Transcript CHRISTIANITY

Origins of Christianity: Jerusalem at time of Jesus
1. Roman paganism:
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Blend Greek/Roman gods
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public celebration of gods and civic pride.
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“Religious supermarket:” many gods available for health,
agriculture, childbirth, and new religions.
2. Roman province of Palestine, Religious tension:
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Jewish temple and priests (“corrupt,” “impure”).
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Not allow statues Roman kings/gods—angered, tolerated.
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Breakaway groups of Jews.
3. Radical idea of Judaism: God has moral role
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triumph good over evil, social justiceled to raising belief
that God would send messiah.
Christianity: Life of Jesus
1. Jesus of Nazareth, 6 BCE-33 CE
2. Jewish, like disciples; worshipped at synagogue; celebrate
Jewish festivals; pilgrimage Jerusalem
3. Preached new ideas; attracts disciples, esp. poor
4. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what
is God’s”
5. Crucified.
Paul (3 BCE—64 or 67 CE)
1. Jewish, originally opposed Jesus (never met) and later
converts.
2. Travels around Mediterranean converting Jews and
Pagans to Jesus movement. Pax Romana made travel
easy.
3. He transforms Jesus’s message:
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From faith in God to: Jesus is Lord and Savior: Christ
(Christos in Greek)=Messiah (savior)
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Emphasis on crucifixion: Jesus died and resurrected for
your sins; Must confess sins to be saved
Paul’s Aegean Mission
Source: PBS.org <Frontline: “From Jesus to Christ”>
Attraction of Christianity:
How did a persecuted minority group founded by a rebel
become a dominant group that persecuted others?
1. Promised ‘spiritual gifts:’ afterlife is free of sickness, poverty
and isolation.
2. All can achieve salvation: Jesus was poor, new community of
equals.
3. Welfare organizations: Hospitals, care of widows, etc.
4. Decline of Hellenism: Driven by faith rather than reason
5. Emperor Constantine:
6. Later: collapse of Empire
Constantine, reigns 306-337 CE
1. Christian population large by 300 CE; persecution on rise, esp. by
Emperor Diocletian.
2. Constantine rules East, battles for control of West. Has vision of Cross
and is victorious in battle: Cross=triumph. Supports Christian welfare
institutions, builds churches, ends persecution of Christians.
3. Caesar is now a Christian—no division between Empire and Christianity
(recall Jesus’ statement: “rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to
God what is God’s”). Capitol=Constantinople.
4. Edict of Milan (313 CE): Constantine makes Christianity becomes official
religion: Christianity evolves from moral message into mass religion and
political force.
5. Theodosian code (391 CE): Christianity becomes only religion allowed:
Kingdom of God=Kingdom of World—and there is one way to practice
Christianity.
Compare to the spread of Buddhism during the late Tang Dynasty: how do
governments respond to social movements?
Summary of Philosophies: What is a Just Society?
Philosophy
Greco-Roman:
Humanism
Judaism:
Ethical Monotheism
Christianity:
Universal Monotheism
Origin of Justice:
ReasonHumans discover
WisdomLaw (Cicero)
Wisdom and law revealed by
God; Humans use Reason to
follow (or not)
Life of Jesus is model;
Hellenism declines: Faith
over reason and law
How achieve
justice:
Civic Humanism
Citizenship: Political
obligation
Obligated to “repair world”
(social justice)follow laws to
bring about new world
(Messianic)
Faith, Forgiveness, Love
one’s enemy overcome
“original sin”
Salvation: due to Jesus’
death and resurrection
Who is included:
Mostly male property
owners; Romans expand 212
CE
Universal God; covenant with
God’s chosen (Hebrews)
Universal: all can achieve
salvation (“Kingdom of
God”) through faith, esp.
poor (emphasize equality)
Role of God(s):
Pantheon (hundreds):
separate from humans; each
unique part of origins of
world and forces of nature;
one characteristic of humans;
adopt more Gods as expand
One God: moral guide to triumph
over evil; rewards good; punishes
evil; judges in afterlife.
Trinity: God, Jesus (son of
God), Holy spirit
Omnipresent, omniscient,
omnipotent; interacts with humans
Judges all who die
Byzantine Empire, 527 CE
(after Roman collapse)
Source: Pearson Education <http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_07_149.gif>
Criteria for a Just Society: Comparing Philosophies 
plot philosophies along each spectrum
1. Hierarchy v. Equality
Hierarchy/Authority
Equality
2. Conformity v. Pluralism
Conformity/Intolerance
Pluralism/Free Inquiry
3. General will v. Individual Rights
Community
Individual