1. Medieval Europe’s Religious Background

2. The Background Common themes emerging?
Differences between the religions?

3. The Background Relevant Terms Polytheism Monotheism Messiah
Apocalyptic

4. Greco-Roman Religion Traditional Religion Olympian gods Oracles
State-run priesthoods in Rome
No established “orthodoxy”
Athena Parthenos (438 BC)

5. Greco-Roman Religion

6. Greco-Roman Religion
The Pantheon (AD ), Rome

7. Greco-Roman Religion

8. Greco-Roman Religion Mystery Religions Communion with particular deity
Ethical guidance
Spiritual equality
Afterlife
Isis

9. Greco-Roman Religion Emperor Worship
Worship of rulers an ancient practice
Origins during reign of Augustus
Imperial cult established
Cult statue of Augustus (early 1st cent.)

10. Greco-Roman Religion
Questions?

11. Judaism The Basics YHWH The patriarchs Exodus under Moses
Kings, Temple
Disobedience  exile

12. Judaism Second-Temple Period Jews returned (539 BC)  Second Temple
Religio licita under Romans
Apocalyptic
Messiah

13. Judaism
The Second Temple (“Herod’s Temple”)

14. Judaism Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 6 BC–AD 30) Itinerant rabbi
Three-year ministry (ca AD)
12 apostles
Preached coming “Kingdom of God”
Miracles, prophecy?
Presented himself as Messiah?

15. Judaism

16. Judaism Jesus’ Prophecy regarding the Temple?
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” (Matt. 23:37-38)

17. Judaism

18. Judaism The Fate of Jesus “Action in the Temple”
Criticized religious leaders
Betrayed to authorities, tried
Sentenced to death by crucifixion
Resurrected?

19. Judaism The Fate of the Jews Anti-Roman sentiment continued
Jewish War (AD 70)  Jewish defeat, destruction of Temple
Bar Kochba Revolt (132-35) a failure  Jews lost homeland

20. Judaism
Questions?

21. Early Christianity The Apostolic Church Apostles, Paul, women
Based in Jerusalem
Produced Gospels
Preached “Good News”

22. Early Christianity
Ecclesiastical Structure
Bishops
Presbyters
Deacons

23. Early Christianity The Sacraments Baptism: rite of initiation
Eucharist: sacred meal of bread and wine

24. Early Christianity Persecution Local, then Empire-wide persecutions
Why?
Distinct from Judaism
Refusal to worship emperor
Martyrs: “witnesses”

25. Capitoline Museum, Rome
Early Christianity
Constantine I (r ) and Toleration
Pagan convert to Christianity
Edict of Milan (313)
First Christian emperor
Launched Christianization of Roman Empire
Church now privileged
Constantine the Great,
Capitoline Museum, Rome

26. Early Christianity
Old St. Peter’s (324), Rome

27. Column from Old St. Peter’s, Vatican Grottoes
Early Christianity
Column from Old St. Peter’s, Vatican Grottoes

28. Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem
Early Christianity
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem

29. Early Christianity Doctrinal Orthodoxy Trinity Christology God Human
One person
Divine and human natures preserved

30. Early Christianity
Questions?

31. The Background Common themes emerging?
Differences between the religions?