1. Religions of the West

4. Zorasterism Monotheistic God – Ahura Mazda Good vs evil Last judgment
Resurrection of bodies with eternal life
Paradise for followers
Eternal torture for non believers
Messiah and resurrected rule the world at the end of time

5. The Origins of Judaism

6. Background Phoenicians at Eastern end of Mediterranean
Land called Palestine
Also called Canaan and shared with the Hebrews
Cultural crossroads

7. Search for a Promised Land
History from the Torah
Abraham and the founder:
Migrate and made a great nation
1800 BC - Canaan
1650 BC - Egypt

8. A Roaming People’s God Monotheists
‘Yahweh’ was not physical – no images
promise obedience for protection

9. Exodus Slavery in Egypt 1300-1200 BC left lead by Moses
Festival of Passover commemorates

10. Horus

11. Horus Horus is the son of the god Osiris Born of a virgin
Baptized in a river by Anup the Baptizer
Who was later beheaded
Horus was tempted while alone in a desert
Healed the sick and the blind
Cast out demons

12. Horus continued Walked on water Resurrected “Asar” from the dead.
This translates to “Lazurus”
Had 12 disciples
Was crucified
After 3 days two women announced that Horus, the savior of humanity has risen from the dead

13. The New Covenant Moses on Mt Sinai 10 Commandments
Base for civil and religious laws
Obedience for protection

14. 40 Years in the Desert

15. From Nomads to Settlers
Herders, farmers, city dwellers
Technology from Phoenicians
12 self governing tribes
Combine for mutual defense

16. Kingdom of Israel Judah largest tribe Judaism and Jews
Tribes unite to drive out Philistines
Saul first king
Son-In-Law, David next: very popular

17. Solomon David’s son – dynasty Powerful and rich trading kingdom
Great Temple is home to Ark of the Covenant
Huge beautiful palace

18. Kingdom Divides High taxes strain finances Forced labor on buildings
North revolts when Solomon dies
Israel in south
Judah in north

19. Babylonian Captivity Tribute to Assyria 722 BC conquered by Assyrians
150 yrs later south conquered by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar
Temple destroyed
Most exiled

20. The Return Nebuchadnezzar drives Egyptians out of Palestine
539 BC, Cyrus the Persian defeats Babylon
Permits 40,000 exiles to return
Temple rebuilt and new walls

22. The Rise of Christianity
Part III
The Rise of Christianity

23. Christianity

24. What is Christianity?
a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior

25. Jesus – Birth to preaching
Jesus – Born roughly in the yr. 6 A.D.
Mary – Mother of Jesus was according to Christian beliefs a virgin
Joseph – Mary’s husband
Very little is known about Jesus’ childhood

26. Teachings of Jesus He begins preaching at age 30
Sermon on the mound – best example of Jesus teachings.
God of love not anger
Pacifism

27. Death of Jesus Teachings anger the general public (Zealots)
Judea (Israel) was controlled by Romans.

29. Death of Jesus Romans cared little about local religions
Romans only wanted local govt. to run smoothly.
Jesus is arrested and crucified. (33 AD)
Rome destroys Jerusalem and starts the Jewish Diaspora in 70 AD