•History, Beliefs, and Impact

• Splinter group of Judaism

• Belief that Messiah will come to deliver the chosen people, and punish the wicked

• Called “Apocalyptic Doctrine”

• Roots in polytheism• Mystery cults

• Isis & Mithras• Afterlife• Personal union with god

• Roman empire• Divisions among the Jews:

• Sadducees & Pharisees - cooperate• Zealots - violent overthrow

• Local ruler = Herod the Great• 10 years of social unrest• Provincial government

• Lived from about 4BCE to 30 CE• Galilee = Zealot center• Accounts by his followers• Parables & stories

http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/a/angelico/altar/prado/annuncia.html

• Baptized by John the Baptist• John the Baptist executed• Many see Jesus as Messiah• Message• Goes to Jerusalem…

• Universal appeal attracts followers – and attention

• Miracles• BOTTOM LINE: viewed as a threat

• Last supper• Betrayal• Resurrection

• Pontius Pilate• Crucifixion of Jesus in 30 CE

• Originally opposed Jesus as Messiah

• Vision on the road to Damascus• Christos = anointed one• Paul converts non-Jews

• Changes some customs – circumcision, dietary restrictions

• Revolt in 66 in Palestine• Jews once again scattered• Christianity really takes root

• Teachings of Jesus and the records of his followers (DISCIPLES) are found in the New Testament

• Example: Paul’s letters, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

• Against the state?• Christians will not worship Emperor as a god

• Accused of treason• Nero: Fires in Rome

• Martyrs• St. Augustine’s Confessions

• Some emperors attack Christians, while others tolerate them

• Diocletian = last major persecution• Constantine

• 313 CE Edict of Milan grants religious toleration

• Converts to Christianity on death bed

• Clergy vs.. Laity• Christians want to survive as a religious group

• Bishops emerge to firm up doctrine and practices

• Get jobs based on the principle of apostolic succession, which means that the apostles of Jesus picked the first bishops and thus passed authority to them

• Promise of salvation because of Jesus’ death

• Gives meaning to present life• Similar to mystery religions• Jesus is human and easy to relate to• No initiation rights that are complicated - just baptism

• Personal relationship with God• Communities develop• Belong regardless of social class• Promise of a better place

What makes Christianity so different from other world religions? Why were people so eager for this change?

Based on the stories we’ve read so far, what are some important aspects of Christian cultural identity?