1 / 35

BBL 450 New Testament Backgrounds

BBL 450 New Testament Backgrounds. CLASS IV: Voluntary Associations & Ancient Economics, Taxes, and Tithes Dr. Esa Autero. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes. 1.1 Introduction How would have people in the Roman empire perceived Jesus movement in Judea and Galilee

skyler
Télécharger la présentation

BBL 450 New Testament Backgrounds

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. BBL 450 New Testament Backgrounds CLASS IV: Voluntary Associations & Ancient Economics, Taxes, and Tithes Dr. Esa Autero

  2. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes 1.1 Introduction • How would have people in the Roman empire perceived • Jesus movement in Judea and Galilee • Ekklesia (church) in Corinth, Philippi… • Was Jesus rich or poor? What about the disciples? • How were the early Christians situated socio-economically? • How high were the taxes? Roman/Jewish? • What instructions did Jesus & Paul give on tithes, taxes, helping the poor?

  3. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes 2.1 Voluntary Associations • Roman empire – life was organized around • Family/household & polis (city) • Organizational structure • Identity, honor/status, self-determination • Associations of various kinds • Domestic (family based) associations • Household, extended family • Social, financial, and religious dimension

  4. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Religious associations (around specific god/s) • gods of Greek pantheon; Syrian & Egyptian deities etc. • Trade/professional associations (fishing, leather, bankers, bakers…) • Social, not economic focus • Burial associations • To ensure decent burial of lower classes and migrants • Ethnic/neighborhood associations (ethnicity/street) • Overlap b/w foci of associations • Religion embedded in polis and family • Most had fewer than 60 members (fit into house/temple precinct)

  5. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • The benefits of associations • Social support and practical benefits • Right to buy property & build temples • Social obligation and belonging • Cultic activities, meals, degree of self-determination • Lower status people – no hopes of city magistrature • Financial and social commitment to each other • Legal, burial, financial, loans • Structure of associations – ‘miniature’ polis • Supervisor, treasurer, secretary, (and priest[ess]) • Benefactors for support and legal protection • Benefactors received honors & loyal supporters

  6. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • NT and associations – ekklesia, collegia, koinonoi • Ekklesia of polis or ekklesia of God/Christ • Greek popular assembly • Social gathering of free men to decide on city matters • Prayers and sacrifice; praise of outstanding persons • Debates on matters and fellowship meals • NT ekklesiai& LXX assembly (Hb. qehal YHWH/elohim) • Focus on God and Christ • Prayers& fellowship meal (1 Cor 11-14)

  7. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Leadership structure of episkopoi/presbyteroi, diakonoibut also apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors • Jewish synagogue structure analogy • Household structure – oikos, oikeioi, oikonomia; hyperetes(1Tim3:15; Eph 2:19; Gal 6:10; also of Paul, 1Cor4:1-2; 9:17; Col 1:25; Tit 1:7-8) • Rich patrons & household assemblies (1 Cor 16:15, 19; Rom 16:1, 23) • Mutual support and love (Gal 6:10) – fictive kinship (adelphoi) • Internal discipline and ‘justice system’ (1 Cor 5-6) • Socio-economic dimension and status • Lower status and some in “middling” section • See section on economics

  8. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes 2He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore…They signaled to their partners [Gk. metochoi] in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners[Gk. koinonoi] of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. • Did the disciples own their own fishing boats? (cf. Mark 1:20) • Equipment and tools leased by owners to guild members • “hired help” (Mark 1:20)  Jesus recruited members of fishing guild to join “fishers of men” association

  9. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Hostile views by outsiders 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus…5 We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans. (Acts 24:1, 5) • Christian association (ekklesia) seen as politically subversive 6When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city magistrates, shouting, “These people who have been creating a disturbance all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them. They all act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar and claim instead that there is another king, Jesus.”8 They stirred up the crowd and the city magistrates who, upon hearing these charges, 9 took a surety payment from Jason and the others before releasing them. (Acts 17:6-9; cf. 1 Thess 1:5-10; Phil 1:27-30)

