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REVIEW
M
JUDAISM
and
CHRISTIANITY
THE PENTATEUCH
The Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books of
the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy), enjoys particular prestige among the
Jews as the "Law," or "Torah," the concrete
expression of God's will in their regard. It is more than
a body of legal doctrine, even though such material
occupies many chapters, for it contains the story of
the formation of the People of God: Abraham and the
Patriarchs, Moses and the oppressed Hebrews in
Egypt, the birth of Israel in the Sinai covenant, the
journey to the threshold of the Promised Land, and
the "discourses" of Moses.
JEDP:
Sources in the Pentateuch
The letters JEDP are a designation used by
scholars to identify the component parts or
sources that they understand were used to
compile the first five books of the Old
Testament. There have been various opinions
as to whether these sources were written or
oral traditions, and whether each source
represents an independent strand or a stage
in the development of an older source.
.
• The grandeur of this historic sweep is the result of a
careful and complex joining of several historic
traditions, or sources. These are primarily four: the
so-called Yahwist (Jehovah), Elohist, Priestly, and
Deuteronomic strands that run through the
Pentateuch. (They are conveniently abbreviated as
J, E, P and D.) Each brings to the Torah its own
characteristics, its own theological viewpoint--a rich
variety of interpretation that the sensitive reader will
take pains to appreciate.
.
A superficial difference between two of these sources
is responsible for their names: the Yahwist (J)
prefers the name Yahweh (represented in
translation as Lord) by which God revealed himself
to Israel; the Elohist prefers the generic name for
God, Elohim. The Yahwist is concrete, imaginative,
using many anthropomorphisms in its theological
approach, as seen, e.g., in the narrative of creation
in Genesis 2, compared with the Priestly version in
Genesis 1.
.
• The Elohist is more sober, moralistic. The
Priestly strand, which emphasizes
genealogies, is more severely theological in
tone. The Deuteronomic approach is
characterized by the intense hortatory style of
Deuteronomy 5-11, and by certain principles
from which it works, such as the centralization
of worship in the Jerusalem temple.
Quick Breakdown of JEPD
J = Yahwist
≈ 950 BC
E = Elohist
≈ 750 BC
P = Priestly
≈ 620 BC
Southern Kingdom (Judah)
– Davidic monarchy; worship at Jerusalem
Northern Kingdom (Israel)
– covenant traditions; worship centers outside Jerusalem
Reign of King Josiah
- priestly duties, festivals, geneologies, etc
D = Deut…
≈ 540 BC
Return from Babylon exile
– following the laws as response to God’s grace
The Pentateuch (Torah) is largely about Moses, but few
scholars today believe that any part of it was written BY
Moses (at least not in the current received form).
• In the nineteenth century scholars carried out stylistic
analyses, and was able to assign J and E to the
nature and fertility stage of. religion, D to the spiritual
and ethical stage, and P to the priestly and legal
stage. At the same time, historical analysis suggested
that J was very early, E somewhat later, and D and P
centuries later than J. The anger of the world was now
almost boundless. Not only were there four authors
(none of which was Moses) but these men were
actually suggesting that the accounts were written at
very different times, centuries removed from each
other! The entire weight of Catholicism, Protestantism,
and Judaism was arrayed against the scholars.
• However, by the twentieth century, the fury had
abated. Most mainline Protestants began to see that it
really didn't matter who wrote the books; the content
was the important part.
Sarah tells
Abraham
that Hagar
& Ishmael
are to be
banished
from the
camp
(because
Ishmael
was making
fun of &
teasing
Isaac)
Judaism and Hellenism (333
B.C.E.-70 C.E.)
Judea remained a Persian province from her return
from Babylonian exile until Alexander the Great
invaded the Middle East. With his victory at Issus in
333 B.C.E. he secured control of Asia and spread
Greek culture, government, and language
throughout his realm. The Hellenistic period had
begun.
.
Alexander allowed the Jews to observe their own ritual laws
and traditions and was generally kindly disposed to them.
This lenient policy of "live and let live" continued through
the period of Ptolemaic control of Judea. This changed
when control of Palestine passed from the dynasty of
Ptolemy to the dynasty of Seleucus in 198 B.C.E. The
Seleucids, especially Antiochus IV Epiphanes, attempted
to force Hellenism upon the Jews of Palestine, often with
extreme cruelty.
