Jewish and Greco-Pagan contexts
Discuss the first chapter on the Jewish and Greco-Pagan contexts of the rise of the early Jesus movement.
Write a 300 word response giving your reflections about why the textbook argues that people should read the bible.
1. Give a brief review or summary of the chapter.
2. Give you own reaction to the points raised in the chapter about the Jewish and Pagan contexts for the formation of Christianity, Do you agree with the textbook? Disagree?
3. Why are these contexts important to understand Christianity?
I agree with the arguments made in this chapter about the importance of understanding these contextual influences when looking at early Christianity. It is clear that Jesus was heavily influenced by both Judaism and Greco-Paganism, especially given their prevalence in Palestine around the time of his life; thus by studying them we gain a richer understanding not only of what he said but also why he said it – something that can be lost if we just focus on biblical texts alone without considering their cultural background.
Furthermore, I believe people should read the Bible in order to get a better idea of what exactly happened during Jesus’ lifetime (and beyond). Although there are other sources available for information (such as historical documents), it is important to understand what is written within scripture since many Christian beliefs and traditions stem from those writings. As such, taking time to read through them will not only provide us with more insight into who Jesus truly was but also help us recognize why certain passages are emphasized over others within church services or other worship events today.