  10. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes 2.2 Economics, Tithes, and Taxes • Modern economics • system for creation, distribution, & consumption of scarce resources • Economics in the ancient world • Gk. oikonomia – household management • ‘economics’ embedded in oikonomia activities, including marriage, slaves, land, social relations etc. • Rival macro theories of Roman economics • Ancient economics – difference quantity, not quality (M. Rostovtzeff & E. Meyer) • Primitive economics – modern theories inadequate (M. Finley)

  11. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Two important general points on Roman economics • Considerable disparity in wealth distribution • Economics growth hindered by • Conservative social values • Cities were centers of consumption • Trade & distribution systems undeveloped  Local differences  Multidimensional analysis of wealth and poverty

  12. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Wealth distribution in the Roman Empire • How many people were poor/rich? • Old dichotomy: honestiores/humiliores (elite view) • Greek terminology: ptoxoi/penees(Stegemann & Stegemann) • Calculations of Roman GDP (Friesen & Scheidel) • Poverty scale (Friesen 2004) • Economics scale (Longenecker 2010) • Dichotomy view (Meggitt 1998; Alföldy 1988)

  13. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • According to calculations • Rich elite: 1.5% • 6-12% “middling sector” • 1-4x ‘respectable’ income • 2.4-10x bare minimum • c. 85-90% subsistence level or slightly above/below • Differences b/w city & countryside • Regional differences  “middling sector” up to 10-20% in some cities

  14. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes

  15. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • The Economy of Roman Palestine • Factors to consider • Taxation (Jewish and Roman) • How high & oppressive? • Geographic and climactic factors • Political stability • How much political disturbance and oppression? • Literary and archaeological evidence • Interpretation and weight given to each

  16. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes As for ourselves, therefore, we neither inhabit a maritime country, nor do we delight in merchandise, nor in such a mixture with other men as arises from it; but the cities we dwell in are remote from the sea, and having a fruitful country for our habitation, we take pains in cultivating that only. (Ag. Ap. 1.60) • Palestine • An agrarian economy • To what extent increasing landlessness? • Trade in Palestine • Ports of Joppa, Agrippias, Caesarea Maritima(Ant. 15.333-340) • Small-scale trade in Galilee (cf. Fiensy 2007)

  17. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Tithes in Palestine • Ambiguous nature of tithes in OT • Voluntary tithes (Gen 14:20; 28:22) • Mandatory (Deut 14:22-29; 26:12; Num 18:20-32; Lev 27:30-33; Neh 10:35-38; Mal 3:8) • Tithes to the LORD (Lev 27:30-33) – to priests? • Tithes to Levites, who tithe to the priests (Num18:8-32) • Yearly tithe consumed by worshipper (Deut 14:22-27) • Tithe every 3 yrs. to Levites & ‘least’ (Deut 14:28-29) • First fruits consumed w/ the ‘least’ (Deut 26:1-11; 12-15) • Sabbath yr. every 7th yr. – no crop tithe (Deut 15)  Difficulty of harmonizing

  18. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Tithing during Second Temple period • 14 tithe [b/c extra poor tithe x2] system (Tob1:6-8; Ant. 4.68, 205, 240) [6] But I alone went often to Jerusalem for the feasts, as it is ordained for all Israel by an everlasting decree. Taking the first fruits and the tithes of my produce and the first shearings, I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar. [7] Of all my produce I would give a tenthto the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem; a second tenthI would sell, and I would go and spend the proceeds each year at Jerusalem; [8] the third tenth I would give to those to whom it was my duty, as Deborah my father's mother had commanded me, for I was left an orphan by my father. (Tob 1:6-8; cf. Spec. Laws 2.216-220) • Yearly tithes to priests/Levites & second tithe spent in Jerusalem • Two tithes to the poor (3rd [and 6th] year)

