10. Christianity, the “Annointed One’s” tradition in Greece and Rome
« Global Awareness: Online Learning Companion | Posted on 04/21/2010 03:30 pm by Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II
helix nebula...the spectrum of reality
The profundity of human thought through moving sight and sound
Edited by Dr. James K. Powell II- Introduction
The Abrahamic Family: Christianity
From human rabbi/prophet…. …to Godlike Christ…. …toEmperor Constantine.
Readings
Textbook:
Read the following with these concerns in mind:
1. What is the overall social and perspectival backdrop for Christianity? What were the early Christian perspectives? How do slavery and Roman aristocracy converge?
2. Who were the historical Jesus of Nazereth (“Christ”) and St. Paul and what is the meaning of “covenant” and “salvation by faith” in this context? The convergence of European (Greek and Roman) culture with Semitic cultures.
3. What is the meaning of “New Testament“? How did it emerge?
4. What is the role of the God in the new context? How does the “God-man” of Greeceand Rome (for example, Heracles/Hercules) compare with the new Christ image?
5.What is the meaning of salvation and history? How is it more “individual” in Christianity than mass and group social as in the case of Judaism?
6. How does the exile and return and chosen people motif play a role in Judaism which will continue to play a role in the subsequent Abrahamic traditions?
7. What is the overall message of the axial age prophets? What is the position of Jesus in this regard?
8. What is the nature of the living denominations and what is their relationship to Judaism’s past?
Jesus of Nazereth: along with Krishna and Rama, the only “Founder” both historical and divine
The Core Text: The New Testament
St. Paul the Apostle: from Pharisee “hater” of Christians to Greek Interpreter of Judaism
The Early Sects: The “Judaizers”
The “Orthodox” Christians and the Origins of the Greek and Roman Catholic Churches
The “Gnostic” Christians and the Monastic Movement
Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome, Patron of the Christians
Lecture
Christianity: First Four Centuries: Greece meets Israel Powell, April
Past Student Documentaries:
An Investigation of Buddhist Influences on the Development of Christian Monasticism by Nelson
A Comparison of Christ with Buddha by Bogdanske
A Comparative Introduction to Basic Buddhist and Christian Beliefs and Practices by Malo
A Comparative Study of the Role of Zoroastrianism in Buddhism and Christianity by Lukk
A Comparative Study of Compassion in Christianity and Buddhism by Beckman