Post on 30-Dec-2015
Early History and Beliefs of Judaism and Christianity
Pre Class
Explain the significance of Jerusalem to: Jews Christians Muslims
Founders of JudaismAbraham Abrahamic covenant;
God promised: to make of Abraham a
great nation The Promised Land to make Abraham a father
of many nations Unconditional (required
nothing of Abraham)
Founders of JudaismMoses Greatest prophet/teacher Led the Exodus (escape
of Hebrews from slavery in Egypt)
Mosaic covenant: 10 Commandments –
establish Hebrews’ relationship with Yahweh, moral laws (self-restraint, family and human life)
Return to Canaan (Promised Land)
Founding of Israel
12 desert tribes unified by Ark of the Covenant Judges ruled, prophets
warned people Hebrews overcame
Canaanites after 200 years; pushed Philistines to coast
Kings of Israel
Saul – unified 12 tribes during fighting
David Established capital/religious center
at Jerusalem Covenant between king and
people/God Solomon
Wealth/power for Israel (trade with Arabia)
Built relationships with other powers in the region
Temple
The Kingdom of David and Solomon - 1077 - 997 BCE
Israel Divided
Struggles for power weakened Israel after Solomon’s death
Northern Kingdom (Israel – Samaria) Conquered by Assyrians – captured, enslaved
Hebrews Southern Kingdom (Judah – Jerusalem)
Conquered by Chaldeans -destroyed Jerusalem, temple
Persians allowed Hebrews to return
Diaspora - the scattering of Jews from the land of Israel
revolt against Roman rule (66-70 CE)
Destruction of Jerusalem, Temple
Judea destroyed; Jews dispersed from Palestine to Europe (faced restrictions of
Roman Empire), Middle East
Formed regional groups Preserved traditions, beliefs;
faced similar expulsions, persecutions
Where did the name “Palestine” come from??
Palestine – a name given to the Jewish province of Judea by the Romans (“Palaestina”), during Hadrian’s rule, to wipe away the identity of the state of Judea
The Western Wall Remains of Second Temple
Place of prayer (mourning for destruction of temple)
Disputed between Jews/Muslims
Judaism = teachings of the Hebrews
ethical monotheism Torah – first 5 books of Old
Testament History Mosaic Law (10 Comm) –
“eye for an eye,” higher value on human life, kinder towards poor, slaves
Ethics – from prophets’ messages
I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.
IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
V. Honour thy father and thy mother.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
X. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbour's.
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Beliefs/Practices Yahweh (God)
Fear – early Hebrews Freedom to choose between good
and evil Spiritual force, divine
Worship synagogue Every synagogue contains an Ark, which is
a cupboard where the Torah Scrolls, which
contain the text of the Hebrew Bible, are
kept, and a desk from which to read the Torah. (BBC)
The Calendar
The Jewish calendar is a combined moon and sun calendar, unlike the conventional Western (or Gregorian) calendar.
The result is that Jewish festivals move about the Western calendar from year to year. The Jewish calendar also starts each day in the evening.
This is because when God was creating the world he started each day in the evening. (BBC)
Holy Days
Days of Repentance (Days of Awe) During the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur everyone gets a chance to repent. Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world.
Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of
the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close.
Christianity Began in Palestine (1st Century) grew out of Judaism’s traditions Jesus – founder; Gospels – stories of Jesus’ life
Preacher – taught goodness, mercy; Parables – stories about morality; miracles attributed to him
Disciples Sentenced to die by Romans – “enemy of the
state”; crucified According to Christians – resurrected**, ascended
into heaven
After Jesus’ Death: Christians – believe Jesus is the
Messiah (one anointed by God) Jews – do NOT believe this; still
awaiting the Messiah
When/why did the split happen?
Teachings of Christianity (rooted in Judaism)
Grounded in Jewish traditions (Trinitarian) Monotheistic 10 Commandments
eternal life - reward for the humble, merciful, and unselfish. Sermon on the Mount (Golden
Rule, Beatitudes)
What do you remember about life in the Roman Empire at its height?
Why do you think Christianity appealed to many Romans?
Spread of Christianity Christians – followers of Jesus Disciples spread message through Jewish
communities in Palestine and beyond (Paul’s letters)
spread quickly (Roman Empire) Hope of eternal life Control over destiny Equality in the eyes of God
Persecution Romans persecuted
Christians Wouldn’t worship
Emperor as a god Wouldn’t worship
Roman gods PACIFISTS – wouldn’t
fight to defend the Empire
Martyrs-people who suffer or die for their beliefs.
# of Christians INCREASED – why??
Development of the Church
Empire forced to accept religion 312- Constantine supported Christianity 391 - official religion of the Roman empire Formal Church
Pope – patriarch of Rome Great Schism 1054
Roman Catholic (Rome) Eastern Orthodox (Constantinople)