Bible Lit MP2

Day 1 Bellringer – kings in bible

• Who was the dominant empire during Jesus’ life?

Jesus’ impact

• During the first century CE, a new religion took hold in Rome. It was called Christianity. The followers of Christianity were called Christians. Christians believed in one god. They refused to worship the Roman gods. In ancient Rome, that was against the law. Christians were hunted as criminals.

• In spite of persecution, Christians grew in numbers rapidly. Christians actively looked for converts. They told others about the benefits of being Christian. Christians came from every walk of life in ancient Rome, but Christianity had great appeal to Rome's poor.

• Life After Death: Christianity promised life after death in heaven. In the Roman religion, only gods went to heaven. Emperors were considered gods. Everyone else went to the underworld.

• Equality: Christianity promised equal opportunity. You had to be born into the nobility. You could join Christianity and be equally a Christian.

• After nearly 300 years of persecution, in 313 CE, Emperor Constantine ruled that Christianity was legal and that Christians would no longer be persecuted for their beliefs.

• This does not mean that Rome finally had religious freedom. It meant only that it now legal to worship Roman gods or to be Christian. Every other religion was still illegal.

Kings in the Bible• In your group, you will lookup and read the

stories of these Biblical kings. You will then give the class a short (meaning 3-4 minute) description of the story. Yes, this is a grade.– Solomon– David– Saul– Xerses– Ahab– Herod

Day 2 Bellringer

• What was an example of a king in the Bible both serving and turning against God?

Person(s) Role in the Rise and Spread of Christianity

1. Jesus of Nazareth

2. apostles

3. Paul

4. Pontius Pilate

5. Constantine

6. Peter

7. Augustine

The Life and Teaching of Jesus

• Romans Conquer Judea– Rome conquers Judea, home of the Jews; makes it

part of the empire in A.D. 6– Many Jews believe in a coming Messiah (meaning

anointed one), or savior, who will eventually free them.

The Life and Teaching of Jesus

• Jesus of Nazareth – Jesus was born in

Bethlehem sometime around 6 to 4 B.C.

– He was raised in Nazareth in the province of Galilee.

– He is a carpenter until about the age 30 when he begins preaching.

Mosaic of Jesus at Church of San Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy.

The Life and Teaching of Jesus

• Jesus of Nazareth (continued)– According to the four Gospels (of Matthew, Mark,

Luke, and John) Jesus is said to perform miracles.– He stresses a personal relationship with God, love

for friends and enemies.

The Life and Teaching of Jesus

• A Growing Movement– Apostles-from the Greek

word “apostolos” means literally “someone sent out.” These are twelve men who are close disciples of Jesus.

– Jesus ignores wealth and status; his message appeals to the poor.

Sermon on the Mount by Danish painter Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1890.

The Life and Teaching of Jesus

• Jesus’ Death– Many Jews view Jesus as the Messiah; others see

him as a false teacher.– Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentences Jesus to

be crucified.– Apostles believe Jesus resurrected from the dead

and ascended into heaven.– Jesus comes to be called “Christos,” the Greek

word for “savior.” The word Christian and Christianity is derived from that word.

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Growth of Christianity– Followers spread Christianity—new religion based

on the teachings of Jesus.– The term “Christian” to designate followers of

Christianity was first used in Antioch (see Acts 11: 26).

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Paul’s Mission– Was originally named Saul, and

was a member of the strict Jewish sect of Pharisees.

– He persecutes Christians at first, but on his way to Damascus to arrest some Christians he has an experience where he claimed Jesus appeared to him calling him to be an Apostle to the Gentiles.

Saint Paul, by El Greco, circa 1608-1614

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Paul spends his life preaching and interpreting Christianity.

• Paul stresses Jesus is the Son of God who died for people’s sins.

• Paul declared that Christianity was open to all, Gentile as well as Jew.

• The common languages of Latin and Greek, spoken throughout the empire, helps the spread of the Christian message. The New Testament is written entirely in common (Koine) Greek spoken by most people who live in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Paul is the author of epistles or letters to the churches. All of these letters existing were included in the New Testament.

– Romans– 1 and 2 Corinthians– Galatians– Ephesians– Philippians– Colossians– 1 and 2 Thessalonians– The Pastoral Epistles to

Timothy and Titus– Philemon

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Jewish Rebellion– Jews rebel against Rome in 66 A.D.– Romans storm Jerusalem and destroy the Temple

in 70 A.D.– Another Jewish rebellion occurs in 132 A.D., which

the Romans crush. Jews and ethnically Jewish Christians are barred from Jerusalem.

