An Overview of Christianity

The distribution of religions

Three Main Western Religions  Judaism/ Jews/ Jewish around 2000BC ★ Tanak (Hebrew Bible, esp, Torah) ★ 14 million  Islam/ Moslems/ Muslim 7th century AD ★ Koran (or Qur’an) ★ 1.3 billion

Three Main Western Religions  Christianity/ Christians/ Christian 1 st century AD/CE ★ Bible (Old Testament & New Testament) ★ 2.2 billion

Outline I. Jesus Christ II. Core Beliefs AA. Foundational Texts BB. Core Theological Beliefs CC. Core Ethical Teachings III. Worship IV. Festivals

I. Jesus Christ monotheistic religionChristianity (from the Greek word Xριστός, Khristos, “Christ”, literally “anointed one”) is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament.

Jesus Christ Jesus was born about B.C. His teaching was causing a great stir, and the chief priests and elders were anxious to arrest him and put him to death. J JJ Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money the Roman governor demands for his death by cccc rrrr uuuu cccc iiii ffff iiii xxxx iiii oooo nnnn On t tt the third day after his death, the stone tomb was empty, and an angel said that Jesus had been raised: Ascension

Crucifixion Christ on the Cross After allowing the Jews to choose whether or not Jesus should die, Pontius Pilate condemned him to death. Jesus was forced to carry his own cross to Golgotha, where he was crucified. Christ on the Cross was painted by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens in 1620.

Ascension

Main Branches of Christianity Roman Catholic: headed by the Pope, the belief that the Pope is in a continuous line of succession from St Peter, on whom Jesus Christ bestowed authority in the Church. Clergy are not permitted to marry. Protestantism: Martin Luther the “father” of Protestantism. Clergy are permitted to marry.

Eastern Orthodoxy: Eastern Orthodoxy denies the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope to speak and act for the entire church by himself without a church council. Parish priests are expected to be married, but bishops are chosen from among monks, and are therefore not married.

II. Core Belief  A. Foundational Texts A. Foundational Texts  B. Core Theological Beliefs B. Core Theological Beliefs  C. Core Ethical Teachings C. Core Ethical Teachings

A. Foundational Texts The Bible The Creeds Other Writings

The Bible Official collection of books: Two parts Old Testament: 39 written in Hebrew New Testament: 27 written in Greek

The Creeds Creeds (from Latin credo meaning "I believe") are concise doctrinal statements or confessions, usually of religious beliefs. They began as baptismal formulae and were later expanded during the Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries to become statements of faith.

The Creeds The main faith acceptable by most Christians: belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.

Other Writings  writings of Church leaders throughout history, esp. founders of orders & denominations

B. Core Theological Beliefs 1)One God in Three Persons (Trinity): Father /Almighty /Creator Son / Jesus / Christ / Savior / Lord Holy Spirit / Giver of Life / Paraclete

2) World & Humans: created by God, in God’s image, with free will; originally good, but corrupted by sin/death; 3) Church, Salvation, Eschatology: community of believers; body of Christ; resurrection of the body; eternal life

C. Core Ethical Teachings 1)Foundational Principles: do good & avoid evil; love God, others, self; develop an “ informed conscience ” 2)Sexual Morality: dual purpose of sex; consistent ethic of life; human relationships; central role of family 3)Social Ethics: dignity of each person; common good; care of the poor/needy; work, participation, property

III. Worship The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Christian worship can take place anywhere, in almost any form. Anything that is done in the name of God is worship. For some people that may be dancing, singing, reading passages from the bible or saying prayers. It can be in church, at home - in fact anywhere!

IV. Festivals Christmas Christians celebrate Jesus‘ birth on December 25th. It follows a month of preparation (Advent) and involved lots of festivities 。 mas/christmas1.html

Shrove Tuesday and Lent Shrove Tuesday is four weeks before Easter. It is celebrated by making pancakes and traditionally having pancake races etc. Also see: day.html On Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday and the start of lent) Christians remember Jesus - they go to church and have the sign of the cross marked on their foreheads in ash.

Holy Week: Palm Sunday - Maundy Thursday On Palm Sunday - the first day of Holy week Christians remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Maundy Thursday is a reminder of the last supper - when Jesus celebrated the first communion with is apostles. see: aundy.html

Easter Sunday The most important festival for Christians. It is a very joyous occasion marked in churches by wonderful music and flowers. Out of church by the exchange of cards and Easter eggs. See: ter.html