1. Early and Medieval Christianity “Inventing Christianity”

2. Questions How did Christianity develop from a Jewish sect to a diverse, culturally dominant religion? How did Christianity develop from a Jewish sect to a diverse, culturally dominant religion? Who is Jesus of Nazareth? What is his significance? Can we answer this question in different ways? Who is Jesus of Nazareth? What is his significance? Can we answer this question in different ways? How have women and men contributed to the development of Christianity? How have they related to each other? How have women and men contributed to the development of Christianity? How have they related to each other? How can ancient writings help you to think about your own religious questions? How can ancient writings help you to think about your own religious questions?

3. Images of Jesus

7. Exercise Pick an image of Jesus (visual or other) that you have seen in contemporary culture. Pick an image of Jesus (visual or other) that you have seen in contemporary culture. Describe the image. Describe the image. What “message” does it communicate to you? What “message” does it communicate to you? What is your reaction to the image? What is your reaction to the image? What questions does the image raise for you? What questions does the image raise for you?

8. For Wednesday Read Chidester ch. 1-2 Read Chidester ch. 1-2 Understand the Roman and Jewish contexts of 1 st century Palestine Understand the Roman and Jewish contexts of 1 st century Palestine What are the earliest images of Jesus like? What are the earliest images of Jesus like? What did he teach? What did he teach? What did he do? What did he do?