– Diaspora—centuries of Jewish exile—from the Greek word for “dispersal”.

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Persecution of the Christians– Christians won’t worship the Roman gods or the

emperor. They are considered enemies of the State.

– Roman rulers use Christians as scapegoats for hard times.

– As Pax Romana crumbles, Christians are crucified, burned, and killed in the arena.

A World Religion

• Christianity’s Expansion– Christianity becomes a powerful force and appeals

to people because of these reasons:• embraces all people• gives hope to the powerless• appeals to those repelled by extravagance of Roman life• offers a personal relationship with God• promises eternal life after death

A World Religion

• Constantine Accepts Christianity– Constantine—Roman emperor battles for control

of Rome in A.D. 312.– He has a vision of a cross—the Christian symbol—

and places it on soldiers’ shields.– He believes Christian God helped him win the

battle and legalizes Christianity.– In A.D. 380 the Emperor Theodosius makes

Christianity the religion of the empire.

A World Religion

• Early Christian Church– Priests direct a single church (parish).– Bishops supervise numerous churches (diocese)– Apostle Peter is considered the first bishop of

Rome, therefore, the clergy trace their authority to him.

– Pope—means father or head of the Christian Church. Rome becomes the center of the Church.

A World Religion• A Single Voice

– Church leaders compile standard Christian beliefs in the New Testament

– The New Testament is added to the Hebrew Bible (renamed the Old Testament)

• The Fathers of the Church– Early writers and scholars of Christianity are called Fathers

of the Church– Augustine, bishop in North Africa, is one of the most

important Fathers• He stressed the importance of receiving the sacraments to obtain

God’s grace• He wrote his most famous book, The City of God.

Acts 11:26

“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (ESV)

Person(s) Role in the Rise and Spread of Christianity

1. Jesus of Nazareth

2. apostles

3. Paul

4. Pontius Pilate

5. Constantine

6. Peter

7. Augustine

Day 3 Bellringer

• Who do you think was the greatest OT king?

Comparing Views of History

• King Ahasuerus or Xerxes – as we look at the various depictions of Xerses, compare how we see him in the Bible, in history, and in media.

Historically• Under Persian law, the Achaemenian kings

were required to choose a successor before setting out on such serious expeditions. Upon his great decision to leave (487–486 BC),[3]

Darius prepared his tomb at Naqsh-e Rostam and appointed Xerxes, his eldest son by Atossa, as his successor. Darius's failing health then prevented him from leading the campaigns,[4] and he died in October 486 BC.[4]

• Xerxes was crowned and succeeded his father in October–December 486 BC[7] when he was about 36 years old.[3] The transition of power to Xerxes was smooth due again in part to the great authority of Atossa[2] and his accession of royal power was not challenged by any person at court or in the Achaemenian family, or any subject nation.[8]

• In the 19th and early 20th century, Bible commentators attempted to identify Vashti with Persian queens mentioned by the Greek historians. Upon the discovery of the equivalence of the names Ahasuerus and Xerxes, Bible commentators attempted to identify Ahasuerus with Xerxes I of Persia and Vashti with a wife named Amestris mentioned by Herodotus. Traditional sources, however, identify Ahasuerus with Artaxerxes II. Jacob Hoschander supporting the traditional identification suggested that Vashti may be identical to a wife of Artaxerxes mentioned by Plutarch, named Stateira.[4]

These identifications are problematic however. Amestris remained in power well into the reign of her son Artaxerxes I and moreover the identification of Ahasuerus with Xerxes was rejected by later scholars. Similarly details of Stateira do not accord with Vashti as Stateira was an early wife murdered by Artaxerxes II's mother while the events of Purim occur late in his reign. (Artaxerxes II is said to have had 350 wives.)[5]

• Persian tradition recorded by Al-Tabari regards Vashti as a distinct historical figure.

Media-y• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvILGIIVs

MU

• This, btw, got AWFUL reviews from an historical standpoint…

King Ahasuerus or Xerxes• The story’s setting is when Israel

was in captivity to Babylon. The ruler of the Persian Empire is called Ahasuerus in the Bible and is historically known as Xerxes (486-465 B.C.)

