Greco-Roman culture on the church

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

How much or to what point do you think the Greco-Roman culture is found in the church today?

That depends on what one means by "church." The Eastern Rite churches probably have a lot more of a cultural influence and legacy from the Greek world. The RCC of course has its administration (The Curia) based upon the old Roman civil government and bureaucracy. Even the older Roman territorial administrative districts which were called a "diocese" are preserved in Roman Catholic tradition and policy.

The influence of classical and later philosophical traditions involving the "Logos" are clearly seen in the Gospel of John. John was obviously attempting to describe the Christian God in Neo-Platonic terminology in John 1:1-12.

Daniel's "image" (head of gold, shoulders and arms of silver, etc.) is clearly intended to play off of Hesiod's older work in the Theogony. The sin of Nebuchadnezzar in seeking to extend his "golden age" out past his appointed time is the basis of John's "Mark of the Beast" in Revelation 13.

To even understand this apocalyptic vision we have to go back and consider the themes and lessons that the Greeks (Hesiod) had understood in the context of this same "image." The behavior of Chronos in the Greek myths parallel the egomania of the later Babylonian king in Daniel's work.

The Greek god Chronos had sought to make certain that his "time" was eternal and that his "way" would always be the only way. He destroyed all of those who sought to succeed him (in this case his own children) - failing only to devour the youngest, Zeus.

Nebuchadnezzar dreams of Hesiod's image and the way that it represents the passage of time (the succession of empires). Daniel comes along (Daniel 2:38) and points out that Nebuchadnezzar was "the head of gold" (something pretty impressive!), but that he would be followed by others who would take his place. This wasn't good enough for the Babylonian king.

So, he sets out to build an image like the one he saw in his dream - only instead of following the Greek mythological pattern (gold, then silver and etc.) he made his image all of gold. In other words, Nebuchadnezzar was symbolically saying, "I shall never pass away and my kingdom here on earth shall be eternal! There is NO tomorrow! Only ME! Only the way I see it! Only the way it is RIGHT NOW!"

The golden image was 6 cubits wide and 60 cubits high. When 6 musical instruments were played everyone was to bow down and worship the the image. 6, 60 and 6 (Daniel 3:1-5).

I think that the symbolism here gives us an idea of just what the "Mark of the Beast" truly is intended as meaning. "The Beast" is "the creature" or the created one or thing. When someone who is "created" and thus "mortal" seeks to defy the passage of time and to usurp the plan and will of God (Genesis 8:22) for things to change, blossom and then to grow old and die and that new life be born afresh they are repeating the sin of Nebuchadnezzar and his "666 image."

However one choses to understand Revelation 13, and Daniel 2, and Daniel 3, you must take Hesiod's earlier Greek work into account because Daniel and John were clearly interacting with it.