Transcript Christianity ORIGINS

Depth Study:
Christianity
ORIGINS
Preliminary
Studies of Religion I
Depth Study:
Christianity ORIGINS
Students learn about: Students learn to:
 the historical and
cultural context in
which Christianity
began
 outline the
historical and cultural
context in which
Christianity began
Semitic origin – Christianity started as a sect within
Judaism
Flourished in Greco – Roman culture
JEWISH BACKGROUND
• Jews were waiting for the Messiah – waiting for the
final intervention of God.
• Jesus did not conform to their expectation of
Messiah.
• Different Jewish groups had different ideas about
the Messiah.
SADUCEES – interested only in
preserving the ancient traditions
of Judaism.
ZEALOTS – wanted a
military leader.
PHARISEES – Messiah would
be thorough and meticulous in
observance of the law.
Jesus did not fit any of these expectations.
HELLENISTIC BACKGROUND
• Palestine was conquered by the Romans – 63 BCE.
• Prior to this the Jews were oppressed by the
Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and
Greeks.
• Romans divided the territory and installed
separated rulers – Herod in Galilee and Pontius Pilate
in Judea.
• Roman state religion was polytheistic, many cults
and belief in astrology.
• The Jews suffered deprivation / economic hardship
under the Romans.
Depth Study:
Christianity ORIGINS
Students learn about: Students learn to:
 Jesus Christ
• examine the principal
events of Jesus’ life
• explain why Jesus is
the model for Christian
life
Jesus Christ: PRINCIPAL EVENTS
• Central figure of Christianity
• Brief biography assembled through the Gospels –
principal source of information
• Jewish
• Born in Palestine in town of Bethlehem
• Circumcised and named after 8 days
• Grew up in Nazareth in Galilee
• Visited Jerusalem every year for Passover
• Baptised by his cousin John the Baptist
at age 30 in the River Jordan
Jesus Christ: PRINCIPAL EVENTS
• Worked as a craftsman / carpenter until early 30’s.
• Then began ministry of preaching / teaching and
healing.
Birth: Gospels of Luke and Matthew
• Born in a manger.
• Visited by shepherds (informed by
angels of birth of Christ the Savior).
• Visited by 3 wise men (magi) at 12
days old – followed star to pay homage
to King of the Jews.
Rembrandt: The Adoration of the Magi
They are called "Magi" from the Latinised form of the Greek word magoi,
transliterated from the Persian, for a select sect of priests.
Public Ministry of Jesus
• Began in Galilee at age 30
John the Baptist arrested
Jesus left Nazareth
Withdrew to desert of Judea –
fasting / praying
Started calling first disciples (12
to reflect 12 tribes of Israel)
Also called women (counter
cultural)
Messages
• Language, imagery, ideas were all specifically
Jewish.
• Began to disappoint Jewish groups as “all” were
welcome in the Kingdom of God.
• Parables (short symbolic stories): favourite form of
teaching.
They were subversive – the rich ate with the
poor; lepers, blind, possessed all were welcome; the
downcast were helped; etc.
• Jesus ate with tax collectors & sinners – created
scandal.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Miracles
• Not central to Jesus’ ministry – incidental.
• Carried out with discretion, often away from large
crowds
• Display compassion and service.
• Accompanied his teaching
Ministry in Jerusalem
• Gained a large following – messages
were simple, healing was effective
• Religious and political opposition increased.
• Arrived at Jerusalem to celebrate
Passover (Palm Sunday).
• Gathered for dinner (Last Supper) on
evening of Passover. Sharing of bread and
wine developed into Eucharist – disciples
were instructed to repeat the ritual.
1542
Jacopo Bassano's Last Supper
• After supper, Jesus and his disciples went to the
Garden in Gethsemane – prayed; premonition of
death; asked to be excused from this.
• Was arrested,
imprisoned,
interrogated, mistreated,
tried, condemned to death
and crucified.
• Body taken to tomb for Sabbath.
• Next day Mary of Magdala found
the tomb empty – Archangel Gabriel
explained that Jesus had risen from
the dead. Jesus appeared to Mary
and told her to tell the others.
• For 40 days Jesus appeared to the
disciples teaching about the
Kingdom of God.
• Then Ascended into Heaven –
and took his rightful place at the
right hand side
of God.
• 10 days later, the disciples
received the Holy Spirit (50 days
Pentecost) and started to bear
public witness to Jesus.
Jesus Christ: Model for Christian Life
Demonstrates …
• How to live for God and
others rather than oneself
• Deep faith in divine –
prepared to suffer to free /
empower others; belief in
afterlife
• Practice of universal love
for humanity …
*Continual concern for the
people
*Forgave readily
*Concern for poor and
dispossessed
• Offered hope to all – if one has done wrong and
is truly sorry, forgiveness will be granted.
Depth Study:
Christianity ORIGINS
Students learn about: Students learn to:
 the development of
early Christian
communities
• describe the early
development of
Christian communities
after the death of Jesus
Development of Early Christian Communities
• Christianity began as a Jewish sect of followers moving away
from Rabbinic Judaism and the Laws of Moses.
• Sect of Christianity – strong resistance from Jewish community.
•Jews following Jesus met secretly in homes – women took up
leadership roles in house-churches. Women had significant roles
in group worship.
• Directly after death / resurrection of Jesus, followers called
themselves “brethren”, “disciples”, “believers”, “those of the Way”.
• Simon (Peter=Caiphas=Rock) became leader of disciples, the
first Pope . Moved to Antioch and then to Rome
• Saul of Tarsus (later Paul):
Leading oppressor of Christians
Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus
Converted to Christianity after Ananais’ teaching
Became great Christian evangelist – presented message to gentile
(Non Jews) world, established churches in Asia Minor and Greece
(maintained correspondence though letters)
Made three great missionary journeys (Asia Minor, Greece).
• Paul’s message:
* Christ is Saviour of all humankind
* Spirit can enter those willing to receive it
* Humans can enter divine life while on earth
* Phillip evangelised Samaritans 34 CE
* Matthew evangelised Ethiopians
* Bartholomew evanglised Asia, Arabia
* Andrew evangelised Scythia
* Thomas evangelised Iraq, southern India
* Mark established church in Alexandria 42 CE
• Jews were difficult to persuade – Christ dispensed
with the need for detailed observance of the Laws of
Moses.
Women had a significant contribution to early Christian
development:
Mary Magdalene – Disciple of the disciples; chosen
by Jesus to be first witness of his resurrection; early
Christian texts reveal her as a visionary and leader of
the early movement.
 Phoebe – deacon of the church of Cenchrae
 Paul’s letters suggest that women
worked and travelled as missionaries
with their husbands or brothers.
