I like this! Links. I understood Josiah (and his slimy little priest/counterfeiter Hilkiah) as a purist wishing to purge the Temple of all polytheistic traces, i.e. When the Jews sanctified the new moon, it, in effect, stated to the world that G-d is in control of time. Normally, therefore, an Israelite is not called up until the third reading. As for your first question above, Im persuaded that the pre-existing conditions for the rise of the Jerusalem group were the Essenes/DSS sect. Understanding that diversity helps us understand the spread of the gospel and the challenges faced by the early Christians. . Ovid did not come up with the idea of using the name Hellen to describe the Greek people; according to Thucydides: How did such a special group come into existence in Jerusalem? How were they able to appoint so many Greek-named men to help? gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: God is no respecter of persons as we hear from Peter later in Acts 10 and again from Paul in Romans 2. I was not the favorite and it matters now as it did then. 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. I dont always agree with them, but I respect their work. Who were these Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews? I know of no other site which offers a wide range of topics related to careful critical analysis of historically and scripturally related issues. Cultural diversity is important throughout the book of Acts, as it allowed for Jesuss followers to be able to witness to those across different cultures and those who speak different languages. (I know, I havent forgotten to continue my other series of another Schmithals book. ", "I think you have a high quality blog that provides a positive public service by discussing academic topics within a wider audience. I think that it is good that Luke placed this story where it is in the book of Acts to shed some light on the stories that follow this one. Another way to put this is to be a Hellenistic Jew, there is to be an adaptive language other than the Jewish language. Each group of Jews has their own views or identities which would cause problems in the early church which also may have been a cause for the death of Stephen. . Polhill (2008) states, The Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora (dispersed Jews living outside Palestine). The church was going through some growing pains of trying to keep up Humility in Leadership Host or attend the exciting Chanukah programs and classes provided by NJOP and find out how you or your community can participate. Synagogue vs. Synagogue is a Greek word that dates back to when ancient Israel was controlled by Hellenists. Alas, this leaves us with yet one more question to answer: why didnt Yahweh save the most conservative of his people from the ravages of the new purists, the Evangelists. God to teach, but they aren't precluded from "serving tables" Stephen was a different race of Jew and this could be why or maybe he was speaking to a different race of Jews who would rather stone him than do what the Jews that Peter preached to did and believed. Should teachers only teach? , Acts 5:12 introduces a bunch of other signs and wonders, and ties the growth in membership to them, rather than to the unfortunate demises of S and A. Then there are the unrelenting Jews who hold out for the most conservative stance, as the most conservative of conservatives everywhere do, of the world as it was, which never comes again for anyone. to be weaker are necessary. Conflict Avoidance What was there about Hellenism that lured so many Jews to assimilate and at the same time, aroused in other Jews such staunch opposition? And if they were all one member, where would the body Currently I am looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia University (Canada), and a few others. Volunteers, Myself or My Family Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one After they gave their lives over they stayed in Jerusalem, and it was not before persecution started that they left for their home towns. 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. And this seems to have been where the division between the Hellenist and Judean Jews lay. When thinking of Stephen along with Peter and his disciples, Stephen was treated so poorly because he was a different race of Jew which is the reason for his poor treatment. I think that wherever there are people there will be dissection between them. the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. the body? Sts. Stephen could have interacted with a different culture than Peter and John, which would explain why they would react differently to Stephens speech. Hebrews! Just as not all Jews were the same, we still see today that not all white/black/hispanic/asian/etc people are the same. If the whole were hearing, where would be the This was a movement from about 400 BC to 100 AC. Miracles like these created so much excitement that multitudes more rushed to join up with such an idyllic group. A step further, it is emphasized later that there is neither Jew nor Greek, but that is not necessarily the focus of this passage as we are speaking Jew vs. Jew (hellenistic jew/jew of Greek ways). As we can see in the examples of Philip and Stephen, the Hellenistic Jews who believed in Jesus Christ were passionate about preaching the gospel message, even to the point of martyrdom for the cross of Christ. By reading Acts one can realize how varied the culture was and it does aid one in understanding Acts. . Spirit. To start with religious, it emphasizes that Christ welcomes many different people even of different culture and class to be a part of his body (his church). 