Ancient Corinth- Christian Archaeology Documentary

http://adventistsermons.blogspot.co.uk/ David Down, an Australian archaeologist presents a documentary on Ancient Corinth and its relation to the bible.

The ancient city of Corinth was situated on the isthmus connecting the Peloponnesus
with the mainland of Greece. It was at the southern end of the isthmus, on a low plateau
at the northern foot of the mountain known as Acro-Corinthus, on the summit of which
stood a citadel and a temple. The city was thus strategically placed, with the overland
traffic between the Peloponnesus and Attica passing through the town. Its convenient
location between the Saronic Gulf on the east and the Gulf of Corinth on the west of the
isthmus made it a market for much of the commerce that flowed from Asia to Europe,
and vice versa. Some Phoenicians settled in the city and carried on their trade of making

purple dye from the Murex trunculus of the neighboring seas. They also introduced other
arts, and set up the impure worship of the Phoenician deities.

An important mercantile city, and situated at the passage of the seas, Corinth was
cursed with licentiousness to such an extent that the very name of the city became a
byword for sensuality. The expression “to Corinthianize” signified luxurious profligacy.

An understanding of the religion of Corinth serves to highlight the wonderful grace of
God in overcoming the forces of evil and in planting a church of regenerated saints in this
notorious city. By its wealth, luxury, trade, and mixed population, Corinth well merited
the title given to it by Barnes, “the Paris of antiquity”. The principal deity was Aphrodite,
the goddess of love in its lowest form, licentious passion, and it is not hard to imagine the
effect of this deification of sensuality. The temple of Apollo was built on the north slope
of the Acro-Corinthus. According to legal requirement 1,000 beautiful young women
officiated as courtesans, or public prostitutes, before the altar of the goddess of love.

They were supported chiefly by foreigners, and from the proceeds of their vice the city
derived a steady income.

The task confronting the messenger of the gospel in the ancient city of Corinth is well
set forth in these words: “If the Gospel could triumph in Corinth, it can win under any
circumstances” (W. D. Chamberlain).

During Paul’s absence since the founding of the church some three years before (see
p. 100), numerous problems had arisen that demanded the apostle’s attention. We learn of
these from the epistle itself. First of all, factions had disrupted tire church. Because of his
eloquence and learning, Apollos was exalted above Paul by many in the church (see 1
Cor. 1:12; 3:4; cf. Acts 18:24 to 19:1). Others boasted that they were followers of neither
Paul nor Apollos, but of Peter, one of the original apostles (1 Cor. 1:12). Still others