Transcript Document 7193924

Christianity
Unit 6
Introduction




Worlds largest!
Approximately 1 in 3 people consider
themselves Christian.
Believe that Jesus is the son of God
and saviour of the world.
The majority of Canadians are
Christian.
At the end of this unit you
should know……







Origin of Christian beliefs regarding creation, death,
God and the afterlife.
Influences in the development of Christianity
Important figures in the growth of Christianity
The development of Christian institutions
The origin and significance of Christian practices,
rituals and symbols
Evaluate the importance of such concepts as
revelation, resurrection and salvation
Origin, characteristics and significant passages of
the New Testament
Origins





Christianity originated in present day Israel,
approximately 2000 years ago.
Sprang from Judaism and the promise of a Messiah
or saviour.
Christians believe the Messiah was Jesus Christ,
who they also believe was the son of God.
What we know of Jesus came mainly from Christian
followers, as well as Roman and Jewish historians.
The source of the most detailed information on the
life of Jesus is the New Testament of the Bible,
specifically the first four books. These are known as
the Gospels, or “good news” and were written by
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Early Life of Jesus






The Roman empire had expanded into the region of present
day Israel, then known as Palestine.
Scholars believe Jesus was born around 4 BCE, in the town of
Bethlehem.
According to Christian scriptures, Jesus was conceived by the
Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin named Mary, who was
engaged to Joseph.
He was born in the town of Bethlehem because Rome had
ordered a census and people were required to return to the
town of their birth to be recorded.
Because of this, the town was crowded and they could not
find a place to stay, taking shelter in a stable.
Here, Mary gave birth to Jesus, which was then announced by
angels to local shepherds, who spread the news of Jesus’
birth.




According to Matthew’s gospel, three wise
men from the east followed a star that led
them to the sire where Jesus was born.
They had gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph then fled to Egypt
to escape the decree by King Herold that all
new born male children were to be killed.
After that they settled in Nazareth ( Jesus is
often referred to as the Nazarene) a town in
Galilee, located in northern Israel.
Little is known about his early life and the
story continues when Jesus began his three
year mission.



John the Baptist was to prepare the way for
Jesus. He immersed his followers in the
river Jordan, a ritual baptism that washed
away their sins.
When Jesus came to the river, John realized
who he was and said you should be
baptizing me. After John baptized Jesus, the
Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove), the lifegiving presence of God, came to Jesus and
said:
"You are my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased". The dove and the voice of
God were a sign to John that Jesus was the
Messiah who had been promised.
Jesus’ Ministry





Jesus was about 30 years old when he started to
preach in the synagogues. His message challenged
accepted views and he was not popular with the
Jewish authority.
He gathered around him a group of disciples or
spiritual apprentices, 12 men who traveled with
him.
He spoke to crowds, small and large, and preached
the golden rule. He forgave even the most sinful
and despised members of society.
The Gospels describe spectacular works, called
miracles, Jesus did during his ministry. (Canaan
wedding, the loaves and the fishes, Lazarus)
He also was known for telling stories, called
parables, moral stories drawn from situations in life.
He used them to emphasize values and teach
lessons.
The Arrest of Jesus








During his ministry, Jesus made enemies.
The Pharisees, a Jewish sect who followed strict rules of
dietary and ritual purity, found his teachings heretical.
The Jewish Sanhedrin, the governing council under Roman
rule, feared the Romans might accuse them of not
maintaining order.
Jesus was seen as the son of God, considered blasphemous
by religious authorities.
To celebrate passover, Jesus and his disciples met to share the
passover meal, commonly known as the Last Supper. After the
meal, Judas, one of the apostles, singled out Jesus for the
authorities by giving him a kiss.
He was arrested and charged with blasphemy, the showing of
contempt for God by attributing god-like qualities to that
which is not God.
Because he did not deny that he was the Messiah, Jesus was
found guilty and turned over to Pontius Pilate for sentencing.
Although he could not find Jesus at fault, he bowed to the
demands of the crowd and sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
The Church of the Holy
Sepulchre


Perhaps the holiest structure in all of
Christianity!
Located in Jerusalem, it was built on
the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Death and Resurrection