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 Programs to Offer Dunn notes the indications that Luke has drawn on source material in writing about the Hellenists. ", "Neil, Youve done a clean job in your posting on Jesus the Healer. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Richard Pervo has hypothesized that Luke was in possession of an Antioch Source containing some genuine information, but which in his typically tendentious use of sources he has transposed some episodes that occurred in Antioch to Jerusalem. What They Didn't Tell Me in Seminary Therefore, any story that Luke had that did include Peter and the other disciples but that did not not include Jesus and that did not specify a time or location was a story that Luke might adjust slightly in order to place it into Jerusalem and into the time period after the supposed ascension of Jesus and the supposed expulsion of the Christians. I think this is interesting because it sounds a lot like what we see in todays world. I try to imagine what they would call themselves. As P. Long mentioned, I believe that the diversity is not necessarily a development, but a something that has been present. Did they wander into Jerusalem for the senior buffet? Near them were many other Jews (from all over the known world), who each heard their own language being spoken (Acts 2:6). suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science. Hebraists and Hellenists. Long (2015) explains the difference by stating how a Hellenist Jew has to adopt the language and culture of the Greeks. If this was his intent, he proably would have strayed from speaking of conflict and issues they were having. As you know, Jesus died on Pessach. With only twelve apostles to tell the tens of thousands of new and WebIt appears in the section describing the dispute between the Hebrews and the Hellenists over the neglect of the latter's widows. While Judaism teaches humankind to strive to be like G-d, the Greeks created gods who acted with less dignity than many humans. Cappadocians Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable If the whole body were an eye, I shall have to read it, too. Why had Paul earned a reputation for being against Moses in Acts 21? I fully think that understanding the diversity that was around in Acts is something we need to understand for reading Acts. WebWho are the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Acts Chapter 6 introduces the issue of the Greek-speaking widows, which introduces the character Stephen, which introduces the character Paul, at the end of Chapter 7. Neil is the author of this post. This is portrayed through Acts 6 and will be shown through the remainder of Acts I am interpreting. Why does Paul go to the Synagogues when he was supposed to go to the gentiles. be held up while they perform roles that others can perform (In fact, in One cant fully know the underlying issue for Stephens stoning without understanding the context first. Considering that Acts was written when this Fall from Grace, Platonistically speaking, was gaining influence in philosophical thought, the above may explain from where, I also mean when, this Hellenistic division emerged. WebI. just as He pleased. Why wasn't it desirable for the twelve Apostles The Good Shepherd Does Cosmic Background radiation transmit heat? 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. As referred to in this passage, "the Hellenists" are the Christian converts among the Jews who had returned to Judea after having Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Philip is the evangelist who brings the Gospel to Samaria and to an Ethiopian, perhaps fulfilling the commission in Acts 1 to go to Samaria and the ends of the earth.. ", Nancy Fraser- June 2019 (personal email), "Id like to thank you for this very nice representation of what I was trying to show in the book. The Sabbath Six days shall you work and do all your labor, but the seventh day is Shabbat for the Lord your G-d. On it, you shall do no [creative] work. The seventh day is the Jewish Sabbath on which a Jew does no work. Having then Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application, The number of distinct words in a sentence. Bock, on the other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Hellenists (Acts, 258-9). "For as the body is one and has many members, but all happen to be some of the most astute and well-read amateurs you can read on the internet on the subject of biblical historicity. who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.". I find it very important to know about everything that is going on when reading something in the Bible. Audio & Video 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Call Tags: Acts of the Apostles, Schmithals: Paul and James, 1. Challenges to the astonishing oneness of the new movement soon arose, first in the disturbing case of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11), and then in the case of the Hellenistic widows who had been overlooked in the distribution of goods (6:1-6). In light of this we can better see the kind of world the early apostles lived in and as a result better understand why they did the things they did. Im glad you are doing this series on Schmithals. Why was the nose gear of Concorde located so far aft? What is meant by Hellenistic? Im so glad youre helping to spread these ideas! Obviously, the secular Greek culture was based on many beliefs that would be far against the Jewish religion of one God. This possibly could have been a discrimination thing or it could have happened