TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITION ...........................................................................................................1 ORIGIN.....................................................................................................................2 HISTORY .................................................................................................................4 INFLUENCE ............................................................................................................7 HELLENISTIC BELIEF AND TEACHING ......................................................10 ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................12

DEFINITION A Term (HELLENIST) employed of a person who spoke Greek but was not racially of the Greek nation. The expression is especially used of the Jews who adopted the Greek language and to some extent Greek customs and culture. Hellenism may be defined as a culture, language, and philosophy of life prevalent in the Greek-Roman world during the time of Christ. The Christian faith owes a great debt to one aspect of Hellenism.1 The noun Hellas means Greece. In popular usage it designates the Romans province known officially as Achaia; this is its meaning in (Acts 20:2). Another noun Hellen (usually found in the plural) occurs twenty-six times- twice it is used of a man of Greek language and culture. Hellenism-in its original sense refers to the cultural and social ties (language religion and education) which united the Greeks (Hellenes) and distinguished them from others. In its immediately post classical sense it refers to the general dispersion of Greek language and culture through out the Greeks conquests. In modern times Hellenism refers generally to Greek culture and ideals and more particularly to the humanistic tradition which is based on the value explicit and implicit in classical Greek literature and art.

Everett F. Harrison, Hellenistic Civilization. (Baker Book House, 1979). P. 268.

ORIGIN The penetration into Christianity of beliefs and practices which originated in the Pre-Christian or Non-Christian culture of ancient Greece. Generally speaking, this is now regarded as positive developments by most Protestants tend to think of it as a corruption of faith. The facts of Hellenization, beyond the superficial level, are almost impossible to document with any degree of certainty. 2 The net was written in Greek, but this followed the established practice and style of Hellenize Judaism and was not a Christian innovation, there is much debate as to whether the apostolic interpretation of the OT was seriously affected by Greek ideas or not. At one time it was widely believed that Jn. 1:1-14 reflected as a middle platonic Logos doctrine possibly mediated through Philo of Alexandria, but this has been strongly challenged by modern scholarship, which tends to emphasize johns Hebraic roots. Matters are more complex when we turn to the post apostolic period. Christianity spread in the Hellenized Roman Empire more than it did also where, and this certainly left its mark. Justin Marty thought that Socrates and Plato

William A. Mc Donald. Encyclopedia and Dictionaries. (University of Minnesota, Lexicon Publication 1982). P. 385

were Christians before Christ, and the belief that Platonism was a kind of gentle OT, preparing the Greeks for the coming of Christ, later became widespread. There were a number of syncretistic sects, now known collectively as Gnostic which tried to merge together pagan and Christian ideas in different ways perhaps the most significant development along these lines was the wide spread adoption of allegorical method of interpretation used earlier by Jewish writers such as Plato such as Plato), to overcome difficult which Greek minds felt in the literal text of scripture. By using this method, origin and other were able to harmonize Christianity with late middle (and later Neo) Platonism, much to the detriment of the farmer. How far Hellenizing tendencies were responsible for the development of the Christian doctrine is a matter of considerable controversy, conservatives generally argue that the creeds; and other and other doctrine statements were a reaction against the influence of Hellenism, which after the fourth century became a term of abuse, even among the Greek who subsequently called themselves Romaic rather than Hellenes). Liberals however, argue that dogma is itself a philosophical concept.

According to them a non Hellenized Christianity would have been much more pluralistic in its theology, and would probably not have insisted that Jesus Christ was God incarnate. Some of them even regard Muslims a semantic reaction against Hellenized Christianity; though that is certainly an over simplification of what was a very complex development. HISTORY As early as the 2nd century B.C sensitive Romans were developing an intense admiration for Greek artistic and literary accomplishment. They tried to emulate the people they had conquered, particularly in such field as sculpture,

architecture, oratory, philosophy, and literature. The earliest postclassical wave of Hellenism occurred in the renaissance when Greek culture rediscovered in Western Europe writers and artists were tremendously stimulated by Greek models but in generals used them with greater freedom and originality than had the Romans. The period of most intense enthusiasm for Hellenism began with the writing of Jonathan Joachim Winckelin in the 18th century.3

