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Christianity.pptxChristianity
History, Beliefs, and People
Christianity: Introduction
Christianity is a major world religion,
A “Western” religion (w/ Judaism & Islam)
The largest world religion today (ca. 2 billion)
It is based on belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the “Christ” ( “Messiah”) & the “Son of God.”
Like most other major world religions, Christianity has several core aspects:
History & Development
Core Beliefs & Practices
Structures & Regulations
Christianity: Numbers
Christianity: Numbers
Christianity: Numbers
Christianity: World Distribution
Christianity: Branches
Major Christian Branches: (Eastern) Orthodox, (Roman) Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Pentecostal, etc.
Orthodox, Anglicans, Protestants: O: by nation & language: Greek, Russian… A: by nations: esp. former British colonies P: by leaders/theologies: Lutheran, Reformed…
Groups within Catholicism: religious orders & societies (monastic, mendicant, apostolic, etc.), lay groups
Christianity: Texts
The Bible: official collection of books, in two parts: both Old Testament & New Testament
The Creeds: short professions of faith, defined by first two Ecumenical Councils: Nicea & Constantinople
Other Writings: writings of Church leaders throughout history, esp. founders of orders & denominations
Christianity: Basic Theology
One God in Three Persons (Trinity): Father / Almighty / Creator Son / Jesus / Christ / Savior / Lord Holy Spirit / Giver of Life / Advocate
World & Humans: created by God, in God’s image, with free will; originally good, but corrupted by sin/death;
Church, Salvation, Eschatology: community of believers; body of Christ; resurrection of the body; eternal life
Christianity: Basic Ethics
Foundational Principles: do good & avoid evil; love God, others, self; develop an “informed conscience”
Sexual Morality: dual purpose of sex; consistent ethic of life; human relationships; central role of family
Social Ethics: dignity of each person; common good; care of the poor/needy; work, participation, property
Christianity: Worship
Calendar, Feasts, & Festivals: Advent & Christmas; Lent & Easter; saints’ days; local & universal festivals
Public / Communal Worship: official liturgies, rites, rituals, Sacraments, esp. Baptism & Eucharist; Sunday worship
Private / Individual Spirituality: prayer, devotions, pilgrimages, asceticism, retreats, pious/spiritual practices, etc.
Christianity: Church Organization
Churches & Denominations: historical divisions: always! esp. 1054, 1517 but also reunifications & mergers
Structures with each Church: indiv. parishes/congregations, local dioceses, national conferences, international associations
Leaders within each Church: bishops (incl. Pope, cardinals), priests, deacons, lay ministers; pastors, elders, etc.
Christianity: Brief history
Christianity grew out of Judaism during the 1st century CE.
Christianity began as a sect within Judaism. The first Christians would consider themselves as Jewish.
The expansion of Christianity and the welcoming of others slowly replaced this Jewish identity.
Christianity: New Testament world
The Roman Empire
Stability
Aggression and Assimilation
Law, order, and peace (pax romana)
Transportation and Communication
Oppression and Opportunity
Roman Empire (1st Century)
Christianity: Historical Context
During this time Palestine displayed the following:
It was occupied by the Romans.
Rome allowed the practicing of Judaism and Palestine had a Jewish context.
The Jews claimed they were in “The Promised Land” due to their Covenant with God.
Jews suffered deprivation and hardship under Roman rule.
One of the burdens on the Jews were the harsh Roman taxes.
Christianity: Expansion
Jesus’ life is reported in the Gospels, yet the writers of these were not historians. They are not to be taken literally as historical narrative.
Other historians, Josephus, Pliny, and Eusebius make references to Jesus in their works.
Jesus’ birth occurred circa 6 BCE, as determined by the Gospels.
Christianity: Teachings of Jesus
Jesus focused on the notion that all are welcome in the Kingdom of God.
His “words” and deeds were reported in the Gospels and the letters of Paul.
These writings act as a framework for how future Christians should behave and believe.
Jesus’ birth, life and death have formed the basis of the Christian calendar.
The Gospels are testimonies to the early Christian’s faith. They were written in Greek between 70 CE and 100 CE, long after Jesus had died.
Christianity: Jesus
Jesus is the “Christ”, the anointed one, the one chosen to be the Messiah and hence the saviour of the world.
His acts and deeds illustrate how all peoples should live and relate to others.
Jesus demonstrates the forgiveness of God and the possible relationship with God after death.
Christianity: Early Christian Communities
After Jesus’ death the Apostles and other converts recounted his life to others and the message of Jesus spread.
The 12 Apostles were led by Simon (Peter).
The 12 were the first to carry on the traditional words and deeds of Jesus
Christianity: peter and Paul
Peter eventually travelled to Antioch, Ephesus and Rome.
James was the Christian leader in Jerusalem until his execution in 62 CE.
Saul of Tarsus converted to Christianity after having a vision of Jesus. He changed his name to Paul and became a missionary and converted Jews and gentiles through his journeys into Turkey and Greece.
Paul’s founding of the Christian communities and letter writing probably established Christianity.
It is the letters of Paul and the Acts of the Apostles which allows us to see the development of Christianity after Jesus’ death.
Christianity: Expansion
How Did Christianity Spread?
During Pax Romana, missionaries traveled safely
Roman Roads helped to spread quickly
Emperor Constantine converted (early 4th century)
Constantine built churches in Rome and Jerusalem
Religious freedom
Christianity becomes official religion of the Roman Empire
Christian World 600
Christianity: Reformation
In 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther (who bore little resemblance to a swan) posted 97 complaints against the practice of selling indulgences on a church door
He had experienced a personal conversion to the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and also shared many of the ideas of those early reformers.
“Straw that broke the camel’s back” was corruption in the Church at all levels. Lutheranism is the first protestant church, which spreads to Scandinavia. Calvin leads reform in France and Zwingli in Switzerland.
The invention of the printing press ensured that Luther would have greater protection than his predecessors and his teachings would be spread quickly.
Christianity: Reformation
The Reformation could not have occurred without willing kings, dukes, etc., who created a new Church-state relationship (as in the Rome-Avignon schism). Aided by the invention of the printing press in 1450, information could be quickly spread to the masses.
Reformation — a quest for education of religion to all not just clergy. Centers on the Bible (Scripture) rather than scripture and Church tradition.
Worship is allowed in the vernacular language rather than using Latin.
Henry VIII creates the Anglican Church — a personal matter that later turned to doctrinal matters.
Christianity: Today
A divided, diverse, and multi-ethic faith.
Divisions never fully healed until after Vatican II (1962)
Growth of Pentecostalism (renewal movement) – Special emphasis on personal experience and baptism by the Holy Spirit
Christian future? – Global South
