World Religions: Christianity

Bellringer: 2/7 and 2/8 1. Pick up the papers by the door. SIT CLOSE TO YOUR NORMAL ASSIGNED SEAT. 2. Update your ToC: 94: Notes – World Religions: Christianity 95: Religions Comparison Chart 3. Write down your HW: Read p. 158-162 in your ANCIENT WORLD book Study for your Pax Romana, Imperial Rome, and Christianity Quiz NEXT CLASS!

AGENDA: 2/7 and 2/8 1. Bellringer 2. Reading Check??? 3. Notes: World Religions: Christianity 4. World Religions Review 5. Periodization Essay (time-permitting)

The “home of the Jews” was what province of the Roman Empire The “home of the Jews” was what province of the Roman Empire? And who was their king? The other word for Jesus’ disciples is the: How did the Pax Romana provide the necessary conditions for Christianity to spread? Identify TWO reasons Christianity was able to gain widespread appeal. Constantine issued what that ended the persecution of Christians in Rome?

Intro: state of Religion in Rome during Pax Romana

Rome: entering a time of peace Julius Caesar dies = end of Roman Republic Reign of Augustus (Octavian) = start of the Roman Empire Rome enters the Pax Romana (27 BCE-180 CE) Rome is too powerful to be challenged  no conflicts = peace Spread of Roman Empire = spread of Roman ideas Rome controls over 3 million sq. miles at this point in history!

Rise of a new religion: Judaism in Rome How does Judaism arrive in Rome? Based in province of Judea (eastern Med.) Judea  taken by Rome in 63 BCE, becomes province Judea = ruled by King Herod (Jewish governor appointed by Rome) Peace during rule of Herod, but Herod dies = fighting breaks out His sons want to control Judea now, but Rome doesn’t necessarily want them in power, so Roman military is sent there to maintain peace

The History of christianity

The origins of Christianity Has its foundations in Judaism What do Judaism/Christianity share? Share monotheism, people (Abraham, Jesus - but as a prophet), 10 Commandments, etc. Enter Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus’ birth = beginnings of Christianity (~6 BCE) Jewish carpenter-turned-preacher His faith = about love, peace, forgiveness  becomes VERY appealing Many Jews = start to believe Jesus is the Messiah (the Savior). How he gets the name “Christ”

Christianity grows Jesus = increasingly popular and well-known But NOT everyone likes him (like some Jewish ppl. and Romans) Jews dislike him because they think he’s a heretic Romans dislike him because they are afraid of his popularity and because his ideas of monotheism go against traditional Roman ones What happens to him? Sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate in 29 CE, is crucified Christian religion really forms after his death He dies  it is said he is the Son of God, a savior  he will be resurrected and return to Earth

Christianity in 2 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut-UOhY0s8E

Historical sources of Christianity Holy text: The Bible Divided into Old and New Testaments (Old Testament is also a part of Torah, Qur’an) New Testament = the Gospels Gospels = written by Jesus’ followers (called Apostles), talk about his teachings and his life Problems with the Gospels? Contradict each other Not carefully researched or written

Historical sources of Christianity Holy guidelines: 10 Commandments Shared with Judaism Contain rules for how to be a proper Christian (living by God’s teachings) Guidelines on how to live within the teachings of Jesus

Hierarchy in the Church

Christianity in Rome

Christianity in Rome: The treatment of Christianity by Rome goes through FOUR different stages: 1) Ignored 2) Persecuted 3) Allowed 4) Officially adopted

Stage #1: Ignored Initially, Christians in Roman lands were ignored. Why is this? Because the population was so small that Rome didn’t worry about them being a threat

Stage #2: Persecuted Eventually, Christianity spreads  more people convert  NOW it’s a problem for Rome Issues with Christianity for Rome: Monotheism vs. polytheism = this is a problem Don’t recognize Roman gods/goddesses

Stage #2: Persecuted Rome will eventually persecute Christians Will make them scapegoats (blame them for anything bad) Emperors like Nero will crucify/torture Christians (and Jews) as traitors to Rome EXAMPLE: One of Jesus’ apostles, Peter, is crucified for being the “bishop” of the Christian church Christians and Jews  will be seen as martyrs dying for their faith = actually works to increase Christianity’s popularity

Stage #3: Accepted Rome will eventually permit people to practice Christianity without punishment in Rome Happens when Constantine becomes emperor of Rome in 312 CE His own conversion story = Constantine saw a vision at battle Constantine issues Edict of Milan Edict of Milan: Makes Christianity a legal religion in Rome Establishes the Council of Nicaea (established the core beliefs of Christianity  leads to Nicene Creed)

Constantine bio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LaSFigCm50

Stage #4: OFFICIALLY ADOPTED In 380 CE, under the reign of Theodosius, Christianity is made the OFFICIAL religion of Rome Bye, bye, polytheism, hello Roman Catholicism. Happens towards the end of the Roman Empire (Theodosius is also the last emperor to rule over both halves of the empire)

The spread of Christianity Paul, one of Jesus’ disciples, is responsible for spreading Christianity Without Paul, Christianity would NOT have spread like it did He visited a lot of provinces in Rome to spread Christianity (and Paul could do this because he was a Roman citizen and could travel where he wanted) Christianity spreads easily b/c… Use of common vernacular languages of the time Networks of roads Promise of salvation/eternal life to all upon death Sense of equality in Christianity (appeals A LOT to lower classes in Rome)