Western Civilization Essay: 12.8.16

Writing assignment: How would you compare the teachings of Christianity, as described in the New Testament passages we read for this week, to the values cherished by earlier civilizations we have discussed (particularly the Greeks, and the values expressed in Homer's works)? Conversely, can you see anything in common between Christianity and some of the great ancient thinkers we have discussed?



Beginnings of Christianity/atmosphere during it's creation
Christianity held the answers for many of the questions people were asking, at the time of its development. Moral philosophers, like Socrates and Plato were starting to reject the ancient Greek religions. Undermining these gods, they began to seek new solutions and viewpoints on the world. Many were dissatisfied with the Stoic philosophy, which rendered them uninspired and cold. It wasn't a religion of love and humanity and didn't allow any natural human reactions/emotions to life. Relevant topics, like life after death and finding one's meaning in life

In 537 B.C, The Jews were released from their long captivity in Babylon, after the Persian defeat of the Babylonians. Some of them returned to their native homeland, Palestine to rebuild the temple(and to return to their old life). They protected the purity of their religion and regarded themselves as special in God's eyes.But the other Jews dispersed to foreign countries, such as Egypt, Antioch, Spain, and Italy. In these new places, they were exposed to Greek viewpoints and thought. As a result they became more liberal or open to the possibility of their religion as universal. Generally, the promised Messiah was believed by the Jews to be their own personal savior, not meant for other races of people. 

This perception was slowly becoming abandoned though, as new ideas were adopted. The Jews entertained the possibility that the Messiah would be a savior for all people. They also considered that he wouldn't be a military leader, but instead a manifestation of their religion. 

When Jesus came to earth, this truth slowly became clear and evident. Jesus revealed himself to have come to save them from sin and from themselves, not the Romans. He also emphasized reflecting on the inward heart and it's intentions, not the outward appearance of rituals and laws. His fundamental theory was love for God and for other people. Of course this was naturally a disappointment to people like the Zealots, who wanted an insurrection against Rome. Jesus proved that the Jews idea of a hero was far from what God's actual plan was. 

In comparison to the Greek religions, Christianity was definitely a more dependable and welcoming faith to accept. The Greek gods were unpredictable and just as petty and selfish as humans can be. They were demanding and manipulative, as well as cunning and evil. The Greeks would often make deals with their Gods, in order to attain something they wanted.

Whereas Jesus was a loving and merciful figure to be worshipped and revered. He laid his own life down for all mankind and then rose from the dead, to save humanity from their destruction. He also came to Earth as a man like those he served and healed by miracles. He was holy and a immortal being, yet also tempted as men are to sin. But he conquered all of the lawlessness and evil desires in him.

He accomplished this miraculous feat to prove that through him, we to can overcome and defeat sin. He took all of our transgressions on himself when he was crucified, and then also won the battle with death.

This was also a living proof that a Christian's journey does not end in death, and he will be victorious over it.
If one believes in Jesus, then the end of life will only be the start of a beautiful eternity spent with his creator. He is saved by the grace of God and not by his own merits.

Many of these core premises of Christianity are very contrary to Greek religion. The Greeks had complicated opinions on the subject of an afterlife.  If your family didn't provide a proper burial, you would supposedly be "trapped" between earth and the underworld.If you were outright evil, you would be sentenced to a horrible place called Tarturus, where souls were burned with fiery lava. If you had lived a good life, you would be rewarded with life in a idyllic peaceful place. If you had sinned often, you would be banished to the Fields of Punishment. This wasn't as terrible as Tarturus, although it certainly wasn't heaven either. Souls who had committed suicide were forced to wander in isolated and sorrowful places, forever regretting this decision. 

In the Christian religion, you don't have to fear death if you are secure in God's love and following him. In his great mercy, he saves people from their sin, if they commit their lives to him whole-heartedly. So you need not fear death, if you turn to Jesus for salvation and grace. There is also only one God in whose sovereignty and control we can rest assured in. The Greeks had multiple Gods, who they couldn't trust or have strong faith in.