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The Rise of Christianity. Religious Diversity in the Early Empire Mystery Religions- secret rituals and special rewards (Mithraism) Religious Toleration- Citizens could worship other gods if they showed loyalty to Roman gods. Divisions in Judea 63 B.C., Romans capture Judea
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Religious Diversity in the Early Empire • Mystery Religions- secret rituals and special rewards (Mithraism) • Religious Toleration- Citizens could worship other gods if they showed loyalty to Roman gods
Divisions in Judea • 63 B.C., Romans capture Judea • Excused from worshipping Roman gods • Jewish Fundamentalism • Messiah- anointed king sent by God
Jewish Revolt • 66 A.D.- Romans crushed Jewish rebellion and captured Jerusalem • Number of Jews left Judea, but preserved Jewish law
Jesus and His Message • 4 Gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John • Gospel- “Good News”
Life of Jesus • 4 B.C. in Bethlehem • “Son of the Most High God” • Grew up in Nazareth • Age 30, began preaching near the Sea of Galilee • Apostles- “a person sent forth” • Miracles and parables
The Message • Monotheistic and believed in the Ten Commandments • Spiritual salvation and eternal life • Mercy and sympathy for the poor and helpless • Justice, morality, service, and forgiveness
Death on the Cross • Jewish priests felt Jesus challenged their leadership • Romans thought He would lead Jews in rebellion • Rebelled by one of his disciples and condemned to crucifixion • Resurrection and Ascension
Spread of Christianity • Christ- “Anointed One” • Christianity remained a sect within Judaism • Peter established Church in Rome • Paul (Saul of Tarsus) spread Christianity throughout Roman Empire
Work of Paul • Spread the news of Jesus beyond Judaism into Gentile communities • Emphasized the sacrifice of Jesus • Salvation
Persecution • Rome was not tolerant of Christianity • Nero (Peter and Paul) • Martyrs- people who suffer or die for their beliefs
Reasons for Christianity’s Appeal • Available to all people • Included ideas of great Greek teachers • Written in Greek or Latin • “The blood of the martyr is the seed of the Church”
Triumph • 313 A.D.- Emperor Constantine issued Edict of Milan • Theodisius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire
The Early Christian Church • Renouncing evil by the rite of baptism • Eucharist
Role of Women • Teachers and administrators • Later barred from role within the Church
Structure of the Church • Bishop- Church official who was responsible for all Christians in an area • Diocese- area of Christians • Equal successors of Apostles of Jesus • Patriarch- honorary title; bishops exercised authority over other bishops • Hierarchy
Divisions in the Church • Rivalry among patriarchs • Popes- bishops of Rome • Heresies- beliefs said to be contrary to official Church teachings • Councils of Church leaders
Theology and Scholarship • Theology- “talk or discourse about God” • Clement and Origen- Alexandria; On Prayer and On First Principles • Augustine- City of God