I. Origins:

1. Judaic Context

2. Christ the Person

II. History:

1. Apostolic Age

2. Christian Hellenism

III. Liturgy & Sacraments

1. Sacramental Iconography

2. The Divine Liturgy

Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel

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Scriptural-Liturgical Context of Christ:

Genesis, the Psalms, the Prophets & Wisdom Literature as received by Judaism are the context of Christianity

2. Jesus, Christ - entered this context - He is the “new wine” in every Context.

EXAMPLES:

• Adam & the Fall: Christ, the new Adam

Amarteia? He does not “miss the mark” (sin)

• Promise to the Fathers: Christ’s Kingdom

• Royal Messianism: He is the King-Prophet-Priest He is the Davidic Messiah

I. Origins 1. The Essential Judaic Context:

Crucifixion & Resurrection: Axis Mundi in Time“End of Time” (Salvation History)

Direction of Time

Capacity of the Physical to be “Spirit-bearing” Restored

Reflection & Understanding:i.e., the Paul & the 12 Apostles

Councils of Nicea & Constantinople: the “Creed”

Teaching

Mi racles

Bapt ism

Bi r th

Wr i t ten Text

Canon

List

Beginning of 2nd Century

II. Historical Sub-Contexts - #1. The Apostolic Age (33 AD...): Pentecost thru death of those taught by

the Apostles . . .

continuation of Apostolic teaching

• 33 AD - Crucifixion & Resurrection.

• Those Jews who accept Christ as the Resurrected Messiah are eventually ejected from the Temple

• Liturgy as the re-entry & “remembrance” of the acts of God, along with use of incense, vestments, etc., are continued by the ejected Christians.

Vespers is an example of continuity / discontinuity of context & content. St. Peter (6th Cent. icon from Mt. Sinai Monastery)

• His letters are earliest Christian Scriptures after the Septuagint.

• His letters contain more “theology” than any other part of the New Testament,

with the exception of John “the theologian’s” Gospel & Revelation

• Why is it possible to “live in Christ ?”

1. because Christ is fully human, like us, but as we were meant to be

The “intention of God & right intentions of mankind” come together in Him

2. because of how humans are created (for oneness with God),

AND 3. because Christ is also fully God.

Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles