor is “the Jewish wisdom traditions that were available to Paul may have supplied him with the basic concepts of allegiance that he utilized for Romans 13” (CRRNT 73). (Jewish wisdom tradition)

• The fourth factor is “Paul’s own personally high estimation for the achievements of the Roman empire may underpin the counsel he provides” (CRRNT 73). (regard for Empire and its teachings)

• Others? - Not certain if there are any other factors or not 

why Cassidy’s “canonical” approach is unaffected by debates over whether Paul authored Titus and 1 Timothy

• Romans “accomodative approach” – Philemon (imprisoned) – Philippians “resistant approach”

• Cassidy sees paul responding to the fact he was imprisoned

why a compositional sequence of Romans before Philemon before Philippians matters to Cassidy’s analysis

Romans (no sustained Roman incarceration yet)- Philemon (prisoner who ultimately expects release) - Philippians (prisoner now at least contemplating the possibility of his own execution) - 2 Timothy (extension off of what Cassidy said - a prisoner who is expecting imminent execution)

 which of Paul’s epistles depict him as a prisoner or as a prisoner in chains

“Accomodative” - NOT A PRISONER

• Romans

• 1 Timothy

• Titus 

PRISONER OR IN CUSTODY

• Philemon

• Philippians

IN CHAINS

• Colossians

• Ephesians

• 2 Timothy

features of Bryan’s analysis of Romans 13:1–7

• Key idea:Context matters (need to look in broader concept)

• 12- 15: need to look at a totality (don't isolate 13 by itself)

• Roman authority is seen as legitimate 

• Bryan talks about biblical prophetic tradition - sees chapter 13 as Paul recognizing the state power is limited

• Paul has counseled in basis of Jeremiah 

general resonance of Paul’s rhetoric (particularly in Philippians) with Old Testament language and imperial rhetoric

• Some of the language being used to describe Jesus echoes language that roman propaganda applies to Roman emperors - Bryan asks what we do with that? - He says yes there similarities 

• Imperial rhetoric

• septnagint/ OT/Scriptural language rhetoric

• Isaiah/Suffering Servant

• Genesis/Fall:”Old Adam” vs. “New Adam”

• Language can be applied differently to different people

examples from Philippians

• Just know these points exist

• 3:20-4:1 (heavenly citizenship)

• 2:5-11 ( Christolological hymn)

• 3:18-19 (Hedonist morality point) * Bryan and Cassidy come out differently on this point

• 1:27-30 (vague “opponents” reference)

the Sanhedrin’s role in Stephen’s martyrdom, Peter and John’s punishment after healing a cripple, and Paul’s incarceration at the Temple and defense before Roman authorities

• Informational bullet

• These are all things we have read

• This chapter gives us a nice overview of these themes

• Acts 4 and 5 when peter and john are arrested twice - Antagonists are the sanhedrin

• They are the ones making the charges

• Act 12 - Herod Agrippa I is the antagonist 

Paul’s three invocations of his Roman citizenship (Philippi, Jerusalem, and Caesarea)

• Philippi - after the beating by many but including the magistrates (16:35-40)

• Jerusalem - Paul’s arrest at Temple (22:22-29)

• Caesarea: Paul’s appeal to the Emperor (25:9-22 and 26:30-32)

Roman governors in Acts properly upholding, or failing to uphold, Roman order and justice 

Well-disposed upholding of Roman rule

• Sergius Paulus (Cyprus 13:4 ff)

• Gallio (Corinth 18:12 ff)

• Publius (Malta 28;1 ff)

• Ill-disposed and failing to uphold Roman law

• [-Pilate] (actions with Jesus) (Judaea)]

• Felix (Judaea)

• Festus (Judaea)

Bryan’s take (as distinct from Cassidy’s) on Luke’s depiction of Paul’s attitude toward his Roman citizenship

• Cassidy: Paul being a reluctant Roman citizen 

• Bryan: (not too far from Cassidy) Esler: Paul takes it as a “trump card” (use of citizen as something he uses it when he needs it/meaningful for him to use it)

1 Peter’s comparatively similar perspective to Romans 13:1–7

• Factual statement 

• Local persecution/harrassment 

• Peter sending letter to various communities in various provinces within Asia minor 

• Dating issues involved in 1 Peter

• benefaction??

for Bryan, the principal object of John’s attack in Revelation

• Post colonial framework does not apply 

• Not the roman empire per say (that is exists), it is idolatry - taking empire/emperor and absolutizing their authority, they become God

• Attack idolatry (roman empire that has adopted that is getting the reaction)

possible factors prompting John’s perspective

• Social coercion towards Emperor-worship

• Rome’s destruction of Temple in Jerusalem 

• Martyrdoms in Rome (referencing Nero or Domitian?)

