Christianity

Early Beginnings Starts as a cult of Judaism for 40 – 60 years – Keep monotheistic belief – Keep mythology Does not keep doctrine Maintains Hellenistic prinicples – Body/Soul Dichotomy – Immortality – Gnosis

Scriptures New Testament : – Gospels Mark Luke Synoptic Gospels Matthew John – Acts (of the Apostles) – Epistles – Revelation (of St. John)

Unaccepted Texts Non-canonical texts – Gospel of Mary Magdalene – Gospel of Thomas – Infant gospel of thomas – Gospel of james – Gospel of judah – Others ?

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus as Christ – Messiah / Anointed One Miraculous Birth – Virgin mother – Bethlehem Preacher – Teaches in parables – Reinterprets the Law

The “Passion Story” Jesus goes to Jerusalem for Passover – Eucharist Jesus is arrested and tried – Roman rule / Jewish Law (?) Jesus is crucified and entombed – Good Friday Family/friends return – Tomb is Empty – Easter Sunday

The “Passion Story” Appears to disciples – Not recognized Pentecost – Birth of the Church – Glossilalia Disciples now Apostles

Paul of Tarsus Strict Pharisee – Converted Converted Gentiles – Debate amongst apostles – Extremely successful Competing theologies

Christian Theology Humanity is separated from God because of Original Sin – Human beings cannot keep the Law Redemption / reconnection through Christ – Give of Grace (Agape) – Justified through BELIEF Body / Soul Dichotomy – Greek influence – Parousia

Earliest Christians Early Converts – Women – Poor New World Coming – Apocalyptic Jewish / Christian separation – 80 c.e.

Early Heresies Gnosticism – Christ delivers gnosis – Return to the Supreme Being Bypass Demiurge / Creator God Rule of Faith Needed – Confirm authority of texts – Many texts rejected – Recently discovered

Early Church Structure Bishop – Head of the Church for a large city – Disburses the Eucharist Prebyter (Early Priest) – Heads smaller churces – Disburses the Eucharist Deacon – Layman

Christian Persecution Christians do not participate in state rituals – Martyred in public Emperors encouraged Christian persecution – Decius – Valerian – Diocletian “Great Persecution”

Constantine and the Early Church Legalized Christian Worship – Edict of Milan 313 Bishop to the Bishops – Set holidays – Religious sites Set by Helena Settled dispute on Christology

Christology – The Nature of Christ Arianism – Bishop Arius of Alexandria – Christ – Logos of God – is confused with God. Polytheism - Gnostic influence Need to settle on the NATURE of Christ Nicene Councils (325 / 381) – Christ is of the same essence as God Monotheism – Holy Spirit is added for the Trinity Council of Chalcedon (451) – Perfect union of human and divine, without confusion or division.

Sin and Salvation St. Augustine of Hippo – Defined sin as a choice of the individual All aspects of creation are from God – Therefore good Uti / Frui

East – West Schism Eastern and Western Churches split Filioque Clause – Dispute since Nicene Council Papal Authority – Patriarchs refuse to accept Rome’s declaration Political Concerns – East – Islamic Empire – West – Germanic Invaders Excommunications – 1054

Medieval Christianity Charlemagne crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor – Dec. 25, 800 Unites all of Europe under Christianity – Christendom

Medieval Contributions Purgatory Limbo Penance – 3 Elements Eucharist – Transubstantiation

Corruptions Simony Pluralism Indulgences Crusades

Scholasticism Synthesize Faith and Reason St. Thomas Aquinas – Summa Theologica – Nature and Revelation leads to union with God – Same principles apply to sin

Protestant Reformation Martin Luther – 95 Theses Main Protestant principles 1.Sola Scriptura 1.Justification by Grace through Faith ALONE 2.No penance / indulgences 3.Every person is his/her own priest

Catholic Reformation Council of Trent – Reaffirmed the Catholic position on: Sacraments (7) Tradition / Scripture equal sources of truth Justification by Grace through Faith PLUS Good works for Satisfaction Society of Jesus (Jesuits) – Ignatius of Loyla – Conversions

Questions of the Enlightenment Scientific Advances – Bible not a source of knowledge for the natural world Deism – “Clockmaker” God Biblical Criticism – Revelation is not a source of truth – Philosophers seek non- religious truth.

Secularization Religion loses control of some aspects of society – Government – School – Business Religion is seen as personal and private

Recent Developments Great Awakenings – 2 Social Movements 1730 – – 1830 – Literal interpretation of the Bible Liberation Theology – God will help the oppressed

Vatican Councils Vatican I: 1869 – Pope Pius IX Limited infallibility – Faith and Morals Vatican II: 1962 – 1965 Pope John XXIII Pope Paul IV Changes in services Vernacular More local control

Protestant Denominations Wide variety of denominations – Liberal to conservative Renewal of Sola Scriptura Focus on the individual’s connection to God

Eastern Orthodox Focuses on the unity between human and divine in worship Icons and veneration of saints prevelant Some theological differences from the Latin Church