The Contribution of Archaeology to the Interpretation of the New Testament

Authors

Raymond F. Surburg, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

9-1-1955

Document Type

Article

Keywords

roman, emperor worship, christianity, papyrus, ramsay, savior, domitian, st. paul, augustus, caesar

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The inscriptions and papyri have furthermore helped New Testament students see the great contrast between Christianity and the other religions of the empire. The Lord Caesar is in definite opposition to the Lord Christ. The papyri reveal the fact that the divine names "Lord" and "Savior" were applied by the Roman emperors to themselves. The abler among the Roman emperors endeavored to strengthen and convert ancient popular worship into worship of the state and its head. Already in 195 B. C. there is evidence of this patriotic deification of the Roman state, as is apparent from the worship of the Dea Roma in Smyrna.

Disciplines

History of Christianity

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

2 Corinthians 4:5; Acts 10:36; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Timothy 2:13; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Revelation 2:13;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Surburg, Raymond F. (1955) "The Contribution of Archaeology to the Interpretation of the New Testament," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 26, Article 53.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol26/iss1/53