• Remember the movie 300?• Hollywood heard an earful from

Persian and Iranian protesters about it…

• Xerxes (Persian king) son of Darius Bible calls Ahaseerus., not wise as Darius, but foolish.

King Ahasuerus or Xerxes• Xerxes ruled over 127

provinces stretching from India to Cush: Ancient Persian Empire

• At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,

• Easily swayed by his advisors., commanded Vashti when he was drunk then made a rash decision to get rid of her.

Esther is Chosen Queen 1:1-2:18

• The ladies that are called to replace queen Vashti undergo a yearlong Spa Treatment!

• Esther showed an inner beauty which caught the attention of those around her, however:

Mordecai • A faithful and just person• A symbol of the Holy Spirit and you will see why as the story

unfolds.• 2:19 When virgins were gathered together a second time,

Mordecai sat within the king’s gate. 20 Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

Haman• One of the princes (kings advisors) who

quickly gained more power and the king blindly trusted, since Haman was a people pleaser, tried to flatter the king every chance he got to gain his favor and therefore gain power.

• Haman the Agagite was the descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites, who were nearly wiped out by Saul (Saul's reluctancy to do so cost him the throne of Israel in the eyes of God). The plot involves Haman's quest for revenge and Esther's redemption of Saul's mistake, saving the Jews from the last of the Amalekites and certain extinction. Remember Esther is a descendent of Saul, and we’ll see how God uses her to complete what Saul didn’t.

The Jews in Peril 2:19-4:17

• Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not for the king's profit to tolerate them." Est 3:8 RSV

• Haman casts lots (purim) to decide in which month to murder the Jews. Mordechai then declares the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the Hebrew month of Adar as days of rejoicing, as the feast of Purim.

Haman• As you trace this man's ancestry back through Scripture

you discover that an Agagite is an Amalekite, and Amalek was that race of people, descendants of Esau, against whom God had said he would make war forever. (Ex. 17:16) King Saul had been ordered to completely eliminate this people, but in his folly he chose to spare Agag the king of the Amalekites and thus perpetuated this faithless force in Israel. Throughout the whole of Scripture, this tribe of Amalekites represents the indwelling desire in our hearts that is continually opposed to all that God wants to do. This is what the New Testament calls "the flesh," and whenever the Spirit of God begins to move to bless us, this thing rises up to oppose the Spirit and do all it can in its subtle, clever, crafty way to hinder the work of God

The Result of Prayer and Fasting: The Holy Spirit works

• "After three days and nights" -- that certainly is significant, isn't it? Three days and nights Jesus Christ lay in the grave on our behalf. dead for us. On the third day Esther puts on her royal robes and stands in the inner courts of the king's palace opposite the king's hall, waiting in fear and uncertainty, hardly knowing what will happen when the king sees her. But when he does, he sees her in the beauty of the resurrected life. "On the third day" she comes. on the day of resurrection, in power and glory, and his heart is captivated by her beauty. He says to Queen Esther, "Ask anything you want. I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom."

Esther had courage and faith

• 1 Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.[a] 2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.3 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!”

And she had WISDOM:Timing is Everything

•4 So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” 7 Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Haman’s humiliation and death 5:1-7:10

• Then we find a strange thing taking place. Esther doesn't ask him for anything; she simply asks him to dinner the next day and says to bring Haman along. What is the meaning of that? I think there is nothing more significant than this: we never can second-guess the Holy Spirit in the way he will handle a situation. We never know how he is going to work. The apparently logical response would have been that Esther immediately say, "Look, you asked me to make a request. What I want is the head of Haman on a platter." But she doesn't do that. Evidently in obedience to Mordecai's orders, she waits. And while she waits, we discover that something interesting happens: Haman is trapped by his own folly

Haman’s humiliation and death 5:1-7:10• So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen

Esther. 2 And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”3 Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 4 For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.” 5 So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?” 6 And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!”

The Jews saved 8:1-9:17• God is the one who plans and avenges

His way, our role is to listen and obey (fasting and prayer, obedience and faith). Ch. 7:3-10

• Esther Saves the Jews (as a Type-symbol of Christ) 8:5 (Esther is still wise in how she speaks to the king) *: 14-17

• As a result of Esther's intervention and influence, Persian Jews lived in Persia (modern Iran) for 2400 years thereafter

• God gives position and favor not for personal gain but to further His purpose.

