1. The Story of Christianity

2. The Jews, The Romans, The Messiah
Background
The Jews, The Romans, The Messiah

3. CHUNKS
1. The Jewish people struggled to protect their religion from Greeks and Romans. Hannukah celebrates this.
2.The Romans conquered Judea and put a procurator in charge. Jews rebelled.
3. The Jews believed a “Messiah” would come and free them.

4. Y’shuah, The Nazarene, The Christ
Jesus
Y’shuah, The Nazarene, The Christ

5. CHUNKS
Sources for Jesus’s life: Josephus (Jewish); Tacitus, Seutonius, Pliny the Younger (Roman); Gospels/letters (Christian)
Jesus = miracle birth, 3 year ministry of teaching and miracles, conflict with Jewish leaders… Son of God?
Crucified by Romans at Jews request; rose from the dead, rose to heaven, promised return.

6. Peter, Paul, and the Apostles
Christianity Spreads
Peter, Paul, and the Apostles

7. CHUNKS
12 close followers called “Apostles.” Peter was leader. Home churches. Studied Jewish writings. Many converts.
Paul of Tarsus converted. Educated Jew and Roman citizen. Traveled around Empire establishing churches, wrote letters.
“Good News” (Gospel) = man is sinful, but Jesus died to make things right with God. Believers go to heaven to be with Him.

8. The Church Begins
Bishops and Councils

9. CHUNKS
Churches spread = attractive message of heaven, God’s love, forgiveness; Pax Romana; Community; Persecution (martyrs)
Church leaders = Priests (local church), Bishops (region of churches), Archbishops/ Cardinals (bunch of bishops)
Church Doctrine = Official teachings about God: The Trinity; Jesus fully man AND spirit; Acceptable writings (Council of Nicaea)

10. The Religion of Rome
Constantine’s Dream

11. CHUNKS
In 312 AD Emperor Constantine had a dream, won a battle, became strong supporter of Christianity.
Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire. Greek and Roman religions were illegal.
When Rome split into two:
Roman Church = Catholic Church (Pope)
Byzantine Church = Eastern Orthodox

12. Rome Falls, Christianity Strengthens
Popes and Barbarians

13. CHUNKS 1. Peter = Bishop of Rome = Pope. The popes begin to rule Rome.
2. The Christian Church begins crowning emperors… the church is more powerful than the government = Divine Right.
3. Monasteries begin with monks and nuns. For Christians who “withdraw from the world” to get closer to God.