Religion 200 Final Exam
Israel as a Nation (1000-587 BCE)
Key Dates to Anchor the History
1250 BCE: Approximate date of the Exodus
1000 BCE: King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital
922 BCE: Division of the united monarchy into Israel (north) and Judah (south)
721 BCE: Fall of the northern kingdom (Israel) to the Assyrians
587 BCE: Fall of the southern kingdom (Judah) to the Babylonians; beginning of the Exile
333 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers the Near East (Hellenistic Period)
63 BCE: Roman conquest of Judea
70 CE: Destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans
312 CE: Constantine’s conversion to Christianity
638 CE: Muslim conquest of Jerusalem
1095 CE: First Crusade launched (focus on Jerusalem)
1918 CE: End of Ottoman rule; British Mandate begins
1948 CE: Establishment of the State of Israel
“Messiah” and “Son of God” in Kingship
Messiah: In Hebrew, Messiah means “anointed one” and refers to kings annotated by God to rule.
Son of God: Kings were sometimes called God’s “son,” signifying a divine mandate to rule.
This symbolizes the close relationship between God and the king, as seen in royal psalms like Psalm 2.
These terms gained religious significance looking forward to a messianic figure who would restore Israel.
Human King’s Relationship to God
Kings were seen as chosen by God but subordinate to Him. Their role was to implement God’s agenda.
Psalm 2: Describes the king as God’s “son” who rules the nations under divine authority.
1 Samuel 2: Hannah’s song anticipates the raising of a divinely appointed king and emphasizes God’s role in granting power.
Psalm 72: A royal psalm depicting the king’s role in executing justice, defending the poor, and bringing peace.
Recognizing a Royal Psalm
Royal Psalms focus on the king and his relationship with God:
Themes include coronation, divine selection, justice, peace, and victory over enemies.
Examples: Psalm 2, Psalm 72, Psalm 89, Psalm 110
The Davidic Covenant
Content: God promises David that his dynasty will endure forever (2 Samuel 7).
Type of Covenenat: Unconditional–God commits to maintaining David’s line regardless of human failure.
Significance:
Jerusalem: Becomes the central city of kingship, worship (Temple), and divine presence.
The Exile: When Judah fell (587 BCE), the Davidic promise seemed broken, questioning God’s faithfulness.
Hope for Restoration: The covenant gave rise to hopes of a future Davidic king (a “messiah”) who would restore Israel and bring peace.
The Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon’s death, the united kingdom split into two:
Northern Kingdom (Israel): 10 tribes
Southern Kingdom (Judah): 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin)
Reasons Given in 1 Kings 11:
Solomon’s “heart problem” caused the division.
Solomon turned away from God by worshiping foreign gods and building high places for his many wives’ deities.
God punished Solomon by promising to tear the kingdom away from his son, Rehoboam.
Reflecting Early Warnings About Kingship
Deuteronomy 17:14-20:
Warning against kings accumulating excessive:
Wealth (gold/silver)
Horses (military power)
Wives (leading to idolatry)
Solomon violated all these rules, especially through his foreign alliances and idolatry.
1 Samuel 8:
The Israelites demand a king “like the other nations.”
Samuel warns that a king will exploit the people through taxes, forced labor, and conscription.
Solomon’s reign reflects these warnings: he imposed heavy taxes and labor burdens (1 Kings 12:4), leading to resentment among the northern tribes.
Key Dates, Names, and Capitals
Northern Kingdom:
Name: Israel
Capital: Samaria
First King: Jeroboam I
Southern Kingdom:
Name: Judah
Capital: Jerusalem
First King: Rehoboam (Solomon’s son)
The Fall of the Northern Kingdom
Date: 721 BCE
Destroyer: The Assyrians under King Sargon II
The northern tribes were scattered and became known as the “Lost Tribes of Israel”.
The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile
God’s Complaint Against Jerusalem
Jeremiah’s Message:
Jeremiah accuses Jerusalem of idolatry, social injustice, and breaking the covenant with God.
The people turned to false gods, abandoning the Torah, and exploiting the poor.
The leaders (priests and kings) failed to guide the people toward repentance.
God’s Intention for Jerusalem:
God announces judgment:
Jerusalem will be destroyed as a consequence of their sins.
The Babylonians (referred to as God’s instrument of judgment) will conquer the city and exile the people.
The People’s Response:
Jeremiah calls the people to repent (Jeremiah 7:3)
The people, however largely reject Jeremiah’s warnings.
Key Date and Nation
Date:587 BCE
Nation Responsible: Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar II
Jerusalem, including the Temple, was destroyed, and much of the population was exiled to Babylon.
