1. Judaism and Christianity Notes HW: Vocab Due October 19

2. Early History Circa 2,000 B.C.
Location: Middle East (modern day Israel)
Religion at the time: polytheism
Israelites one of many tribal people in the region
includes Babylonians, Egyptians, Assyrians, etc.

3. Abraham and the Covenant
God and Abraham establish the Covenant
Binding agreement
“I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.”
Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,
 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.
I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
 God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your[j]descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 

4. The Covenant: Core beliefs of Judaism
Monotheism
One true God, Yaweh
Abraham’s descendants have a special bond with God
“The Chosen People”
Canaan (Israel) would one day belong to the descendants of Abraham
Canaan is the “promised land”
Jews always looking to return here
All boys must be circumcised

5. Famine forces Israelites to migrate to Egypt
Become enslaved by Egyptians
Moses
Obedience to God will lead you out of bondage into the promised land
Exodus 1446 B.C.
Departure from Egypt
40 year walk through desert back to Canaan

6. Kingdom of Israel 1,000 B.C. kingdom is established
David unites warring Israelite tribes
Solomon
David’s son
Beautifies Jerusalem
Solomon’s Temple

7. Kingdom of Israel Kingdom splits into Israel and Judah in 922 B.C.
Conquered by Assyrians in 722 B.C.
Judah conquered by Babylonians in 586 B.C.
Babylonian Captivity
Freed by Cyrus the Great
Known as Jews due to their homeland being Judah

9. Major Beliefs of Judaism
There is only one true God
“God’s chosen people”
Homeland of Canaan
The Torah
Holy book
Contains the Old Testament
Laws for cleanliness, criminal behavior, marriage, diet (kosher) among other things
The Ten Commandments
A set of moral and ethical laws

10. Jewish Diaspora Jews moved or where exiled to different regions
Maintained Jewish identity
Judaism is an ethical religion
Close-knit communities preserved customs and traditions
Survived hundreds of years of persecution

11. Origins of Christianity
Roman Empire encompassed many different religions
Romans tolerant as long as they worshipped Roman gods and accept that the Emperor was divine
O.K. for polytheistic religions
63 B.C. Romans conquer Judea
Home of the Jews
Jewish monotheism clashed with Roman gods
Jews were persecuted

12. Origins of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth
Born around 4 B.C in Judea
Grew up Jewish
Preached the Ten Commandments, monotheism, the teachings of Moses and Abraham
Preached justice, morality, and service
Claimed to be the Messiah
Son of God
Beginning of differences between Judaism and Christianity

13. Origins of Christianity
Jesus seen as a threat by Romans
Sentenced to death by crucifixion
Rose from the dead three days later
Holidays of Good Friday and Easter
Apostles spread the word of Jesus Christ
Peter and Paul
Paul wrote multiple letters that became New Testament
Holy book is The Bible (the Old Testament and the New Testament)

14. Christianity in the Roman Empire
Christians were persecuted
Martyrs die for their cause
Spread beliefs in love, equality, justice, and a better afterlife in Heaven along Roman roads and trade networks
Appealed to poor, oppressed, and women

15. Crash Course: Christianity
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