Hellenism fundamentally challenged
. Jewish culture and
religion. The Greek language displaced Aramaic as the
language of the Middle East. Greek literature; philosophy;
and institutions such as the gymnasium, polis (city), and
theater, transformed traditional societies... and threatened
Hebrew culture. Many Jews "modernized" and went along
with the changes, but others resisted and refused to give up
their Jewishness as traditionally defined. The book of Daniel
tells of the struggles of Daniel and his friends to remain
faithful to Torah the in a Persian culture that sought to
assimilate them. Later Jews who accepted the Greek life-
style and culture were called “Hellenists.”
.
The Maccabean uprising
was one attempt to
reverse the progress of
Hellenization. Led by
Judas the Maccabee, the
Jews were able for a time
to reestablish home rule.
It was effective to the
point that an independent
Jewish state was created
and ruled by the
Hasmonean house for
almost eighty years, from
142 to 63 B.C.E.
In 63 B.C.E. the Romans took control of the Middle East. Pompey
captured Jerusalem, and the territories
of Palestine were
.
incorporated into the larger Roman empire. Local government
was first entrusted to local princes, of whom Herod the Great
(37-4 B.C.E.) was one. Herod was the ruler of greater
Palestine at the time Jesus was born. Later, procurators
appointed by Roman emperors were placed in charge of
smaller Palestinian territories.
Jewish society was anything but homogeneous at this time. The
Sadducees, a religious-political party, were not opposed to
accommodating Greco-Roman forms. While they advocated
an exclusively Torah-based form of religion and continued the
ritual forms of the priesthood, they tended to cooperate with
the occupiers of Palestine, thereby retaining a role in the
The Essenes, to whom many authorities
attribute the Dead Sea
.
Scrolls, were the most conservative Jewish group. They led
an ascetic existence in the wilderness, withdrawn from the
Jewish religious establishment in Jerusalem which they
believed was corrupt. They devoted themselves to the Torah,
and in this way prepared themselves for the eagerly expected
messiah.
The militant Jewish group called the Zealots sought to rid Judea
of Roman occupation. This form of Judaism, traceable to the
Maccabees, campaigned for Jewish independence and a
resurrection of the great Israelite monarchy. They precipitated
a rebellion, called the First Jewish Revolt, which resulted in
the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
•
The Pharisees, the religious liberals of their day, practiced a
dynamic faith which actively translated Mosaic and prophetic
. the traditional Jewish groups,
religion to life in their day. Of all
not surprisingly it was Pharisaic Judaism that survived the
disasters of the first and second Jewish Revolts against the
Romans (66-73 C.E. and 132-135 C.E.), along, of course, with
the early Christians. In 70 CE, the temple was destroyed (all
but the Western Wall); in 135 CE, circumcision, reading the
Torah, Sabbath observance was forbidden, Jerusalem was
renamed Aelia Capitolina, and Judea renamed Palestine (after
the ancient Philistines).
• The Christian sect began as a Jewish religious phenomenon,
shaped by the belief that the messianic age had been
inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of their
leader, Jesus of Nazareth. Only later was it altogether
distinguished from Judaism.
EARLY JEWISH SECTS
SCRIPTURES
• Tanakh – the 3 divisions of ancient scripture
– Torah - first five books; Pentateuch
• Written Torah – give to Moses and recorded
• Oral Toral (Mishnah) – given to Moses, memorized, and
recorded about 200 CE (mostly legal teachings)
– Kethuvium – the writings
– Nev’ium – the Prophets
• Midrash – interpretation of scriptures
– Halakhah – legal decision (proper conduct)
– Haggadah – folklore, history, traditions, etc
.
• Kabbalah – Jewish mystical teachings
(recorded in the Middle Ages)
– Hasidism – the path of ecstatic piety (union
with god through divine visions and love)
• Mitzvot – 613 commandments
• 13 Principles of Faith (written down by
Maimonides)
The Thirteen Basic Principles
I hold with complete faith
that the Creator whose Name shall be blessed:
– 1. is the Creator and Director of all creatures, and that he alone
made, makes and will make everything that exists.
– 2. is [the perfect] Unity and there is no Unity like him in any
manner and that he alone, our God, was is and will be.
– 3. has no [physical] body, nor can any corporeal effect influence
Him, and that he has no form at all.
– 4. is the First and the Last. [is eternal]
.
5. the Creator alone is worthy to be the object of prayer, and that it is
not fitting to pray to anything other than Him alone.
6. that all the words of the [Jewish] prophets are true.
7. that the prophecy of Moses our teacher, E"H [variously translated
as servant of God, or peace be upon him, but absent in the Arabic
version] was truthful, and the he was the root of the prophets who
came both before and after him.
