Pump-Up (Judaism)

• List as many of the 10 Commandments as you can remember.

Pump-Up (Christianity)

• What problems do you think Christians will encounter during the early years of the religion?

Pump-Up (Both)

• What does it mean if a religion is monotheistic?

Judaism & Christianity

Today’s Vocabulary • Torah– Jewish Bible; first 5 books of the Old Testament.

• Abraham– “Father” of the Hebrews and Judaism.

• Monotheism– Belief in only one god.

• Messiah– A king sent by God to that would lead the Jews to their

freedom.

Origin of Judaism• Abraham became the founder of

Judaism when he made a covenant (agreement) with Yahweh (God). • Abraham would obey only Yahweh.

• Monotheistic

• Yahweh would protect Abraham and lead him to the promise land.

• The promise land was in Canaan (Palestine).

• To obey Yahweh, the Hebrews read the Torah.

Moses & Jewish Laws• Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery.

• Moses spoke with Yahweh and receive the 10 Commandments.– Civil and religious law of the Jews, Christians,

and Muslims.

• After wandering for 40 years, the Hebrews reached the promise land.– Divided into 12 tribes.

• Would come together in times of crisis.

• Prophets interpreted the Torah. – Emphasized equality of all people.– Goal was to live a moral life. – Believed that the Messiah has yet to come.

The Kingdom of Israel• Judaism was named after the tribe of

Judah.

• Kings of Israel:– Saul

– Drove out the Philistines.– David

• United the 12 tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital.

– Solomon • Built a great temple to house the Ark of the

Covenant and great royal palace.

• B/c of high taxes and forced labor, the kingdom divides into 2 separate parts:– Israel and Judah

Israel Falls• Israel and Judah began paying tribute

to Assyria.– The Assyrians still conquer Israel.

• The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, conquers Judah.• Destroys Solomon’s temple and forces

the Israelites into exile.

• King Cyrus of Persia conquers Babylonian and allows exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem. • Others did not return to Jerusalem, but

moved to different parts of the world.• Diaspora

The Life & Teachings of Jesus• Rome took control of Judea.– Jews lead rebellions and waited for their

Messiah to restore the kingdom of the Jews.

• Jesus emphasized:– God’s personal relationship to all.– Importance of love for all.– Salvation and eternal life for believers who

repented for their sins.

• Jesus’ message is found in the Gospels. – First 4 books of the New Testament.

Jesus & Rome• Jesus’ teaching attracted a large

following of all types of people and they began to call him the Messiah.

• Rome saw Jesus as a threat and had him crucified. – After 3 days he rose from the dead and

continued to spread his message.– Later he ascended into heaven.

• The 12 apostles continued to spread the message of Jesus.

Christianity Spreads• The Roman time period of Pax

Romana allowed Christianity to spread.– Common languages allowed the

message to be easily understood.– Paul preached that Jesus was the

son of God who died for people’s sins.• Welcomed all converts.

• Rome continues to persecute Christians.– Those who die are seen as martyrs.

The Early Church• Christianity grew b/c it:

– Embraced all people.– Gave hope to the powerless.– Offered a personal relationship with a loving

God.– Promised eternal life after death.

• Emperor Constantine of Rome ended the persecution of Christians.– Edict of Milan allowed for religious freedom.

• The Church split into different levels of the clergy:– Priest– Bishop– Pope

Hierarchy of the Christian Clergy

Priest

A World Religion• New Testament was added to the

Bible to dissolve disagreements about Christian beliefs.

• The Nicene Creed defined the basic beliefs of the Church.

• Augustine taught:– Humans need the grace of God to be

saved.– Could not receive God’s grace unless you

belong to a Church and receive the sacraments.

– Wrote The City of God.

Reflection

• Explain the main beliefs of Judaism and Christianity.