christianity

ChristianityChristianityDevelopment, Teaching, and Spread of the

Religion

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Rise of Christianity

• This religion grew out of Jewish traditions.– Jewish prophets predicted that a messiah, or

one anointed by Yahweh, would be sent to deliver the Jews from foreign rule

• Jesus, founder of Christianity


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• Gospels: written by the followers of Jesus, tell about the life of Jesus


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• Roman officials worried about Jesus’ popularity– They considered him to be a rebel

• Jesus was sentenced to die by crucifixion


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Teachings of Jesus

• Monotheism– Believed in the Jewish God and the Ten

Commandments

• Placed less emphasis on law– More emphasis on compassion, forgiveness,

and equality of all people

• Taught with parables: short stories with simple moral lessons


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Teachings of Jesus

• Bible: the holy book of Christianity– Includes all prophets of Torah and most

books of the Torah– Adds the New Testament, which includes the

Gospels and other books by Jesus’ followers


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• Compared with Judaism, Christianity spread over far distances in a very short time

• This was due to a few factors:– Judaism is mostly an ethnic religion– Missionaries and martyrs– Appeal of Christianity

Spread of Christianity


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• Followers of Jesus were called “Christians”– Christ= Savior= messiah

• Missionaries were able to spread Jesus’ teachings by taking advantage of a peaceful time in the Roman empire, and also good roads were available


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• Eventually, enough people were involved in Christianity that the Roman empire began to respond

• Christians were persecuted for not believing in the Roman gods

• Many Christians became martyrs: people who suffer or die for their beliefs



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• Widespread persecution continued until 313 AD– Emperor Constantine ended persecution of

Christians with an Edict of

tolerance– He converted on his deathbed



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• The appeal of Christianity– Offered hope of salvation and eternal life– There’s a sense of control over one’s destiny

• More about making the CHOICE to be moral

– The idea that everyone is equal


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Three Forms of Christianity Today

• Catholicism– Pope is an advocate, prayer to saints, etc.

• Greek Orthodox– Formed when a Byzantine Emperor refused to

recognize the Catholic Pope in Rome

• Protestantism– Saints not prayed to, no Pope


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Review• Judaism

– Kingdom of Israel, Hebrews– The Teachings of Judaism: law– Vocabulary: Torah, Ten Commandments

• Christianity– Rise of Christianity and teachings of Jesus– Spread of Christianity and its appeal– Three forms of Christianity– Vocabulary: Bible, parables, martyrs

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