Christianity briefly

• Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide.

• It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago.

Christianity• Where:

– SW Asia, Jerusalem

• When:– 2000 years ago

– Stems from Judaism.

• Jesus was a Jew, whom Christians claim is the Messiah (Savior)

Jesus with Children

• Important Teachings:1. Monotheistic2. Salvation

• Jesus died on the cross as payment for sin. Resurrected to offer hope of eternal life.

3. Trinity of God• God the Father• Jesus, son of God• Holy Spirit

• Holy Book:The Bible

– Old Testament– New Testament

Christianity

The Stoning of Stephen

Christianity• The early Hebrews who eventually developed into

the Jewish religion became the foundation of Christianity.

• Jesus, or the Messiah, was a Jewish boy who disagreed with some of the Jewish principles of his day began to profess a new way of thinking.

• This eventually led to the beginning of the Christian religion.

• The central point of Christian belief is that God, the Father, entered into human history as the Son, Jesus of Nazereth, and arose as the Holy Spirit.

Christian Sects

• Roman Catholicism vs. Eastern Orthodox-Christian Church divided when the Roman Empire was divided and then fell. Orthodox Christians do not recognize the authority of the Pope.

• Catholicism vs. Protestantism-as a result of the Reformation, Protestant sects broke with the Catholic Church and established their own separate churches.

• Important Cities– Jerusalem– Vatican City (Rome)

• Important Groups– Roman Catholic

• makes up the largest group of Christians.

– Protestant• represents a diverse range of theological and

social perspectives, denominations, individuals, and related organizations.

• Would include Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Charismatics, Methodists, Disciples of Christ, etc.

– Eastern Orthodox• body of Christians that claims origins

extending directly back to Jesus and his Apostles.

• Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Abyssinian (Ethiopia) Orthodox

Christianity Crucifixion of the

Apostle Peter

The Vatican

City

• Catholicism - largest branch

o Headed by the Pope direct link to

God

o Ceremonial - 7 sacraments baptism,

marriage, Eucharist, etc.

o Very traditional

Christianity

• Protestantism - (1517) Reformation erao No Pope needed

individual has direct link to God

o Grace through faith rather than sacraments forgiveness for sins

through indiv. prayers

o Spread though N. Europe and England arose same time as

1466 Gutenberg Bible and the printing press

Christianity

Martin Luther

• Eastern Orthodoxy - 5th Century splito Rivalry between

Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) Rome remained

center for Roman Catholicism

o Rejected Roman Catholicism doctrine by 1054

officially splito National

Churches Russian, Greek,

Serbian Orthodox, etc.

Christianity

Christian Philosophy

• God is the Creator of the universe. There is one God, Who is Three Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

• Jesus is both fully man and fully God. He was born of the Virgin Mary Crucified, resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the Father.

Christianity Beliefs

• Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God

• God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins

• Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion (the Resurrection)

• Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament

• Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this one God consists of 3 "persons"

• Christians believe that God made the world.

Christianity Beliefs continued• Christians believe that they can have a personal

relationship with God, and that they are saved by faith, not works. Grace is the law code.

• They believe in actual heaven and hell.• Sin and Evil are realities in our existence. • They believe that the Bible is the inspired word

of God.

• The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the followers was his 12 disciples.

• Their giving is a tithe or offerings.

Christians Holy Book

• The Bible is the Christian holy book.• It is divided into the Old and New

Testaments. • Parts of the writing contained in the Old

Testament are also sacred to Jewish and Muslim people.

Christian Place of Worship

• The Christian place of worship is called a Church, which are built in the shape of a cross with the altar facing east towards the rising sun.

• Services are led by a priest, pastor or reverend.

• Day of worship is normally Sunday but most recently Saturday has been added.

Westminster Abbey London

Christianity – Map!

Christianity 1500 C.E. Christianity Today

In 1500, located in Europe and Middle East

Today, located in Americas and Europe