  19. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes And besides this, he appointed that the people should pay the tithe of their annual fruits of the earth, both to the Levites and to the priests. And this is what that tribe receives of the multitude; but I think it necessary to set down what is paid by all, peculiarly to the priests. Accordingly he commanded the Levites to yield up to the priests thirteen of their forty-eight cities, and to set apart for them the tenth part of the tithes which they every year receive of the people; as also, that it was but just to offer to God the first-fruits of the entire product of the ground; and that they should offer the first-born of those four-footed beasts that are appointed for sacrifices, if it be a male, to the priests, to be slain, that they and their entire families may eat them in the holy city; but that the owners of those first-born which are not appointed for sacrifices in the laws of our country, should bring a shekel and a half in their stead: but for the first-born of a man, five shekels: that they should also have the first-fruits out of the shearing of the sheep; and that when any baked bread corn, and made loaves of it, they should give somewhat of what they had baked to them. Moreover, when any have made a sacred vow, I mean those that are called Nazarites, that suffer their hair to grow long, and use no wine, when they consecrate their hair, and offer it for a sacrifice, they are to allot that hair for the priests [to be thrown into the fire]. Such also as dedicate themselves to God, as a corban, which denotes what the Greeks call a gift, when they are desirous of being freed from that ministration, are to lay down money for the priests; thirty shekels if it be a woman, and fifty if it be a man; but if any be too poor to pay the appointed sum, it shall be lawful for the priests to determine that sum as they think fit. And if any slay beasts at home for a private festival, but not for a religious one, they are obliged to bring the maw and the cheek, [or breast,] and the right shoulder of the sacrifice, to the priests. With these Moses contrived that the priests should be plentifully maintained, besides what they had out of those offerings for sins which the people gave them, as I have set it down in the foregoing book. He also ordered, that out of every thing allotted for the priests, their servants, [their sons,] their daughters, and their wives, should partake, as well as themselves, excepting what came to them out of the sacrifices that were offered for sins; for of those none but the males of the family of the priests might eat, and this in the temple also, and that the same day they were offered. (Ant. 4.67-75)

  20. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes Let there be taken out of your fruits a tenth, besides that which you have allotted to give to the priests and Levites. This you may indeed sell in the country, but it is to be used in those feasts and sacrifices that are to be celebrated in the holy city; for it is fit that you should enjoy those fruits of the earth which God gives you to possess, so as may be to the honor of the donor (205). --- Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want; to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans. But as to the ripe fruits, let them carry that which is ripe first of all into the temple; and when they have blessed God for that land which bare them, and which he had given them for a possession, when they have also offered those sacrifices which the law has commanded them to bring, let them give the first-fruits to the priests. But when any one hath done this, and hath brought the tithe of all that he hath, together with those first-fruits that are for the Levites, and for the festivals, and when he is about to go home, let him stand before the holy house, and return thanks to God, that he hath delivered them from the injurious treatment they had in Egypt, and hath given them a good land, and a large, and lets them enjoy the fruits thereof; and when he hath openly testified that he hath fully paid the tithes [and other dues] according to the laws of Moses, let him entreat God that he will be ever merciful and gracious to him, and continue so to be to all the Hebrews, both by preserving the good things which he hath already given them, and by adding what it is still in his power to bestow upon them (240). (Ant. 4.205, 240)

  21. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes 1 And he abode that night at Bethel, and Levi dreamed that they had ordained and made him the priest of the Most High God…2 And Jacob rose early in the morning, on the fourteenth of this month, and he gave a tithe of all that came with him…And in those days Rachel became pregnant with her son Benjamin. And Jacob counted his sons from him upwards and Levi fell to the portion of the Lord, and his 4 father clothed him in the garments of the priesthood and filled his hands. And on the fifteenth of this month, he brought to the altar …This was his offering, in consequence of the vow which he had vowed that he would give a tenth, with their fruit-offerings and their drink- 6 offerings…And he and all his sons and his men were eating (this) with joy there during seven days and blessing and thanking the Lord, who 8 had delivered him out of all his tribulation and had given him his vow. And he tithed all the clean animals, and made a burnt sacrifice, but the unclean animals he gave (not) to Levi his son, and he 9 gave him all the souls of the men And Levi discharged the priestly office at Bethel before Jacob his father in preference to his ten brothers, and he was a priest there, and Jacob gave his vow: thus 10 he tithed again the tithe to the Lord and sanctified it, and it became holy unto Him. And for this reason it is ordained on the heavenly tablets as a law for the tithing again the tithe to eat before the Lord from year to year, in the place where it is chosen that His name should dwell, and to this law 11 there is no limit of days for ever. This ordinance is written that it may be fulfilled from year to year in eating the second tithe before the Lord in the place where it has been chosen…And all that is left thereof and becomes old, let it be regarded 14 as polluted: let it be burnt with fire, for it is unclean. And thus let them eat it together in the sanctuary, and let them not suffer it to become old. And all the tithes of the oxen and sheep shall be holy unto the Lord, and shall belong to his priests, which they will eat before Him from year to year.(Jub 32.1-15)

