Christianity and Judaism in Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt - Term Paper Example

A Comparison of the Role of Religion in Ancient Rome Judaism and Christianity Compared to Ancient Egypt. Introduction Christianity and Judaism are religions practiced across mainstream. They play key roles in nations. This paper will provide a comparison of the role of religion in ancient Rome Judaism and Christianity in relation to the ancient Egypt. Judaism and Christianity are religions under practice within both ancients. This paper shall scrutinize both religions in ancient Egypt and Rome. The comparison Ritual and doctrine of Egypt would be imported into Judaism via Moses. How this would be achieved, provides a question, which is difficult to settle. Of the doctrine of gods, or the Egyptian theology proper, we have no hint in the Pentateuch. The religion has Jehovah rather than the three orders of deities. It has a rigorous proscription of idolatry instead of the pictures and images of gods. It has a deity behind all times and above all worlds, with no history, earthly life and adventures rather than Isis and Osiris. The Egyptians would be more prominent with the doctrine of life in the future, but there would be no such doctrine in Judaism. Moses does not provide an account of souls’ judgment after death. According to the Egyptians, there is no return to the body and future resurrection. Moses tells nothing of the multiform experiences and long journey of the next life. The severe monotheism of Judaism is different from the diminutive characterization of gods within the Egyptian pantheon. The characterization of Jehovah, with its stern retribution, its awful authority and impartial justice would ideally symbolize the Egyptian gods. The great influence of Judaism on the Egyptian practices encompasses a few elements. I. The Cherubim of Judaism would be similar to the Egyptian Sphinx. There were three types of Sphinxes in Egypt. First, the andro-sphinx had a lion’s body and the head of a human being. Second, criosphinx had a lion’s body and the head of a ram. Thirdly, hieraco-sphinx had a lion’s body, but the head of a hawk. The first sphinx symbolized strength and union of wisdom. It was to look after the tomb and the temple thus solemn sentinel. At the same time, Cherubim watched the paradise gates after Adam’s expulsion. Cherubim would be joined by use of parts of structures of man with others of the ox, lion and eagle. The Judaism temples had cherubim extend their wings over the ark. This presents a picture of two kneeling structures with their wings spread over the scarabaeus on the Egyptian tombs. II. The priests in Judaism would dress in white linen with symbolic jewels such as Thummim and Urim, which could be practiced in Egyptian theology. III. The Jews had temples for worship and priesthood of quasi-hereditary which influenced the Egyptian theology. The Egyptian Jews practiced rituals which were in accordance with the nature of mankind (Robinson 34). They adopted the rites of passage such as circumcision within the Egyptian practices. This rite would be connected with a mood of superiority. The circumcised would be distinguished from the rest by a senior religious position. The Day of Atonement commanded the Jews to offer a scapegoat, which would take away people’s sins. The high priest laid their hands on the goat’s head to confess the sins of the national. While laying the hands, he would say that the goat will bear upon him every inequity unto the inhabited land. Among Egyptians, a prayer would be repeated over the head of a victim offered. This would be to direct calamity of the Egyptian land over his head instead of the nation’s land. Within the ancient Rome, Judaism comprised of four different sects. I. Pharisees: they included those devoted towards the Jewish law. II. Sadducees: the aristocratic Jews who collaborated with the government of the Roman Empire. III. Zealots: the Militaristic group that would be openly hostile towards the state of Rome. They influenced the revolt of 66 AD that enhanced the massacre at Masada and destruction of Jerusalem. IV. Essenes: the messianic group whose lifestyle was communal. They wrote books like “Dead Sea Scrolls.” These sects played crucial roles within the Roman Empire. For instance, the medieval and Hellenistic Judaism would seek an independent state of the Jews in which they were zealous and observed Torah. The messiah included the Herodias who remitted taxes towards the Roman Empire. The Zealots’ party refused to remit tribute to the Romans and campaigned against the empire on the ground that only God should be acknowledged and regarded as their master. The zealots would particularly offer dedication to keeping the temple’s cult pure. The Damascus Covenanters were a group of the Pharisees sect in which they would differentiate themselves by way of life. They had a pursuit towards an ascetic, monastic life, a sensual gratification and disdain for material goods, concern for eschatology, and sharing of wealth. They held robust apocalyptic views in about the coming of the Messiah. This sect practiced rituals and ablutions to achieve greater sexual purity, contemplation, study, and prayer. They had monastic form of organization and contrasted the techniques in which sacrifices would be offered in the temple. (Goodman 42). The Jewish folks display a notable continuity and adaptability for their religion in both ancients. In their encounter with the enormous civilizations, from ancient Egypt up to the Roman Empire with the modern forms of secular culture, they have integrated and incorporated foreign elements into a socio religious system. They have maintained the unbroken path of religious and ethnic tradition. The element of Judaism and heritage has constantly influenced the subsequent developments. The essential teachings of Judaism have initiated the ideology of an ethical monotheism (Robinson 64). By the nature of monotheism belief, it has eventually postulated