Original Context: Literature. The Hellenistic Period Lies

Brown, Peter. The World of Late Antiquity. London: Thames & Hudson, 1971 (rpt. New York: Norton, 1989).

In Romans 7:7-25 we see Paul’s conviction of the law and learning how to live a sanctified life where he claims that the law is not evil but it is present to show sins existence in our life.

The veneration of deities has been a customary practice of humans for millennia. The first notable occurrence may have occurred around burial sites of the primitive Neanderthals and Homo-erectus. However, these ceremonies, if they can be called that, were more a prehistoric curiosity of life and death, rather than a deistic acknowledgment of an omnipotent god, or demon. It is also interesting to note, god worship becomes more developed in pursuance to the advancement of a civilization. This scrutiny can be attested in how synagogues, churches and mosques proliferate as civilizations grow. That is, the more prosperous a country becomes, the more they are disposed towards reverencing a deity greater than themselves. Take note of the

With the rise of Alexander “The Great” begins the Hellenistic Age which is used to describe a time which Greek culture spread to places like Egypt and Asia. Due to this Greek culture had changed from what it was during Classical Greece as they were able to achieve much more with this new diverse culture. The Classical Age of Greece is known for its work in philosophy and the arts. The work of Greek philosophers of this time such Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle cannot go unnoticed in these contexts as their accomplishments still have lasting effects on our world today. Along with the great work of these philosophers, came other great works in architecture and drama. Beginning in 448 B.C. Pericles began the construction of the Acropolis,

Ancient Greece had many contributions that were important, but Art and Architecture is the area the Greeks made the biggest contribution. The first reason that art and architecture is the biggest contribution is that there were different kinds of pillars in Ancient Greece that are here today. There were three types of pillars Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian All these pillars were used in Ancient Greece. Doric pillars were the most simple pillars they were the least decorated pillars of the three. The Ionic pillars were more detailed and decorated than the Doric pillars. Ionic pillars were also more thin and tall. The top of the pillars there was decorated and looked like scrolls or curls. Unlike the Ionic and Doric pillars, Corinthian pillars were Super decorative. These pillars looked a lot like Ionic pillars, but they were more decorative at the top. Corinthian pillars have floral patterns a the

Ancient Greek civilizations mentality is what got them through life by their way of thinking. Even though Greece’s geography isolated the civilizations, it allowed them to see the world by providing the civilizations with the Mediterranean Sea. The geography divided Greece up into city-states that made them strive to do better than each other, which we know today as competition. This allowed for art, politics, literature, athletics, inventions, and new ideas to come about. Greece’s dry and rocky climate allowed for the civilizations to find two cash crops known as grapes and olives. Grapes and olives is what led to Greece civilizations trading around the Mediterranean Sea. This boosted trade, allowed settlement (colonization), and allowed new ways and ideas to come about. When the Persians tried to defeat Greece, Greeks not only

In the reading on Paul’s take on the law it talks about a consistency within his view of the law being that no one, Jew or Gentile, can live up to the law, only Jesus can. We would never be able to live up to the law even without the traditional “eating of the fruit” fall of man, somehow we would have messed it up and needed a savior, that savior being found in Jesus.

When reading and interpreting biblical law, there are several important features to consider. First, there should be an understanding of the nature of law (“Lecture 1,” 2015). Torah, or תּוֹרָה, is the Hebrew word translated for “law” (Vogt, 2009). Its meaning refers to ‘instruction” or “teaching,” much different than the contemporary world defines the law. Moreover, it carries a “theologically centered” (Vogt, 2009, p. 26) teaching, providing for the ancient Israelites guidance in how to live in such a way that is pleasing to God (Vogt, 2009). Rather than looking at the law from a legalistic approach as is common today, it is important to understand that the Israelites received the law as a gift from God (Psalm 119:111, NIV) upon their deliverance from Egypt.

     The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations of Europe began to progress toward a more civilized order of society. As there were no previous establishment to base their ideals on, it was understandable that there were some difficulties in their progression as a society. Although the ancient Greek and Roman governments fell, both had similar paths of creation, conquest, and destruction.

For this report, I will write a reflection concerning society in ancient Greece. I will include information pertaining to the lives of those who lived in ancient Greece and what their daily lives consisted of. Social issues and political philosophy will also be discussed along with other material that is considered significant to ancient Greek society. This concludes my introduction. When did Ancient Greece exactly flourish and how?

During the span of the Classical and Hellenistic periods in Ancient Greece, many changes occurred that differentiated one from the other. There were many facets of society that were affected as a result from the Classical period leading to the Hellenistic period.

Justify or justification in the Bible signifies the redemptive work of God on mankind. It is lawful transgression restoration communication. This communication is remarkably shared in the letters from Paul. Justification is used in a more detailed way by illustrating the doctrine of justification as separate or noticeable from the doctrine of sanctification. In this connotation, mutually, the doctrine of justification is supplemental to legal communication.

Paul was not fighting against the Law of Moses – he knew the law, and that obeying the commandments would lead to happiness. But he also knew that Christ had come to fulfil the law as messiah, and to reconcile the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). He did not interpose rejection of the law, but was polemical of Jewish Christians excluding Gentiles on grounds such as circumcision. As he was later to say of the event, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

In verse 15, Paul writes, "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners" Paul seems to be telling his gentile reader that the Torah has no bearing on their salvation. I feel that he purposely or inadvertently gives the law merit more merit than intended by suggesting that Jews are not sinners because they received the law. He draws a distinction between himself and "the gentile sinners" yet he is telling his audience that the ways, some of which are still a part of his own way of life, are irrelevant. He seems to almost make a separation of culture and religion. He seems to be saying that the rectitude of the Jews dates from birth, because the Jewish religion is a part of their culture. Peter claims to

The Hellenic and Hellenistic shift was a turning point for Greek culture. The Hellenic are those who lived in ancient Greece before Alexander the Great. The Hellenistics are those who lived in the period after Alexander the Great’s conquest. Alexander the Great was a mighty and strong leader of the Greek people. The people that were under his following respected him greatly. We can tell the drastic changes that occurred after Alexander Great was leader by the art, philosophies, and religion. The Hellenistic Changes that occurred showed us that the Hellenistic priorities transformed drastically from what the Hellenic ways were like.