Christianity

History– The Life and Times of Jesus †Beginnings around 0 AD †Centers around the Life of Jesus of Nazareth †Life story told in the four Gospels †Matthew, Mark, Luke & John †Born to Jewish parents in Bethlehem †Traditional Christianity believes that he is the actual son of God. †Became an itinerant (wandering) teacher †Condemned for heresy and treason and crucified (executed) around 33 AD †Recognized as Messiah or Christ by early believers following his death

History– The Spread of the Church †Following Death of Jesus teachings were continued by disciples †Paul †Converted to Christianity †Became its 2 nd most influential teacher †Expanded church to Roman Empire and beyond †Author of most of the New Testament †Constantine †4 th Century AD †Roman Emperor †Made Christianity the official religion of Empire †Spread with Empire

History-Division of the Church †Councils †Held to determine Church position of beliefs. †Great Schism (split) †Differences on authority of Pope (among others) †Divided Church between “East” and “West” †Eastern Orthodox †Roman Catholic †Protestant Reformation †Martin Luther (1517) †95 Theses protesting church practices †Fundamental differences †Reject papal authority †Faith and Works needed †Divided from each other following split

Beliefs †Humans are sinful and unable to overcome sin alone †Savior required to overcome sin as part of God’s plan †Jesus is that Savior and the son of God †Died on Cross and was resurrected for sins of men †Bible is guide to history and theology †Old Testament- pre-Jesus, record of Jews †New Testament- Story of Jesus and the early church †Variations in what is included based on denomination †Church is central “sacred space” for worship

Sacred Sites †Many places in modern-day Israel are considered sacred to Christianity as this is where Jesus lived and taught. †Bethlehem- Birthplace of Jesus †Jerusalem- Place of condemnation, suffering and death of Jesus †Multiple other sites in Israel †Some denominations have other sites, outside of modern- day Israel, that are considered sacred.

Current State of Affairs †Europe and Latin America have largest populations †Divided among beliefs and current issues †Issues- War, Social Injustice, Poverty, Gender Roles, Sexual Identity †More than 20 different denominations with variations in beliefs