Doing God’s plan and will in our lives is never easy and is always met with opposition

• Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not for the king's profit to tolerate them." Est 3:8 RSV

• In other words, here is a people -- who obey a different life principle. Just as the spirit of man indwelt by the Holy Spirit is immediately subject to a different rule of living, a different way of thinking, a different demand, so these Jews are obeying a different principle. Because they are God's people.

So…

• Was Esther’s husband a religious man?

• Did he have influence/power?

Quiz – as one big group – listen to the rules.

• List three OT kings in the Bible.• Who was Xerses’ wife?• What emperor made Christianity legal?• What emperor made it the official religion?• What was Paul’s original name?• Who officially sentenced Christ to death?• What group did Christ’s message appeal to?• What was Esther’s Jewish name?• What did Esther get in the king’s treasury?

Day 4 Bellringer• Write one statement (doesn’t have to be a

complete sentence) about each of the following:– King David– Esther– Herod– Pilate

Today, we continue looking at rulers in the Bible

• Daniel – of the Lion’s Den and other key stories about how leaders affect the growth of the Judeo-Christian religion

• For a daily grade, you will lookup, summarize, and tell the class about one of Daniel’s stories–Captives in Babylon–Nebuchadnezzar’s dream–The fiery furnace–Belshazzar's feast–Daniel in the lions' den–Vision of the ram and goat–Vision of the kings of north and south

Test• On the next slide, there are 8 questions. Each

person at your table will answer 2, you work together to divide, and can work together to come up with answers, but each group member will turn in a sheet with three answers.

• For each question, write 4-5 sentences.

• Each group member will have the same grade.

1 – Describe one the kings: David, Saul or Solomon.2 – Why was Jesus killed?3 – What impact did Xerses have in the OT?4 – Describe one of Daniel’s dreams.5 – Why/how did Christianity spread 100-400 AD?6 – What part do kings play in religion?7 – Describe Esther’s importance.8 – Describe Haman’s importance.

Day 5 Bellringer

• What did Daniel do no matter what the kings in charge said?

Test• On the next slide, there are 8 questions. Each

person at your table will answer 2, you work together to divide, and can work together to come up with answers, but each group member will turn in a sheet with three answers.

• For each question, write 4-5 sentences.

• Each group member will have the same grade.

1 – Describe one the kings: David, Saul or Solomon.2 – Why was Jesus killed?3 – What impact did Xerses have in the OT?4 – Describe one of Daniel’s dreams.5 – Why/how did Christianity spread 100-400 AD?6 – What part do kings play in religion?7 – Describe Esther’s importance.8 – Describe Haman’s importance.

Day 7 Bellringer

• How can troubles help a religion?

After the “fall of Rome”

• Why Rome fell:– Didn’t collect taxes– Military getting weaker– Empire too large to control– Growth of other people groups– Leadership weak/corrupt

• Next, Europe enters the Dark Ages/Middle Ages

Make a list of 5 bad things that often happen to people

• Work together, but have five listed on your own paper

• -• -• -• -• -

For each of those things…

• What is a way that a religious group could help with that specific issue?

• - how “church” can help• - how “church” can help• - how “church” can help• - how “church” can help• - how “church” can help

Impact of Islam on Europe

©2012, TESCCC

Impact of Islam on Europe

©2012, TESCCC

Religion in the Middle Ages• Middle Ages called “Dark” because of a

perception of no education, no art, no “light”• In reality, it wasn’t THAT bad – and it was only

in Western Rome – the other side was awesome

• Religion was a binding force though, just like it was in the OT, the NT, and today

Test Grade Presentation• You are going to have one of a few examples

of religion binding people together/helping through difficult times. You need to present the following:– Background on the person/group before troubles– Info about the problems/issues being faced– How religion bound the people together or helped

the person stay faithful– 3 visual representations (that you draw)– Why you think religion is such an important force

even when it offers little or no physical help

The options: two groups for each

• Exodus: The story of the Egyptians enslaving the Jews, them being allowed out, and them being exiled for decades

• Job: The story of one man who had everything taken away from him, and how he remained faithful

• Joseph: The story of a loved son being sold into slavery

• Paul: Being imprisoned for his religious zeal

EXODUS

JOB

JOSEPH

PAUL’S Imprisonment

Day 8 Bellringer

• Who wrote most of the New Testament?

• Little more time to work on project, presenting in 30 minutes.

EXODUS

JOB

JOSEPH

PAUL’S Imprisonment

Extra Credit – Test Grade

• This can replace/bring up a test grade 50 points (meaning 0 goes to 50, 50 goes to 100).

