Christianity & Roman Empire

1. Christianity & Roman Empire The Spread of Christianity

2. Roman Empire at the Time of Jesus http://www.nvcc.edu/home/dporter/images/101/roman_empire_map_117AD.jpg

3. Christianity Briefly • Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide. • Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. • Holy Land - The lands that make up ancient Palestine. Modern day Israeli and Palestinian lands (Israel, the Gaza Strip, & the West Bank). Byzantine image of Jesus Christ http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/jesus.htm

4. Origins: The Rise of Christianity • Jesus: • Born to a Jewish family in present day Israel & the Palestinian territories • Becomes an itinerant teacher as an adult • Teaches ethical concepts – humility, charity, love towards others • Shapes value system for Western Civilization • Gathers a following of disciples • Eventually claims to be the Messiah (the promised savior of the Jewish people) and claims to be the “Son of God” • Was very popular with the poor, common people, & slaves http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6dKQTchkJaA/R6q-OhBaP7I/AAAAAAAAC_I/Xz_4I9_g4Sc/s1600-h/Jesus+Preaching.jpg

5. Jesus’ preaching brings controversy • It threatened the power of the Jewish establishment • He was seen by some as a revolutionary who might lead a rebellion against Rome • Jewish authorities persuaded Roman leaders to arrest Jesus • Jesus was tried for blasphemy & treason • He was convicted and put to death by crucifixion http://www.jesuspaintings.com/crucifixion_of_jesus.htm

6. Central Ideas of Christianity • Christianity is a monotheistic religion that believes: • God created the world. • Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God • God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins • Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnNaRvPBy2w/TbXB2OluAXI/AAAAAAAACzI/1nSWFRVB1Ms/s1600/resurrection+painting+by+Ron+DiCianni.jpg

7. The Spread of Christianity • Spread by followers of Jesus known as apostles • Peter • Leader of the apostles • Paul • Took the message of Jesus to Gentiles (non-Jews) • Why do you think Paul decided to take the message to Gentiles? What effect did this have? • This greatly increased the spread of Christianity • Spread was eased by the favorable conditions of the “Pax Romana” in the empire. • Why would this make the spread of Christianity easier? • New roads & bridges made travel easier • Roads connected numerous Roman cities • Common language http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/lost-world1.html

8. The Spread of Christianity • Roman Persecution • At first, the Romans just saw Christianity as just another sect of Judaism • They were tolerant of other religions as long as it did not threaten the public order • Eventually Romans see Christians as a threat to the empire • Christians refused to worship Roman Gods & emperors • This is an act of treason punishable by death • Official persecution begins under Nero 54-68 CE • Christians were subjected to arrest, torture, & execution http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jAr-z0nLqt8/SYcvaS7sjUI/AAAAAAAABug/M6gNFhDKCnE/s1600-h/Colosseum.jpg

9. http://www.reformation.org/en-emperor-constantine2.jpg The Spread of Christianity • Despite persecution Christianity continues to grow throughout the Roman Empire • The religion appeals to the poor & powerless • Constantine-Emperor from 306-337 CE • First Christian Emperor • Edict of Milan, 313 CE • Official tolerance of Christianity in the empire • Christianity soon becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire • Turn & talk: If the Romans persecuted Christians into the 4th century why do you think Constantine ended the persecution?

10. Spread of Christianity 325-600 CE http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/JesusEvidenceHistorical.htm