1. Welcome! 26 March 2008 Due Today Due Today Islam section of charts Islam section of charts Teachings of Jesus: document analysis questions Teachings of Jesus: document analysis questions Turn both into the box please Turn both into the box please

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3. Religion and History: Christianity from the First to Seventh Centuries How did Christianity grow and spread through the Mediterranean and beyond? What factors helped it to grow and forced it to change?

4. Three important contexts Judea and Jerusalem (religious) Hellenic Greek-speaking (intellectual) Roman Empire (political)

5. Judea & Judaism (religious context) Early followers of Jesus are mostly Jewish—many Jewish groups (sects) in 1 st Century CE Early followers of Jesus are mostly Jewish—many Jewish groups (sects) in 1 st Century CE Observe Jewish dietary and ritual laws Observe Jewish dietary and ritual laws Follow Jewish scriptures: Torah, prophets Follow Jewish scriptures: Torah, prophets Jerusalem as Holy City Jerusalem as Holy City “City of David” and Temple “City of David” and Temple Most sacred city for Jews Most sacred city for Jews For Christians, associated with Jesus’ teachings and becomes holy for them, as well For Christians, associated with Jesus’ teachings and becomes holy for them, as well

6. What were early Christian communities like? When we think about the appeal of this movement to many people it's certainly clear that some were drawn by the way that this community would take care of people. For example, like other elements of the Jewish community, the followers of Jesus tended to feed the destitute, take care of people who were widowed so that they wouldn't become prostitutes and orphans and so forth. That was a primary obligation of Jewish piety. And Jesus' followers certainly understood that. We know that when people joined the Christian communities in Rome, for example, they would be buried. This is not something anyone could take for granted in the ancient world. And this society was one in which people took care of one another. So that is an enormous element of the appeal of this movement. When we think about the appeal of this movement to many people it's certainly clear that some were drawn by the way that this community would take care of people. For example, like other elements of the Jewish community, the followers of Jesus tended to feed the destitute, take care of people who were widowed so that they wouldn't become prostitutes and orphans and so forth. That was a primary obligation of Jewish piety. And Jesus' followers certainly understood that. We know that when people joined the Christian communities in Rome, for example, they would be buried. This is not something anyone could take for granted in the ancient world. And this society was one in which people took care of one another. So that is an enormous element of the appeal of this movement. -Elaine Pagels

7. The story spreads, new communities form Non-Jews join the movement Non-Jews join the movement Follow different laws, rituals: make themselves into new, separate communities Follow different laws, rituals: make themselves into new, separate communities Story of Jesus spreads after his death Story of Jesus spreads after his death Accounts of his life are written down (gospels) Accounts of his life are written down (gospels) Stories of birth, teachings, and death of Jesus and his followers (disciples) Stories of birth, teachings, and death of Jesus and his followers (disciples) Diverse interpretations of Jesus story Diverse interpretations of Jesus story Many see him as a teacher or prophet Many see him as a teacher or prophet Some communities believe him to be messiah (Greek word for Hebrew term…savior) Some communities believe him to be messiah (Greek word for Hebrew term…savior) Easter story: resurrection from death Easter story: resurrection from death

8. Travelers & Teachers: Mission Religion Missionaries spread the word Missionaries spread the word Paul as most important early missionary Paul as most important early missionary Travels widely and forms churches, writes letters to keep in touch Travels widely and forms churches, writes letters to keep in touch Evangelical: from the Greek “spread the good news”—a religion seeking to convert Evangelical: from the Greek “spread the good news”—a religion seeking to convert

9. The Travels of Paul

10. Hellenic World (intellectual context) Greek is the language of the Mediterranean region and beyond Greek is the language of the Mediterranean region and beyond Although Latin is spoken in cities of Roman Empire, philosophy and literature in often in Greek Although Latin is spoken in cities of Roman Empire, philosophy and literature in often in Greek Many gospels and Christian writings in Greek— including Paul’s letters Many gospels and Christian writings in Greek— including Paul’s letters

