Overview How much of the world's population is Christian?

1. Christianity Overview How much of the world's population is Christian? One-Third – The America's, Europe, and Australia, with significant following in Asia and Africa. Considered the world's largest religion at one time, Christianity is now loosing ground to Islam.

2. Origins & Beliefs Section 1

3. ORIGINS: • Christianity began in the land of Palestine (Israel), primarily in Galilee and Judea • Founded by Jesus of Nazareth (4 BCE - 29 CE), who left no writings of his own • Jesus began teaching and healing around the age of 30 • Jesus was born a Jew, and was knowledgeable of the laws and practices of Judaism, although he prescribed changes within Judaism. • Jesus was arrested, sentenced, and crucified by the Romans in Jerusalem • the New Testament states that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his execution and then visited his disciples before ascending to Heaven

4. Essential Christian World View • God The Father: Behind the activity of the universe is an invisible intelligence that created the cosmos as an expression of power and love. Human beings are an important part of the divine cosmic plan. • Jesus Christ - An ideal human being, the visible manifestation of God's gentleness and love. Showed God's power in healing and miracles. “The word and Image of God”.

5. Holy Spirit - God makes use of his spirit to create and vivify • Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God (Not all Christians support this) • Angelic Forces: Angels - Invisible forces - created by God as intelligent but bodiless beings. Benevolent forces are angels ("messengers" "watchers"), malevolent forces are called devils. Rebellious angels led by a former angel called Lucifer ("light bearer"), now called Satan ("Adversary").

6. Bible - God's will and plan for human beings are in the Holy Scriptures • Human Life - God's plan for the universe - they play a major part. To perfect themselves, to help others, and prepare for the afterlife • Life after Death - two realities -body and soul Heaven the reward, Hell the punishment

7. Beliefs: • Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary • By sacrificing himself, Jesus atoned for the original sin of Adam, and reconciled man's estrangement from God • The cosmos contains three distinct realms: Heaven, Hell, and Earth (Some Christians believe in the fourth realm, Purgatory) • There will be a second coming of Jesus as the Messiah, and he will bring about a Judgment Day when all humans living and dead will be Judged by God • Those who believe in Jesus and his act of salvation will receive the mercy of God and be granted eternal life in Heaven • Those who do not believe in God will receive eternal damnation in Hell

8. Holy Trinity • God exists as one being that incorporates three parts known as the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Ghost) • The term trinity does not appear in the New Testament. The term became common use by the 4th century and expresses the belief that God, although one, has three "persons“ or personas. • The doctrine of the Trinity is called a mystery, meaning that it is beyond complete human explanation or understanding, but hints that the nature of God is essentially a relationship of love. • God, the father, is essentially the God of the Old Testament (God as creator and Judge) • God as the Holy Spirit is present as the strength and guidance within humans (Christians) as they strive towards accomplishing God's will. • The Son, Jesus of Nazareth is recognized as Christ (the son of God) the willingness of God to take human form in order to share our experiences and suffer human sacrifice in order to forgive sin and provide for mankind's salvation

9. Declaration of Faith Section 2

10. The Nicene Creed (The Apostles Creed) • The declaration of Christian faith. • Similar to the Jewish ‘shema’ and the Islamic ‘shahadah’ • It is the Christian declaration of monotheism – dedication of faith • “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible….”

11. Used by both Catholic and protestant denominations

12. The Bible and Concepts of Christ Section 3 Bible Slide

13. The Concept of Christ Christianity's Core Doctrine: • The incarnation means that Christ is both fully divine and fully human. What are the primary sources of information about the life of Jesus? • The New Testament Gospels • Gospel of Mathew • Gospel of Mark • Gospel of Luke • Gospel of John •  What does the term 'Gospel" mean? •  "Good News"

14. The 12 Apostles v. Disciples Apostles : • Chosen by Christ to go out and teach the gospel to the world. Disciples Followers of Jesus during his ministry, includes the 12 A’s but others as well

15. The Gospels: What do they emphasize? • In what ways does the Gospel of Luke portray Jesus as a model of the perfect way to live? • Jesus reaches out to help all segments of society. • Women receive more attention here than in other Gospels (Jesus is the 1st feminist) • Many of Luke's parables portray outcasts in a favorable light? • Messages of healing • What is the focal point of the Gospel of John? • The incarnation. Christ is presented as the 'Word", who from the beginning was with God and was God. • What is the focal point of the Gospel of Mathew? • Presents Jesus as the revealer of God’s new Torah • Connects Jesus with the old testament • Teachings of Jesus & Christ’s Life • What is the focal point of the Gospel of Mark? • The Oldest of the 4 • Concentrates on Jesus' miracles, & parables (Sermon on the Mount)

16. Jesus’ Teachings: • Jesus uses parables to express his lessons to humanity. What are parables? • Parables - Ingenious stories cast in language and settings familiar to listeners, but proclaiming radical lessons intended to disrupt conventional ways of thinking. • Two well-known parables are: • "The Good Samaritan" and the "Prodigal Son“ • What is Jesus' radical commandment on love? • "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your father in heaven" (Matt. 5:44-45)

17. The Church • "What is the purpose of the Church? • According to Paul the Church is meant to unify Christians •  Those with theological opinions that differed from the orthodox version of the church were considered heretics - and often persecuted by those who took the will of God out of context.

