1. Describe the dual inheritance within Christianity of Greek and Jewish thought. How were these traditions similar? How were they distinct? How did each contribute to the formation of Christian life and belief? Cite MacCulloch in your answer.
Investigating the origins of the Bible aids in drawing connections between the demographics that wrote and condoned it, their culture, and how that has influenced Christianity. Recognizing that the books that comprise the Bible were originally written in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek, reveals that the origins of Christian thought and beliefs are based in the countries where those languages are spoken, which are Israel and Greece. Thus, the ideologies of the Jewish and Greek would be heavily implemented into …show more content…
Christians, like the Jews, use their holy book for guidance and answers but, the Greeks do not rely on text when searching for answers but yet, look towards nature for them. In Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years, author Diarmaid MacCulloch depicts an account of what Jewish holy texts would entail, “Their holy books told them how they had fought to win [their land], trusting in ancient promises of God, how they had lost it and won it once more” (MacCulloch 50). Writings from the Tanakh provide an extensive database of the history and tradition of Jewish people and are utilized by both Jews and Christians. Jesus Christ, the Christian messiah, was a Jew so He would also hear and learn about these stories and practices Jewish traditions which also effects how Christians practice their …show more content…
These philosophers have greatly shaped modern day Christian belief. Plato, the teacher of Aristotle, implemented the idea of God absolutely perfect. He [God] is unchanging, and is synonymous with oneness and goodness. He also implemented the idea that human life is an illusion and man should seek to discover and grow his unseen form–his soul. The soul, as taught by Plato, is a path to arête, and it will be judged by the creator. Aristotle’s ideas were a bit less accepted by Christians sense his teachings seems to be focused more classifying levels of the physical world. However, when Christians had to made theological comments upon natural subjects, like biology, Aristotle was very useful to them. Aristotle believed that humans were rational creatures that were able to understand God through the natural world (MacCulloch 28-31).
2. Describe Christianity’s relationship with the Roman Empire in the period up to and including the early fourth century. How does this relationship suggest insights on Christianity’s relationship to power more broadly? In your answer, consider citing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham City
Investigating the origins of the Bible aids in drawing connections between the demographics that wrote and condoned it, their culture, and how that has influenced Christianity. Recognizing that the books that comprise the Bible were originally written in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek, reveals that the origins of Christian thought and beliefs are based in the countries where those languages are spoken, which are Israel and Greece. Thus, the ideologies of the Jewish and Greek would be heavily implemented into …show more content…
Christians, like the Jews, use their holy book for guidance and answers but, the Greeks do not rely on text when searching for answers but yet, look towards nature for them. In Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years, author Diarmaid MacCulloch depicts an account of what Jewish holy texts would entail, “Their holy books told them how they had fought to win [their land], trusting in ancient promises of God, how they had lost it and won it once more” (MacCulloch 50). Writings from the Tanakh provide an extensive database of the history and tradition of Jewish people and are utilized by both Jews and Christians. Jesus Christ, the Christian messiah, was a Jew so He would also hear and learn about these stories and practices Jewish traditions which also effects how Christians practice their …show more content…
These philosophers have greatly shaped modern day Christian belief. Plato, the teacher of Aristotle, implemented the idea of God absolutely perfect. He [God] is unchanging, and is synonymous with oneness and goodness. He also implemented the idea that human life is an illusion and man should seek to discover and grow his unseen form–his soul. The soul, as taught by Plato, is a path to arête, and it will be judged by the creator. Aristotle’s ideas were a bit less accepted by Christians sense his teachings seems to be focused more classifying levels of the physical world. However, when Christians had to made theological comments upon natural subjects, like biology, Aristotle was very useful to them. Aristotle believed that humans were rational creatures that were able to understand God through the natural world (MacCulloch 28-31).
2. Describe Christianity’s relationship with the Roman Empire in the period up to and including the early fourth century. How does this relationship suggest insights on Christianity’s relationship to power more broadly? In your answer, consider citing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham City