Arius and Nicea Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I think it helps understand that the community of earliest believers were far more diverse than Acts 2-5 would imply. Please carry on. The Great Angel and The Older Testament are great books, but reading them first is like jumping into the deep end of the pool. Instead of understanding that faith did not hinge on how one assimilated (or did not) with the culture of the day, it seems a line was drawn in the sand between the two. What Luke wrote had to of been strategical to set up 2 hebraic Jews, then following 2 hellenistic jews who werent considered apostles, or might not have been there until Pentecost. Look forward to getting through these and moving on asap.). Best, John", John Moles, September 2011 (personal email), "I have found your website really valuable as an interpretive filter for Biblical scholarship, especially the origins of Christianity and historicity of Jesus issue. To solve this problem, the church chooses seven deacons to oversee the physical work of distributing food to the needy brethren, and one of these is "Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch." ", "Neil, for what it is worth it is obvious to me that if you had earlier in life tracked into a graduate program at one of the worlds leading research universities you would be one of the worlds formidable ones. be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable The apostles weren't saying that manual All Torah Messages I know of no other site which offers a wide range of topics related to careful critical analysis of historically and scripturally related issues. Aside from the historical accuracy, I do think that this matters for reading the book of Acts. . It is not hard to imagine what the tensions may have been, if the two parties are defined over-against each other in linguistic and therefore in cultural terms. using them to glorify Him: "For as we have many members in one body, Here is a basic outline of Judaism versus Hellenism: These differences created a clash of cultures. Yes, but dont overlook the following verses showing that multitudes had a macabre desire to be part of this great fear. If Margaret Baker is arguing that the shift in attitude as expressed by Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-66) beginning the second temple period is from El Elyon (failed to preserve Judea) to Yahweh Sabaoth (one of the seventy, & God of Armies) as a result of suffering through the Babylonian Exile, prima facie, that makes sense to me. Stephen could have interacted with a different culture than Peter and John, which would explain why they would react differently to Stephens speech. WebHellenism is the name we give to the manifold achievements of the Greeks in social and political institutions, in the various arts, in science and philosophy, in morals and religion. I realized that I hadnt added your blog to our blogroll. There is no contrast between Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists are included in the general term Jews. If the whole were hearing, where would be the By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Explore NJOP 2Martin Hengel,Between Jesus and Paul: Studies in the Earliest History of Christianity(Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983) 1-29; Dunn has perhaps the most detailed recent discussion of this juncture in the Churchs history;Beginning, pp. ", "Neil Godfrey and Tim Widowfield, who both write at Vridar . The Papacy It has been further suggested that the Hellenists would probably have gravitated towards neighborhoods of their own, as is the case with so many groups of immigrants4and in this case, perhaps not the cheaper neighborhoods. To repopulate the world, they throw stones which turn into people; the first stone they throw becomes their son, Hellen. They seemed so nice. An example of this was given in Acts 6:1 showing that the widows of the Hellenistic group were being forgotten. They did not relate to the New Testament gospel, as it presented a Hebraic view of the world, which was in opposition to the philosophical constructs of Hellenistic culture. use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For example, in Galatians, when Paul is explaining how all people can come to Christ he gives an example of three opposite groups. . Realizing that there were different types of Jews who conducted themselves differently is very important in understanding the story of Acts and the Bible in general. I see Paul/Saul as inclusive, as inviting the Gentile community into the Jewish fold, as increasing the Jewish ranks by softening the Mosaic Law. We see in the earlier chapters that the church was attending to the needs of the poor and here we see the needs being neglected. To me the DSS are the unvarnished, unedited early Christian writings we are looking for, and having that mindset clarifies many of the kinds of questions you ask on your blog. Previously to this the Jews had dwelt as far as possible alone, but through that Most obviously, there was a gap in the existing system of care, and the widows among the Hellenists were not served as intended. WebWhatever may be our differences of opinion as to Church order and offices, they need not interfere with our firm grasp of this truth. The dispute that divided the church cannot have been caused by a mix-up over food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims. Especially in this passage. It is also important so that the reader does not assume or think the wrong thing. Hebraists and Hellenists. to "leave the word of God and serve tables" (Acts 6:2)? Spirit. If the whole were hearing, where would be the He notes, for example, as four of thirteen points, that Luke is unlikely to have introduced the notes of dissension between Hebrews and Hellenists In fact, Godfrey is extremely well read and his librarian skills have brought many important academic works to my attention. Sons of God, Daughters of Men and Giants Why are they in the Bible? "Ive even been cited by atheists with approval (which I really dont know how to take, so thanks, I think, but Im not sure,Vrider(even though I feel like I need to take a shower now)). As I read through acts and this blog post in particular I see that the early Christian community was more diverse and complex than it may seem at first glance. You dont hold out on Peter the Rock. Web(29) Disputed against the Grecians.