Hey folks, I know it's been a while since I have visited with you, and I have so much to catch you up on.
Stay tuned, I will be filling you in on the details soon!

This is also from the first week.


Discuss the origins and influence of Hellenism in Israel during the Intertestamental Period 

Hellenism stems from the conquests of Alexander the Great, 

who interestingly enough, was Greek by training and not by birth.

Succeeding his father, Philip, in 334, he set out to conquer, and was successful.

His success led to a new phase in world history, one of military conquests.

This trend towards conquest remains deeply embedded in Western culture to this day.

The destruction of the Jewish state and temple by the Babylonians made the Jews ripe for Hellenistic culture.

Be sure to identify any problems this movement caused for the Jews
and describe the Jewish response to these problems.

When Alexander moved in, he did not just strive to conquer the land, but also the culture.
His army brought along with them city planners, architects, musicians, philosophers, and others of cultural importance. He brought a government of city-states, each ran by a king and council,
and fostered a society based upon intelligence, even if devoid of creativity;
and a spirit of virtue, even if "dominated by fate".

Which Hellenistic rulers most aggressively tried to influence Jews with Hellenism?

Alexander the Great was the most aggressive.
He not only changes the populace, but the environment in which they lived.
Private schools rose up to teach the Greek citizen reading, writing, recitation, painting, music, and verse.
Competition and military vigor became important to the Greek citizen, and the early induction of the Olympics,
which still exists to this day. Clearly, the Greeks have not only influenced society then, but now - in everything from athletics to architecture.

How did Hellenism positively and negatively impact the Jews?

Although most Hellenistic leaders allowed the Jewish people free practice of their way of life,
there were many differences in the two cultures that created conflict.
The Jews were monotheistic, as opposed to the Greek pantheism; the Jews followed Yahweh,
but the Greeks were pagan. Other differences included the language, Jewish Aramaic versus Hellenistic Greek;
and their community. While the Jews were isolationists, they still valued community;
the Greeks were more universal, but valued the individual over community.

What modern movement parallels the rise of Hellenism?

The author, J. Julius Scott Jr., relates the rise of Hellenism to the rise of television. I am apt to agree with him.
Television created its own culture, which although was full of glitter and shine, amounted to individualism over community, and turned everyone watching into conformist drones.

This is some of what we covered in the first week. Please let me know what you think.




List and define some of the major sources used to reconstruct 
the history of the Intertestamental Period.  

Some of the major sources used to reconstruct the history of the Intertestamental period include Flavious Josephus, Macabees and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Many of the writings describing the time rose in or around the Hellenistic period.

Flavious Josephus (or Joseph ben Matityahu) was a Hellenistic Jew who recorded history. 

His emphasis lies mostly in the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem 

following the First Jewish-Roman war in the 1st century.

Maccabees focuses in rebellion in Palestine, that resulted in Maccabean rule.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, found between 1946 and 1956 contain non-canonized manuscripts from the 

Second Temple period in Jewish history, sectarian, and commentary manuscripts.

Which of these sources do you consider the most important, and why? 

To me, the Dead Sea Scrolls may be among the most important sources 

of reconstructing the Intertestamental period in history.

These scrolls were found within the modern era, 

and answer a great deal of questions that earlier texts have failed to address.

Also, because of their discovery being fairly recent,

they serve to reinforce a faith that society attempts to squelch.

They highlight some of the sects of Judaism that may have not have been previously mentioned.

Why is the study of these sources important to a proper understanding of the New Testament?  

In order to fully appreciate the life and times that Jesus lived and taught, 

it is important to grasp the cultural and political influences that prevailed in society. 

To me, it gives Jesus' words more depth and clarity, and helps to address why 

He may have been received in the manner that He was. 

In fact, Jesus may have been better received in early Hellenistic times than in Roman times.

How do these sources help us understand NT thought and topics?

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." 

Santayana could not have been more accurate in his exhortation of humanity 

and the predominance of struggle in our society. 

Following the struggles of the Jews and the early Christians, gives us

a deeper understanding of the message of Jesus, and allows us to have more faith in His promises.

Each time the Jews rebuilt or rose victorious from war, 

it reinforces the promise of eternity, as given to us by Jesus. 

Greetings, my name is Autumn Miller-Wolfe 
and I am happy to meet you.

Who am I?

Aside from my name, which says so little about me, and more about my family, I am a follower of Christ, happily married wife, mother of two beautiful fur babies, and compassionate vegetarian.

(Whew! That says a great deal, doesn't it?)

My husband, Jacob, and I just celebrated our first anniversary on April 22nd of this year, and oh what a year this has been!

In October, we moved down to Chattanooga, TN from Indiana, and started a new life.

Tennessee is different, nicer somehow in ways I cannot easily explain. 

We live in a nice house in a fairly quiet neighborhood where we actually have privacy. 

It is a medium sized town with a small town feel, which allows me time for spiritual and family growth. 

My fur babies are a Pit Bull-Labrador-Rottweiler mix named Smoky (born February 14th) 

and a Red Bone Coon Hound named Dozer (born April 8th). 

I am a member of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and the CVA (Christian Vegetarian Association).

I follow a pre-flood or pre-fall diet based upon scripture and founded in compassion for all life.

 I firmly believe that following a diet and lifestyle that is not only honoring to God, but others in the large-scale is highly important. I am open and most welcoming to discussion on this subject if anyone cares to approach the matter. I promise to be kind and respectful in my response. And yes, I can back up my life choices not only with 'dreaded' science, but with sound scripture. 

In 2006, I graduated with my Bachelors Degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN. Oakland City is a small, but challenging Christian university in Indiana. 

During my four years there, I studied Christ, culinary, and double majored in Art and Business. 

While I believe my college experience gave me a well-rounded education, I still felt like something was missing. After we got settled in Tennessee, and after much prayer, I decided to pursue my Masters degree. 

I enrolled in Liberty University, and am taking my first classes towards my Masters of Divinity, Professional Ministries Cognate. 

We currently attend Mustard Tree Ministries, which is led by Pastor Barry Kidwell.

What Do I Do?

Professionally, I am on hiatus from pursuing the "almighty" dollar, so that I can devote time to deepening my relationship with Christ, nurturing my family, and pursuing my studies. 

When not on hiatus, I run my own retail business (online, I do not have my own brick and mortar) of Christian-based gifts, and am in the process of destining my own product line of vegan and raw foods. 

In my waning free time, I love to read, write, cook, paint, sculpt, and volunteer at a local food Co-Op.

What Is This?

This blog will sort of be my sounding board to help me maintain my sanity while pursuing my degree.

My classes started June 25th, and I am already finding Liberty University to be more challenging 

than I first thought it would be. This will also be a place for me to share Christ in a manner that I pray is

non-threatening. Hopefully, you will enjoy taking this journey right by my side. I am welcome to some 

healthy debate, but please do not come in here and slam my beliefs in Christ. 

Show me the same respect you would expect if it were your blog and I was reading it.

If you have any question for me, feel free to ask, as I am always open to some good conversation.

Thank you for your time.