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Depth Study: Christianity ORIGINS

Delve into the origins of Christianity, focusing on Jesus as a central figure, his ministry, teachings, miracles, and his impact on early Christian communities. Explore the historical and cultural context that shaped the beginning of this faith.

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Depth Study: Christianity ORIGINS

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  1. Depth Study:ChristianityORIGINS Preliminary Studies of Religion I

  2. Depth Study:Christianity ORIGINS

  3. Semiticorigin – 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Depth Study:Christianity ORIGINS

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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)

  11. 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.

  12. Parable of the Good Samaritan

  13. Miracles • Not central to Jesus’ ministry – incidental. • Carried out with discretion, often away from large crowds • Display compassion and service. • Accompanied his teaching

  14. 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.

  15. 1542 Jacopo Bassano's Last Supper

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 10 days later, the disciples received the Holy Spirit (50 days Pentecost) and started to bear public witness to Jesus.

  19. Jesus Christ: Model for Christian Life Demonstrates … • Practice of universal love for humanity … *Continual concern for the people *Forgave readily *Concern for poor and dispossessed • How to live for God and others rather than oneself • Deep faith in divine – prepared to suffer to free / empower others; belief in afterlife • Offered hope to all – if one has done wrong and is truly sorry, forgiveness will be granted.

  20. Depth Study:Christianity ORIGINS

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. * 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.

  24. 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.

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