Christianity Mr. Wilson ERC

Test your Knowledge! In which country did Christianity originate? In which country did Christianity originate? Who was their main “prophet?” Who was their main “prophet?” What religion was he and what did his father do? What religion was he and what did his father do? Who were the apostles and what was their job? Who were the apostles and what was their job? How did Christianity spread? How did Christianity spread? Why was Christianity illegal? Why was Christianity illegal? Who was Constantine and why is he important? Who was Constantine and why is he important?

Answers? Palestine / Israel Palestine / Israel Yeshua of Nazareth Yeshua of Nazareth Jewish, son of Joseph the carpenter Jewish, son of Joseph the carpenter The 12 disciples – to spread the word The 12 disciples – to spread the word Paul traveled all over the Mediterranean Paul traveled all over the Mediterranean They did not recognize the Roman emperor as a deity They did not recognize the Roman emperor as a deity The first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. The first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.

Origins of Christianity Judaism is founded on the idea that a charismatic leader will come and re-establish the law of God. Judaism is founded on the idea that a charismatic leader will come and re-establish the law of God. Yeshua of Nazareth was a Jewish healer and an orator, he did not claim to be the Messiah. Yeshua of Nazareth was a Jewish healer and an orator, he did not claim to be the Messiah. Instead he proposed a different view about his religious tradition based on love and hope – but still founded in the Jewish faith. Instead he proposed a different view about his religious tradition based on love and hope – but still founded in the Jewish faith.

Origins of Christianity Many did not follow Yeshua, and instead they remained steadfast in the traditional Jewish ways. Many did not follow Yeshua, and instead they remained steadfast in the traditional Jewish ways. But those who did follow him helped to spread his message. But those who did follow him helped to spread his message.

Origins of Christianity It is important to remember, that it was only 150 years after the death of Yeshua that the Jewish religion finally split. It is important to remember, that it was only 150 years after the death of Yeshua that the Jewish religion finally split. There were those who believed Yeshua was simply a prophet and those who considered him the Messiah – and therefore, the son of God. There were those who believed Yeshua was simply a prophet and those who considered him the Messiah – and therefore, the son of God. It was only after this that he became known as Jesus Christ = The Messiah. It was only after this that he became known as Jesus Christ = The Messiah.

Jesus’ Public Life Around the age of 30, Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist and he began preaching around the Galilee and Jerusalem. Around the age of 30, Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist and he began preaching around the Galilee and Jerusalem. He possessed exceptional knowledge of the Torah and he was a wonderful speaker. He possessed exceptional knowledge of the Torah and he was a wonderful speaker.

Jesus’ Public Life Unfortunately, Jesus attracted attention and created controversy – because he proposed a re-interpretation of the Jewish faith and a re- assessment of their application. Unfortunately, Jesus attracted attention and created controversy – because he proposed a re-interpretation of the Jewish faith and a re- assessment of their application. All of this without claiming to be the Messiah. All of this without claiming to be the Messiah. But he did proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God…Whom he addressed directly. But he did proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God…Whom he addressed directly. Above all he treated everyone as equals, thus, his teachings were disturbing and were considered a threat. Above all he treated everyone as equals, thus, his teachings were disturbing and were considered a threat.

Jesus’ Public Life Considered a Blasphemer by the Jews and a political agitator by the Romans, Jesus was condemned to execution. Considered a Blasphemer by the Jews and a political agitator by the Romans, Jesus was condemned to execution. Hid disciples claimed to have seen him alive 3 days later, which to them was further sign that he was the Messiah. Hid disciples claimed to have seen him alive 3 days later, which to them was further sign that he was the Messiah.

Christian Holidays Although Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth, Easter is the real Christian Holiday – as it celebrates Jesus’ Divinity. Although Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth, Easter is the real Christian Holiday – as it celebrates Jesus’ Divinity. As a result, for Catholics, Easter is the Holiest time of the year. As a result, for Catholics, Easter is the Holiest time of the year.

The Spread of Christianity The first twelve disciples of Jesus were given the duty of spreading his teachings – and after his resurrection, they became his Apostles. The first twelve disciples of Jesus were given the duty of spreading his teachings – and after his resurrection, they became his Apostles. The Apostles traveled all over the Northwest Mediterranean – spreading the word of Christ among the Jews. The Apostles traveled all over the Northwest Mediterranean – spreading the word of Christ among the Jews. They would feast, read and chant the Torah and then discuss the Life of Jesus. They would feast, read and chant the Torah and then discuss the Life of Jesus.

