Unifying doctrines are an authoritative response to the chaotic storms of controversy created by heterodoxy. A Heterodoxy, (literally meaning ‘different’ doctrine) is a doctrine that deviates from the norm. Heterodoxy operates in dichotomy to Orthodoxy, which are the generally accepted ideals of a society (normative values). It also describes doctrines of competing truths, thesis’ and anti-thesis’. Society in its base form is a group of individuals that interact but have different values and interests. For top-down authority to be established, political elites must legitimize a set of normative values that reflect the whole, it must produce a thesis that persuades individuals to identify with the interests of the authority instead of just their
…show more content…
The Israelite Valley was a political and cultural centre of the world, therefore for an orthodox to survive it must form a stable identity. Judaism does this by establishing an identity that is linked with ethnicity. The covenant between humanity and God is specifically related to the people of Israel, not all of humanity. This titanium identity was challenged during the reign of the Greek empire within Jerusalem, and specifically under the leadership of Antiochus. Hellenization brought a broad range of differing philosophic and theological thought to Israel, this resulted in a largely diversified belief systems. This external disruption also brought in a different authoritative power that imposed methods intended for the unification of identity. This assimilation was aided during 175-163 BCE by Antiochus IV who used forceful methods to achieve his aim (Oxtoby 93). Antiochus was part of the Seleucid dynasty which rivalled the Greek empire (Oxtoby 94). In 198 BCE, the Seleucids would take control of Judea which would later lead to Antiochus as king. (Oxtoby 94) Rather than propose synthesizing doctrines through an academic platform, Antiochus imposed unity by burning Torah scrolls, banning observation on the seventh day of Sabbath, and ordering the death of women who let their sons be circumsized (Oxtoby 93). Antiochus was attempting to delegitimize the authority of the Jewish faith by banning their rituals in order to centralize authority under the Greek ruling identity. His attempt, like many violent methods of assimilation, was unsuccessful, in 167 BCE, priests-called the Hasmoneans-rebelled against Antiochus and his followers. (Oxtoby 94) With Judah at the helm they were able repel the Seleucid army and protect their doctrine. Later, in 73 CE, Jerusalem would be defeated and the stage would be set for a new unifying doctrine to emerge. Initially a
The Israelite Valley was a political and cultural centre of the world, therefore for an orthodox to survive it must form a stable identity. Judaism does this by establishing an identity that is linked with ethnicity. The covenant between humanity and God is specifically related to the people of Israel, not all of humanity. This titanium identity was challenged during the reign of the Greek empire within Jerusalem, and specifically under the leadership of Antiochus. Hellenization brought a broad range of differing philosophic and theological thought to Israel, this resulted in a largely diversified belief systems. This external disruption also brought in a different authoritative power that imposed methods intended for the unification of identity. This assimilation was aided during 175-163 BCE by Antiochus IV who used forceful methods to achieve his aim (Oxtoby 93). Antiochus was part of the Seleucid dynasty which rivalled the Greek empire (Oxtoby 94). In 198 BCE, the Seleucids would take control of Judea which would later lead to Antiochus as king. (Oxtoby 94) Rather than propose synthesizing doctrines through an academic platform, Antiochus imposed unity by burning Torah scrolls, banning observation on the seventh day of Sabbath, and ordering the death of women who let their sons be circumsized (Oxtoby 93). Antiochus was attempting to delegitimize the authority of the Jewish faith by banning their rituals in order to centralize authority under the Greek ruling identity. His attempt, like many violent methods of assimilation, was unsuccessful, in 167 BCE, priests-called the Hasmoneans-rebelled against Antiochus and his followers. (Oxtoby 94) With Judah at the helm they were able repel the Seleucid army and protect their doctrine. Later, in 73 CE, Jerusalem would be defeated and the stage would be set for a new unifying doctrine to emerge. Initially a