Depth Depth Study:Study:

ChristianitChristianityy

ORIGINSORIGINS

Preliminary Preliminary

Studies of Religion IStudies of Religion I

Students learn about: Students learn to:

the historical and cultural context in which Christianity began

outline the historical and cultural context in which Christianity began

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ORIGINSORIGINS

Semitic origin – Christianity started as a sect within Judaism

Flourished in Greco – Roman culture

JEWISH BACKGROUND

• Jews were waiting for the Messiah – waiting for the final intervention of God.

• Jesus did not conform to their expectation of Messiah. • Different Jewish groups had different ideas about the Messiah.

SADUCEESSADUCEES – interested only in – interested only in preserving the ancient traditions preserving the ancient traditions of Judaism. of Judaism.

Jesus did not fit any of these Jesus did not fit any of these expectations.expectations.

ZEALOTSZEALOTS – wanted a – wanted a military leader.military leader.

PHARISEESPHARISEES – Messiah would – Messiah would be thorough and meticulous in be thorough and meticulous in observance of the law.observance of the law.

HELLENISTIC BACKGROUND• Palestine was conquered by the Romans – 63 BCE.

• Prior to this the Jews were oppressed by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Greeks.• Romans divided the territory and installed separated rulers – Herod in Galilee and Pontius Pilate in Judea.• Roman state religion was polytheistic, many cults and belief in astrology.

• The Jews suffered deprivation / economic hardship under the Romans.

Students learn about: Students learn to:

Jesus Christ • examine the principal events of Jesus’ life• explain why Jesus is the model for Christian life

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ORIGINSORIGINS

Jesus Christ: PRINCIPAL EVENTS

• Central figure of Christianity• Brief biography assembled through the Gospels – principal source of information

• Jewish• Born in Palestine in town of Bethlehem• Circumcised and named after 8 days• Grew up in Nazareth in Galilee• Visited Jerusalem every year for Passover• Baptised by his cousin John the Baptist at age 30 in the River Jordan

Jesus Christ: PRINCIPAL EVENTS

• Worked as a craftsman / carpenter until early 30’s.

• Then began ministry of preaching / teaching and healing.

Birth: Gospels of Luke and Matthew

• Born in a manger.

• Visited by shepherds (informed by angels of birth of Christ the Savior).

• Visited by 3 wise men (magi) at 12 days old – followed star to pay homage to King of the Jews.

Rembrandt: The Adoration of the Magi

They are called "Magi" from the Latinised form of the Greek word magoi, transliterated from the Persian, for a select sect of priests.

Public Ministry of Jesus

• Began in Galilee at age 30

John the Baptist arrested

Jesus left Nazareth

Withdrew to desert of Judea – fasting / praying

Started calling first disciples (12 to reflect 12 tribes of Israel)

Also called women (counter cultural)

Messages

• Language, imagery, ideas were all specifically Jewish.• Began to disappoint Jewish groups as “all” were welcome in the Kingdom of God.

• Parables (short symbolic stories): favourite form of teaching.

They were subversive – the rich ate with the poor; lepers, blind, possessed all were welcome; the downcast were helped; etc.• Jesus ate with tax collectors & sinners – created scandal.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Miracles

• Not central to Jesus’ ministry – incidental.

• Carried out with discretion, often away from large crowds

• Display compassion and service.

• Accompanied his teaching

Ministry in Jerusalem

• Gained a large following – messages were simple, healing was effective• Religious and political opposition increased.• Arrived at Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (Palm Sunday).• Gathered for dinner (Last Supper) on evening of Passover. Sharing of bread and wine developed into Eucharist – disciples were instructed to repeat the ritual.

1542Jacopo Bassano's Last Supper

• After supper, Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden in Gethsemane – prayed; premonition of death; asked to be excused from this.

• Was arrested, imprisoned, interrogated, mistreated, tried, condemned to death and crucified.

• Body taken to tomb for Sabbath.

• Next day Mary of Magdala found the tomb empty – Archangel Gabriel explained that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus appeared to Mary and told her to tell the others.

• For 40 days Jesus appeared to the disciples teaching about the Kingdom of God.

• Then Ascended into Heaven – and took his rightful place at the

right hand side of God.

• 10 days later, the disciples received the Holy Spirit (50 days Pentecost) and started to bear public witness to Jesus.

Jesus Christ: Model for Christian Life

Demonstrates …• How to live for God and others rather than oneself

• Practice of universal love for humanity … *Continual concern for the people *Forgave readily *Concern for poor and dispossessed

• Deep faith in divine – prepared to suffer to free / empower others; belief in afterlife

• Offered hope to all – if one has done wrong and is truly sorry, forgiveness will be granted.

Students learn about: Students learn to:

the development of early Christian communities

• describe the early development of Christian communities after the death of Jesus

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ORIGINSORIGINS

Development of Early Christian Communities

• Sect of Christianity – strong resistance from Jewish community.

• Simon (Peter=Caiphas=Rock) became leader of disciples, the first Pope . Moved to Antioch and then to Rome

•Jews following Jesus met secretly in homes – women took up leadership roles in house-churches. Women had significant roles in group worship.

• Christianity began as a Jewish sect of followers moving away from Rabbinic Judaism and the Laws of Moses.

• Directly after death / resurrection of Jesus, followers called themselves “brethren”, “disciples”, “believers”, “those of the Way”.

• Paul’s message:

* Christ is Saviour of all humankind * Spirit can enter those willing to receive it * Humans can enter divine life while on earth

• Saul of Tarsus (later Paul):

Leading oppressor of Christians

Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus

Converted to Christianity after Ananais’ teaching

Became great Christian evangelist – presented message to gentile (Non Jews) world, established churches in Asia Minor and Greece (maintained correspondence though letters)

Made three great missionary journeys (Asia Minor, Greece).

* Phillip evangelised Samaritans 34 CE * Matthew evangelised Ethiopians * Bartholomew evanglised Asia, Arabia * Andrew evangelised Scythia * Thomas evangelised Iraq, southern India * Mark established church in Alexandria 42 CE

• Jews were difficult to persuade – Christ dispensed with the need for detailed observance of the Laws of Moses.

Women had a significant contribution to early Christian development:

Mary Magdalene – Disciple of the disciples; chosen by Jesus to be first witness of his resurrection; early Christian texts reveal her as a visionary and leader of the early movement.

Phoebe – deacon of the church of Cenchrae Paul’s letters suggest that women

worked and travelled as missionaries with their husbands or brothers.