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

Ses s i on 3: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I I 89

C. The Essenes (withdrew from all political and social connection to Israel and Rome in monastic lifestyle): Withdrawal into Monastic Lifestyle

1. From the Greek, Essenoi (not mentioned explicitly in the Bible, but represented a social response to the Roman rule)

2. Sources for information about them: Philo (first half of the 1st century A.D.); Pliny (his writings around 77 A.D.); Josephus (writings of the period around 75-94 A.D. for his writings), Hippolytus (3rd century A.D.)

3. Some debate as to the accuracy of these sayings regarding the Essenes who lived during the period of Herod the Great (37 B.C.- 4 A.D.).

4. Broke away from mainline Judaism probably around 100-140 B.C.

5. They were devoted to live a life of asceticism (disciplined, simple life withdrawn from larger social and political worlds).

a. No luxury items; avoided all unnecessary social and economic contacts with those outside their groups

b. Centered their lives on prayer, hard work, and study of Scripture

c. Maintained strict laws of obedience