CH 6 Judaism and Christianity 2000 B.C. - 1453

7.1.4 Describe the historical origins, central beliefs, and spread of major religions.

Section 1: Origins of Judaism

Land of Canaan

2000 BC -1500 BC

Abraham (Father) left Mesopotamia and settled in the West in Canaan.

Hebrews in EgyptHebrews moved to the land of Egypt due to famine in Canaan.

The Hebrew people grew in numbers. Pharaoh became fearful ofof them and enslaved them.

A man Moses around 1200BC told Pharaoh to let his people go. Plagues struck the land and eventually Pharaoh let the Hebrews go.

Exodus-a long journey that Moses led his people out of Egypt and into Canaan.

Hebrews =IsraelitesMid 1000’s BC Invaders began to sweep in and attack Israel

Split into two kingdoms

Israel- North lasted until 722 BCJudah- South last until 586 BC

The DiasporaAfter the Fall of Judah- the Jewish nation scattered across the world.

Jewish Population- 14 Million

Israel – 4 Million

US- about 4.5 Million

Russian and other More than 2 Million

Jewish BeliefsMonotheism- belief in one and only one God.

Torah- Jewish book of law, 5 Books total including the Ten Commandments

The Hebrew Bible- the law, eight books of prophets, Proverbs and Psalms.

Traditions and Holy Days

Rabbis- a religious teacher

Hanukah- festival of lights, a time to remember a time when the Jewish people did notHave enough oil to light the temple and miraculously it was lit for eight days.

Passover- Jews honor the Exodus the journey of the Hebrews out of slavery from Egypt.

Rosh Hashanah- start of the New Year in Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur- Jews ask God to forgive their sins. (Most Holiest of the Year)

Jewish Traditions

Section 2: Origins of Christianity

Jesus – born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and around the age of 30 began his teaching

Messiah- a great leader the ancient Jews predicted would come to restore the greatness ofIsrael.

Christianity- Jesus’s life and teachings form the basis of the religion.

BibleThe Holy Book for Christians

People are called Christians because they believe Jesus Christ to be the Messiah

Old and New Testament

The Crucifixion30 AD. Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem which was under Roman rule at that time.

Crucifixion- a type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross.

Resurrection- according to Christian beliefs Jesus was buried and dead for three days and rose from the dead.

Disciples- followers of Jesus who spread the message called the Gospel- meaning goodnews.

Jesus stayed with his disciples for 40 days teaching and giving instructions on how to pass on his teachings.

Jesus’s Acts and Teachings

Miracles- an event or act that cannot be explained or performed normally by a human.

Parables- similar to fables, but usually teach religious lessons.

Jesus had 12 disciples who he taught and instructed to spread his message.

Sermon on the Mount

Christianity Spreads and Persecution

Rome- largest Empire at the time saw Christianity as a threat.

Paul- a Jewish believer who also persecuted Christians, but later converted to Christianity.

Paul spread the Gospel message of Jesus’s teachings across the region and beyond.

Saint- a person known and admired for his or her holiness.

Paul Spreads Christianity

Church Grows 100 to 300 AD

Roman Emperors persecute Christians from 70 AD to 300 AD in fear of them causingsocial unrest in the Empire.

Constantine- Emperor of Rome became a Christian and removed bans from Christianitybeing practiced.

Constantine called for a meeting to organize the teachings and clarify its practice.

Constantine’s Empire

The Edict of Milan

Constantine’s push for religious toleration in the empire.

Ended the age of Christians beingpersecuted.

Section 3: Eastern Empire/The Byzantine

EmpireRome Fell in 476 AD invaders from the North

Justinian- Emperor from 527- 565 ADEmperors ruled from Constantinople in the East.

Removed out dated laws and unchristian type laws

Created Justinian’s Code- simplifying Roman law, guaranteed fairer treatment for all.Emperor Justinian tried to reunite East with the West, sent army to retake Italy

Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire” refers to the society that developed in the eastern Roman Empire after what event ?

Constantinople- ancient city built between Greece and Asia Minor. This city became the capital of the Roman Empire.

Eastern Roman Empire

Differences Between East and West

East-

Had interactions with other people groups due to trade routes

Government- the eastern emperors had more power than the western emperors.

Religion in the East was a central part of citizens lives.

The East spoke Greek while in the West they spoke Latin.

End of the Byzantine Era

1453 AD- The Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul.

Eastern Roman Empire- 1,000 year reign came to an end.

Istanbul Not Constantinople