The Spread of Christianity Soon the Apostles wrote the epistles (letters of instructions) – these were the first Christian texts ever written. Soon the Apostles wrote the epistles (letters of instructions) – these were the first Christian texts ever written. The first Epistles were written by Paul of Tarsus – and his message was that everyone could be saved, not just the Jews. The first Epistles were written by Paul of Tarsus – and his message was that everyone could be saved, not just the Jews. This was the beginning of the Catholic Church = which means “universal” in Greek. This was the beginning of the Catholic Church = which means “universal” in Greek. Certain Jewish rules were changed making Catholicism a new and distinct religion. Certain Jewish rules were changed making Catholicism a new and distinct religion.

Christian Persecution The Jews had had religious freedom under the Romans – but the Christians refused to recognize the divinity of the Roman Emperor. The Jews had had religious freedom under the Romans – but the Christians refused to recognize the divinity of the Roman Emperor. As a result, Peter and Paul (Apostles) were executed in Rome. As a result, Peter and Paul (Apostles) were executed in Rome. Christians were forced to meet in secret, and the Apostles began to write the Gospels to preserve the teachings of Jesus. Christians were forced to meet in secret, and the Apostles began to write the Gospels to preserve the teachings of Jesus. Shortly afterwards, Jerusalem was sacked and the great Temple was destroyed, the beginning of the Diaspora. Shortly afterwards, Jerusalem was sacked and the great Temple was destroyed, the beginning of the Diaspora.

Establishing a Hierarchy As Christianity began to spread, the need for organization was a problem… As Christianity began to spread, the need for organization was a problem… The activities of the new churches had to be coordinated, so representatives were appointed and specialists were needed. The activities of the new churches had to be coordinated, so representatives were appointed and specialists were needed. 300 years after the death of Christ and under the rule of Constantine the Great, the Catholic church was given its formal structure: with deacons, priests and Bishops. 300 years after the death of Christ and under the rule of Constantine the Great, the Catholic church was given its formal structure: with deacons, priests and Bishops. This was also the beginning of the relationship between the Catholic Religion and Politics. This was also the beginning of the relationship between the Catholic Religion and Politics.

Constantine the Great ( ) When Constantine conquered both halves of the Roman Empire, he quickly granted the Christians the right to practice their faith and to acquire property. When Constantine conquered both halves of the Roman Empire, he quickly granted the Christians the right to practice their faith and to acquire property. He also founded his “New Rome” in Byzantium – re-naming it Constantinople. He also founded his “New Rome” in Byzantium – re-naming it Constantinople. The Roman empire was suddenly the Byzantine empire! The Roman empire was suddenly the Byzantine empire!

Constantine the Great ( ) Constantine is credited with applying roman law to the catholic church. Constantine is credited with applying roman law to the catholic church. Marriage, slaves, children, the poor – Constantine helped write many of the Catholic laws that are still in place today. Marriage, slaves, children, the poor – Constantine helped write many of the Catholic laws that are still in place today. He also helped build several places of worship in Rome, Constantinople and Jerusalem. He also helped build several places of worship in Rome, Constantinople and Jerusalem. When he died, he was baptised and so – he is considered to the first Christian Emperor. When he died, he was baptised and so – he is considered to the first Christian Emperor.

The Council of Nicaea (325) Because the interpretation of many of the Christian texts was always in dispute, Constantine called the Council of Nicaea. Because the interpretation of many of the Christian texts was always in dispute, Constantine called the Council of Nicaea. 300 bishops gathered in Nicaea to agree on the common faith, which set the standard for the rest of the Church. 300 bishops gathered in Nicaea to agree on the common faith, which set the standard for the rest of the Church. They agreed to fight heresy from both believers and pagans. They agreed to fight heresy from both believers and pagans. They also set dates: like Christmas and Easter. They also set dates: like Christmas and Easter.

Reflection! (1/2 page) Tell me if you learned anything today – was there anything surprising about what we covered today? Explain why… Tell me if you learned anything today – was there anything surprising about what we covered today? Explain why… What is the most interesting part about discussing the origins of these Religions? What is the most interesting part about discussing the origins of these Religions? What do you think about the Council of Nicaea? Do you find it strange that they got together and “made” the catholic religion? What do you think about the Council of Nicaea? Do you find it strange that they got together and “made” the catholic religion?