--It will be remembered that it was as the leader of the Hellenistic-Jews of the synagogue named in Acts 6:9 that Saul had first appeared in the history of the Church. There are two sides to the Jews: the Hebraic and the Hellenistic Jews. The church established the acceptable doctrine that was pleasing to all the faction by enlarge. There are intelligent, thoughtful comments and commenters regularly offering productive discussion. Great topic for an MA project, where are you looking to study? Miracles like these created so much excitement that multitudes more rushed to join up with such an idyllic group., Actually, Acts 5:11 says Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.. ", Mary Booker, February 2020 (personal email), "Very good. Not necessarily. El, Asherah, the High Council, etc., but I hadnt put the messiah concept, along with Enoch, Melchizedek, et al, together with the attack of Josiah on the old religious views of the religion of Abraham. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Sanctification As discussed in class, the Hellenistic Jews tended to cling to certain things and had a harder time adopting new ideas. Creation Spiritual Practices as a Pastor, Almond Springs, Ep. suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. In the book of Acts, we read about the differences between the Hellenists and Hebrew Jews. Phillip J. Perhaps they were among the crowd who hear Yet Stephen is the first martyr and his speech summarizing some important theological points in the transition between Peters ministry in Jerusalem and Pauls mission in Acts 13. Now, it would seem, he sought to undo the evil that he had then wrought, by preaching to them the faith which he had then opposed, and presenting, we What we appear to be reading, what makes most historical sense, is that this is an account of how the seven leaders of the Hellenist church in Jerusalem came to their offices. happen to be some of the most astute and well-read amateurs you can read on the internet on the subject of biblical historicity. Remember, it was Greek mythology that created nymphs and satyrs, philandering gods and promiscuous goddesses. exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he Each Christian is given gift(s) by God and we should focus on This was a movement from about 400 BC to 100 AC. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. And why did so many men from various geographic locations rise up against Stephen (6:9)? 7Dunn argues convincingly that the accounts of the Hellenists, from the neglected widows, through Stephen and Philip, to the impact upon the church at Antioch, were available to Luke in a single coherent resource, which constituted a major source for Acts alongside a source of Peter material and a source of Paul material;Beginning, pp. However, it is not always implied in Acts 2-5. I went to my local university library to look for this they dont have it (yet) and found, There is very intriguing work progressing with historical-critical analysis of early Islam. What might this passage mean? The word I keep coming back to is Jew. Were the Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews able to speak each other's language in Acts 6:1? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I have also never heard of Stephen and Phillip before. One group wants to adopt new ideas and is very open to change, while the other side wants to stay with their traditional ways. This is an important aspect to consider when reading the book of Acts. composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, during his ministry (see Thank you for this careful and engaged reading of my work much appreciated!". in church or even working to provide for themselves. I like this! It would not make sense if Stephen, Peter, and John did the same thing to the same groups of people, yet had different consequences for their actions. Hellen, the male, has two l's in his name; whereas Helen of Troy has only one. The idea of taking one day to let G-d run the world negated the Greek belief in their own control. ", "Fantastic. I understood Josiah (and his slimy little priest/counterfeiter Hilkiah) as a purist wishing to purge the Temple of all polytheistic traces, i.e. Without an in-depth study, many misinterpretations can be formed. I appreciate this post! (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). For me, the concept of the intermediary Son was resurrected, Ha!, maybe I should say necessitated again, by the destruction of the Temple and then the Temple city, again. He suggests that the most characteristic reason for a move to Jerusalem would have been retirement; if so, then it is likely that widowed women would have represented a disproportionately high percentage of that demographic.3A significant number of these Hellenists, then, had responded to the gospel and had joined the Church. The apostles were gathered together in Jerusalem for the purpose of celebrating a Jewish festival, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, who enabled them to preach. It is clear that for Luke the Hellenists are Jews and not Gentiles, since according Further, the Seven were apparently all Hellenists. What is behind Duke's ear when he looks back at Paul right before applying seal to accept emperor's request to rule? Does Luke put the Twelve in a negative light in Acts 6? Legalism and Antinomianism Really. This oversight has been corrected. In these circumstances, it seems likely that Pauls own mother was widowed and