Jeremiah’s Time Period
Jeremiah was a prophet during the late 7th century BCE to early 6th century BCE (approximately 627-586 BCE)
His ministry spanned the final years of Judah, including:
The reign of King Josiah
The fall of Jerusalem
The early part of the Exile
What is a prophet?
Definition: Someone chosen by God to deliver God’s messages (oracles) to the people.
God’s spokespersons, addressing current issues
Forms of Prophetic Speech:
Oracles of Judgement: Warnings of punishment for sin
Oracles of Salvation: Messages of hope and restoration
Symbolic Actions: Prophets sometimes act out God’s message
The Promise of Restoration (Jeremiah 33:14-22)
God promises restoration after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile:
The Davidic Line
God will fulfill his covenant with David, promising that a righteous “branch” from David’s line will rule justly.
This ruler (messianic figure) will bring justice, peace, and security to Jerusalem.
This connects to believing in a “Messiah” who would restore Israel’s kingdom.
The Priesthood
God promises the continuity of the Levitical priesthood, ensuring that proper worship will resume.
God’s Covenant Faithfulness
The covenant with David and the covenant with the priests are described as unbreakable as God’s covenant with day and night.
Key Dates for the Period of Restoration
It began after the Babylonian Exile
538 BCE:
King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.
This marks the start of the Second Temple Period.
516 BCE:
The completion and dedication of the Second Temple.
Views of Jesus
Through the Gospel of Luke
Hannah’s Song (1 Samuel 2:1-10):
Focuses on God’s power to overturn societal structures
The lowly are exalted, and the proud and powerful are brought low.
God cares for the poor, weak, and oppressed.
A vision of God’s justice and care for the marginalized.
Mary’s Song
Mirrors Hannah’s vision of reversal:
God scatters the proud, brings down rulers, lifts the humble, and fills the hungry.
Highlights God’s faithfulness to his covenant with Abraham and Israel.
Mary proclaims that God’s agenda challenges the powerful and brings hope to the oppressed.
Jesus’s Mission (Luke 4:16-21):
Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue:
Proclaims good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed.
Jesus declares: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” connecting his mission to God’s agenda of justice and restoration.
Jesus Carrying Out “God’s Agenda” in Luke
Ministry to the Marginalized:
Jesus heals the sick
Welcomes sinners and outcasts
Emphasizes care for the poor (Parable of the Rich Man and Lazurus, Luke 16:19-31)
Reversal of Social Structures
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) and the Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-26) emphasize blessings for the poor and warnings for the rich.
Inclusivity
Jesus reaches out to Gentiles and Samaritans
Highlights women in his ministry
Focus on Forgiveness and Salvation
Jesus forgives sins (Luke 7:36-50)
Jesus’ mission climaxes with the cross and resurrection, securing salvation for all.
Societies in Contrast (Rhoads)
Luke contrasts two types of societies:
Dominant (Roman and elite Jewish structures):
Oppression, wealth, and power are at the top.
Alternative (God’s kingdom):
Justice, inclusivity, and care for the marginalized.
Political Tensions and Jewish Groups
At the time of Jesus:
Roman occupation of Judea created unrest and hopes for a Messiah to restore Israel’s independence.
Jewish Religious Groups:
Pharisees: strict interpreters of the Law, believed in resurrection and oral traditions
Sadducees: wealthy priestly class, rejected oral law and resurrection
Zealots: revolutionary group advocating for violent resistance to Roman rule
Essenes: ascetic group, withdrew from society and anticipated God’s apocalyptic intervention
Scribes: experts in the law, often associated with the Pharisees
Sanhedrin: Jewish council that held religious and judicial authority
Diversity within Judaism:
Different groups had varied approaches to achieving restoration
Ex. Zealot violence vs. Pharisaic piety
Two-Source Hypothesis
The Two-Source Hypothesis explains that Luke used:
Mark as a primary source
Q (Quelle): A hypothetical collection of Jesus’ sayings shared with Mathew
Mark + Q → Material unique to Luke (Ex. Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son).
Author, Date, and Related Book
The Gospel of Luke was written by the same author as the Book of Acts.
Approximate Date: 80-90 CE.
