Medieval Europe’s Religious Background

The Background Common themes emerging? Common themes emerging? Differences between the religions? Differences between the religions?

The Background Relevant Terms –Polytheism –Monotheism –Messiah –Apocalyptic

Greco-Roman Religion Traditional Religion –Olympian gods –Oracles –State-run priesthoods in Rome –No established “orthodoxy” Athena Parthenos (438 BC)

Greco-Roman Religion

The Pantheon (AD ), Rome

Greco-Roman Religion

Mystery Religions –Communion with particular deity –Ethical guidance –Spiritual equality –Afterlife Isis

Greco-Roman Religion Cult statue of Augustus (early 1 st cent.) Emperor Worship –Worship of rulers an ancient practice –Origins during reign of Augustus –Imperial cult established

Greco-Roman Religion Questions?

Judaism The Basics –YHWH –The patriarchs –Exodus under Moses –Kings, Temple –Disobedience  exile

Judaism Second-Temple Period –Jews returned (539 BC)  Second Temple –Eventual Roman occupation –Religio licita –Religious diversity –Apocalyptic –Messiah

Judaism The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

Judaism Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 6 BC–AD 30) –Itinerant rabbi –Three-year ministry (ca AD) –12 apostles –Preached coming “Kingdom of God” –Miracles, prophecy? –Presented himself as Messiah?

Judaism Jesus and the Kingdom –Kingdom ethics –“Thy kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:10) –Kingdom parables –Included the outcasts, Gentiles

Judaism

Jesus’ Prophecy regarding the Temple? –“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” (Matt. 23:37-38)

Judaism

The Fate of Jesus –“Action in the Temple” –Criticized religious leaders –Betrayed to authorities, tried –Sentenced to death by crucifixion –Resurrected?

Judaism The Fate of the Jews –Anti-Roman sentiment continued –Jewish War (AD 70)  Jewish defeat, destruction of Temple –Bar Kochba Revolt (132-35) a failure  Jews lost homeland

Judaism Questions?

Early Christianity The Apostolic Church –Apostles, Paul, women –Based in Jerusalem –Produced Gospels –Preached “Good News”

Early Christianity Ecclesiastical Structure –Bishops –Presbyters –Deacons

Early Christianity The Sacraments –Baptism: rite of initiation –Eucharist: sacred meal of bread and wine

Early Christianity Persecution –Local, then Empire- wide persecutions –Why? Distinct from Judaism Refusal to worship emperor –Martyrs: “witnesses”

Early Christianity Constantine I (r ) and Toleration –Pagan convert to Christianity –Edict of Milan (313)  toleration of Christians –First Christian emperor Launched Christianization of Roman Empire Lavished wealth upon Church Church now privileged Constantine the Great, Capitoline Museum, Rome

Early Christianity Old St. Peter’s (324), Rome

Early Christianity Column from Old St. Peter’s, Vatican Grottoes

Early Christianity Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem

Early Christianity Doctrinal Orthodoxy –Trinity –Christology God Human One person Divine and human natures preserved

Early Christianity Questions?

The Background Common themes emerging? Common themes emerging? Differences between the religions? Differences between the religions?