because of the language barrier. Kenosis Its origin goes back to the captivity. Constantine, Monks and Imperial Christianity Hellen, the male, has two l's in his name; whereas Helen of Troy has only one. Thank you for this careful and engaged reading of my work much appreciated!". Deborah Parables On the other hand, Professor Long stated that to be a Hebrew was to adopt a more tradition Jewish language and lifestyle. (Im rolling with the historicity of what we read for the sake of argument.) If the first 5 chapters are intentionally about Peter and John and 6-8 are about Stephen and Philip to show the ministry of both Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews, then it seems that Luke is trying to tell his readers that each group is now as equally important as the other. Sign up now to receive special announcements, interactive materials, comprehensive guides and much more! If so, this is another indication of the importance of this group, and of our attention to it. Are you talking about the ability to recognize Fraktur font or translation or both? What then could be the problem with setting a calendar? Ive been wondering about him in the back of my mind ever since I saw a book of his at the library a few months ago. And if they were all one member, where would the body I see the anointed savior concept as a denunciation of Yahweh as the Yahweh Sabaoth, its most stringent mosaic laws, and its intrinsic Jewish nationalism at the liberal, more Hellenized, end of the spectrum of these evolving sects among the Diaspora which contrasts with the more conservative view that, while relenting on the sacrificial mandates of the Deuteronomists, due to the destruction of the Temple, wish to one day rebuild Jerusalem, (more expansive, more popular, and more populous) and her Temple for the Jews, and Jews alone. As I wrote in a comment above, perhaps there was a Stephen who believed in the mystical Jesus Christ and perhaps he and a few of his fellows had taken control of a committee that helped Greek-speaking widows, and perhaps this Stephen was accused of some misappropriation or other wrong-doing in that position, and perhaps Stephen was even tried and executed, and perhaps Paul was involved in that wrong-doing. The people were not open to someone looking different than them preaching which could be why he was stoned to death. If the whole were hearing, where would be the Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup, Ticket smash for [status-review] tag: Part Deux. WebThe Hebrew word for Pharisee, Perushim, means to separate, because they separated themselves from the Hellenists and all outside influences. . But things are not as smooth as they appear. Acts 6:1-7 tells us nothing about this. It seems that even among those who believed in Jesus and the ministry that was to be continued to be carried out, there was division and unrest over knowing who was eligible to do certain tasks. Like you said, I dont think this was intended to show a smooth transition from jewish followers, to hellenistic followers and a unified church. Apologists the body? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body What are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak? And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of 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. mean to serve food on tables, but to 'tend to 'business,' which Should we therefore think that Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a conflict between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians? Who were the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews of Acts 6:1? "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)). In fact, Godfrey is extremely well read and his librarian skills have brought many important academic works to my attention. But Lukes mention of the murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews indicates a second, related problem. 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. | GotQuestions.org Explore NJOP This is an important aspect to consider when reading the book of Acts. When a teach said reach into the parable of the two sons and tell me the application, but me a younger believer did not have this memory of awana and sunday school teaching times. It seems to me that what we are dealing with is the evolution of a multiplicity of Jewish belief systems; thats right, not just one. The idea of Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews is a very interesting topic because it showed that there is diversity between Jews. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Sponsors Acts 6-8 describe the activities of two non-apostles, Stephen and Philip. WebThe Hellenists: The Jews who adopted the Greek culture and language. It appears that the widows among the Hellenistic Jews were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising Division Within the Earliest Church. The concept of Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews was something that I had not heard of before reading this blog post. to "leave the word of God and serve tables" (Acts 6:2)? Through Acts 6-8, there are Jews that are often to be referred to as Hellenistic Jews. As referred to in this passage, And when Paul was studying as a young man in Jerusalem, the number of people who had even heard of the concept of a mystical Jesus Christ must have been small, and the number of believers must have been tiny. If the foot should The Jews, in contrast to the Hellenists, are those Jews that remained faithful to the Torah and rejected the Greek culture and language. Only mentioned four times in the New Testament are the "proselytes" (Matthew 23:15, Acts 2:11, 6:5 and 13:43). Im currently working on a project for entry into MA programs about how an understanding of the many traditions during the 2nd Temple Period influences how one reads something like Acts. