Humanities

1: Historical Settings

a: Tarsus in the Imperial Period

Of all the apostles? Paul stands out as the one who was the traveler par excellence. His journeys through the length and breadth of the ancient world are nothing short of remarkable and given the difficulties of traveling in these times? (Fuller p. 12-35) let alone the animosity and danger he faced trying to convert populations to the new faith? it is a credit to the endurance and tenacity of the man that he accomplished as much as he did. Paul? originally Paul ? was born in Tarsus in what is now southern Turkey and changed his name after converting Sergius Paulus. (González p. 11-38)

Paul went away to Arabia for a period of time? then returned to Damascus (Gal. 1:17)? and after three years journeyed to Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18). The disciples there did not trust him? knowing he had previously persecuted Christians? but Barnabas took him to the apostles who were staying in Jerusalem at that time (Gal. 1:18-19? Acts 9:26-27). Paul preached boldly in Jerusalem? but after 15 days had to flee again? this time to Tarsus (Acts 9:29-30).

In Antioch? the capital of Syria then? Gentiles were turning to Jesus Christ? and the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas there to instruct these new believers. (Fuller p. 12-35) Barnabas in turn took Paul from Tarsus to be his companion (Acts 11:19-25). The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Christians in Antioch sent relief funds by Barnabas and Paul back to Christians in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). They returned with young John Mark? Barnabas' nephew from there (Acts 12:25).

Paul? also known by his Jewish name? Paul (see Acts 13:9)? was born in Tarsus? Cilicia? in Asia Minor (now modern-day Turkey) probably between 1 and 10 A.D. He was a diaspora Jew? that is? a Jew living outside the homeland of Palestine. Tarsus was a large? prosperous city in the Roman Empire? so it is quite fair to call Paul an urbanite. He was likely well-educated? apparently a student of the great rabbi Gamaliel I in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3).

b: Constantinople in the Byzantine Period

Unlike politically motivated writers would have us believe? Constantine the Great? founder of the Byzantine Empire? (Grabar? p. 45) achieved the unity rather than the disunity of the Western world. Chief evidence of this? as previously stated? was the extraordinary durability of the New Roman or Byzantine state. By introducing Christianity as the official religion? Constantine reconciled Hellenistic culture with Roman pragmatism on a moral footing to produce the Byzantine ideal. (González p. 11-38)

Another institution was founded by Constantine in honor of his mother? Helen? commemorating the discovery of the True Cross at a location revealed to her in a series of dreams. The early practice was to give to distinguished persons of the feminine gender a small piece of the Cross encased in a locket. (Fuller p. 12-35) This institution is also preserved to this day at his request? and together with the former are known as The Sovereign ...