The Development of Christianity Chapter 5 Section 4

Roman Religion Augustus revived traditional festivals & ceremonies Official state religion: worship of multiple gods & goddesses, including Senators (state gods)

What other nationality worshipped multiple gods & goddesses?

Greek vs. Roman Gods/-essess Zeus vs. Jupiter (Chief Gods)

Hera vs. Juno (Wives of Chief Gods)

Aphrodite vs. Venus (Godesses of Love)

Roman Religious Beliefs Pleasing the gods by observing rituals In exchange for peace & prosperity Building an empire was a sign of satisfied gods and goddesses Romans were tolerant of other religions Even adopted certain Hellenistic beliefs e.g. an after-life superior to the present

The Jewish Background Judea, including the province of Judah, was conquered by the Romans in 6 A.D. Placed under a Roman official: procurator

3 different groups of Jews: Sadducees: cooperated w/ the Romans

Essenes: a Messiah would save Israel from oppression

Zealots: violent overthrow of the Romans

The Rise of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth begins to preach: Did not want to abolish old Jewish religion Believed not in strict adherence to the law But in the transformation of the inner person Love God & one another  basis for the value system of medieval civilization

The Judean authorities’ reaction to Jesus: Jesus as a potential revolutionary Captured, prosecuted & sentenced to death by crucifixion Procurator: Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate

Jesus’ followers’ reactions: He was the Messiah, the long-awaited savior of Israel Jesus had overcome death and come back to life So which of the three groups of Jews did Jesus’ followers belong to?

The Spread of Christianity Began as a religious movement in Judea Followers of Jesus (his disciples) spreading his teachings After Jesus’ death Christianity spread rapidly Orally and in writing (b/w A.D. 40-100) sayings & personal memories of Jesus Later formed the basis of the New Testament

Peter, the fisherman Jesus was the Savior, the Son of God Came to Earth to save all humans from eternal damnation Saved humans by dying for them, making up for all of their sins Reconciled God & human salvation If you accept God, you are saved

Paul Preached the gospel to both Jews & non-Jews (gentiles) Founded Christian communities in Asia Minor & along the Aegean Sea

Early Christian communities Churches by 100 A.D. Most early Christians were Jews & Greeks Regarded as a threat to public order & morals WHY?

Christians publicly believed that there was only one God Worshipping multiple gods = worshipping false gods = endangering their own salvation

An act of treason  punishable by death Especially, under Nero (A.D. 54-68), who blamed Christians for the fire that destroyed most of Rome.

The Triumph of Christianity Persecution  defiance  Christianity became more organized  had more followers Distinct church structure: - clergy (church leaders, esp. bishops) - laity (church members, i.e. the public)

Why did Christianity spread so widely by A.D. 300? Reasons: Gave purpose & meaning to life (salvation, no state relationship) Was similar to other religions (immortality, sacrificial God) Fulfilled the human need to belong: - loving community taking care of the sick & the poor

Why did Christianity spread so widely by A.D. 300? 4) Attractive to the poor & the powerless 5) A sense of spiritual equality to all (eternal life)

Christianity as the Official Religion of Rome Diocletian: in early A.D. 400  admitted that Christianity was just too great of a force to battle against Constantine in A.D. 313: Edict of Milan – tolerance toward Christians

Constantine

Theodosius the Great: Christianity as the official Roman religion