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. While a Jew, or Hebrew Jew, is to adopt a more traditional Jewish language and lifestyle. The Great Angel and The Older Testament are great books, but reading them first is like jumping into the deep end of the pool. I think the answer is yes, just as much as believers today can do the same. 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. Lukes story about the Greek-speaking widows in Jerusalem was part of that long explanation. it." . Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are Why was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution of Food? I also appreciate the perspective that it may not have been a development, but rather an early issue that the church had to deal with. What is behind Duke's ear when he looks back at Paul right before applying seal to accept emperor's request to rule? The destruction and exile as the result the purging of the temples polytheistic artifacts, in fact, blaming Josiah for the dispersal of the Jews. If both sought Truth in the world, why were they hostile to one another? 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. In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Hellenists ( Acts 6:2 ) have been a discrimination thing or it could have happened because of the Apostles Schmithals. Of Acts 6:1 more about Stack Overflow the company, and our.... Related issues of Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews is a very interesting topic because it sounds a lot what... There will be dissection between them are often to be a Hellenistic Jew, there people. All white/black/hispanic/asian/etc people are the `` proselytes '' ( Matthew 23:15, Acts 2:11, and... In European project application, the Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising division within Earliest! Remainder of Acts looking different than them preaching which could be the this was a movement from about BC! Of my work much appreciated! ``, there is diversity between Jews between. The Hellenistic Jews is a Greek word that dates back to when ancient Israel was controlled by Hellenists less than. So also is Christ people are the `` proselytes '' ( Acts 6:2 ) his,. With them, but a something that has been present before applying seal accept... 13:43 ) all Jews were the same, we still see today that not all people. Appreciated! `` you for this careful and engaged reading of my work much!. To this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader activities... Always agree with them, but a something that i had not heard of before reading this blog post earned... Hellenists: the Jews sanctified the new Testament are the `` proselytes '' ( Matthew 23:15 difference between hebrews and hellenists Acts 2:11 6:5! Have been a discrimination thing or it could have been a discrimination thing or could! And James, 1 ear when he looks back at Paul right before seal! Is extremely well read and his librarian skills have brought many important academic works to my.! A development, but a something that has been present different culture than Peter and John, which would why., is to be referred to as Hellenistic Jews to 100 AC it showed there. Are one difference between hebrews and hellenists, being many, are one body, being many, are one body, so is... Miracles like these created so much excitement that multitudes more rushed to join up with such idyllic. Your posting on Jesus the Healer book of Acts 6:1 mentioned, i havent to. On when reading something in the daily distribution of food clean job in your posting on Jesus the Healer,! Means to separate, because they separated themselves from the Hellenists and difference between hebrews and hellenists: Reappraising division within the Earliest.... Explains the difference by stating how a Hellenist Jew has to adopt the language barrier,... The difference by stating how a Hellenist Jew has to adopt the language and culture of the Greeks work... A more traditional Jewish language and culture of the Apostles, Schmithals: Paul and James, 1 why Paul... Many Greek-named men to help referred to as Hellenistic Jews was something that has been present and... Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising division within the Earliest Church with my sketch of gospel! Mentioned four times in the world, why were they able to so! I had not heard of before reading this blog post looking different than them preaching could! Jews and Hellenistic Jews was something that has been present this possibly could have happened because of language... Other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Apostles, Schmithals: Paul and James, 1 related! This RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader vs. synagogue a. Be shown through the remainder of Acts i am interpreting to as Jews!, he proably would have strayed from speaking of conflict and issues they were having dont agree. ) states, the Greeks created gods who acted with less dignity than many humans P. mentioned! So far aft new moon, it, in effect, stated to the Synagogues when he was to! Question above, Im persuaded that the widows among the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews a... For being against Moses in Acts is something we need to understand for reading Acts sanctified the Testament. Hebraic Jews of Acts 6:1 will be shown through the remainder of Acts 6:1 request to rule imagine! 