18. Who was Paul? • While travelling on the road to Damascus, Paul experienced the risen Christ, and became converted to a devoted follower. • The Apostle Paul is known as the greatest missionary of the early church. Paul, who once avowed to wipe out belief in Jesus Christ, was later converted to do the work of Christ. He endured sickness, rejection, and repeated attacks on his life to bring the message of God's grace and forgiveness to Gentiles. • Paul was the apostle largely responsible for the solid inception and growth of Christianity. He spoke before Jews, Greeks, and Romans. Paul is known as the apostle to the Gentiles. He defended God's Word before kings and emperors of this world. By the end of his life, much of the Mediterranean world had been reached with the gospel.

19. In the first Epistle to the Corinthians, what is the Gospel message for Paul? • That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and was raised on the third day… (15:3-4) What does Paul say will happen at the Second Coming? •  Christ will return to the world, the dead will be raised, and all people - living and dead will be judged. The good will be saved and the evil condemned. What does Paul emphasize about salvation? • That it comes through the grace of God. (Goodwill or Favor) • How did Paul's life end? • His missionary zeal led to his imprisonment. After two years in prison, where he continued to preach the Gospel, he was beheaded, in around 60 C.E.

20. Symbols Section 3

21. Symbols • The St. Andrew's CrossTradition says the apostle Andrew died on this form of cross, requesting that he be crucified on a cross unlike that of his Lord.. • The Greek Crosswith all arms of equal length. • The Three-Step Crosssometimes called the Graded Cross. The three steps, from the top down, stand for Faith, Hope, and Charity. • The Latin CrossThe most commonly used form of cross.

22. Symbols The Chi Rho with the Alpha and Omega in a CircleSymbol for Christ is within symbol for eternity (circle), and so signifies the eternal existence of our Lord. • The Celtic Crossor, the cross if Iona,. The Russian Orthodox Crossused atop Russian Orthodox churches. • The Chi Rhoa monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ

23. Symbols • The Fisha secret sign used by the early persecuted Christians to designate themselves as believers in Jesus. The initial letters for the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior", spell the Greek word for fish (see ICTHUS in the glossary).for Christ The Dovesymbol for the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:10. Symbol of Peace The PeacockEarly symbol of the Resurrection. When the peacock sheds his feathers, he grows more brilliant ones than the ones he lost. The WheatHeads of wheat symbolize the Bread of Life (Mark 14:22). With clusters of grapes, appropriate for holy tables.

24. Comparisons Section 4

25. How does the Christian view of Human destiny and the Day of Judgment compare with the Muslim view MUSLIM • every person has a soul • soul moves on to the afterlife • believe that God reconfigures the body when the soul passes into the afterlife • believes in the return of Jesus to aid humanity • Paradise (heaven) /Hell • reward for living a righteous life as a believer in the one God • Hell if you lead an evil life • avoid hell by: • a. submitting to God and Obeying his commands • b. God will judge people's actions by their intentions and motives CHRISTIAN - p. 271 • Everyone has a soul • Jesus will come back to earth • Final Judgment - which humans will join him body/soul in heaven • include those Christians already dead • heaven & hell this is determined if people practiced what Jesus taught in his ministry • a. forgiveness • b. providing for the poor w/ basic necessities of life • c. treating one another as you would like to be treated

26. "What is the Nature of God"? Compare and Contrast the Christian and Muslim understanding regarding God's nature by comparing at least two similarities and two differences between their concept of God. How does it define these two religions? Similar • Both believe in the God of Abraham, roots are in Judaism • Belief in one God • Monotheistic • Communicate through prayer • Creator of all heaven and earth - universal • God is a merciful and a compassionate God • God is omniscient and omnipresent • God's love for humanity Differences: • Muslims Submit to God • Christians have a personal and approachable relationship with God (Friend) • Muslim do not believe in original sin. Christians do. • Many Christians believe in the Holy Trinity. Muslims don’t support this belief. • Jesus Divinity (Christian) • Muslims see Jesus as a prophet (human only)