the universalism of religion. This ideology combines with the idea of messianic, in which, at the redeemer’s advent, every nation would give up strife and war, see the light and follow the Torah’s guidance. This guidance emanates form Zion. The messianic concept has pervaded the Jewish thinking over the ages and colored the attitudes of various secular-minded Jews. Law would be the foremost instrument via which Judaism in both Egypt and Rome would bring about God’s reign on earth. However, this law did not mean only what the Romans would call “human law” but also the moral and divine nature that practically embrace all domains of life. The Judaism liturgical-ethical way continuously expatiated on through priests and prophets, philosophers, and rabbinic sages. God would be the immanent and transcendent Ruler of the universe. The creator propagated force of nature and provided guidance thus helping man to trounce the amoral and destructive forces of nature. According to the belief of Judaism, the historical evolution of man with the divine guidance will manifest itself constantly in the messianic age. Judaism in both ancient Egypt and Rome never departed from the fundamental ethical-historical monotheism. There would be no doubt that the Egyptian Christianity provided a vast influence on the expansion and civilization of the Christian doctrine. Christianity conquered the Ancient Egypt with a deep tinge of faith. The Egyptian Christianity dwelled upon various doctrines. I. The government and creation of the world would be the work of one supreme God who created several persons. In this case, it can not be of an ordinary and undivided being. This represents the plural unity doctrine. II. Salvation would not be expected from the mercy or justice of the supreme judge, unless offered an atoning sacrifice by a divine being. III. Among the human being who structures the godhead, a single individual, though a god would be put to death and suffer pain. IV. A man or a god, once lived on earth, would be born of a mortal mother but without a mortal father. The atonement and trinity doctrines took shape in the hands of theologians in the Egyptian Christianity. The trinity with its symbols became part and parcel to the Egyptian mind. The Egyptian Christians held monastic devotion and speculations of Philo. These would encompass the two ardor of belief that had overcome the tenacity of Judaism. The conspicuous traces of Egyptian speculation emerge in the church doctrines of atonement and Trinity, and the resurrection of similar components of the earthly body. The mystical devotions and theology worked in the Egyptian Christian church just like it would be attributed in Egypt. The elements of the spirit of a nation, religion, and race traversed through the Christian monks. These elements gave them a belief of the existence of Satan, angels and God, Hell, judgment, Heaven and resurrection. Ancient Rome operates along the law ideologies. Christianity in the Ancient Rome would ideally revolve around the practice of love. Roman theology presented a stern of fate and slavery. Christianity provided freedom, in adoration free from forms, and observing God. Freedom would be left to man. Christianity provoked a new life in Rome rather than theory. The Roman Christians based their life on new hope, faith, and love. However, Christianity in Rome spring from Judaism. The belief held by both religions would be that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. They follow the Gospel upon which the life of Jesus Christ would be outlined (Clark 42). Their practices constitute of religious ceremonies. I. Baptism: this would symbolize the washing away of sins and rebirth. This event got popularized early via John the Baptist. II. Holy Eucharist: it symbolized the final communion between Jesus and his followers. It had the concept of Transubstantiation that provided controversies. III. Confirmation: it was a ritual celebration of adulthood IV. Penance: involved the sin confession. V. Ordination: it is a sacrament that represented the transitory of power and established the church leadership authority. VI. Matrimony: it would be considered as a rite of passage for church members. VII. Extreme Unction: were the rites that would be performed before death. Generally, Christianity in both Ancient Rome and Egypt had similarities. Asceticism and Monasticism developed vital movements within the Christian church. Monasticism refers to a movement that had aspirations to bring about unity between one’s Sole and God. Asceticism was for renunciation of all temptations in the world. Jesus would teach salvation through renunciation. Stoicism taught peace via detachment from the things of the world. Monasteries would be the central place for preserving classical learning and practicing the knowledge in modern times (Clark 49). Christianity in Ancient Rome and Egypt operated upon the doctrines of the Virgin Birth, Ordination, Trinity, and Salvation. Christians from both Ancients would be dissatisfied by immorality within their respective emperors. Their teaching and message proclaimed love and equality for all. The church did not seclude sex i.e. it was open to all e.g. women and men, the poor and rich, the slaves and those who were free. The Christians in both Ancients assimilated their cultures. Conclusion Judaism and Christianity are religions that have played crucial roles in Civilization of the Ancient Rome and Egypt. This paper has provided an explanation of these two religions. It has established the comparison of Judaism and Christianity between the Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt. Work Cited: Robinson, George. Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs and Rituals. New York: Pocket Books, 2000. Print. Clark, Gillian. Christianity and Roman Society. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Print. Goodman, Martin. “Nerva, the Judaicus and Jewish Identity.” Journal of Romans Studies 79.1 (1999): 40-44. Print. Read More