Christianity

1. Christianity Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRGLzkDVRDk

2. Christianity in Canada • What percentage of the world’s population is Christian? • Why is it so large?

3. Christianity in Canada • When you think about Christianity what are some of the symbols that you associate with it? Which is most prominent? • Why is it such a prominent image? • Where have you seen it?

5. Christianity in Canada • What is the impact of Christianity on Canada?

6. Christianity Christology - Doctrine of the role and nature of Christ

7. ROLE OF JESUS

8. Entire Christian faith - centred on Jesus Christ Christ comes from Greek word meaning ‘Anointed one’ He is the Messiah as prophesized in the Old Testament Son of God and Saviour of humanity Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, the sinless Son of God, who died for the sins of the world. DEATH OF JESUS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN MANKIND AND GOD ROLE OF JESUS

9. Story of Jesus • Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born to Virgin Mary • Lived and practiced in Jewish tradition during Roman occupation of Holy land • At this time Jews believed return of the kingdom of God and saviour was imminent • Age 30 - baptized by John the Baptist – purified by the Holy Spirit • God spoke to him and told him he was the chosen one • Began to preach the kingdom of God was near • Gained followers - 12 disciples/apostles that helped him spread God’s word – (Gospel)

10. Jesus – Early Life • Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born to Virgin Mary • He lived and practiced in Jewish tradition • At 12 years old he is found in the Temple teaching scripture from the Torah • During Roman occupation of Holy land the Jewish people • Were under oppression • feared for their religious identity • Societal structure - small minority controlled wealth and power

11. Society during the time of Jesus • Different Jewish sects evolved with various ideas about the Jewish tradition, scripture and future of the nation • Zealots • Did NOT cooperate with the Romans at all • rebels fighting for independence from Romans • Pharisees • cooperated with the Romans • biblical scholars • Represented common people • Feared for their religious identity • Interpreted Torah more broadly – encouraged interpretation and commentary • Sadduccees • Jewish leaders who cooperated with the Romans to preserve the temple and traditional way of life • Represented wealthy and aristocracy • Read Torah literally • believed return of the kingdom of God and saviour was imminent

12. Story of Jesus • Age 30 - baptized by John the Baptist – purified by the Holy Spirit • God spoke to him and told him he was the chosen one • Began to preach that the kingdom of God was near • Gained followers - 12 disciples/apostles that helped him spread God’s word – (Gospel)

13. At age 30 Jesus was arrested, crucified, killed, and entombed • WHY?? • Undermined Roman authority • Upsetting political structure • Creating civil disturbances • Said he was King of the Jews – inciting nationalism • Undermined Religious authority • Spreading new ideas about God and his kingdom • Performed miracles • Said he was son of God - King of the Jews • Put himself above the Torah

14. He rose from the dead three days later • Solidified establishment of early Christian church • Confirmed the coming of the Messiah • 40 days after his resurrection he ascended into Heaven • Jesus told his disciples to preach the “good news” • Forgiving others and loving your neighbours and enemies

15. Sedition or Revelation “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44

16. Christianity Key Doctrines

17. The Greatest Story Ever Told - Scene 27-32 (trial to resurrection) • During Roman occupation of Holy land • Sadducees – Sanhedrin - Jewish leaders who worked with the Romans • King Herod – King – ruled Kingdom north of Jerusalem • Pontius Pilate – Governor – Responsible for area around Jerusalem - Reported to Rome REMEMBER • Political threat to Rome • Upsetting political structure / Creating civil disturbances • Said he was King of the Jews – inciting nationalism • Threat to Religious leaders • Spreading new ideas about God / Performed miracles • Said he was son of God

18. Timeline – Last 5 days of his life • The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem • Jesus cleanses the temple • The authority of Jesus questioned • The plot against Jesus • The Last Supper • Jesus comforts the disciples • Gethsemane • Jesus' arrest • and trial • Jesus' crucifixion and death • The burial of Jesus • Resurrection

19. Key Doctrines of the Christian Church THE INCARNATION Incarnate - incarnare "to make flesh"  ‘To give shape or body to’ • Christ is both fully divine AND human • God is in human form

20. HOLY TRINITY • Doctrine that states that God consists of three persons yet is one Essence. • Each person of the Trinity is fully God, but there is only one God • Father • Creator and judge of humankind • Personal and accessible directly through prayer • Son – Redeemer and saviour of humankind • Human form of god • He is divine as well as Human • Holy Spirit - God within each of humankind • Life giving presence of God within humans • Energizes humans as spiritual beings

21. Christianity Development of Early Christianity How many Christian churches are there worldwide?

22. Development of Early Christianity After Jesus’ crucifixion Christianity begins to spread rapidly. Influential in this are two men: Roman Emperor Constantine Paul - Apostle to the Gentiles

23. Development of Early Christianity Paul - Apostle to the Gentiles (5-67 CE) • Student of the Torah - Pharisee • adept and dedicated student • Believed in strict application of the ‘law’ • Considered early followers of Christ to be violating the Torah • persecuted Christians • followed law of Torah strictly until… • Experienced the risen Christ • became an Apostle (messenger) of a new Christian form of Judaism • Salvation comes with grace of God and faith in Christ not observance of the Torah • Became the first Christian convert

24. Development of Early Christianity Paul - After his conversion: • Travelled all over Europe to establish Christian communities and spread God’s word (Gospel) • Started churches and gained converts

25. Development of Early Christianity • Roman Empire – Pax Romana community • Empire covers wide area • Time of peace, tolerance & diversity among cultural groups under Roman authority • Height of Roman influence and power • Roman provinces secure and interconnected • Roads and Trade roads well maintained • trade prospered across the entire roman region