• Martyrdom of Antipas in Asia

• John’s own exile to Patmos 

what John’s readers are to do

• John is not asking them to do anything

• Closest thing is to pray for endurance and survive trials that are yet to come and put trust in God

• Falls in biblical prophetic tradition 

• Does not indication to take action against system

Revelation as prophetic and apocalyptic literature

• 104 and 105

• Author of prophetic work is intrusted with divine vision somehow concerning judgement and salvation therefore denounce evil that is wreaking havoc on gods people (drive to call people for renewal)

• Apocalypse - definitive intervention in God, all evil is overcome by power of God, all good is upheld, conventions of symbolism (oblique - needs to be repeated several times) and numerology

• Different visions pointing to gods ultimate plan 

symbolism: the Lamb, the dragon, the sea beast, Babylon, the land beast, the false prophet

• Lamb: Jesus (slaying: his execution why a lamb? passover?)

• Dragon: Satan/the devil 

• Sea beast:Roman empire/Emperor

• Land beast/false prophet:series of imperial bureaucratic things? 

• Babylon:Rome

Roman abuses targeted by John

• Page 111- 5 abuses

• Martyrdom of Jesus’ disciples

• Slaughter of many others

• Blasphemy and idolatry

• Economic exploitation 

• Demonic character of Rome

The four canonical Gospels in the New Testament are the only gospels traceable to the first century.

true

Early Christians frequently mixed up which Gospel author wrote which Gospel, even though they always identified Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as the Gospels’ authors

false

The authors of the four Gospels had no motivations in writing their Gospels beyond those ordinarily employed by ancient authors who composed Graeco-Roman “lives.”

false

The authors of the four Gospels were the most important and most widely recognized leaders in the early Church.

false

Until the time of Onias III, shortly before the start of the Maccabean revolt, the Jewish high priests were understood to have been descended from Moses’ brother Aaron and, later, Aaron’s descendent Zadok.

true

Traditionally, even before the initiation of the Hasmonean dynasty, Jewish high priests exercised full control over political governance and religious affairs

false

1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, Josephus's Jewish War

critical sources of historical information about the Hasmonean period in Jewish history

The “enrollment” which Luke mentions is more likely to have been the loyalty oath registration for Caesar Augustus of 3–2 B.C. than a tax census.

reason that it is more likely that Jesus was born in 3–2 B.C. rather than in 6–4 B.C

The lunar eclipse mentioned by Josephus as occurring shortly before Herod the Great’s death is more likely the eclipse of 1 B.C. than the eclipse of 4 B.C.

reason that it is more likely that Jesus was born in 3–2 B.C. rather than in 6–4 B.C

Since no “Quirinius” is known to have ever served as Roman governor of Syria, Luke’s reference to Quirinius was just the product of confusion on Luke’s part.

not a reason that it is more likely that Jesus was born in 3–2 B.C. rather than in 6–4 B.C

One aspect of the Hasmonean legacy was a rekindled sense of Jewish nationalism which has lasted to the present day.

true

Throughout the entire period of Hasmonean control, Hellenization was fiercely and persistently resisted and rejected.

false

Hasmonean leadership resulted in unity within Judaism, without rival parties or theologically differing groups.

false

Hasmonean leaders in the generations after that of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers successfully avoided the kind of despotism which helped to prompt the initial revolt against the Syrian Seleucids.

false

the Ptolemid Egyptian Empire

ruled Judaea after the conquests of Alexander the Great

the Persian Empire

ruled Judaea before conquests of Alexander the Great

the Seleucid Syrian Empire

ruled Judaea after the conquests of Alexander the Great

the Babylonian Empire

ruled Judaea before the conquests of Alexander the Great

The criterion to be attentive to the analogy of faith places the meaning of the Scriptures within a theological context.

