A Brief History of Topic:Christianity

Topic: Christianity Essential Question: What are the foundations of Christianity?

Essential Q: What are the foundations of Christianity? 2 Questions - A Summary

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Roots of Christianity in Judaism ~ C.E. 6 Augustus took over Judah – renamed it Judea (it is the mountainous southern part of Palestine)

Roots of Christianity in Judaism Jews were allowed to practice their religion but were treated cruelly by Romans Many Jews hoped for a savior (called a “messiah” / “one anointed by God”) to restore Jewish independence One Jew – Jesus (born 6 B.C.E.)– traveled though Judea from C.E. 30–33 saying that God’s rule was close at hand & people should repent for their sins Some Jews thought Jesus was the messiah

How did Jesus preach? He taught by using what are called parables. Parable- story from everyday life to express spiritual ideas. Ex.-”The Good Samaritan”

12 Disciples Throughout Jesus’ travels and teachings he gathered 12 close followers, known as Disciples. While in Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus feared trouble and had a “Last Supper” before he was arrested.

Roots of Christianity in Judaism Because the Jews in Judea disagreed about Jesus’ messiah status, there was much internal Jewish conflict The Romans were afraid that this conflict would de-stabilize Judea – thus they arrested Jesus as a political rebel Jesus was crucified – the typical Roman method of punishing criminals

What was crucifixion? Religious depictions usually show Jesus supported by nails through the palms, but the flesh cannot support one’s body weight – perhaps his wrists were tied to the cross?

What happened next? Some of Jesus’ followers said that he had risen from the dead & appeared to them Known as Resurrection Those who believed became known as Christians because the word “messiah” translated into Greek is “Khristos” People like Paul and Peter helped spread the Christian message throughout the Mediterranean region

Calvary, place Jesus was Crucified

Why were Christians persecuted? Monotheistic Christians refused to honor the Roman emperor as a god Some Christians refused to provide military service – this led to charges of treason Some Romans also feared the wrath of their own deities because of the rejection of those deities by Christians As a result, Romans killed some Christian martyrs who would not give up their beliefs

How does the story end? Christianity spread – especially in cities In C.E. 312 the Roman general Constantine had a vision of a flaming cross in the sky before a battle

Constantine has Built Holy Sepulchre

How does the story end? When Constantine became emperor of Rome, he issued the Edict of Milan, granting freedom of worship to all religious groups 80 years later (C.E. 392), Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Empire and banned older religions

700’s Christians in the East (Byzantine) wanted to stop using Icons (pictures, figurines, crosses), the West (Rome) did not. Emperor Leo III ordered all icons to be removed. The Pope disagreed

Rome gets invaded In the 700’s when Rome gets invaded and the Pope turns to the East they refuse to send help. The Franks help, and eventually lead to the crowning of Charlemagne.

1054 C.E. The Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope excommunicate each other. This began a schism or separation of the two and represents a split between The Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Churches to this day.

Holy Book- The Bible Symbols- Holy Trinity- Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit