pp7a the rise_of_christianity

The Rise of Christianity

Ronald Wiltse 2007

A. Introduction: What is the Bible?

1. The Old Testament

A. Introduction: What is the Bible?

1. The Old Testament2. The New Testament

Jewish Bible (Old Testament)

+ New TestamentChristian Bible

Jewish Bible called the Old Testament by Christians

Jewish Bible was the Bible for Jesus and early Christians

1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.

B. Judaism was a thorn in the Roman Empire.

1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.

2. Other Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire (the Diaspora).

B. Judaism was a thorn in the Roman Empire.

Those pesky Jews . . .

Israel in the eastern Roman Empire

Israel in the eastern Roman Empire

The Jews lived not only in Palestine, but elsewhere:

Where the Jews livedIn the Empire

Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora

The record on the Arch of Titus

…Jesus is born in Bethleham.

Adoration of the Magi, by Giorgione (National Gallery, Washington)

1. Who did Jesus say he was?

C. Who was Jesus?

1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of God

C. Who was Jesus?

1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ

C. Who was Jesus?

1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah

C. Who was Jesus?


2. His mission:

C. Who was Jesus?


2. His mission: to bring humans back to God

C. Who was Jesus?


2. His mission: to bring humans back to God 3. His method:

C. Who was Jesus?


2. His mission: to bring humans back to God 3. His method: listening to the Father

C. Who was Jesus?

Jesus learning carpentry from his father

painting by Holman Hunt

Jesus found, about his Father’s business

painting by Edward Millais

Jesus told parables

The Prodigal Son,by Rembrandt

D. Jesus was executed by the Romans.

Jesus Rising from His grave

Painting byMattias Gruenewald

E. The early church was founded by Jesus’ followers.


1. At first all Christians were Jews.

Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and hears a voice

Michelangelo,Conversion ofSt. Paul

Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and hears a voice

Carravaggio,The ConversionOf Paul


1. At first all Christians were Jews.

2. Then, Christian leaders included all people (Paul and the separation from Judaism).

The Church leaders decide the message of Jesus is for all people, not just Jews.

For 250 years, Christian missionaries could travel peacefully throughout the

Empire. Why?

For 250 years, Christian missionaries could travel peacefully throughout the

Empire. Why?

“In the fullness of time God sent His Son . . .” Paul, in his letter to the Galatians

Paul helps spread the Good News across the Roman Empire.

Paul’s first and Second Missionary Journeys

Paul’s 1st & 2nd Missionary Journeys

F. In the second century the Church went through two fundamental changes, rejecting salvation by grace in favor of salvation by


1. good behavior, and


1. good behavior, and

2. correct knowledge

G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.


1.The Roman government sometimes persecuted Christians.



a. the fish symbol

Christian symbols develop . . .


Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior



a. the fish symbol

b. the cross symbol



a. the fish symbol

b. the cross symbol

c. the Chi-Rho symbol


2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic philosophy.



3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the favored religion of the state.




a. Now the church became wealthy and powerful.

Constantine: By this you shall conquer

From the papal apartments,Vatican City

Constantine: legality, the challenge of wealth, and the challenge to the Pope

Medieval people believedthat this was

Constantine (the onlyRoman equestrian

statue to survive fromancient times).

Actually, it is Marcus Aurelius.

…A Converted British Family Sheltering a Christian Priest from the Druids

painting by Holman Hunt

The double-edged sword: accepting Constantine’s offer of wealth

The RoadLeadingDownhill

Into Rome,over which St. Peter’s

Basilica was built so thatthe spot believed to be

where Peter was buriedwould be under the altar.

Geopolitics:the influence of geography on political events

Where is the best geopolitical location for Constantine’s new capital?

The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus

The Black SeaThe Black Sea

The Aegean SeaThe Aegean Sea


The Black Sea

The Bosphorus Today


Where along the Bosphorus is the best location?


Here. Why?

The exact place: south of the Golden Horn

Why is this such a good placegeopolitically?

Rome versus Constantinople: the universal church versus the

correct church (catholic)

(orthodox)

Church division after 325




a. Now the church became wealthy and powerful.

b. The church eventually became a persecutor of others.

H. The church turned against Jews.

pp7a the rise_of_christianity

Education

christian church

jesus christ

jesus followers

message of jesus

son of god

christian symbols

church fathers

early church