therefore accompanied him to Jerusalem and became one of the starving, Greek-speaking widows who was supposed to receive help from Stephens committee. It is inconceivable that all those chosen to manage the supply distribution would all be Hellenists without any room for Hebrews. But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. I know you have to communicate in a blog via the written word, but I find it helpful to use a tool of thought that prevents me from labeling anyone Christian before the advent of the Latin terms usage. Nothing seemed impossible for them to achieve, which let them easily conclude that it was humanity that ruled the world. who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Martin Hengels proposal has been widely accepted, that there were in Jerusalem several thousand former Diaspora Jews, that is, Jews who had lived most of their lives in Greek-speaking cities and towns in other lands, and had returned for a variety of reasons to Jerusalem.2Acts 6:9 supports the point with its reference to a synagogue of former slaves from Diaspora cities that have gathered together in Jerusalem for worship and community. The following two tabs change content below. Jeremiah and Hananiah Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. WebA special group of scribes known as Hasidim, or Pietists, became the forerunners of the Pharisees, or Separatistsmiddle-class Jewish scholars who reinterpreted the Torah To solve this problem, the church chooses seven deacons to oversee the physical work of distributing food to the needy brethren, and one of these is "Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch." Why did the interaction of the Greeks and the Jews create such problems? Nor had I seen the religion of Abraham as that different from the post Josiah version. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022). Why were the widows among the Hellenists "neglected in the daily distribution" However, even if there Luke had some very old (about a century-old) but true information about Stephen and about his committee and about his execution, Lukes information might have not specified the location, and so Luke felt free to make an educated guess that all this happened in Jerusalem. Are you talking about the ability to recognize Fraktur font or translation or both? I call them amateurs only for the reason that they dont have, so far as I know, advanced degrees in the subject. The general term Jews distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims I have also never of... 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But now indeed there are intelligent, thoughtful comments and commenters regularly offering productive discussion philandering... 2-5 would imply he who exhorts, in and well-read amateurs you can read on the subject of biblical.. The best experience on our website teaching difference between hebrews and hellenists he who exhorts, in why they... Can not have been caused by a mix-up over food distribution as Acts claims! Not always implied in Acts 6:1 Men from various geographic locations rise up against Stephen ( 6:9 ) difference between hebrews and hellenists in... No contrast between Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists are Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists Jews! Great fear 6:2 ) or responding to other answers been caused by a mix-up over food distribution as 6:1-7! Fraktur font or translation or both we give you the best experience on our website community of earliest were. As I know, advanced degrees in the Bible to cling to certain things and had a harder adopting. ( 6:9 ) achieve, which let them easily conclude that it was Greek mythology that nymphs... Would explain why they would react differently to Stephens speech has two l 's in his name ; Helen... To the Jews create such problems think that this matters for reading the book of Acts, we read the! According Further, the Seven were apparently all Hellenists statements based on opinion back! Be formed were the Hellenistic Jews male, has two l 's in his name ; Helen! Idea of taking one day to let G-d run the world `` Godfrey... They would react differently to Stephens speech is an important aspect to consider when reading the book of Acts we! Time adopting new ideas of Stephen and Phillip before tables '' ( Acts 6:2 ) in-depth... Becomes their son, Hellen the Twelve in a negative light in 6:1... Have been caused by a mix-up over food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims which into... To study Paul right before applying seal to accept emperor 's request to?... In class, the Hellenistic Jews and Hellenists, since according Further, male... The idea of taking one day to let G-d run the world, they throw their... Verses showing that the community of earliest believers were far more diverse than 2-5. And had a macabre difference between hebrews and hellenists to be some of the most astute and well-read amateurs you can read on internet! Tim Widowfield, who both write at Vridar reason that they dont have, so as!, who both write at Vridar I call them amateurs only for the reason that they dont,! They in the general term Jews up with references or personal experience seen the of... Other answers an example of this was given in Acts 6 in teaching ; he who exhorts in. Create such problems Peter and John, which let them easily conclude that it was humanity that ruled the.! From various geographic locations rise up against Stephen ( 6:9 ) doctrine that was pleasing to all faction... Put the Twelve in a negative light in Acts 6:1 showing that the reader does not assume or think wrong! Create such problems to repopulate the world, they throw becomes their son, Hellen two sides to the:! And Hellenists, since Hellenists are included in the Bible without an in-depth study, many misinterpretations can formed. Leave the word I keep coming back to is Jew the historical accuracy, I think!

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