Executive Summary

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/f7f1a498-a378-4c6f-ac18-6bfbec53d211/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213606.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/f7f1a498-a378-4c6f-ac18-6bfbec53d211/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213606.jpg" width="40px" /> Pergamon, an ancient city of significant archaeological interest, has a rich history that is interwoven with the early Christian church. The city's landscape, marked by the Altar of Zeus, provides a window into the religious and political power structures of the time. The export of the altar to Berlin, approximately 30 years before the rise of the Nazi regime, further underscores the city's significance in shaping national identities and legitimizing power.

Early Christianity in Pergamon, set against this backdrop, was characterised by a steadfast commitment to the truth as revealed in the Torah and the teachings of Jesus. This commitment, in the face of syncretism and the deification of the Roman emperor, was a radical departure from the norm and a direct challenge to the existing power structures. The early Christians in Pergamon, heeding the call to remain faithful to the truth, actively resisted the syncretistic tendencies of their time. Their allegiance to the teachings of the Torah and the early Christian leaders, and their refusal to conform to the prevailing religious and political norms, serves as a testament to their faithfulness.

Therefore, the city of Pergamon, in the context of early Christianity, serves as a testament to the power of faithfulness. It is a reminder that the quest for knowledge and understanding is not just about the acquisition of information, but about the transformation of the heart and mind. The city's rich history, its significance in the early Christian church, and its role in the broader narrative of the spread of biblical revelation, underscore the importance of staying true to the very words of scriptures without organizational creep.

</aside>

Comparison of Pergamon with the Didactic Call for Torah Alignment

The ancient city of Pergamon, particularly with its religious and socio-political connotations, presents a fascinating parallel to the didactic call in early Christianity for alignment with the Torah and the proclamation of Jesus as Lord.

Religious and Political Landscape of Pergamon

Pergamon, a prominent city in the Hellenistic world, was renowned for its religious and cultural institutions. The Altar of Zeus, often seen as a symbol of the city's allegiance to the Greek gods and the Roman emperor (who was often deified), was a key fixture in the city's religious landscape. This altar, and by extension the city of Pergamon, can be seen as a representation of the political and religious power structures of the time, which were closely intertwined.

The Altar of Zeus and the Nazi Regime

It's noteworthy that the Altar of Zeus was exported to Berlin by German archaeologists approximately 30 years before the rise of the Nazi regime. This period in Germany was marked by a growing sense of nationalism and a search for a unifying national identity, which the Nazi regime sought to provide. In this context, the Altar of Zeus, a symbol of power and authority, could be seen as a tool for the Nazi regime to legitimize their rule and reinforce their thirst for ethnic purity and world dominance.

Early Christian Context and the Call for Torah Alignment

Early Christianity, particularly in the context of the Roman Empire, was marked by a tension between the followers of Jesus and the prevailing religious and political norms. The didactic call for alignment with the Torah and the proclamation of Jesus as Lord can be seen as a direct challenge to the Roman imperial cult and the worship of the emperor as a god. This call for allegiance to Jesus and the Torah was a radical departure from the norm, and a direct challenge to the existing power structures.

Comparison and Contrast

Both the religious and political landscape of Pergamon and the early Christian call for Torah alignment can be seen as a response to the prevailing power structures of their respective times. However, while the former can be seen as a reinforcement of the existing power structures, the latter represents a challenge to them. The early Christian call for Torah alignment was not just a religious statement, but also a political one, proclaiming Jesus as the true Lord and challenging the deification of the Roman emperor.

Another notable aspect of Pergamon's rich cultural tapestry is its library. In ancient times, the library of Pergamon was a monumental center of knowledge, home to over 200,000 scrolls. This vast collection of works was not just a testament to the city's intellectual might, but also a symbol of the political and cultural dynamics of the era. In a move that was as much political as it was personal, Mark Antony famously handed over this treasure trove of scrolls to Cleopatra. This gesture was symbolic not only of his love for the Egyptian princess, but also of the city of Pergamon's preeminent status among the other cities of Asia Minor. During the first century, Pergamon was established as the chief social and cultural capital of the Roman Empire, and the library's transfer to Cleopatra underscored this status. It was a clear indication of Pergamon's influence and importance, and a testament to the city's role as a key player in the social and cultural landscape of the Roman Empire.

In the midst of a world where syncretism was rampant, Pergamon's unwavering commitment to the truth as revealed in the Torah, the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the gospels, and the epistolary teachings of Paul, Peter, John, and the other pillars of the Hebrew scriptures, stands out as a beacon of faithfulness. This steadfast dedication to the truth, in the face of a socio-political and religious landscape that often sought to blur the lines between the worship of the one true God and the pantheon of Greek and Roman deities, underscores the significance of Pergamon in the early Christian church. It was in this context that the early Christians in Pergamon, heeding the call to remain faithful to the truth, actively resisted the syncretistic tendencies of their time. Their allegiance to the teachings of the Torah and the early Christian leaders, and their refusal to conform to the prevailing religious and political norms, serves as a testament to their faithfulness. This act of resistance was not just a religious statement, but also a political one, challenging the deification of the Roman emperor and affirming Jesus as the true Lord. Therefore, the role of Pergamon in the early Christian church's battle against syncretism and its unwavering commitment to the truth, provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the city's significance in the early Christian church.

In the quest for knowledge and understanding, the phrase from the love chapter, "...and though I understand all mysteries and knowledge" (1 Cor 13), serves as a profound reminder. It echoes the journey of the early Christians in Pergamon, who, in their pursuit of truth, were called to a higher standard of faithfulness.

This phrase, however, is not just a call to the acquisition of knowledge, but a charge to remain faithful to the verbal inspiration of every word and thought. These are the source codes of the historic faith that cannot and ought not be tampered with. They are the keys to the door of enlightenment, the aids in our quest for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Therefore, the journey of the early Christians in Pergamon, their unwavering commitment to the truth, and their active resistance against the syncretistic tendencies of their time, serve as a testament to the power of faithfulness. It is a reminder that the quest for knowledge and understanding is not just about the acquisition of information, but about the transformation of the heart and mind.

• Channel 4 | Nicholas Ward-Jackson's 1995 Channel 4 series on art-theft | | | | | | |