The world of Yeshua and the early believers was very different from our modern world. The Hellenistic culture had a large influence on Judaism and the religion had divided into multiple sects. It is from this world that Christianity emerges and has to combat ideologically. In this 5 hour series, we will look at the historical events intertestamental period (500BC – 100AD) that shape the mindset of those living in the first century. We will also discuss the Greco-Roman religious system and its effects upon early believers. Next we discuss the concept of honor and shame; a system which affected the lives of everyone and had a heavy influence on people’s actions. Yeshua was crucified as a method of shaming him and his followers and the majority of the New Testament is devoted to showing that Yeshua’s death was not shameful and that the other shaming techniques used on believers were in fact honorable in God’s eyes. Finally we will discuss the various sects of Judaism; the seven types of Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes as well as looking at the earliest evidence of the life of the believers.
This teaching is audio only and has 6 CD audio discs with approximately 50 minutes per disc.