Transcript Christianity

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Essential Understandings
The followers of Jesus spread Christianity
throughout the Roman Empire, bringing it
into conflict with Roman polytheism and
eventually changing Western civilization.
How did Christianity become established within the
Roman Empire?
What were the essential beliefs of the early Christian
faith?
Origins of Christianity
 Has roots in Judaism (Monotheistic)
– Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of
Roman Empire
 Founder: Jesus of Nazareth
– proclaimed as the Messiah
– Son of God & incarnation of God
 incarnation: a living being embodying a deity or
spirit
The Birth of Jesus
 Born in Bethlehem between
2 and 4 A.D.
 Family fled to Egypt for a
period of time to escape
King Herod
 Grew up in Nazareth
His Ministry
 Worked as a carpenter
as a young man
 Began his ministry
around the age of 30
 A teacher; performed
many miracles
including exorcisms
and healings
Crucifixion and Resurrection
What holidays celebrate these two events?
Beliefs, traditions, and customs
of Christianity
 Belief in life after death (resurrection)
 New Testament
– Contains accounts of the life and teachings of
Jesus (Gospels), as well as writings of early
Christians (Epistles)
 Christian doctrine established by early church
councils
a teaching
Spread of Christianity
How did Christianity spread?
 Carried by the Apostles,
including Paul, throughout the
Roman Empire
– apostle: a missionary of the early
Christian Church
Paul’s Travels
400-600 A.D.↓
↑200-400 A.D.
Spread of Christianity
 Slowed as a result of
persecution by
Roman authorities
 Adopted and
legalized by
Emp. Constantine
Church Councils
 Areas would have a bishop (“overseer”)
 Bishops came together to form church
councils when important decisions
needed to be made
 Established Christian doctrine
As the Roman Empire declined in the
West, the Church in Rome grew in
importance, membership and influence.
What was the impact of the early
Church in the late Roman Empire?
Review
Why did the Roman Empire Decline?
 Economy
 the cost of defense and devaluation of Roman currency
 Military
 Army membership included invaders, resulting in decline of discipline
 Moral decay
 People lost faith in Rome and the family
 Political problems
 Civil conflict and weak administration
 Invasion
 Attacks along the borders
Church of Rome
in the late Roman Empire
 Church became an
example for moral
authority
 Loyalty to the Church
became more important
than loyalty to the
Emperor
 Church became main
unifying factor in
Western Europe
Symbols of Christianity
Fish
Alpha & Omega
Cross
Jesus