8. that all of the Torah which now exists in our hands is that which
was given to Moses our teacher
9. that this Torah will not be exchanged [for another, or overturned],
and that there will never be another Torah from the Creator whose
Name shall be blessed.
.
that the Creator whose Name shall be blessed:
– 10. knows every deed of human beings and all of their thoughts, as it is
written, Who created together their hearts, who understands all their
deeds.
– 11. grants good to those who observe His commands and causes those
who transgress His commands to be punished.
12. in the coming of the Moshiach [Anointed King], and even though
he may tarry, with all this I will wait for him every day that shall
come.
13. that there will be a resurrection of the dead at a time which shall
arise in the Will of the Creator whose Name is blessed, and
consciousness of Him will arise forever and ever.
“Semites” are descendents
of Noah’s son Shem
Objectives
Chapter 8 examines Judaism beginning with the history of the Jewish people.
This section includes central Biblical stories, Return to Jerusalem, Rabbinic
Judaism, Judaism in the Middle Ages, Enlightenment, Kabbalah and
Hasidism, American Judaism, the Holocaust, and Zionism. The chapter
covers religious beliefs and practices in a description of the Torah, sacred
practices, holy days, and contemporary Judaism.
.
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
• Trace the historical basis of Judaism.
• Recognize important Biblical figures and their contributions to the religion.
• Analyze post-Biblical developments within Judaism.
• Describe the major religious beliefs, practices, and holy days.
• Identify major groups within contemporary Judaism.
• Define important terms and phrases such as Torah, Tanakh, Talmud,
Pentateuch, Semite, Ark of the Covenant, Gentiles, Sadducees, Pharisees,
Essenes, Zealots, Messiah, rabbis, synagogues, Midrash, Misnah, diaspora,
oral Torah, written Torah, Shekhinah, Kabbalah, Hasidism, tzaddik, Zionism,
mitzvot, minyan, Sabbath, kosher, t'fillin, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur,
Sukkot, Purim, Hanukkah, Bar Mitzvah, and Bat Mitzvah.
Judaism can best be defined as
a religious group.
a polytheistic religion.
an ethnic group.
both a religious and an ethnic group.
The most sacred part of the Hebrew scriptures is
the Pentateuch.
the Kethuvim.
the Prophets.
the Nevi'im.
This word is actually an acronym for the three major divisions of
the Hebrew Bible.
Tanakh
Kethuvim
Torah
Nevi'im
Several of the stories presented in the first five books of the Hebrew
Bible are similar to earlier Mesopotamian legends. These stories
include the Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Great Flood, and
the Abraham story.
the Job story.
the story of Moses.
the Tower of Babel.
The first creation story (located in Genesis 1-2:1-4) is thought by many
scholars to be written by _________ after the exile of Jews to Babylon.
Rabbis
Kings
Priests
lay people
The first temple was built in Jerusalem by King ___________, giving
the Ark of the Covenant a permanent home.
Ahab
David
Uzziah
Solomon
Early prophets such as Elijah focused on the sins of worshipping other
gods; later prophets emphasized the impending disastrous results of
social and moral sins.
political sins.
temple sins.
any of these.
The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the ____________
around 722 BCE.
Philistines
Assyrians
Egyptians
Babylonians
In 586 BCE, Solomon's temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the
______________, and most of Judah's inhabitants were taken captive.
Egyptians
Babylonians
Philistines
Assyrians
In 164 BCE, this family of priests revolted against the Hellenisticrule
of Judea and established an independent Jewish nation that lasted
until 63 BCE.
Pharisees
Maccabees
Sadducees
Essenes
Jews in exile from their homeland probably encountered Zoroastrians.
Some scholars believe that Jewish belief in concepts such as
___________ may be Zoroastrian in origin.
final resurrection of the body
reward or punishment in an afterlife
an immortal soul
any of these.
The destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem came in 70 CE at
the hands of the
Persians.
Greeks.
Babylonians.
Romans.
Which of the two authorized Talmuds is considered the dominant version
in Jewish theology and law?
Assyrian
Babylonian
Jerusalem
Egyptian
Jewish mystical traditions are known as
Reform Judaism.
Hasidism.
Tzaddik.
Kabbalah.
According to Jewish beliefs, what is the one essential commandment?
to love all humans
to love creation
to love God
to love oneself
The Noahide Code as set forth in the book of Genesis prohibits six
types of behavior including idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft, sexual
behavior outside of marriage, and
having more than one spouse.
cruelty to animals.
lust.
polluting the environment.
The spiritual new year begins for Jews with a holy day known as
Rosh Hashanah.
Purim.
Hanukkah.