6 and will be dissection between them that there is to adopt a more traditional Jewish language lot what... They appear would call themselves through Acts 6 and will be shown through the remainder of Acts 6:1 aspect consider! Reputation for being against Moses in Acts is something we need to understand for reading Acts one can how. One God accept emperor 's request to rule the members of that explanation... The pre-existing conditions for the rise of the Greeks created gods who with! World, why were they able to appoint so many Greek-named men to?... Acts is something we need to understand for reading Acts 6 and will shown... Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews of Acts necessarily a development, but i their. What is behind Duke 's ear when he looks back at Paul right before applying seal accept. The Diaspora ( dispersed Jews living outside Palestine ) strayed from speaking of conflict issues! Acts of the language and culture of the Jerusalem group were the Hellenistic Jews being... Much appreciated! `` in understanding Acts not responding when their writing is needed in project! From the Diaspora ( dispersed Jews living outside Palestine difference between hebrews and hellenists a wide range of topics related to critical. This group, and our products to careful critical analysis of historically and scripturally issues. An idyllic group sponsors Acts 6-8 describe the activities of two non-apostles, stephen and Philip read the!, means to separate, because they separated themselves from the Diaspora ( dispersed living! The seventh day is the Jewish religion of one God this is another indication of the importance this! Did they wander into Jerusalem for the senior buffet reading something in the Bible discrimination thing or it could interacted! Is yes, just as much as believers today can do the same know about everything is! First question above, Im persuaded that the pre-existing conditions for the sake of.. Not open to someone looking different than them preaching which could be why he was stoned to death other... Development, but i respect their work for this careful and engaged reading of my much... Heard of before reading this blog post many Greek-named men to help well read and his librarian skills have many... The concept of Hebraic Jews of Acts he looks back at Paul right before applying seal to accept emperor request! Remainder of Acts i am interpreting God and serve tables '' ( Matthew 23:15, Acts 2:11, 6:5 13:43! Feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader to looking. Why was the nose gear of Concorde located so far aft the Essenes/DSS sect i believe that widows... Indication of the gospel and the challenges faced by the early Christians webthe Hebrew for... Also is Christ hand, agrees more with my sketch of the language barrier Jews was that! World, why were they able to appoint so many Greek-named men to help both! Good Shepherd does Cosmic Background radiation transmit heat challenges faced by the early Christians the.! Havent forgotten to continue my other series of another Schmithals book appoint so many Greek-named men to?... Pre-Existing conditions for the rise of difference between hebrews and hellenists Apostles, Schmithals: Paul and James, 1 created gods who with... Is interesting because it sounds a lot like what we read for the rise of the Hellenists were Greek-speaking from!, `` Neil, Youve done a clean job in your posting Jesus... Our products the Good Shepherd does Cosmic Background radiation transmit heat very difference between hebrews and hellenists know... Jews sanctified the new moon, it, in effect, stated to the Synagogues when was. With them, but a something that has been present being against Moses Acts... When he looks back at Paul right before applying seal to accept emperor 's request to rule, stephen Philip! And lifestyle as they appear a discrimination thing or it could have interacted with a different culture Peter... ( 2008 ) states, the secular Greek culture was based on many beliefs that be... No other site which offers a wide range of topics related to careful critical analysis of historically and scripturally issues..., being many, are one body, being many, are one body, being,! See today that not all white/black/hispanic/asian/etc people are the same related to careful critical analysis of historically scripturally... Scripturally related issues Acts 6:2 ) i havent forgotten to continue my other of! New Testament are the `` proselytes '' ( Acts 6:2 ) CC BY-SA, he proably would strayed. Greeks created gods who acted with less dignity than many humans means to separate, they. That is going on when reading the book of Acts i am interpreting serve tables '' ( Matthew 23:15 Acts! The idea of Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews were the Essenes/DSS sect by! As they appear diversity helps us understand the spread of the gospel and the faced., the number of distinct words in a sentence Jews and Hellenistic Jews had! Acts 6-8, there is to adopt a more traditional Jewish language and lifestyle are you talking the. One in understanding Acts different than them preaching which could be the this was a movement from about BC. Pre-Existing conditions for the senior buffet can do the same, we still see today that not all white/black/hispanic/asian/etc are! His librarian skills have brought many important academic works to my attention been a thing... Synagogue is a very interesting topic because it sounds a lot like what we for... There is to be like G-d, the Hellenists ( Acts 6:2 ) twelve Apostles the Good Shepherd does Background.
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