Question 1: What were the major unifying features of Judaism at the time of Jesus?

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

Monotheism and election. Although jews were often divided as to particular practices and traditions within their religion, they were unified in two common convictions; that there is only one true God, and that God chose the Israelites to be his special people.

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

There's not a lot more to add there Jenny - you have covered it! Maybe I could just add that expressions of this unity were the Shema daily prayer ("Hear O Israel, the LORD is one...") and the importance of Mosaic law.

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

i think the fact that the jews were God's chosen period is important

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

Hi Alison,
I was wondering what you mean by "chose period"?

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

Does this mean you couldn't convert to Judaism? (Given that they were born into Abraham's family)

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

Would the old Testament scriptures count as well?

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

I like your question Kate, because for me that raises the question then of how God was growing his Kingdom before the inclusion of the Gentiles. Was he just multiplying them through birth? And if so, why did he limit it to only the Jewish line in the first place and then to everyone? I know that Jesus needed to come to make it possible for us all to be saved, but we (as Christians) are still a chosen group, and yet people can be chosen later on in life and not through birth now. Why did God do it this way?

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

I think at this point we should look at the Old Testament. Gods instructions were that his people were not allowed to inter marry with other cultures/nation because they would pull his people away from him. So then the way he expanded his kingdom was through birth at that time at least.

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

I agree that on the whole God grew his kingdom by the Isrelites reproducing and expanding their population. Not sure if you can "convert" to Judaism and take the title of being a Jew but there are definitely examples in the OT of being part of God's chosen people.and God growing his kingdom outside of the Jewish line ( I think? )

Rahab for instance was not an Israelite but put her faith in Yahweh and believed he was powerful and would save her from being harmed when the Israelites brought down the wall of Jericho. Did she enter into God's family/kingdom with this faith?

Another probably more significant example is Ruth. She was a Moabite and married into the Isrealite community and in the end had great devotion to Yahweh. She even turned out to be King Davids's great grandmother and is thus found in Jesus genealogy. She was a foreigner but recieced great blessing as one of God's faithful people.

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

We must not forget that the Kingdom of God has always been for the whole world. It was the work of the children of Abraham to reveal that way. As far as Judaism is concerned, they were in one of the best positions that had ever been for revealing to us Gentiles, the salvation of God through faith. The freedoms of religion afforded to them in spite of the Roman dominance at the time just prior to Jesus' ministry meant that no one would be persecuted or punished for proselytising .... but, as had nearly always been the case for them, they missed the point of their calling .

Re: Qu 1 Historical, religious and political context of Palestine in the Roman Empire

My thoughts (better late than never)

There were a few unifying features I beleive amongst the sects. One was Monothesim, the belief that there was only one God (Yahweh) who was the the rightful ruler of Israel, and as an extension, the world. (though it would seem that the Saduccees were willing to swing with this when it was for them expedient), The other poinsts were Mosiac Law observations of circumsion and Sabbath. Prior to this unit I had never really heard much of the Essenes and found it very interesting to examine their seperatist theology and actions.