  22. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • 12 tithe system (Jub 32.1-15) • Two yearly tithes – except on 7th yr. • No mention of poor tithe [thus 12 instead of 14 tithe system]

  23. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. 24Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! (Matt 23:23; cf. Luke 11:42) • How should this be understood? • Focus on justice, mercy, faithfulness • Did Jesus also take for granted tithing? If so, what kind of tithing? • What about texts like Matt 5:23-24; 8:4; 15:4; 24:30? • Does Paul, Acts or general epistles mention tithing? • Heb 7:1-10, 12, 18 – Christ as priest per Mechizidek  focus not on tithes but Christ’s salvific work (per Ps 110:4)

  24. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Roman Tributes and Taxes – oppressive or lenient? • Obligatory payments to overlords (Ptolemies, Seleucids, Romans) • Roman tribute (Gk. phoros) 63BC collected by publicani • Land tax and poll tax - main taxes • Caesar - “treaty of friendship and alliance” in 47BC (Ant. 14.190-195, 200-210) • Reduction of tribute (to 12.5%?) & exempt. on sabbatical yr. • Herod and his sons – no Roman tribute (Ant. 14.137) • Herod’s imposition & reduction of taxes acc. to politics (Ant 15.10.4; 16.2.4) • Land tax, tolls, sales tax (Ant.15.189, 303; 17.205; War 2.287)

  25. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Judea Roman province AD6 – subject to Roman tribute • Tax census in Judea AD 6 (Ant. 18.1-10; cf. Luke 2:1-5) • What about Galilee? • How did Herod finance the massive building projects? • Personal wealth & tolls/duties OR high taxes? • Growing dissatisfaction among the populace • Pleas for reduction of debts & taxes (Tacitus, Ann. 2.42) His [Herod Archelaeus] kingdom was reduced into a province, and Cæsar declared that, with its revenues, the one percent tax could be lightened, which, for the future, he fixed at one-half per cent. During the same time, on the deaths of Antiochus and Philopator, kings respectively of the Commageni and Cilicians, these nations became excited, a majority desiring the Roman rule, some, that of their kings. The provinces too of Syria and Judæa, exhausted by their burdens, implored a reduction of tribute. (Ann. 2.42)

  26. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Social banditry/revolts 4BC, AD 6 & war of AD 66 • War 2.56-60; Ant. 17.271-273 – motivation same as below? The others then set fire to the house of Ananias the high priest, and to the palaces of Agrippa and Bernice; after which they carried the fire to the place where the archives were reposited, and made haste to burn the contracts belonging to their creditors, and thereby to dissolve their obligations for paying their debts; and this was done in order to gain the multitude of those who had been debtors, and that they might persuade the poorer sort to join in their insurrection with safety against the more wealthy; so the keepers of the records fled away, and the rest set fire to them.(Ant. 2.247; 7.61)

  27. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Tolls and duties (not taxes [e.g. tribute to Rome]) • Paid in cash for selling/transportation of merchandise • Toll collectors (Gk. telones) vs. tax collectors (cf. War 2.405-7) • Toll collectors: duties, tolls (sales tax & tribute?) (CIS 3913; Ant. 18.90; 20.181, 206-7) • Toll collectors had bad reputation – feared and disliked • Leading toll collectors contracted w/ Rome (Lk 19:2; War 2.287) • ‘Regular’ toll collectors at toll booths (Lk 5:27) • Confusion about tolls – exploitation • Palmyra text on Tolls and duties AD 137

  28. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Rabbinic texts generally negative – dishonesty of toll collectors • See BK 10.1-2; y.Sanh. 23c; y.Hag 77d; m.Sanh 3.3 cf. War 2.287; 292 • Also Roman sources (Lucian Men. 11; DioOrat. 14.14) It is not ill taken, if the searchers and officers of the customs do inspect goods openly imported, but only when, with a design of being vexatious and troublesome, they rip up the unsuspected packets of private passengers; and yet even this they are by law authorized to do, and it is sometimes to their loss, if they do not. (Plutarch, De Cur. 7) • Testimony of the gospels – “sinners” & dishonest (Lk 3:3; 5:31; 7:34; 18:9-14; 19:1-10) • Object of special attention by Jesus • How is Zacchaeus depicted in Lk 19:1-10? • Why were people so upset?

