Environment of the New Testament. Jesus and Judaism, the Greco-Roman Society and Insights from Archaeology

Academic Paper from the year 2021 in the subject Theology - Biblical Theology, grade: 90, Nations University, course: The New Testament Environment, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of Jesus teachings and the Judaism practices at the time. It also seeks to understand the contribution of Greco-Roman society to the application of the Gospel in modern contexts and to draw lessons from Ephesus to find the limits and contributions of the science of archaeology. Since the Bible was written to people familiar with the world order, its writers had only occasional reason to include 'background' notations. However, for those of us who live centuries later, the need for in-depth study is obvious. It is believed that in-depth studies can lead to a better understanding of the biblical text, but studying the environment of the New Testament is not an end in itself. They can broaden one's perspective, allow for more rigorous study of the biblical text, and excite one who is driven by curiosity. All societies have their predecessors and all build on the foundations of earlier laws, customs, and inventions. This is also relevant for the world of the New Testament, which emerged from an integrated, firm, and complex world. The Gospel witnessed in the New Testament was presented to a monotheistic and polytheistic, rich, and poor, Hellenistic, and traditional Jewish world. However, the Gospel was so universal in scope that it offered a message of redemption for all and yet enabled the redeemed to function as responsible citizens in a pagan society.

Dr. Sixbert Sangwa is a Rwandan Christian minister, Academic, Kingdom Entrepreneur and Non-profit Practitioner. Sixbert has extensive experience in managing economic empowerment projects in the humanitarian and development arena, through national and international NGOs. He leveraged his strategic and business development skills to become a caring SME consultant and is known as the founder of various entrepreneurial initiatives. Today, Sixbert has remained instrumental to higher education in the fields of business, entrepreneurship and theology. He believes that the future of employment belongs to social entrepreneurship. However, he is concerned about the disconnect between faith and business, hence his continental mission to integrate faith and work. Sixbert's education is twofold. His first secular degree is in Rural Development and Agribusiness. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts in Online and Distance Education as well as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Branding. His religious track yielded him a Bachelor of Divinity, a Master of Ministry, a Master of Theological Studies, a Doctor of Chritsian Business Administration and a PhD in Religious Studies. As his research interests rest on general business management, open education and Christian affairs on the one hand, he is also open to offering advisory support in the same areas.