11. Becoming “Christians” Communities of believers form (churches) and use various gospels Communities of believers form (churches) and use various gospels Communities have different languages, rituals, prayers, imagery Communities have different languages, rituals, prayers, imagery Share some common rituals and ideas Share some common rituals and ideas Eucharist (communion): sharing bread and wine as last meal of Jesus & disciples Eucharist (communion): sharing bread and wine as last meal of Jesus & disciples Baptism becomes important shared ritual Baptism becomes important shared ritual Ethics, poverty, community Ethics, poverty, community Yet much diversity remains Yet much diversity remains

12. Roman Empire (Political Context)

13. Religion in Empire Roman Empire at its most powerful in first century CE—time of Jesus Roman Empire at its most powerful in first century CE—time of Jesus Many references to power of Rome in gospels Many references to power of Rome in gospels How to deal with authority of God and authority of state? How to deal with authority of God and authority of state? As Christian communities grow, conflicts with Roman power As Christian communities grow, conflicts with Roman power Not following common rituals and laws Not following common rituals and laws 3 rd Century CE laws: Christians must participate in Roman religious ceremonies 3 rd Century CE laws: Christians must participate in Roman religious ceremonies Begins era of persecution (martyrs) Begins era of persecution (martyrs)

14. Religion of Empire 4 th Century Rome under stress and challenges 4 th Century Rome under stress and challenges Poor leadership, high taxes, Poor leadership, high taxes, Defeat of Western Roman army by Constantine Defeat of Western Roman army by Constantine Becomes new emperor Becomes new emperor Sympathetic to Christianity Sympathetic to Christianity Legalizes Christianity Legalizes Christianity Supports with wealth and power—new churches! Supports with wealth and power—new churches! Capital of empire moves to Constantinople (modern Turkey) Capital of empire moves to Constantinople (modern Turkey) Christianity important to new city and “new Rome” Christianity important to new city and “new Rome”

15. Uniformity and Growth Pressure to find common practices and beliefs Pressure to find common practices and beliefs Council of Nicea establishes common creed (statement of belief) in 325 CE Council of Nicea establishes common creed (statement of belief) in 325 CE Series of councils and creation of church hierarchy forces more uniformity Series of councils and creation of church hierarchy forces more uniformity Start of monastic movement Start of monastic movement Those who want to focus on spiritual calling and reject worldly associations Those who want to focus on spiritual calling and reject worldly associations Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt all important centers of monastic movements Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt all important centers of monastic movements

16. Byzantine Empire 6 th Century CE

17. Growth and Power Christianity by the 7 th Century is the largest religion of the Mediterranean region, Western Europe, and much of the Middle East Christianity by the 7 th Century is the largest religion of the Mediterranean region, Western Europe, and much of the Middle East It is supported by wealth and power It is supported by wealth and power It becomes “institutional”—part of the system of rule and control It becomes “institutional”—part of the system of rule and control

18. Diversity and Division Eastern and Western Churches increasingly different by 7 th century Eastern and Western Churches increasingly different by 7 th century Byzantine (Eastern Roman) empire in East Byzantine (Eastern Roman) empire in East Debates over nature of Jesus Debates over nature of Jesus Human, divine, both? Human, divine, both? Middle Eastern communities more influenced by Eastern (Byzantine), but also have own, older churches that persist Middle Eastern communities more influenced by Eastern (Byzantine), but also have own, older churches that persist Strong beliefs in unity/oneness of god Strong beliefs in unity/oneness of god This focus on unity and power of divine is very influential in Middle East  influence on Muhammad in early Islam This focus on unity and power of divine is very influential in Middle East  influence on Muhammad in early Islam

19. CLAIM-SUPPORT-QUESTION Spend 10 minutes writing your response to the original question, using Claim-Support-Question Spend 10 minutes writing your response to the original question, using Claim-Support-Question How did Christianity grow and spread through the Mediterranean and beyond? How did Christianity grow and spread through the Mediterranean and beyond? What factors helped it to grow and forced it to change? What factors helped it to grow and forced it to change? Remember that HOW questions ask for explanation! Remember that HOW questions ask for explanation! Give supporting details! Give supporting details!