Introduction to Christianity

The Split of the Roman Empire

The Christian Empires:Rome and Byzantium 1054 Christianity is split into two groups

Orthodox in Byzantium, Greek speaking. Catholic, in Rome, Latin speaking.

Ninian Smart’sSix Dimensions of Religion Inward

ExperienceMythRitual

OutwardDoctrineEthicsSociety

Experience Attend church services Ceremonies in

churches Sermon Baptism Wedding Funeral

Education

Myth – The Bible Old Testament:

Shared with Judaism The history of the

world before the coming of Jesus.

New Testament: Tells the story of the

life of Jesus The Early Church The prophecies

about the end of the world.

Myth

Miracles of Jesus 36 total listed in Bible

Walked on water Turning water into wine Fed 5,000 with 5

loaves of bread and 2 fish

Brought Lazarus back to life

Resurrection

Myth

Jesus’ Ministry He was the Messiah He was the Son of God If you believed in Him and followed His word

you would go to heaven when you died.

Ritual Prayer: Communication

with God in confession of sins, adoration, and giving thanks

Ritual

Sacraments Baptism

The ceremony in which Christians believe that dipping a person in water washes away sin.

Communion/Eucharist The recreation of the last

supper when Jesus ate with his disciples before his crucifixion.

Doctrine

One God - Monotheism God consists of 3 "persons."

God the Father God the Son The Holy Spirit

By faith in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, individuals are saved from death.

Doctrine Those who don’t accept

Jesus as savior will spend eternity in hell.

A judgment day will come when all humans must account for their deeds.

Ethics The Bible, Mark chapter 12 verses 28 - 31

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?""The most important one," Jesus answered, "is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

Ethics The Bible, Mark chapter 12 verses 28 - 31

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?""The most important one," Jesus answered, "is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

Society Christians worship in

churches Their spiritual leaders

are called “priests” or “ministers.”

SocietyOver 40 major sects in America Roman Catholics

Largest division and based in Rome under the authority of the Pope

Orthodox Split into Russian and Greek

Protestants Baptist Methodist Presbyterian Episcopalian Lutheran

Society - Differences

Catholics The Pope is infallible in religious matters.

Pray to God, Mary, and Saints

Protestants The Pope makes mistakes. Only the Bible is

infallible. Pray only to God

Society - Differences

Catholics The Pope is the supreme leader of the Church. Priests can’t marry – celibacy.

Orthodox Who’s the Pope?

Priests can marry.