Key Concepts in Early Christianity and Hellenism

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from early Christian texts and Hellenistic history, outlining significant figures, events, and theological themes.

Hellenism

Cultural fusion of Greek and Eastern influences post-Alexander the Great.

Judea

Historical region in the ancient Near East, significant in Jewish history.

Ptolemies

Dynasty that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great.

Seleucids

Dynasty that ruled over a vast territory in the Near East after Alexander's conquest.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Hellenistic king known for his persecution of the Jews.

Judas Maccabeus

Leader of the Jewish uprising against Antiochus IV, founder of the Hasmonean Dynasty.

Hasmonean Dynasty

Dynasty of Jewish rulers that reigned after the Maccabean revolt.

Herod the Great

King of Judea known for his monumental building projects and cruelty.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of the Jewish people based on the Hebrew Bible.

Synagogue

Jewish house of worship and community gathering.

Halakha

Jewish law derived from the Torah and Talmud.

Pharisees

Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the law and oral tradition.

Sadducees

Jewish sect that was elite and associated with the Temple priesthood.

Essenes

Jewish sect known for their ascetic lifestyle and community living.

Destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE)

A pivotal event in Jewish history when the Romans destroyed the temple.

Bar Kochba Revolt

Jewish uprising against Roman rule (132-136 CE) led by Simon Bar Kochba.

Gospel (term)

The message of salvation and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Gospel (genre)

A narrative account of the life and teachings of Jesus.

The Synoptic Gospels

The first three gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) that share similar content.

Two-Source Hypothesis

The theory that Matthew and Luke derived from Mark and a hypothetical document Q.

Jesus, Christ and Son of God

Titles reflecting Jesus' divine nature and messianic role.

Life of Christ

The events surrounding the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism and temptation

The beginning of Jesus' ministry, marked by his baptism and subsequent temptation.

Galilean ministry

Period of Jesus' teaching and miracles primarily in Galilee.

Entry into Jerusalem

Jesus' triumphant entry, marking the beginning of the Passion week.

Crucifixion and resurrection

The death of Jesus on the cross followed by his resurrection—central to Christian faith.

John the Baptist

Prophet who baptized Jesus and called for repentance.

The Twelve Disciples

The primary followers of Jesus during his ministry.

Parables

Stories told by Jesus to convey moral and spiritual lessons.

Gospel of Mark

The earliest gospel that emphasizes the suffering of Jesus.

Messianic Secret

Concept in Mark where Jesus often instructs others not to reveal his identity.

Intercalation

Literary technique used in Mark, involving a story within a story.

Gospel of Matthew

Gospel emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy.

Genealogy of Jesus

The lineage tracing Jesus' descent from David and Abraham in Matthew.

Infancy Narrative

Accounts of Jesus' birth and early life as found in Matthew and Luke.

Matthean Discourses

Collections of Jesus' teachings unique to the Gospel of Matthew.

Sermon on the Mount

A collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew, including the Beatitudes.

The Great Commission

Jesus' instruction to his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations.

Gospel of Luke

Gospel that emphasizes compassion and inclusion of marginalized groups.

Theophilus

The addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Sermon on the Plain

Luke's account of Jesus' teachings, paralleling Matthew's Sermon on the Mount.

Travel Narrative

Sections of Luke detailing Jesus' journey to Jerusalem.

Salvation History

The narrative of God's saving actions throughout history.

Gentile Inclusion

The acceptance of non-Jews into the Christian faith, emphasized in Luke.

Gospel of John

The gospel that presents a more theological interpretation of Jesus' life.

“The one whom Jesus loved”

Reference to the disciple John in the Gospel of John.

Supersessionism

The theological view that Christianity has replaced Judaism.

Logos

The Word; in John, signifies Christ as the pre-existent divine Word.

The Book of Signs

Sections in John focusing on Jesus' miracles as signs of his identity.

Lazarus

The friend of Jesus who was raised from the dead, highlighting Jesus' power over life.

The “I Am” Statements

Statements made by Jesus in John that reveal his divine identity.

The Book of Glory

The sections of John that focus on Jesus' passion and glorification.

Mary Magdalene

Key figure in the resurrection narrative; the first to witness the risen Christ.

Restoration of Peter (addendum)

Passage in John where Jesus reinstates Peter after his denial.

Acts of the Apostles

Book detailing the early Church and the spread of the Christian faith.

Apostle

One of the early followers of Jesus, commissioned to spread his teachings.

Pentecost

Event where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, marking the church's birth.

Peter’s Vision

A vision of Peter that led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.

Paul (Acts)

Significant figure in the spread of Christianity, known for his missionary journeys.

The Jerusalem Council

Meeting in Acts addressing Gentile inclusion and the requirements for salvation.

Broadening Community of Acts

The expansion of the Christian community beyond Jewish believers.

Epistle

A letter, often written by apostles, addressing early Christian issues.

Pauline Epistles

Letters attributed to Paul addressing various churches and communities.

General information

Basic facts concerning the content and context of an epistle.

Recipient context and occasion

The specific circumstances and audience an epistle is addressed to.

Overall message/answer to occasion

The main theme and purpose of an epistle's writing.

The Collection

The fundraising effort for the church in Jerusalem gathered by Paul.

Pauline Epistle structure

Typical format and literary style found in Paul's letters.

Nature of Pauline Epistles

Characteristics and themes present in Paul's correspondence.

Soteriology

The study of salvation; a key theme in Paul's letters.

Pseudonymity

The practice of writing under a false name, relevant to some Pauline letters.

Disputed Pauline Epistles / Pseudo-Paul

Letters attributed to Paul that are contested regarding authenticity.

First Letter to the Thessalonians

Paul's letter addressing issues of eschatology and community encouragement.

The Parousia

The second coming of Christ, a significant concept in Christian eschatology.

Immanent Eschatology

Belief in the imminent return of Christ during the early Christian period.

Letter to the Galatians

Paul's letter focusing on the law vs. grace and the nature of the gospel.

Polemic

A strong verbal or written attack on a particular doctrine or practice.

First Letter to the Corinthians

Addressed issues of morality and division within the Corinthian church.

Prooftexting

The practice of using isolated biblical texts to support a specific argument.

Canonical criticism

The analysis of the texts within the context of the larger biblical canon.

Second Letter to the Corinthians

A defense of Paul’s apostolic authority and expression of his ministry.

Composite document

A text formed from various sources or writings, relevant in biblical studies.