true

The criterion to be attentive to the content and unity of the whole of the Scripture places the meaning of the Scriptures within a community context.

false

The criterion to read the Scriptures within the living Tradition of the whole Church places the meaning of the Scriptures within a literary context.

false

The spiritual senses of Scripture must be founded on the literal sense of Scripture.

true

In his Gospel, Luke provides precise numerical dates for Jesus’ birth and death.

false

Archeological remains are unable to assist in determining precise dates for any New Testament events.

false

Ancient non-Christian texts are of no use in dating New Testament events.

false

It is impossible to correlate any known, well attested historical dates with any events described in the New Testament.

false

anagogical sense

a spiritual sense which points upward to heavenly glory by showing us how countless events in the Bible prefigure our final union with God in eternity and how things seen on earth are figures of things to be seen in heaven

literal sense

a non-spiritual sense whereby we strive to discover the meaning of the words and expressions used by the biblical writers as they were understood in their original setting and by their original audience

tropological sense

a spiritual sense which reveals how the actions of God’s people in the Old Testament and the life of Jesus in the New Testament prompt us to form virtuous habits in our own lives as illustrated by warnings against sin and vice, as well as inspirations to holiness and purity

It was prompted by the attempt of Seleucid Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes to outlaw and eradicate the practice of the Jewish faith.

true

It began when Mattathias killed a Jew in Modein about to offer a pagan sacrifice and a royal officer sent to oversee the sacrifices.

true

It took twenty-five years before the Hasmoneans secured the full independence of a Jewish state.

true

It gave rise to the Jewish feast of Hanukkah, commemorating the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem under Judas Maccabeus after its seizure and desecration a few years earlier under Antiochus Epiphanes.

true

inerrancy

the source of Scripture’s authority recognizing that Scripture is divinely guaranteed to be without any mistake in its presentation of all the facts and events of salvation history necessary for our salvation

complementary testimony

multiple reports of a single incident containing different yet non-conflicting information such that all of the reports can be true

historicity

the fact that an event actually occurred at some point in the past, even if its precise timing and all of its precise circumstances cannot be entirely known or articulated

inspiration

derived from the Latin for “in-breathed,” the source of Scripture’s authority which accounts for God the Holy Spirit as the primary author of all of Scripture working through various human beings as instrumental authors

God-fearers (or fearers of God)

Gentiles who worshiped with Jews in synagogues, even though they did not convert to Judaism and therefore did not become circumcised (if male) or observe all the purity rules

accommodation

in connection with Hellenization among the ancient Jews, the use to which Jews put their knowledge of Greek language and culture, whether motivated by antagonism, guarded sympathy, or enthusiasm

diaspora

from the Greek word meaning “scattering,” a reference to members of an ethnic group distributed in geographical areas outside the ethnic group’s traditional homeland

assimilation

in connection with Hellenization among the ancient Jews, the degree to which, and the contexts within which, Jews were integrated into Gentile society

Septuagint

the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures commonly used by non-Hebrew-speaking Jewish communities in cities and towns outside the Holy Land

tithe

the typically voluntary turning over of a specified fraction of one’s income or harvest (usually one-tenth) to temple or governmental authorities for a designated purpose

tribute

compulsory extraction of money or other property payable to a foreign power

publicani

people who contracted with the Roman state to collect from inhabitants financial obligations imposed on them under Roman law

toll

a tariff, typically paid in cash, on the transportation of goods or, sometimes, individuals

sicarii

extremist “dagger men” among the Jewish population who concealed daggers in their cloaks to stab unexpectedly their opponents (who often accepted, or collaborated with, Roman rulers)

pax atque quieta

the peace and order imposed by Rome on its territories starting with Augustus’ emergence as Emperor and Princeps after defeating Marc Antony in a civil war

blasphemy

in Judaism, the sin (punishable by death, according to the Torah) of directing any derision, demeaning, or insult toward the God of Israel, a sin most often manifest when a human being personally claimed any of God’s exclusive prerogatives

maiestas

Rome’s law of high treason against the state

political apologetic

the view that Luke sought in his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles to present Christians and Christianity to Roman authorities in a favorable way