  29. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Temple Tax – yearly ½ shekel to Jerusalem (cf. Matt 17:27) • In Israel and Diaspora • Rooted in Ex 30:11-16; Neh 10:32-39 • Safe transportation to Jerusalem per Rome (Ant. 14.225-27) • Temple as extravagantly wealthy (Philo, Spec. 1.76) • Temple, priests & corruption And such was the impudence and boldness that had seized on the high priests, that they had the hardness to send their servants into the threshing floors, to take away those tithes that were due to the priests, insomuch that it so fell out that the poorer sort of the priests died for want (Ant. 20.181) • How do you read Luke 20:45-47; 21:1-6?

  30. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Charity and the care of the poor • Law as basis for social concern • Jubilee and Sabbath year (Lev 25; Deut 15) • Concern for the poor, widow, alien (Deut 10:18; 24:15; 27:19) • Justice and dignity (Deut 16:18-20; 24:19-22) • Covenant blessings and curses (Deut 27-30) • Prophets ‘enforced’ covenant justice (Isaiah, Micah, Amos, Jeremiah, Ezek) • Exile due to oppression and injustice (Isa 5:13-24) • Exploitation (Isa 1:21-23; 3:14; 10:1-2) • Excess accumulation (Isa 5:18)

  31. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Jewish attitudes during Second Temple period • Wealth as God’s blessing (Philo; Josephus; Sirach; cf. Deut 27-28) • Charity important • Wealth as a sign of dishonesty/exploitation (1 Enoch 91-102; Qumran) • Community of goods (1QS 1.11; 6.18-22; War 2.122; Ant. 18.20; Philo Prob. 85-87)  Everybody thought helping the poor important For if you do what is true, your ways will prosper through your deeds. [7] Give alms from your possessions to all who live uprightly, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. [8] If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. [9] So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. [10] For charity delivers from death and keeps you from entering the darkness; [11] and for all who practice it charity is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High. -- Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus to charity, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you made it.(Tob 4:6-11, 16)

  32. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes All who volunteer for His truth are to bring a full measure of their knowledge, strength, and wealth into the Yahad of God. Thus will they purify their knowledge in the verity of God’s laws…and likewise their wealth by the canon of His righteousness (1QS 1.11-13) If anyone of Israel volunteers for the enrollment in the society of the Yahad…he must not touch the pure food of the general membership before they have examined him…he must not yet admix his property with that of the general membership…when a full year has passed…they shall also take steps to incorporate his property…but it shall not yet be disbursed along with that of the general membership…The initiate is not to touch the drink of the general membership prior to the passing a second year…when that second year has passed…if he be ordained…they shall ordain him…participation of pure meals, and admixture of property. (1QS6.13-23)

  33. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • Greco-Roman world – no divinely attested social concern • Beggars abounded – temples and streets • Minimal assistance through • Charity due to pity – usually lower classes • Government programs (euergesiae) – when included all • Associations – generally only moderately poor had access • Public “charity” = public benevolence to enhance status • Genuine charity advocated by some philosophers • Musonius Rufus; Publius; Strabo

  34. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • The plight of the poor in the Roman Empire • Shame, exclusion & lack of dignity • Honor as the most important value • Distribution of food according to status in banquets • No access to patronage system • Life of begging, resignation, crime • Urban slums, slavery, occasional work • Lack of basic necessities • Illnesses, demonic possession, lack of care/healing

  35. Voluntary Associations & Economics, Tithes, Taxes • How to read the following NT texts: • Mark 1:32-33; 5:1-20; 10:43-52 • Luke 14:12-14 • Luke 16:19-31; 6:20-26; 12:22-34 • Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37 (cf. 1QS 1;6); 6:1-7; 8:18-25; 11:27-30; 20:34-35 • 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8-9; Rom 15:22-26 • Gal 2:10; 6:10; Rom 12:13, 16; Eph 4:28; 2 Thess 3:8-10 • Jam 1:9-11, 27; 2:1-16; 4:13-17; 5:1-6 • 1 John 3:16-18 • Rev 18

More Related