GOD

GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood

MAN

WOMAN

FALL OF MAN

MAN
a. Man in nature
b. Man’s destiny
c. Man ‘s structure
d. Man’s sin
e. Man in God’s image

WOMAN

Having considered 'What is Man', we will now look at who man (non gender) is. Sums up in a different way what we have been looking at over the past 2 weeks.

It is important that we understand our human makeup as it helps explain how we think, feel and act. Well, at least partially! For we are complex beings who continue to face an ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil in our lives as we go on towards maturity in Jesus. I have been saved; I am being saved; I will be saved.

THE SILENT YEARS: Ptolemies

Alexander died at the early age of thirty before he saw his dreams come true. But his empire was broken down into three major areas, each governed by one of his generals. Ptolemy reigned in Egypt, Selucid in Asia and Antigonid in Macedonia. It is under these men that Hellenism really began to flourish and have an impact in the Alexandrian Empire.

Palestine found itself in the centre of a struggle between Ptolemy and Selucid rulers for domination for almost a century. Palestine first came under the control of Ptolemy who also controlled Egypt. He was tolerant of Jewish religion and allowed the High Priest to hold sway over religious matters. However because Israel did not have a king the High Priest took more and more power until he was seen as the rulers in Israel. Greek culture was also making strong inroad in Palestine during this time.

The most important Hellenistic contribution the Ptolemies made to Egypt would have to be the city of Alexandria. Alexandria even overtook Athens as the centre of Greek intellectual thought. The most impressive buildings were the museum and the library which held over a half a million scrolls. This became the university centre for the best scholars and thinkers of the day. Greek philosophy was mixed with Jewish tradition to produce a strong Greek influence on Jewish thought which is strongly seen in the allegorical method of understanding scripture popular with such men as Philo of Alexandria.

The first five books of the Old Testament were translated into Greek during this time and later would be completed and called the Septuagint. This placed the Old Testament in the hands of the people who now spoke Greek which was made the language of the people by Alexander the Great. Jesus used the Septuagint when he quoted Scripture.