J. Danielon Gospel Message, (Inter Varsity Press Leicester, England U.S.A, 1973; P. 290.

The romanticists of the 19th century lended to idealize Greek culture as the perfect expression of human aspiration and achievement. The prevailing notion was that later artists and writers could never fully attain this standard but should concentrate on close imitation of Greek models: the vogue for everything Greek at times approached a cult and spread far beyond the ranks of the arts. Greek political ideals loomed large in the democratic revolutions of the time philhellenism showed continued vitality in western sympathy for Greek war of independence in the early 19th century and in the curricula of schools and colleges. It was powerfully reinforced by the exciting archeological discoveries of Heinrich Schliemann toward the end of the century. Since then, the influence of Hellenism has gradually waned. Though it still remains a powerful force in the work of some modern artist thinkers and writers. The Greek contribution to the general framework of western thought, ideas, and values is by a massive and inescapable fact. Various features of classical Greek culture contribute to the composite image which in western eyes represents Hellenism. A synopsis is difficult, certain to be oversimplified, and can be misleading, but a few generalizations can perhaps be defended. The qualities which seem to have made the greatest impact fall into two complementary categories. On the one hand we note a pervading curiosity.
5

Originality, ingenuity, and nationality on the other, an instinct for simplicity, moderation, balance and order. Greek intellectuals refused to accept

unquestioningly their ancestor or neighbors solutions to problems which concerned man and nature. They insisted that each individual use his own intellect to search for new approaches. The Greek atmosphere discouraged conformity. At the same time were Greek were interested in Organizing and channeling this surge of creativity and new knowledge unto something that was manageable, comprehensible, and capable of transmission Greeks tried to approximate in human affairs the admirable tidiness regularity and dependability which they observed and explored in nature. All through the Greek experience runs this instinct, or at least search. For equilibrium for a middle way between superstition and atheism tradition and restraint, emotion and reason, law and duty it is the measure of their inevitable weakness that the Greek ultimately yielded to extreme, and the most rational among them were the most painfully aware of a proneness to excess.

INFLUENCE The purpose of this study to show that there was in fact pagan influence on the Sanhedrin before, during and after Christ. This pagan influence was Hellenistic influence and we can fine scripture that reflects the early Christian church being persecuted by the Hellenist. Hellenism as culture, language, and philosophy of life prevalent in the Graeco- Roman world during the time of Christ. The Christian faith owes a great debt to one aspect of Hellenism. 4 Christianity used the Greek language to spread the Christian faith throughout the Mediterranean used the same language by which Hellenism was spread throughout the same territory. Certain ingredients played strategic roles in Hellenism. Common customs, cultural traits, religious ties, free exchange of ideas in philosophy, religion and polities Hellenism, though born in Greece was inherently international in character. The theatre, games or athletic contests, sculpture, architecture, literature, these were all products of Hellenism embodied the individuals spontaneous expression in social, political, economic or philosophical realms. This freedom to act and to think brought to those who were Hellenized anew way of life. Although groups of individual often refused to accept much that Hellenism brought, they could not remain untouched by it. Jesus who spoke Greek is called Hellenists. Those, living outside of Palestine had to speak Greek. On the
4

Everett F. Harrison, Bakers Dictionary of Theology. (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids Michigan, 1979). P. 268.

basic theology truths of the OT they agreed with Palestine Jesus who spoke Aramaic. Yet the Greek language and gave them a different outlook, divided between those who speak Greek and those who do not, it is a linguistic culture division. The new being renewed unto knowledge and basis of the image of the one who created him. When such renewal exists, there is neither Greek nor Jews. Culture division, circumcised or circumcision, ceremonial or religious division Barbara or Scythia, a person non Greek culture or savage. Slaves or free social division. (Col. 3:11) these contexts suggests that a person immersed in Greek culture was an enthusiastic exponent of this way of life in a sense, Hellenes (Greeks) refers to all those who came under the influence of Greek culture. The term is used in places of proselytes, God fearing Gentiles who have turned from paganism to Judaism. Representatives of those sought Jesus near the end his ministry (Jon. 12:20-21) such people were open to the Christian message. Many were persuaded by Pauls preaching to become Christian (Acts 17:4) in a sense the term Hellenes is used of Gentiles (Rom. 1:16,2:9,10;3:9;10:12) Gentiles refers to the non Jew. In such large categories, the culture denotation of Hellenes is weakened or is lost while the term Jew retains its culture religious significance. In other contexts
8

