A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

82

A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

B. A time of world cultural unity (Graeco-Roman influence, koine Greek used as the universal business language)

1. Thin coating of cultural uniformity

2. Lingua Franca : Greek as the language of commerce and business

a. Aramaic spoken in Palestine; Hebrew was used in rabbinic circles.

b. Most ordinary folk in Galilee would have probably known Greek.

C. A time of world trade and intercourse (interaction and inter-connection among provinces in terms of finance, commerce, trade among representative cultures, nations, and peoples)

1. Much prosperity in Rome; huge number of slaves (great difference between aristocrats and slaves)

2. Sea lanes with important ports (Alexandria, Black Sea, Carthage, etc.)

3. Land routes (famous for building roads)

D. A time of world peace (the conquest of Rome of the then-known world)

1. Pax Romana = the peace of Rome (ruled most of the world)