Christianity History of the church and the hope for Ecumenism

Create a Timeline Create a timeline of the 5 major religions that we have looked at. Your timeline does not have to be to scale. Include for each: Approximate start date Create a timeline of the 5 major religions that we have looked at. Your timeline does not have to be to scale. Include for each: Approximate start date Founder Founder Place where it was founded Place where it was founded The major divisions (for the monotheistic religions) The major divisions (for the monotheistic religions)

Major Events in the History of Christianity 33 CE Birth of Christianity with Jesus 33 CE Birth of Christianity with Jesus Christianity spread quickly. Early Christians sold their possessions and donated what they made to the poor or to fund missionary work. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles on Pentecost and gave them the ability to speak many languages. This helped people to understand them.video and questions Christianity spread quickly. Early Christians sold their possessions and donated what they made to the poor or to fund missionary work. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles on Pentecost and gave them the ability to speak many languages. This helped people to understand them.video and questionsvideo and questionsvideo and questions

Although Christianity was spreading quickly, Christians were often persecuted for their beliefs: stoned to death, crucified or put into the coliseum to be chased and killed by wild animals Although Christianity was spreading quickly, Christians were often persecuted for their beliefs: stoned to death, crucified or put into the coliseum to be chased and killed by wild animals 306 CE Persecution ended with Roman Emperor Constantine (handout) 306 CE Persecution ended with Roman Emperor Constantine (handout)

1054 CE The Great Schism – The First major split where the Orthodox church splits from the Roman Catholic Church. Orthodox OrthodoxRoman Catholic centered in Turkeycentered in Rome spoke Greekspoke Latin Married priestsunmarried priests Bishops share Pope has authority authority This split is followed by the crusades

Protestant Reformation 1517 – A monk named Martin Luther objected to some practices of the Catholic Church. He did not believe in: 1517 – A monk named Martin Luther objected to some practices of the Catholic Church. He did not believe in: long-established rituals of the church long-established rituals of the church belief that money or other goods could buy favours in God’s eyes belief that money or other goods could buy favours in God’s eyes that service to others was important for salvation that service to others was important for salvation

Instead he believed that knowing God through study of the bible was more important. Instead he believed that knowing God through study of the bible was more important. Martin Luther was excommunicated from the church. He translated the Bible from Latin to German so that the average person could understand it without the help of a priest. Martin Luther was excommunicated from the church. He translated the Bible from Latin to German so that the average person could understand it without the help of a priest. This helped the spread of Protestantism throughout Europe This helped the spread of Protestantism throughout Europe

1534 – The Anglican Church was formed by Henry VIII 1534 – The Anglican Church was formed by Henry VIII He wanted a divorce but the Catholic Church would not allow it…so he formed his own church. He wanted a divorce but the Catholic Church would not allow it…so he formed his own church. All three major branches of Christianity…Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant continue to grow.

All three major branches of Christianity…Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant continue to grow into over 38,000 different churches. Roman Catholic continues as one. Roman Catholic continues as one. Orthodox further splits into Greek and Russian. Orthodox further splits into Greek and Russian. Protestantism splits into Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army etc….(Christianity project) Protestantism splits into Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army etc….(Christianity project)

Ecumenism Ecumenism is the promotion of worldwide Christian unity. Ecumenism is the promotion of worldwide Christian unity. There have been ongoing calls for unity between the Christian churches.video There have been ongoing calls for unity between the Christian churches.videovideo Answer the following in your book: Answer the following in your book: 1. What are the benefits of Ecumenism? 1. What are the benefits of Ecumenism? 2. Why is religious separation contrary to the message of Christ? 2. Why is religious separation contrary to the message of Christ? 3. Do you think the Christian community will ever be unified? Why or why not? 3. Do you think the Christian community will ever be unified? Why or why not?

The Samaritan Woman video video Work in groups to answer the following: Work in groups to answer the following: 1. How does the story of the Samaritan Woman relate to ecumenism? 1. How does the story of the Samaritan Woman relate to ecumenism? 2. Do you agree that human beings are naturally suspicious of outsiders and people who are different? Explain and include examples to support your answer. 2. Do you agree that human beings are naturally suspicious of outsiders and people who are different? Explain and include examples to support your answer.