CHRISTIANITY

Major beliefs One God Trinity: three manifestations of God God, the divine (Father); Jesus Christ, the human manifestation of God (Son); and the Holy Spirit, the omnipresence of God (symbolized as white dove)

Major beliefs Jesus Christ was sent to Earth by God to save humans from sin and death Jesus’s death and resurrection assured God’s forgiveness Human sins may be forgiven if they are confessed and repented

Major beliefs Belief in Jesus and his teachings allows humans a relationship with God Jesus was resurrected three days after his crucifixion Eternal life Second Coming, Last Judgment, Salvation Creeds (statements of faith): Apostles Creed Nicene Creed

Bible Collection of sacred texts (scriptures) inspired by God; narratives, letters, apocalyptic writings Record of relationship between God and humans Old Testament: overlaps with Jewish Bible New Testament: early writings by disciples of Christ

history 1st Century: Began as Jewish sect in Middle East; persecution by Roman emperors. Mid-1st Century: spread to Africa 313: Constantine issues edict of toleration 380: Emperor Theodosius I enacts law establishing Christianity as state church of Roman Empire 4th Century: Byzantine Empire peak of Christian history Early Middle Ages: Fall of Roman Empire; Papacy gains political power; missionary activity; spreads throughout Europe

history High and Late Middle Ages: universities evolved from church schools; development of Romanesque and Gothic architecture; Crusades (military campaigns to end Islamic aggression in Byzantine Empire) 7th to 13th Centuries: Great Schism dividing Christianity into Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) branches 1184: Inquisition aimed to suppress heresy Renaissance: Reformation splintered Western Christianity into several branches; Martin Luther led in response to sale of indulgences and key points of Catholic doctrine Post-Enlightenment: Scientific revolution; skepticism

figures God (Trinity) Jesus Christ (human manifestation of God) Virgin Mary, mother of God Apostles: disciples of Jesus (Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddeus, Simon, Judas. Judas: betrayed Jesus by being bribed to tell authorities Jesus’s location.

figures Saints: Saints; people who live particularly good and holy life; canonized by Church; miracles; intercede with God on behalf of living people Angels: spiritual beings of superior intelligence and power; wise and benevolent, but not perfect; strive with each other; guardians, intermediaries, messengers; hierarchy Devil/Satan: fallen angel who rebelled against God

Practice Prayer: means to communicate with God; taught by Jesus. Sometimes formal, part of ritual; sometimes personal and spontaneous. Often directed toward God the Father; some traditions pray to saints; some direct prayers to Mary.

Practice Some traditions emphasize external aspects: sign of cross, genuflecting, kneeling, prayer hands. Other traditions emphasize the relationship with God and Holy Spirit within us.

Practice Church: place of communal worship on Sundays (day of Resurrection) Readings from scripture; homily Eucharist: wafer and wine; Jesus’s instruction at Last Supper, “This is my body.” “This is my blood.”

commandments Ten biblical principles relating to ethics and worship; shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Given to Moses by God.

commandments I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

sacraments Christian rites of passage; signify God’s grace in outwardly visible way: Baptism. Eucharist. Confirmation. Reconciliation. Anointing of the sick. Marriage. Holy orders.

Denominations Three major divisions: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Have diverse doctrines and practices Roman Catholicism: churches in communion with the Pope, highest authority in matters of faith, church governance, and morality; traces origin to Christ.

Denominations Eastern Orthodoxy: also trace origins to Christ; communion with Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Differ with Roman Catholicism on source of Holy Spirit, leavened or unleavened bread for Eucharist, universal jurisdiction of Bishop of Rome.

Denominations Protestantism: began with Martin Luther’s reformation of Catholic Church. Differences: do not believe in papal supremacy, believe the way to achieve God’s grace is through faith alone, Bible is source of highest authority in matters of morals and faith.

Impact & future Western culture nearly synonymous with Christian culture as consistently held religious and political power throughout history of western civilization. Through universities guided course of literature, art, science, music, and philosophy. In 20th and 21st centuries losing monopoly on values and worldview.