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Comparing Judaism and Christianity. Judaism. Judaism - Origins. Hebrews migrated from the Arabian Peninsula & into Egypt around 1700 BCE – many of whom were enslaved by the Egyptians
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Judaism - Origins • Hebrews migrated from the Arabian Peninsula & into Egypt around 1700 BCE – many of whom were enslaved by the Egyptians • After Moses led the Hebrews from Egypt in 1300 BCE (Exodus) he was given the Ten Commandments & it was revealed that the Hebrews were God’s chosen people • Hebrews entered a covenant w/ God in which they were forbidden to worship any other gods & must follow the Ten Commandments • The Hebrews returned to Israel & established a monarchy which reached its peak under Kings David & Solomon around 1000 BCE • Israel would be destroyed by the Assyrians & Babylonians and incorporated into the Greek & Roman Empires after 330 BCE – caused the mass migration of much of the population
Judaism – Main Beliefs • Monotheism – there is only 1 God • The task of humans is to honor & serve God by following the Laws of Moses as contained in the Torah (The Old Testament) • Judaism is centered around the belief that Hebrews have a unique relationship w/ God as the “chosen people” • Though there are many traditions & rituals associated w/ Judaism, it is also intended to preserve & maintain the identity of a specific people (Jews) – Judaism is a set of religious beliefs AND a set of societal customs designed to hold the Jewish people together
Judaism – Broader Impact • Judaism was the first of the major monotheistic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) • Judaism, Islam & Christianity all have common roots in Abraham & share many similar characteristics & practices • The beliefs of Judaism have been the driving force behind the political establishment & maintenance of the state of Israel • Judaism has NO “missionary” belief regarding conversion of non-Jewish people but rather is confined to a very specific people & culture
Christianity - Origins • The first Christians were a splinter group of Jews following the teachings of Jesus Christ – a Jew born in Judea (present-day Israel) • The first followers of Jesus were all Jews, but Paul began to spread the beliefs to non-Jews within the Roman Empire after Jesus’ death (around 30 CE) – his followers compiled a body of writings about his life & teachings (New Testament) • The Roman system of roads & communication allowed for Christianity to spread rapidly throughout the empire after 40 CE • Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan (313 CE) making Christianity legal in the Roman Empire • Due to the Silk Roads & later an active missionary movement, Christianity spread to all corners of the globe
Christianity – Main Beliefs • Monotheistic – there is only one God & his Son Jesus • Jesus preached devotion to God and love & compassion for fellow human beings • All classes, genders & races are equal before God & that the faithful would be rewarded with eternal life in heaven w/ God – made the religion very appealing to the lower classes & women • In order to be accepted into heaven, the faithful must accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior • Christians practice a wide variety of rituals intended to show their devotion & faith • Many Christian beliefs have evolved into a variety of branches of the same central religion
Christianity – Broader Influence • Due to its popularity w/ the lower classes & women, by 300 CE Christianity was the most influential religion in the Mediterranean Basin • After a period of persecution, Christianity became legal and eventually the official religion of the Roman Empire • Christianity would have a huge impact on the European Era of Exploration and the colonization of the Americas • Christianity has followers on every continent & in most countries of the world • Much of Christianity’s popularity has to do w/ its missionary tradition of spreading the religion to non-Christian people & its historical connection to nation-states in Europe