• Write an epistle similar to Paul’s letters where you are writing from a place or time of struggle. You are giving encouragement to either a person or group that you have prior experience with. This should be modern day (but make sure it’s readable). Due next class.

Day 9 Bellringer• What does this cartoon mean?

The Crusades

• Series of religious “wars” betweens Christians from Europe and the growing religious group – Muslims

• Islam started in Arabia, expanded into Eastern Europe and Northern Africa

• Pope/religious leaders convinced soldiers to march in order to convert – AND RETAKE THE HOLY LAND!!!

• The Crusades• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0zudTQelzI

• Speech Given by Urban II• "I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ's heralds to publish this

everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it is meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it."

• "[...] this land which you inhabit, shut in on all sides by the seas and surrounded by the mountain peaks, is too narrow for your large population; nor does it abound in wealth; and it furnishes scarcely food enough for its cultivators. Hence it is that you murder one another, that you wage war, and that frequently you perish by mutual wounds. Let therefore hatred depart from among you, let your quarrels end, let wars cease, and let all dissensions and controversies slumber. Enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulchre; wrest that land from the wicked race, and subject it to yourselves. [...] God has conferred upon you above all nations great glory in arms. Accordingly undertake this journey for the remission of your sins, with the assurance of the imperishable glory of

• the Kingdom of Heaven."

An Earlier Holy War

• Story of David and Goliath• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeJIx9gkzbI

Compare three

• Draw a three circle Venn Diagram comparing the Crusades to Saul vs Philistines to the conflict between the US and Iraq/Afghanistan

Ways the Bible has been used to starter/further and end wars

List of times/ways the Bible has started war

List of times/ways the Bible has ended war

Day 10 Bellringer

• Give an example of people doing bad things “in the name of” a religion– ie – killing innocents for Islam 9/11

Problems with the Church• Power Structure:

– Pope• Bishops• ______• People

• “Laws” were made for the religion and passed down the line

• Bible was only written in ___ in most churches• Only priests could perform __________• People relied on _______ for religion

The Renaissance

• To understand how the Reformation happened, we have to recall what was happening in Europe at the time. As you watch, make a list of ten things that would HELP spread major ideas

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vufba_ZcoR0

Luther’s Main Reforms

• Using World History Books, outline the following:– Things Luther wanted to change– Catholic Church responses– How Luther’s reforms led to so many new

churches

Seeing Reformation in Peter’s Writings

• Looking at 1 Peter and 2 Peter, find 3 of each:– Things people should do a certain way– Things the church should do a certain way– Ways to know people aren’t really of God

Day 11 Bellringer

• List as many Christian denominations as you can.

Ongoing effect of Reformation

• Today, there are hundreds of denominations, each with slight variations on dozens of issues that are theological, stylistic, or structural.

• Today’s daily grade assignment is that you are going to create your own Christian denomination using various pieces of the hundreds of denominations in America.

Denominations• You need to include:

– 5 theological issues (like communion, baptism)– 5 stylistic issues (worship, dress, teaching type)– 5 structural issues (women teaching, who is in

charge)

• For each issue, you write what your denomination will do, and a real denomination this is similar to – must have at least 5 separate denominations included total

Test• In your group, come up with answers to the

following questions. You don’t need to write long answers. Everyone needs to turn in their own test with their own answers. You may use your notes, but not your phones.

• If I see a phone, you individually will get a zero and not have a chance to bring the grade up.

1 – who did Jesus’ message appeal to?

2 - who sentenced Jesus to death?

3 – who was the governor of Judea during Jesus’ life?

4 – who first allowed Christianity in Rome?

5 – who made it the official religion?

6 – how many disciples did Jesus select?

7 – who was Esther’s husband?

8 – what empire was he over?

9 – who was his advisor that ordered the Jews killed?

10 – where was Daniel thrown for praying to God?

11 – what is another name for the Middle Ages?

12 – what was the church split during the MA?

13 – what book talks about the Jews leaving Egypt?

14 – what were the holy wars called?

15 - in what language was the Bible written?

16 – who started the reformation?

17 – what was one thing he wanted to change?

18 – what invention helped the reformation?

19 – what is the term for types of Christianity?

20 – what beverage do I drink everyday?

Day 12 Bellringer

• What is one good thing about having so many denominations?

• What is one bad thing?

• Video notes for extra credit