1. Introduction to Christianity

2. Founding 33 AD Palestine Jesus of Nazareth – Jewish carpenter The Bible – Old Testament – New Testament

3. Followers Christianity is the largest world religion – Why? Total: 2 billion people U.S.: 159 million (2001) – 42% of Americans attend church

4. Vocabulary Places of worship: church, chapel, cathedral, basilica Spiritual leaders: pastor, minister, reverend, priest, bishop “Twelve Apostles”: twelve original followers of Jesus “Gospel of Matthew (Mark, Luke, and John)”: first four “books” of the New Testament

5. Symbols

6. Major Beliefs One God – The Holy Trinity Father Son Holy Spirit Humans were created good but now born sinful Afterlife: resurrection of body and soul, purgatory (Catholic & Orthodox), and eternal heaven or hell

7. Roman Catholic Only accepted church until the late Middle Ages – considers itself the “true” church Largest denomination in world (not in U.S.) Most formal, ritualized Distinct beliefs: – Pope – Saints – Transubstantiation – body and blood of Christ

11. Eastern Orthodox Began as the eastern half of Christendom, the former Byzantine Empire (“Great Schism”) 225 million followers (mostly in Greece, Turkey, and Russia) Distinct beliefs: – More abstract and mystical – personal experience – Icons – Seven Ecumenical Councils – leaders

15. Protestant 53% of Americans Branch of Christianity with multiple denominations and a wide theological spectrum – Denominations differ in the degree by which they reject Catholic beliefs (Anglicans and Lutherans are very close; Presbyterian and Baptist retain little of Catholic ceremonies) 16 th century Protestant Reformation

18. Major Holidays Lent (40-day period prior to Easter) Good Friday (last Friday before Easter) Easter (Sunday – date varies) – April 8, 2012 Christmas (December 25)

19. Leading up to Easter Fat Tuesday – Mardi Gras or Carnival Lent – 40 days of fasting or sacrificing a sinful habit Good Friday

20. Easter Spring festival that celebrates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion The entire liturgical calendar is centered around Easter

21. Religious Observances Special church service (often at sunrise) “Christ is risen”

22. Other Observances Easter Bunny – Rabbits and eggs were widely used pagan symbols Easter Egg Hunts - Eggs viewed by Christians as symbols of joy and celebration (they were forbidden during the fast of Lent)

23. Christmas Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ Began to be observed in the late 3 rd century AD as an alternative to pagan winter holidays Jesus’s Birthday?

24. Religious Observances Special worship services (often at night on Christmas Eve) Nativity Scene

25. Christmas Trees – Modern tradition – “Christianization” of a pagan tradition involving evergreen boughs

26. Santa Claus – A.K.A. Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Old Saint Nick, etc. – Popular image created in late 1800s

28. Why are we learning this? Religion is one of the most important aspects of culture Some of the greatest works of art, music and literature have been based on Christianity and the Bible