Sukkot.
In the days of temple worship, the high priest could enter the Holy of
Holies only during this time of confession and prayer.
Yom Kippur
Purim
Hanukkah
Sukkot
This movement within Judaism modernized the worship, using the
vernacular, adding choirs, and revising the liturgy.
Reconstructionism
Conservative
Orthodox
Reform
The largest Jewish movement in the United States is __________,
whose recent changes include acceptance of riding to a synagogue
for Sabbath services and acceptance of women into rabbinical schools.
Orthodox Judaism
Reform Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Reconstructionism
Torah
the Hebrew bible
Tanakh
"the Writings" in the Hebrew bible
Talmud
the five books of Moses
Pentateuch
teachings given to Moses
Nevi'im
Jewish law and lore
Kethuvim
the books of the prophets in the Hebrew bible
Ark of the
Covenant
a quorum of ten adult males required for community worship
rabbis
synagogues
minyan
teachers, inheritors of the Pharisee tradition
legal teachings of the oral Torah
"meeting places" used for Torah study and worship
midrash
the Rabbinical process of studying Hebrew scriptures
Mishnah
a shrine containing the commandments given to Moses
Shekhinah
small leather boxes containing biblical verses
tzaddik
God's presence in the world, often representing the nurturing
aspect of God
mitzvot
kosher
commandments
Hasidic saint and teacher
Sabbath
sunset Friday night to sunset Saturday night
t'fillin
ritually acceptable
Sukkot
Festival of Dedication
Bar Mitzvah
coming of age ceremony for girls
Bat Mitzvah
fall harvest festival
Hanukkah
commemorates the legend of Esther, queen of Persia
Purim
coming of age ceremony for boys
QUESTIONS:
.
Explain the circumstances that changed Judaism from a
priest led temple-centered tradition to a rabbi led Torahcentered religion after the destruction of the temple in 70
CE. What major changes took place in its emphasis,
worship, and practices? Search this site: Gates of Jewish
Heritage.
What events led to the Holocaust? Review the timeline
presented at The History Place. How have Jewish people
responded to the devastation brought by that event?
What are the three main branches of Judaism today?
Discuss the concept of "exile" in Judaism beginning with
the exile from the Garden of Eden.
Describe and explain the concept of dual Torahs: oral and
written.
What does it mean to be created in the "image" of God?
How do the major groupings of contemporary Judaism
differ in practice and beliefs?
What is the significance of the Western Wall to Jews?
Three Major Divisions of Christianity
Objectives
Chapter 9 examines the Christian religion. Topics covered include the
Christian Bible, the life and teachings of Jesus, the early church, the
Eastern Orthodox Church, Medieval Roman Catholicism, the Protestant
Reformation, the Roman Catholic Reformation, the impact of the
Enlightenment, the Second Vatican Council, central beliefs, sacred
practices, and contemporary trends.
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
• Discuss the background of Christianity.
• Describe the life and teachings of Jesus.
• Recognize major divisions of Christianity and denominations within
Protestantism.
• Analyze central religious beliefs, practices, and special events.
• Recognize important people in the development of Christianity.
• Discuss contemporary trends within Christianity.
Define important terms such as New Testament, Old Testament, gospel,
synoptic gospels, "Q," apocalyptic, parable, Christ, Messiah, crucifixion,
resurrection, Second Coming, Holy Trinity, Gnosticism, creed,
monasticism, pope, synod, icon, excommunication, Inquisition,
indulgence, Purgatory, justification, Protestantism, denomination,
dogma, transubstantiation, ecumenism, sacrament, liturgy, the
Eucharist, mass, penance, baptism, confirmation, evangelicalism,
charismatics, and liberation theology.
The gospels of the New Testament were probably first written down in
Greek.
Greek and Aramaic.
Aramaic and Hebrew.
Hebrew.
These gospels are known as the “synoptic” gospels because of their
similar views of Jesus' career.
Matthew, John, Luke
Matthew, Mark, Luke
Matthew, Mark, Romans
Matthew, Mark, John
The author of this gospel was probably also responsible for the
New Testament book "the Acts of the Apostles.“
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
When this former persecutor of Christians converted to Christianity, he
changed his name to
Saul.
Paul.
Matthew.
John.
This Roman Emperor saw a vision of a cross, a symbol that he then
used in battle. When that battle was won, he initiated a tolerance
of Christianity within the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar
Theodosius
Urban II
Constantine
The early Christian belief that the one God has three aspects---Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit---is called the doctrine of the
Trinity.
Cross.
Holy Eucharist.
Three in One.