Jesus was taken to the “place of the skull” where
he was crucified, or nailed to the cross.
This event is called the Crucifixion, which Christians
believe brought about the forgiveness of sins and
the promise of eternal life.
After his death Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb
cut from rock, with a large boulder rolled in front of
its entrance. Three days later Mary Magdalene and
other female disciples went to anoint his body, only
to discover the tomb was empty.
An angel appeared to them and told them that
Jesus had risen from the dead. This is referred to
as the Resurrection.
The Ascension and the
Pentecost


Christians believe that forty days after the
resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily into
heaven, the Ascension.
Fifty days after Easter comes the Pentecost.
During this event the apostles were visited
by the Holy Spirit, giving the apostles
special gifts, including the ability to speak
different languages. It is often referred to as
the birthday of the church.
Persecution of Christians



Early converts to Christianity were Greeks who took
the name Christians, from “Christos” which is Greek
for Messiah.
Soon after Jesus’ death, an early missionary named
Paul (his name was originally Saul) actively spread
Christianity in the eastern Roman empire. He wrote
letters called Epistles, instructing early Christians
and providing inspiration and guidance.
What is ironic is that Paul was once a major
persecutor of Christianity: then an amazing event
led to a dedication to his faith that makes him often
referred to as the 13th apostle.
The Lord, seeing in him a "chosen vessel," called him to Apostolic
service by miraculous means on the road to Damascus. During his
journey, a bright light enveloped Saul, from which he fell to the
ground blind. A voice resounded from the light, "Saul, Saul, why
do you persecute me?" Saul asked, "Who are you?" Jesus
answered, "I am Jesus, Who you are persecuting." The Lord
commanded Saul to go to Damascus, where he would be
instructed on what to do further. Saul's companions heard the
voice of Christ, but they did not see the light. After being led by
the arm to Damascus, Paul was taught the faith and on the third
day was baptized by Ananias. The moment Saul was submerged
in the baptismal water, he regained his sight. From that point on,
he became a zealous preacher of the teachings he had formerly
persecuted. He went to Arabia for a short period and then
returned to Damascus to preach about Christ.






As Rome’s power reached its height, a relatively
peaceful period occurred, known as the Pax
Romana, during which Christianity grew rapidly.
However, sometimes emperors who opposed the
religion use Christians as scapegoats for Rome’s
problems and they therefore were persecuted.
200 years later, the emperors Decius, Valerian and
Diocletian destroyed churches, holy articles and
books, and of course, killed Christians.
Christians killed for their faith were called martyrs,
who were often dragged to the Colosseum and
mauled by wild animals in front of cheering crowds.
Christians worshipped in secret in underground
chambers where they buried their dead, called the
catacombs.
When Constantine became emperor he legalized
Christianity and was the first of many Christian
rulers of the Roman empire.
Christian Beliefs






Council of Nicaea – an important council of 300 early
Christian leaders. It produced the Nicene Creed, a statement
of beliefs universally accepted by Christians.
Creation – God created the whole universe.
The Holy Trinity – Christians believe in God the father, Jesus
his son and the holy spirit, together they make up the holy
trinity.
The Holy Spirit – The life-giving presence of God. Christians
believe that the holy spirit enters into believers, just like the
Apostles experienced at Pentecost.
Salvation and Eternal life – Jesus’ mission on earth was to
bridge the gap between humanity and God, to bring about the
forgiveness of sins and to open the way to eternal life. So, he
came to give humans a chance to be “saved” and attain
eternal life in heaven after death.
Last Judgment – The belief that Jesus will return to judge
the living and the dead to determine which humans will join
him, body and soul, in heaven. Those who live their lives as
Jesus taught would be awarded with heaven…those who did
not, punished with eternal suffering in hell.
Important Symbols




Holy Communion – representation of Jesus’ body
and blood (bread and wine) that is shared with the
congregation. Represents the last supper.
Rosary – small chain or string that holds a cross
and beads that are arranged in five “decades” or
groups of ten. Each decade begins with the Lord’s
prayer, followed by a Hail Mary for each bead.
The Cross – most recognizable Christian symbol, it
represents Jesus’ crucifixion.
The Fish – Symbol of the spreading of the Gospels.
It comes from when Jesus said “follow me and I
will make you fishers of men.”
Festivals



