Review

May 6, 1937

May 5, 1945

Rise of Christianity

Who was Jesus?

Early Roman religious beliefs Romans originally worshipped nature spirits, which evolved into gods and goddesses. Adopted Greek religion and mythology. Saw the emperor as Rome’s chief priest. Variety of religions existed because Romans were allowed to worship freely.

The Jewish connection Jews were free to practice their religion but Roman government was cruel to them. Jews rebelled in 66 A.D. but were put down in 70 A.D. The Temple was destroyed and thousands of Jewish people were killed. 132 A.D. The Jews are exiled from Jerusalem. Many Jews hoped a messiah would save them.

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus (5 B.C. – 27 B.C.) grew up in Nazareth and traveled Judea preaching to his fellow Jews and gathering many disciples. Preached about the approaching kingdom of God, repenting for sins, love, and forgiveness. Used parables to convey messages.

Jesus The Christ Some Jews believed he was the Messiah. Jewish religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their power. They sentenced him to be crucified until death. He was resurrected 3 days later. For followers, proof that he was the Son of God. Christo = messiah

Early appeal Christian emphasis on doing good for others, equality and salvation for all appealed to poor and women. Worsening conditions in Rome led to more turning to Christianity.

With this sign you will conquer AD Constantine becomes Emperor, religious tolerance proclaimed throughout Empire

Theodosius 392 makes Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

St. Augustine 354 AD leading church official in Hippo, North Africa. The City of God; history according to Christian viewpoint

The early church vs. pagan society The pleasures of life: "Among us nothing is ever said, or seen, or heard, which has anything in common with the madness of the circus, the immodesty of the theatre, the atrocities of the arena, the useless exercises of the wrestling- ground," (Tertullian, Apology, 38). Christians avoided the arena and condemned others for enjoying the blood-letting. To Romans the arena was the moral equivalent of televised football. Christians refused to join in patriotic festivals when their local government paid homage to its patron god.

Public religion was everywhere: in the parades, the festivals, the private dinners, etc. The Christians regarded it as wicked idolatry and abstained from all of it. For this they were regarded as "atheists."

Slavery. "In this kind of society some Christians also held slaves but they treated them kindly and allowed them to have the same rights within the church as anyone else. At least one former slave, Callistus, became the bishop of Rome," Shelley, p. 40.

Morality. Christians found much that they simply must change about worldly lifestyles. Various kinds of immorality were publicly on display and were praised or tolerated.

Economics. They helped each other as a mutual aid society. "One in mind and soul, we do not hesitate to share our earthly goods with one another. All things are common among us but our wives," Tertullian, Apology, 39.

Marriage. The characteristic Christian theme was most at variance with pagan assumptions in that bishops asked husbands to be as faithful to their wives as they expected their wives to be with them.

Children. "Christian attacks on the practice of putting unwanted babies on the refuse heaps challenged the traditional right of the Roman father over his children" (Spickard & Cragg, p. 44). The Christians actually rescued children who had been exposed. Such children were often picked up and sold into slavery.

Burial vs. cremation - the Romans cremated their dead until burial became the custom in the 1st century A.D. The Christians created the Catacombs specifically for burial.

Martyrs people who choose to die rather than give up religious beliefs

Reasons for Persecution 1. taught that their religion was only true faith 2.refused to honour emperor as god 3.rejected military service 4.criticized festivals and games

What does Christianity teach? Monotheism: Only 1 God. The Bible is the word of God and Jesus. Golden Rule: Do onto others as they would have do onto you. Jesus loves us unconditionally, despite our sins. Jesus is the Messiah come as the sacrifice for our sins.

The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.