The Socio, economic, politic and religious context in the 1st
century Palestine
1.
Social context of the 1st century Palestine Society
The
status of women was considered as inferior to men. Palestine society had an
honor shame culture and it was very prominent. Breaking social laws or
religious rites is regarded as shame or humiliated especially for women. In
Palestine society the patron-client relationship exists, where business was
under the patronage of someone only. The
roman authority constructed good road for trade relationship and good
communication facilities.
2.
Political context of the 1st century
The
1st century world of Palestine was a colony of Roman Empire. In
other words, Palestine society was controlled by Roman authority. The Roman
authority imposed lots of Taxes to Palestine society. That’s the reason the
Jews hated the Roman and the tax collector. They do not only collect the taxes
but they collected more money. The 1st century Jews were
economically exploited by the Roman emperor. Palestine society also experiences
the military occupation of the Roman emperor. There was no real freedom for the
Palestine society, their rights were violated and restricted by the Romans. In
other word, they did not enjoy their freedom; their freedom was controlled by
Roman.
3.
Economic Context of the 1st century
There
were two class Rich and Poor in the Jews. 90% of the Palestine (Jews) were poor
people. Majority of them could not enjoy decent life. In other word there was
lack of income and they were tired with giving taxes. The religious authority
those who were controlling the temple- Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes enjoy
many privilege as the Roman Authority gave them the power to control a
religious place. In the Jerusalem temple and its premises most of the business
control by the members belongs to the High Priest.
4.
Religious context
According
to Josephus, a Jewish historian four main sects are existed in 1st
century in Palestine:
a.
Pharisees: They were known for the orthodoxy
of the tradition. They were rigid, strict with their religion law. They believe
the resurrection and life after the death. They neither interested to politics.
That means they were neither support the Roman and Jewish.
b.
Sadducees: They were co-operative to the
Roman Empire and more interested in politics than religious. They did not
believe the resurrection and life after death. They support the roman Emperor.
They want to use religion in the politics.
c.
Essences: They were the Monastic group. They
always try to live in isolated in life and have a secluded life. They always
believed the immanency of the end time. They did not import, either they
interested in social life neither politic nor involved in social life. They
believed that the end time is very near. These people have separated sacred
life from secular life.
d.
Zealots: They were the religious fanatical
religious group, they are Anti-Roman empire. They also believed the end time is
near. They wanted to get rid of Roman Empire and they colonization using their
violent methods.
All
Jews were expecting the coming of Messiah. Jews expected a political messiah.
The messiah will come from the Davidic line. They believed that messiah will
come and liberated from the Roman Empire. In this context Jesus was born.
Introduction to
Person and Work of Jesus
The Christ Jesus Christ is
one of the most intriguing personalities that the world has ever known. His
question to his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk. 8:27-29 also Matt.
16:13-20) has reverberated down the centuries and have continually attracted
varieties of responses. Schweitzer has rightly pointed out, “These diverse
Christologies add new voices to the conversation about Jesus, his saving
significance, and the meaning of life that has been on-going since his ministry
began. Each of these new voices is worth listening to.”[1]
Christology
Christian reflection, teaching, and doctrine concerning Jesus of
Nazareth. Christology is the part of theology that is concerned with the nature
and work of Jesus, including such matters as the Incarnation, the Resurrection,
and his human and divine natures and their relationship. Christology is that
part of theology which deals with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Christology (from
Greek Khristós and -ëïãßá, -logia) is the field of study within Christian
theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus
Christ as recorded in the canonical Gospels and the epistles of the New
Testament.
Jesusology
The terms Jesusology/Jesuology are used pejoratively because they suggest
a reduction of the significance of Jesus Christ to what can be determined on
immanent grounds by an historical method. Schubert M. Ogden popularized this
term. By it he means a constructive answer to the question of how God can be
affirmed to have been fully incarnate in Jesus. It is a systematic study of the
existence, nature, and teachings of Jesus, and his influence and relationship
to human beings.[2]
[1]
Don
Schweitzer, Contemporary Christologies: A Fortress Introduction (Philadelphia:
Fortress Press, 2010), vii.
[2]
Schubert M. Ogden, “Christology Reconsidered: John
Cobb’s ‘Christ in a Pluralistic Age’,” Process Studies 6, no. 2 (Summer
1976): 116-22.
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