Christian Scriptures 4

Intertestamental Period

The time between the Old and New Testaments, known as the '400 silent years'.

Maccabean Revolt

A rebellion led by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus against Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BCE.

Hellenism

The Greek influence on Jewish culture during the Intertestamental Period.

Sadducees

The temple elite of Second Temple Judaism who did not believe in resurrection.

Pharisees

Torah experts who believed in the oral law and resurrection.

Essenes

A Jewish sect that separated from society and likely wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Zealots

Revolutionaries in Judaism who were anti-Roman rebels.

Apocrypha

Jewish writings not included in the Hebrew Bible but found in some Christian Bibles.

Septuagint

The Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures used by early Christians.

Acts of the Apostles

A book in the New Testament that recounts the history of the early church.

Synoptic Problem

The question of how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are related.

Gentile Audience

The group of people that the Gospel of Luke is primarily directed toward.

Jerusalem Council

A pivotal meeting addressing whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law.

Amanuensis

A scribe or secretary who writes on behalf of another author.

Pseudonymity

The practice of writing a letter in the name of a famous figure, such as an apostle.

Apocalyptic Genre

Literature characterized by symbolic visions of cosmic struggle, as seen in Revelation.

Judaizers

Individuals who promoted the necessity of following Jewish law, especially circumcision.

Canonization

The process by which certain texts were recognized as authoritative scripture.

Great Fire of Rome

A significant event occurring in 64 CE leading to persecution of Christians.

First Missionary Journey

Paul's initial journey to spread the Gospel, taking place around 46-49 CE.

Hanukkah

The festival commemorating the rededication of the Jewish temple in 164 BCE.

Hasmonean Dynasty

The period of Jewish self-rule in Israel from 142-63 BCE after the Maccabean Revolt.

Destruction of the Second Temple

An event in 70 CE when the Roman Empire destroyed the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.