where Hellenes should be translated Gentile The suggestion of Greek culture is clear. The Jews speculated that Jesus would touch the Gentiles (john. 7:35) men of Cyprus and Antioch spoke to Gentiles in Antioch (acts 11:20). Some text read Greek speaking in place of Gentiles but the context certainly favors Gentiles mixed marriage emphasized culture differences. Timothys mother was a Jew and his father a Gentile (acts 16:1, 3) meaning that he spoke Greek and was a representative of Greek culture. This does not necessarily means that he was a Greek national but translates Hellenos as Greek implies this on the other hand, when Paul says that the Jews asks for signs and the Hellenes seek after wisdom, the translation Greek is as good as Gentiles or better. Although the contexts indicates a two fold division of mankind, the seeking after wisdom favours the translation Greek (1 cor. 1:22, 24). Thus all the Jews living in the dispersion were Hellenists. Even in Palestine there were some. The early Christian church made many Jews against the Aramaic speaking Jews threatened to break up the church (acts6:1) but the wise appointment of seven Greek speaking Jews as deacons brought harmony and increased power. Hellenistic Jews who do not respond to the Christian message were very hostile (Acts 9:29-30). Those who do not respond made good material for missionaries, especially to the Gentiles (Acts 11:20) when Paul told the Corinthians to give no offense to the Jews or to the Gentile or to the church of God
9

901cor. 10:32) he spoke of the two division that existed prior to the incarnation of Christ and of the church ass consisting of a third order drawn from the fist two categories in the church the barrier between Jew and Gentile has been broken down forever (Eph. 2:11-22) HELLENISTIC BELIEF AND TEACHING An alternative to traditional religion was offered by Hellenistic belief and teaching. The most widespread of these systems was stoicism, which taught that life should believe according to the rational order which the stoics believed governed the universe; human-being had to accept their fate as according to divine with and virtuous Acts should be performed for their own intrinsic value.5 Its principle rival was Epicureanism, which taught that the universe was subject tithe random movements of atoms, and life should believe to achieve psychological contentment and the absence of pain. Other philosopher such as the cynics, who expressed contempt for convention and material possessions, and academics and Peripatetic, who studied the works of Plato and Aristotle, also flourished. A lot this philosophies, to a greater or lesser extent, sought to accommodate traditional Greek religion. But the philosophers, and those who studied under them, remained a small select group, limited largely to the educational life.

Timothy M. Youngblood; (Http:/ Www. Master. Table. Org/Pagan/Hellenism.Htm)

10

Another innovation in the Hellenistic period was the institution of cults dedicated to the rulers of the Hellenistic kingdoms. The first of these was established under Alexander, whose conquest, power, and status had elevated him to a degree that required special recognition. His succession continued his worship to the point where Egypt under Ptolemy I Soter. We find Alexander being honored as a god. Ptolems son Ptolemy II Philadelphus proclaimed his late father a god, and made himself a living god, by doing so, the Ptolemies were adapting earlier Egyptian ideas in Pharaonic worship elsewhere, practice varied a ruler might receive a divine status without the full status of a god as occurred in Athens in 307BCE, when Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Demetrius I Poliorcetes were honoured as saviours (Soteres) for liberating the city and as a result an alter was erected; an annual festival was founded, and an office priest of Saviours was introduced TEMPLES dedicated to rulers were rare, but their status were often erected in other temples, and the kings would be worshipped as temple-sharing gods. There is ample evidence for the use of superstition and magic in this period. Oracular shrines and sanctuaries were still popular. There is also much evidence for the use of charms and curses. Symbols would be placed on the doors of houses to bring good luck or deter misfortune for the occupants within.

11

ASSESSMENT In my assessment, Hellenism is not religion, but a cultic institution originated from among pagans and it was dedicated to the rulers of the Hellenistic kingdom established under Alexander. They propagate heresy and vain teachings among the ancient Greece which later penetrated into Christianity after Christ. The purpose of this study is to show how the early apostles fought against the spread of Hellenism in the Christian kingdom by speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, though some Hellenists disputed against them and attempted to kill them as found in (Acts 11:20-21) and some from Cyprus and Cyrene were converted to Christianity, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus, and the hand of the lord was with them, and a great number believed and trusted to the Lord.

12