In the long history of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Ephesus only became a Roman city in 133 B.C. It began flourishing in 27 B.C. after Rome designated it the capital of Asia Minor. With major road connections to the other towns, Ephesus grew into a major trading centre. It became second only to Rome as the most important city in the vast Roman Empire. The status of Ephesus enabled it to play a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity.
Historically, Ephesus grew around the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). The temple (designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) was massive and played a central role in the lives of Ephesians. However, starting in the first century A.D., notable Christians such as Saint Paul (founder of the first Church in Ephesus) began visiting the city, rebuking the cults of Artemis, winning many Christian converts, but upsetting people with vested interests in the temple.
Ephesus was mentioned multiple times in the New Testament. St. Paul wrote the biblical book of Ephesians (around 61 A.D.) while imprisoned in Rome. It was a letter to the early Christians in the city. The Roman emperor Nero ordered his execution in 64 A.D. Jesus was also executed (crucified) and, while dying on the cross, entrusted St John to take care of his mother. She spent her last years with St John in Ephesus.
Walking along the main street of Ancient Ephesus, I could imagine St Paul, St John, or Mother Mary walking along the same thoroughfare. Awesome. There is something spiritual about these thoughts; people from different ages and cultures do the same things, separated by a vast expanse of time. What were they thinking about?
Long before St. Paul started preaching in Ephesus, humanity had passionately pursued the Truth (with a capital T) to find the ultimate answers to life, death, and the universe. Humankind needed answers to the “soul questions”: Who am I? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? If we believe, the Temple of Artemis (in the past) and the Church (today) have ready-made answers for us. Convenient.
But wouldn’t it be more engaging to D.I.Y. (not so convenient)? If so, we have taken the first step along the spiritual path. But why do we need answers to the “soul questions”? The answers to the “soul questions” give us a much-needed sense of meaningful direction and purpose. With insight, we gain perspective – we recognize our role in life has greater value than all the mundane things we do mindlessly every day. Understanding the answers to “soul questions” provides us peace and comfort in times of uncertainty.
Cult (Temple of Artemis), religion (the Church) and spiritualism differ. When we say we belong to a religion (or cult), we become believers. But when we declare we are spiritualistic, we become seekers. We seek what we do not know – our essential nature and fundamental selves – where we come from and where we go. Spiritualism acknowledges, “What we know, we know; what we do not know, we do not.” Not knowing is the basis for yearning and learning.
I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on Ephesus’s biblical past and humankind’s spiritual endeavour. The setting of Ephesus was perfect for reflection.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