Christmas – celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Lent – The forty days before Easter, it represents
the forty days Jesus spent in the desert.
Traditionally it is a time of fasting. Begins on Ash
Wednesday, where Christians are marked with
ashes on their foreheads to remind them of their
mortality.
Easter – Begins with Palm Sunday, the day Jesus
first entered Jerusalem, Holy Thursday which
marks the day of the Last Supper, Good Friday
which marks the day of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion
and Easter Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’
resurrection.
Sacred Writings


The Bible; Old and New testaments.
The New Testament tells the story of
Jesus and includes the four Gospels,
the Acts of the Apostles, the
Epistles and the Book of
Revelation.
The Gospels


Mark – oldest, written about 70 CE. It is also the
shortest, but it forms the core of Matthew and
Luke’s Gospels, which were written later. The three
are considered the Synoptic Gospels because of
their shared perspective.
Matthew – written about 80 CE. , Matthew was
one of the 12 apostles. (the tax collector) It is the
longest of the Gospels and is set apart from the
others because it tries to connect Jesus with the old
Testament and it provides great detail about the
teachings of Jesus.



Luke – written between 80 and 90 CE., it is
very close to Matthew’s Gospel, so much
that scholars believe Luke borrowed from
Matthew. Highlights the message of healing
and provides most of the details of Christ’s
early life.
John – one of the 12 apostles; written
about 100 CE. Most likely written by
followers of John rather than John himself.
More theological than the other gospels, it
provides metaphors such as “the lamb of
God”. It also gives us the 11th
commandment to “love one another”.
Mark, Luke and Matthew’s gospels are called
the Synoptic gospels, because they are so
similar. John’s Gospel is more theological
than biographic.
The Acts of the Apostles


Written by Luke, it outlines the
beginnings of the Church and
describes the work of Peter and Paul
in spreading the Christian faith.
It highlights the importance of the
Holy Spirit in guiding early leaders of
the Church.
The Epistles


Mostly written by Paul, there were also
three from John and some from other early
church leaders. They are letters written to
early Christian communities to provide
guidance and encouragement.
Paul’s are the earliest and were written from
50 to 60 CE. They are used as readings
during Christian services and ceremonies.
The Book of Revelation



Last book of the New testament, it was
written about 95 CE by a persecuted
Christian named John, not necessarily the
apostle.
It is an example of apocalyptic literature,
describing in symbolic and visionary terms,
the destruction of Christian enemies.
It also foretells judgment day or the
apocalypse.
"18: This calls for wisdom: let him who has
understanding reckon the number of the beast,
for it is a the name of a human person, its
number is six hundred and sixty-six".
The Eastern Schism




Christianity split into two branches, the Eastern
orthodox, centered on the universal patriarch in
Constantinople, and the Western Church, focused
on the pope in Rome.
Part of the problem was the power of the Pope,
who claimed authority over the whole church.
Another issue was the filioque clause, where the
pope added the “and the son” to this statement “
and we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver
of life, who proceeds from the father”
The western Church believed that the Holy Spirit
was sent by both the father and the son, the
eastern Church believed the Holy spirit came only
from God the father.
In 1054 CE, the pope in Rome and the Patriarch in
Constantinople, excommunicated each other’s
senior Church officials, thus splitting the Church in
two.
The Roman Catholic
Church




Centered in Rome, Vatican City, with the
Pope as its leader.
“ Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will
build my church.”
Papal Infallibility – the Pope’s teachings
relating to faith and morals are protected
from error by God.
The Vatican is considered a state, the
smallest in both size (108 acres) and
population (900).
The Protestant
Reformation





In 1517 CE, a German monk named Martin Luther caused a
dramatic change in Christianity.
Called the Protestant Reformation, it was the reformation
of the western Church, protesting against the corruption that
was infecting the Church.
Martin nailed 95 theses or arguments against the Church to
the Cathedral door, trying to start a debate, but instead,
inspiring a revolution.
New Christian Churches developed, that were referred to as
protestant because they were protesting against the Roman
Church.
Some of the new Churches that developed include the
Lutheran Church (the first), The Calvinists, Presbyterian,
Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, The Mormons and the Jehovah’s
Witnesses.
Christianity in Canada





Christianity is the most widely held faith in Canada.
Many Canadian cities have beautiful churches which
attract tourists and Christians alike.
Our educational system includes publicly funded
Catholic school systems .
Many cities, towns and streets in Canada have
names associated with Christianity.
Many of our holidays are Christian in origin
including Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.