Although emphasis on Jesus' imminent return diminished as time
went by, there is still a belief that Christ will return to judge the
living and the dead. This article of faith is called the
Second Coming.
Second Baptism.
Judgment Day.
Return of Christ.
The split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern
Orthodox Church occurred in ______CE.
1054
922
1022
1597
The highest officials in Eastern Orthodox churches are known as
popes.
monarchs.
priests.
patriarchs.
Eastern Orthodox worshippers honor writings of the saints in
addition to the Bible. The most important of these is a
collection called the
Revelation of John.
Philokalia.
Tanakh.
Apocrypha.
The bishop of this city eventually became known as the pope.
Geneva
Naples
Rome
Constantinople
Excommunication from the church meant that a person could not
participate in church activities.
go to heaven.
participate in the sacraments.
any of these.
The theology behind the Inquisition was partly based on the
teachings of ___________, who felt that heretics should be
coerced to convert to Christianity for the sake of their own salvation.
Martin Luther
St. Francis of Assisi
Augustine
any of these.
Roman Catholic financial activities criticized by Martin Luther as
being unbiblical included
indulgences.
purchases of masses for the dead.
sale of relics.
any of these.
Ulrich Zwingli was a reformer who also rejected many of the
practices of the Roman Catholic churches including
abstaining from meat during Lent.
celibacy for monks and priests.
veneration of relics and saints.
any of these.
John Calvin developed a major seat of Protestantism in Geneva that
emphasized the doctrine of predestination. According to Calvinist
theology, although a person could do nothing about being chosen for
salvation, a person’s behavior would reveal whether or not the person
was saved. This behavior included an upright life, participation in the
sacraments, and
wealth.
contributions to the church.
profession of faith.
sinlessness.
Followers of John Wesley's denomination are known as
Methodists.
Baptists.
Quakers.
Congregationalists.
Around the time of the Protestant Reformation, Roman
Catholics experienced a reformation of their own. The
Council of Trent reaffirmed the doctrine of
transubstantiation.
original sin.
goods works as well as faith.
any of these.
Vatican II established several major changes in public worship within
Catholicism. These changes included using the vernacular rather
than Latin in the liturgy, simplification of rites, and
substitution of grape juice for wine.
greater use of sacred music in nontraditional formats.
communion offered by female priests.
any of these.
The major celebrations of the Christian calendar are
Christmas and Easter.
Christmas and Pentecost.
Easter and Lent.
the Annunciation and the Epiphany.
New Testament
27 books written after Jesus' death
Gospel
pertaining to the end of the current age
synoptic gospels
Matthew, Mark, and Luke
"Q"
"good news"
Hermeneutics
field of theology study involved with interpretation of
scriptures
apocalyptic
hypothetical source of sayings used in the gospels
parables
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
"Christ" or "Messiah" mystical perception of knowledge
Gnosticism
stories told by Jesus to illustrate spiritual truths
Second Coming
professions of faith
Holy Trinity
Jesus' return to judge and usher in new world
creeds
"anointed one"
Indulgences
remission of the punishment for sin by the clergy in return
for services or payments
Purgatory
sacred rites
Justification
intermediate place of purifying suffering for those not
quite deserving heaven
Dogma
transformation of bread and wine into body and blood of
Transubstantiation Christ
Sacrament
being found righteous in God's eyes
authorized truth
reconciliation
Liturgy
Holy Eucharist
ceremony of commitment to Christian life usually in early
adolescence
Mass
sacrament involving immersing of person in water or
pouring water over the person's head
Penance
communion service
Baptism
ritual of public worship
confirmation
central sacrament using bread and wine or grape juice
QUESTIONS:
Explain the development of monasticism within Christianity.
What conflicts or disagreements led to the split of the Roman Catholic
Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church?
What basic characteristics distinguish all Protestant denominations
from Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches?
Describe these contemporary trends in Christianity: evangelicalism,
charismatics, cultural broadening, liberation theology, feminist
theology, creation-centered Christianity, and ecumenical movement.
Explain the significance of the following events in Jesus' life to Christian
theology (how are these events interpreted theologically or
symbolically?):
a. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem
b. the virgin birth
c. the visit from the Magi
d. Jesus' visit to the temple at age 12
e. Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist
f. the miracles of Jesus
g. the temptations of Jesus
h. Jesus' association with women and with sinners
i. Jesus' transfiguration, which included the presence of Moses and
Elijah
j. the resurrection of Jesus
.
Explain Paul's contribution to Christian theology. What did his writings
emphasize?
ANY
QUESTIONS?