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Christianity--Church History/Byzantine Civilization and Islamic civilization

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Expert: - 6/1/2011


Question
Can you please explain to me how Byzantine Civilization and  Islamic civilization were influenced by Greco-Roman and by Judeo-Christian traditions?

Answer
Dearest in Christ,
what a wonderful question.  Let me bewgin by saying that there were many centuries of interaction between much of the woirld at that time. Some interaction was through war and taking different people groups as slaves or for transport to another regional are to curb their growth or to populate an area for mining, farming, and other activities that would benefit the "host" country.  
During this period it should also be remembered that the differing powers swapped countires every generation or so - at least the outer border areas.  It should also be taken in to consideration that during that period the Islamic armies conquered all the way to gaul (France) where they looted and took the spoils due them as victors.  
vAlsao during this period many churches wewre established as far as India and beyond.  As Rome had developed very good road systems, travel throught the known wqorld was relatively easy . Sometimes the ancient trails and roads like the silk road were also utilized for mewrchants, travelers, and of course bandits.  Initially Islam was a very tolerant religion and welcomed other nation / religion groups into their vast empire.  This brought strange customs, beliefs, and suspicion - but did in the short and long term affect the Islamic empire.  An empire could not consume more and more people groups and not expect transcultural exschange.  
One of the chief influences across the continent was the Greek language, it became the language of trade and commerece and continued well after Greece was conquered by Rome.  Indeed the Greeks gave a lasting and versitle language and Rome provided safety and protection to all travelers in the empire.    
Another great influence, as mentioned earlier, was the evangelism and expansion of the church - both Catholic and Protestant." Just as the majority of the Jews in Palestine were not "practicing" Jews, so too were many in the Islamic world who were not devout. In addition there were many barbaric tribes always attacking the empire at one place or another with many findinh homes in the often rigorous and dangerous border regions.  
What really shut the door of course were the crusades which rallied the islamic empire behind a common cause and further assimilated more and more folks into the empire.
In other words many regions were smelting pots of culture, beliefs, religion, and languages.  The whole world was in almost constant change and the shring of many things was the norm.  However when one nation would tire of say the Christyiaqn influences or just "outside" influences they would either try to convert them, then expel them, and if they so chose even killed the "trouble makers". It was either conform or die sometimes.
So to draw this to a close, effectively no greater influence was there than The Romans, greeks, Islamists, and those of many nation groups that spread both Greek and Christianity.  Even some of the barbaric leaders such as Atilla were converted to Christianity that was itself heavily influenced by both Roman and Greek Cultures.   Although this is a huger periood of time and involves many nation groups, I hope I have helped somewhat.  Alwasy feel free to ask more. I so enjoy trying to help other learn and grow - even gain new perspectives sometimes.

__ Dr Ley

Christianity--Church History

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Dr Wesley B Ley Rose

Expertise

I can answer questions on: Biblical Studies, Biblical History, Church History, Early Christian History, Sociopolitical Background in the Early Church, Biblical Archeology, Biblical Theology, and some Greek

Experience

I did my field work in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan while on active duty in the US Air Force during the period between 1989 to 2000. I served as a Chaplain in five theaters of war and spanning well over a decade. This afforded me the opportunity to view digs, museums and Universities where i was blessed by the staff and many graduate students. I also viewed many original manuscripts, me Archeologists, Anthropologists, and benefited from the direct teachings of Rabbi's and many learned individuals. UI have personally written almost three hundred commentaries, Essays, Treatise, and Theses. I founded my own School on Early Christian History and recently began the process to offer courses in Biblical Archeology. I teach at the local community colleges, churches, and community centers. I have authored seven books and still continue research and study. I recently received my Doctorate in Early Christian History through Scripture Institute.

Organizations
Biblical Archeology Society, Paralyzed veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity, Christians with Disabilities, and many more Academic organization not to mention alumnus to many Universities throughout the world including the University of Cairo, University of Tel Aviv, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, King Fadd University, plus so many in the US and the pacific rim. many I just too a few courses, and some are honorary alumni status. Schools such as Cambridge, MIT, Stanford, University of Maryland, Appalachian State University, University of New Mexico, Empires State University, Clemson University, http://www.icjs.org/Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, and almost a dozen others. I have been attending college since 1977.

Publications
http://scripturestudies.spruz.com/member/?g=68103DCA-9F60-4232-BB0A-CBD142486574; http://cwd.spruz.com/member/?g=8A3552CE-F43E-4867-BD5E-A9F772180B4C; http://moriyahswayministries.spruz.com/member/?g=7E81CAA1-F5D0-4D3A-B7DD-AA49CB4C0B89; http://office.untcilive.org/en/tuckerhall/mylatest.html; http://jesustheonlyway.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=3evycepnc6eel; http://lucian.uchicago.edu/workshops/earlychristianstudies; http://ley-academic.spruz.com/; www.lightofchristministry.webs.com; http://books.google.com/books?id=tYEYAAAAIAAJ&dq=related%3AISBN1576072630&source=gbs_slider_thumb; http://studiesinscripture.bravehost.com/index.html; http://firstfollowers.vision.org/first-followers/; http://www.libraryinthepalms.blogspot.com/; http://www.christisdeity.org/; http://www.cacbma.net/index.html; http://msbaptist.org/clients/msbaptist/index1.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No; http://www.icjs.org/; http://independent.academia.edu/drley, etc.

Education/Credentials
I currently Hold two Doctorates in Theology and Divinity. Additionally i hold two separate master's in Biblical History-Biblical Studies, and Early Christian Studies. I'm also enrolled in salt lake Bible College as a Master's seeking a Masters in Christianity through the First 500Yyears. I have three Associate degrees in Electronic Engineering, Teaching, and Biblical Archeology. i was a Communications Engineer and worked in that field along with my Chaplianship; I received a field ordination in Kuwait by the US ARMY, yes the US Army. It's a very long story. Essentially I served in both branches for over five years; officially on loan to the Army when needed.

Awards and Honors
Aside from Military Educational Awards and others, I have been entered into the National Archives, American Honor Society, Who's Who, and National Award of Academic Achievement, Distinguished Graduate Air Force Academy, Magna Cum in all of my Master's Degrees.

Past/Present Clients
I have been a ghost writer for several ministers/evangelists; Trinity International Christian Consultants, Christian Book Reviews, etc, etc

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