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Christianity
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Early Beginnings Starts as a cult of Judaism for 40 – 60 years – Keep monotheistic belief – Keep mythology Does not keep doctrine Maintains Hellenistic prinicples – Body/Soul Dichotomy – Immortality – Gnosis
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Scriptures New Testament : – Gospels Mark Luke Synoptic Gospels Matthew John – Acts (of the Apostles) – Epistles – Revelation (of St. John)
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Unaccepted Texts Non-canonical texts – Gospel of Mary Magdalene – Gospel of Thomas – Infant gospel of thomas – Gospel of james – Gospel of judah – Others ?
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Jesus of Nazareth Jesus as Christ – Messiah / Anointed One Miraculous Birth – Virgin mother – Bethlehem Preacher – Teaches in parables – Reinterprets the Law
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The “Passion Story” Jesus goes to Jerusalem for Passover – Eucharist Jesus is arrested and tried – Roman rule / Jewish Law (?) Jesus is crucified and entombed – Good Friday Family/friends return – Tomb is Empty – Easter Sunday
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The “Passion Story” Appears to disciples – Not recognized Pentecost – Birth of the Church – Glossilalia Disciples now Apostles
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Paul of Tarsus Strict Pharisee – Converted Converted Gentiles – Debate amongst apostles – Extremely successful Competing theologies
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Christian Theology Humanity is separated from God because of Original Sin – Human beings cannot keep the Law Redemption / reconnection through Christ – Give of Grace (Agape) – Justified through BELIEF Body / Soul Dichotomy – Greek influence – Parousia
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Earliest Christians Early Converts – Women – Poor New World Coming – Apocalyptic Jewish / Christian separation – 80 c.e.
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Early Heresies Gnosticism – Christ delivers gnosis – Return to the Supreme Being Bypass Demiurge / Creator God Rule of Faith Needed – Confirm authority of texts – Many texts rejected – Recently discovered
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Early Church Structure Bishop – Head of the Church for a large city – Disburses the Eucharist Prebyter (Early Priest) – Heads smaller churces – Disburses the Eucharist Deacon – Layman
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Christian Persecution Christians do not participate in state rituals – Martyred in public Emperors encouraged Christian persecution – Decius – Valerian – Diocletian “Great Persecution”
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Constantine and the Early Church Legalized Christian Worship – Edict of Milan 313 Bishop to the Bishops – Set holidays – Religious sites Set by Helena Settled dispute on Christology
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Christology – The Nature of Christ Arianism – Bishop Arius of Alexandria – Christ – Logos of God – is confused with God. Polytheism - Gnostic influence Need to settle on the NATURE of Christ Nicene Councils (325 / 381) – Christ is of the same essence as God Monotheism – Holy Spirit is added for the Trinity Council of Chalcedon (451) – Perfect union of human and divine, without confusion or division.
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Sin and Salvation St. Augustine of Hippo – Defined sin as a choice of the individual All aspects of creation are from God – Therefore good Uti / Frui
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East – West Schism Eastern and Western Churches split Filioque Clause – Dispute since Nicene Council Papal Authority – Patriarchs refuse to accept Rome’s declaration Political Concerns – East – Islamic Empire – West – Germanic Invaders Excommunications – 1054
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Medieval Christianity Charlemagne crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor – Dec. 25, 800 Unites all of Europe under Christianity – Christendom
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Medieval Contributions Purgatory Limbo Penance – 3 Elements Eucharist – Transubstantiation
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Corruptions Simony Pluralism Indulgences Crusades
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Scholasticism Synthesize Faith and Reason St. Thomas Aquinas – Summa Theologica – Nature and Revelation leads to union with God – Same principles apply to sin
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Protestant Reformation Martin Luther – 95 Theses Main Protestant principles 1.Sola Scriptura 1.Justification by Grace through Faith ALONE 2.No penance / indulgences 3.Every person is his/her own priest
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Catholic Reformation Council of Trent – Reaffirmed the Catholic position on: Sacraments (7) Tradition / Scripture equal sources of truth Justification by Grace through Faith PLUS Good works for Satisfaction Society of Jesus (Jesuits) – Ignatius of Loyla – Conversions
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Questions of the Enlightenment Scientific Advances – Bible not a source of knowledge for the natural world Deism – “Clockmaker” God Biblical Criticism – Revelation is not a source of truth – Philosophers seek non- religious truth.
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Secularization Religion loses control of some aspects of society – Government – School – Business Religion is seen as personal and private
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Recent Developments Great Awakenings – 2 Social Movements 1730 – 1750 1800 – 1830 – Literal interpretation of the Bible Liberation Theology – God will help the oppressed
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Vatican Councils Vatican I: 1869 – Pope Pius IX Limited infallibility – Faith and Morals Vatican II: 1962 – 1965 Pope John XXIII Pope Paul IV Changes in services Vernacular More local control
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Protestant Denominations Wide variety of denominations – Liberal to conservative Renewal of Sola Scriptura Focus on the individual’s connection to God
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Eastern Orthodox Focuses on the unity between human and divine in worship Icons and veneration of saints prevelant Some theological differences from the Latin Church
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