Luke focuses on:
Universal salvation for Jews and Gentiles
The role of the Holy Spirit and the spread of the Gospel
Key Terms
Gospel: “good news” (stories of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection)
Synagogue: Jewish place of worship and teaching
Pharisees: Jewish sect emphasizing the law and oral traditions
Scribes: experts in the law, often associated with the Pharisees
Sanhedrin: Jewish council that held religious and judicial authority
Sadducees: wealthy priestly class, rejected oral law and resurrection
Gentiles: non-jews
Disciple: a follower of Jesus
Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Monotheism: the belief in one God
Zealots: Jewish revolutionaries
Essenes: ascetic group, withdrew from society and anticipated God’s apocalyptic intervention
Apocalyptic Movements: focused on God’s end-time intervention
Q (Quelle): hypothetical source of Jesus’ sayings
Parable: a story illustrating a moral or spiritual lesson
Samaritan: a member of a group despised by Jews
Apostle: a sent one (Ex. Paul)
Messiah/Christ: “anointed one,” a figure of deliverance
Diaspora: Jews living outside Israel
Through the Letter to the Galatians
What Paul Said Happened Through the Death and Ressurection of Jesus
Death and Resurrection of Jesus:
Paul argues that Jesus’ death and resurrection brought justification by faith rather than through the law (Torah).
Jesus’ sacrifice created a new covenant that opened the door for both Jews and Gentiles to have a relationship with God.
Change in Relationship Between Jews, Gentiles, and God:
The law no longer defines righteousness
Jews and Gentiles are now equal before God through faith in Jesus Christ
Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you, are one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul emphasizes freedom in Christ: salvation is a gift from God, not earned through works of the law
Paul’s Goals, Arguments, and Opponents
What Paul Wanted to Accomplish:
Paul wanted to stop the imposition of Jewish customs on Gentile converts (Ex. dietary laws, circumcision)
He looked to defend the idea that faith in Christ was the means of salvation
Who Was Paul Arguing With?
“Judaizers”: Jewish Christians who insisted Gentiles must observe the Mosaic Law to be fully part of God’s people
Primarily Gentile Christians who were being misled by Judaizers, who insisted they needed to follow Jewish law to be fully Christian.
Food and Cirumsion
Circumcision: a key sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Genesis 17)
Food Laws: following dietary laws was a significant part of Jewish identity
Sharing meals was central to Christian fellowship, so food lams created a division between Jews and Gentiles
What Paul Argued God Intended for the Gentiles:
God planned to include Gentiles in His people without requiring the Law
Galatians 3:6-9: Paul points to Abraham as an example—Abraham was justified by faith, not by the Law
Paul argues that the Law was temporary, a “guardian” until Christ came to fulfill God’s promise (Galatians 3:23-25)
How Paul Uses the Ancestral Covenant:
Paul points to Abraham as the father of all who believe:
Abraham was justified by faith, not works of the Law (Genesis 15:6)
The promise to Abraham—that all nations would be blessed through him—finds fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 3:16)
Gentiles inherit this promise through faith, becoming part of Abraham’s spiritual descendants
Who Paul Was and His Credentials
Who Paul Was:
Paul (originally Saul) was a Jewish Pharisee who persecuted the early followers of Jesus
He experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), where he encountered the risen Jesus
Paul’s Credentials:
Paul was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures and trained under Gamaliel (a respected Pharisee)
He identified as a Jew and a Roman citizen, which gave him unique cultural and legal advantages
After his conversion, Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16)
Why Paul Was Looked Upon with Suspicion:
Before his conversion, Paul was a persecutor of Christians, so early believers were initially wary of him.
His teaching that Gentiles could join the Jesus movement without adopting Jewish customs was controversial.
Some viewed Paul as undermining the Law and Jewish identity.
Paul’s Relationship to Jesus and the Jesus Movement:
Paul never met Jesus during his earthly ministry but claimed to receive his Gospel through a direct revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).
He worked to spread the Gospel across the Roman Empire, especially among Gentiles.
Why Paul Is Important for Understanding Early Christianity:
Paul’s letters (including Galatians) are some of the earliest Christian writings and provide key insights into the early church’s struggles and beliefs.He shaped Christian theology:
Justification by faith.
Inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant.
The role of grace over the Law.
Paul’s missionary journeys established Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean.
Key Themes in Galatians
Justification by Faith
“We know that a person is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
Freedom in Christ
Believers are free from the bondage of the Law and sin (Galatians 5:1).
Unity in Christ
Faith in Christ eliminates divisions: “You are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
The Role of the Law
The Law served as a temporary guide but was fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:24-25).
3. Views of Creation and What it means to be Human:
Genesis 1:26-31 – The Creation of Humans in the First Creation Account
Description of Humans:
Humans are created on the sixth day as the culmination of creation.
God creates humans in His image and likeness:
Genesis 1:26: “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.”
This reflects the dignity, value, and unique role of humans in creation.
Humans are formed from the earth (dust) but receive the breath of life from God, reflecting a close, intimate act of creation.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil serves as a test of obedience and trust in God.