Rise of Christianity

1. Rise of Christianity

2. Religion in the Roman Republic • Roman empire tolerated diversity of its subjects • Citizens must show loyalty by worshipping Roman gods • Because most were polytheistic, they didn’t mind worshipping the Roman gods along with their own • Growing number of people looking elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment

3. Before Jesus… • In 63 B.C.E., Romans took over the Holy Land • Herod was given rule of Judea/S. Palestine • at the time, Romans excused Jews from worshipping their gods • Herod died around 4 B.C.E. • divisions intensified among Jews over politics and religion

4. Herod’s kingdom & tomb Mediterranean Sea

5. Jews ~ Divided in Roman Palestine • Sadducees: religious leaders (priests) who maintained the temple; they saw Roman rule as inevitable • Pharisees: everyday people devoted to following Jewish law (“orthodox”) • Am ha’aretz: everyday Jews (rural, uneducated) who didn’t follow all the religious laws but were believers • Zealots: called on Jews to revolt against Rome and reestablish an independent state

6. The Messiah • The Hebrew word mâšîah means ‘anointed one’ sent by God • In the 6th c. B.C.E. the Jews hoped God would send someone to return them from exile • In the 2nd c. B.C.E. they hoped God would defeat foreign enemies, such as the Romans • NOTE: The concept of an eschatological (“the end of the world”) messiah emerges in the era after Christ

7. The Messiah • During Roman rule, the Jewish belief in a messiah was as diverse as the Jews; some beliefs included: • God would destroy the enemies of Jews • a new Garden of Eden would be created • most believed God would expel the Romans and send someone to be a reformer and leader/teacher • any messiah would be a descendent of David

8. Enter Jesus… • Born in Bethlehem…? • around 4 BCE • Jewish • Raised in a time of great debate~ exposed to political &religious diversity of the time • Almost all of what is believed of Christ’s life is written in the Gospels • written 100+ years after Jesus’ death

9. The story of Jesus • The Gospels, for the most part, tell a consistent story of Christ’s life and teachings • devout, observant Jew • an independent, critical thinker • used parables • performed miracles of healing • called himself the Son of God

10. Christ’s Teachings • 10 Commandments • laws of Moses and Jewish prophets • love in many forms • esp. forgiveness • show kindness to all, including the needy, disabled and oppressed • give and you shall receive • justice, morality, and service to others

11. The Two Commandments • Love of (the one) God • Love your neighbor as yourself • These were not “new” commandments (Deut & Lev), but Jesus de-emphasized the other commandments

12. Condemned to Death • Seen by Roman authorities as a threat to their rule • Put to death but believed by Christians to have arisen from the dead and ascended into heaven

13. After Christ’s Death • Apostles and followers spread his teachings • Apostle Peter established Christianity in the city of Rome • Paul played the most influential role

14. Christians Are oppressed • seen as disloyal to Rome • practicing in secret made them appear evil • persecution by rulers such as Nero led to martyrdom

15. Christian Message Appeals to many • Welcomed all people ~ message of love & • equality • Incorporated ideas of Greek philosophers • Missionary work made easier because of Roman unity • Persecution brought new converts

16. Rome Becomes Christian • Edict of Milan ~ 313 C.E. • Emperor Constantine granted freedom of worship to all citizens of Roman Empire • Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion by the end of the 300s

17. Fall of Rome - 476 CE • Christian Church • took over much of • the Empire’s role • * remained the central institution of Western • Civilization for 1,000 years

19. Rome Becomes Christian: Early Christian Church Develops… Page 170