Religious background of the new testament

The New Testament of the Bible is rooted in the religious background of Second Temple Judaism, which was the dominant form of Judaism during the 1st century CE. Here are some key aspects of this background:

1. Monotheism: Second Temple Judaism was a monotheistic religion, meaning that it believed in one God, Yahweh, who was the creator and ruler of the universe.
2. Torah: The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), was considered the authoritative text of Jewish scripture and law.
3. Temple worship: The Second Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship, where Jews would offer sacrifices and prayers to God. The temple was seen as a symbol of God's presence among his people.
4. Ritual purity: Jews placed great emphasis on ritual purity, which involved following strict rules for cleanliness, diet, and social interactions to maintain a sense of separation from non-Jews and to avoid defilement.
5. Eschatology: Second Temple Judaism was characterized by a strong eschatological expectation, meaning that Jews believed in the imminent arrival of the Messiah, who would bring about a new era of salvation and redemption.
6. Apocalypticism: Apocalyptic literature, such as the Book of Daniel, was popular during this period, and it emphasized the idea of a final judgment, the end of the world, and the coming of a messianic figure.
7. Pharisaic and Sadducean factions: The Jewish community was divided into two main factions: the Pharisees, who emphasized the importance of oral tradition and the interpretation of the Torah, and the Sadducees, who rejected oral tradition and emphasized the literal interpretation of the Torah.
8. Hellenistic influence: The Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) had introduced Greek culture and language to the Mediterranean world, including Judea. This led to a blending of Jewish and Greek traditions, which is reflected in the New Testament.
9. Roman occupation: The Roman Empire had occupied Judea since 63 BCE, and this had significant implications for Jewish life and worship. The Romans had destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE, leading to a period of exile and dispersion for the Jewish people.

The New Testament authors, including Jesus, the apostles, and early Christian leaders, were all influenced by this religious background. They drew on Jewish scripture, tradition, and practices, but also challenged and transformed them in significant ways. The New Testament reflects a complex interplay between Jewish and Christian traditions, as well as the cultural and historical context of the 1st century CE.