27. Development of Early Christianity Paul - Apostle to the Gentiles (5-67 CE) • During his travels: • Turned out to be just as zealous as an Apostle as a he was as a Pharisee • Controversial and radical ideas • Promoted Christian freedom from requirements of the Torah • Accepted by the Elders of the church and other Apostles • Split early Christian sect from Judaism • Offended both Jewish authorities and Rome • Beheaded by Nero around 67 CE

28. Development of Early Christianity Roman Emperor Constantine (325 CE) • 1st Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity • Moves capital city from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople - modern day …??) • Creates 2 power centres in early church (West and East) • Calls meeting of 300 church leaders • Nicaea, Turkey to unify / clarify principles of early Christian church

29. Development of Early Christianity Roman Emperor Constantine cont… • Creates Nicene Creed • Statement of beliefs • Universally accepted by Christians around the world • Unified Christian church but also established division • Filioque Clause • West - Roman leaders added ‘and from the Son’ • Father and Son sent forth the Holy Spirit • East – Holy Spirit came from God the Father only

30. Nicene Creed • We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.  • We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. • On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. • We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.We believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

32. The Eastern Schism - 1054 • Eastern Orthodox / Western Roman Catholic • Break or split officially occurred in 1054 • Each church ‘excommunicated’ the other one’s leader from their church. • Why? • “Filioque clause” was the spark • Two power centres Rome and Constantinople • Communication – geography and language • Loss of political unity – Fall of Roman empire

33. The Eastern Schism Eastern Orthodox Constantinople Eastern Europe - Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Romania Greek Ecumenical Patriarch Holy Spirit from God the Father ONLY Priests can be married before Ordination Centre Location Language Leader Other Western Roman Catholic Rome Western Europe – Italy, France, Spain Latin Pope Holy Spirit from God the Father “and the Son” Priests cannot marry

34. The Eastern Schism Two main differences are: • 1. The Pope • Successor to Saint Peter • Jesus’ handpicked leader of the Apostles • Supremacy of the Pope as the only successor of Peter • Believe Pope is Successor to Saint Peter - leader of Church • AKA - Bishop of Rome

35. The Eastern Schism Two main differences are: 2. "Church as Teaching Authority": • Eastern Orthodox don't have the successor of Peter, there is not "teaching authority" • Believe that God's truth is disclosed through • "the conscience of the Church” • represented by Christians in general • the conscience of the people is the conscience of the Church • the Holy Spirit allows Christians to make good decisions

36. THE REFORMATION - 1517 • “Reformation” “reform” = to change • 2nd great Schism in Christianity • Leader - Martin Luther

37. THE REFORMATION - 1517 Martin Luther • leader of the Reformation movement • tried to reform the Roman Catholic Church • Wrote 95 Theses • wanted to eliminate corruption and non-religious influence within the Church. • Forgiveness was sold and those who sold it got a commission • i.e. Indulgences • Some clergy ignored the vow of celibacy • Scriptures could only be read in Latin and were thus not accessible to all people • Higher Church officials lived in luxury while others lived in poverty • High positions in the clergy were for sale • Wealthy were exempted from Church law

38. THE REFORMATION - 1517 • disagreed with the Catholic Church • about its interpretation of the Bible • the relationship between the believer and God • promoted translation of Bible - Latin into German • *Printing Press facilitated spread of new German Bible

39. Core of Luther’s Philosophy sola fide (by faith alone) • believed that Christians could only win salvation through faith in God, not “actions”, such as • doing good deeds • worshipping icons • paying indulgences sola scriptura (by holy scripture alone) • only way for the believer to know God was through the scriptures, and faith in God • believers did not need the clergy to interpret or explain God’s word.

40. Legacy of Luther’s Philosophy • Luther’s attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church were unsuccessful • ended up splitting away from the Catholic Church • founded his own Christian church, Lutheranism • Lutheranism and any other non-Catholic form of Christianity became known as Protestantism • All Protestants are descended from Luther’s split from the Roman Catholic Church.

44. PROTESTANT CHURCHES LUTHERAN CHURCH CALVINIST/REFORMED CHURCHES • He stressed sanctification – purification from sin through obedience of 10 commandments ANGLICAN CHURCHES • Political Church • King Henry 8th wanted a marriage annulled but the Catholic Church refused • Very similar to Catholicism BAPTIST CHURCHES • Believe Christianity is not a birth right • Total immersion of adult in water is required METHODIST CHURCHES • Founded in 18th century MORMON CHURCHES • In 1820s, Joseph Smith had visions of God the Father, Jesus, and an angel called Moroni • Mormon Church is Church of Latter Day Saints • Led by Brigham Young, they established in Utah World Council of Churches currently comprises of 349 member churches

45. Sacraments • Sacrament can be translated as "mystery“ • sacred rites that are thought capable of transmitting the mystery of Christ to worshippers • Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox generally recognize seven sacraments • Protestant churches only recognize only Baptism and Communion

46. Sacraments - Initiation Baptism • Cleanses soul of original sin - Adam and Eve • Signals beginning of Christian life Holy Communion • Celebrates last supper at Passover • Jesus shares body and blood with the apostles • Transubstantiation - sacramentally, not physically eating and drinking the body and blood of Christ Confirmation • Attainment of full participation in the church

47. Sacraments - healing • Confession • Confess sins to God • Seek absolution and forgiveness • Anointing the sick or dying • Ritual preparation for death • Funeral serves to • Commend body to heaven • Console family

48. Sacraments - Service • Ordination • those called to do God’s work are filled with the holy spirit - just like Apostles • formal recognition of entry into the clergy • Matrimony • Marriage • Sacred vow before God as the witness