ChristianityChristianityHistory of the church and the History of the church and the

hope for Ecumenismhope for Ecumenism

Create a TimelineCreate a Timeline

• Create a timeline of the 5 major Create a timeline of the 5 major religions that we have looked at. Your religions that we have looked at. Your timeline does not have to be to scale. timeline does not have to be to scale. Include for each:Include for each: Approximate start Approximate start datedate

FounderFounder Place where it was foundedPlace where it was founded The major divisions (for the The major divisions (for the monotheistic religions)monotheistic religions)

Major Events in the History of Major Events in the History of ChristianityChristianity

• 33 CE Birth of Christianity with Jesus33 CE Birth of Christianity with Jesus

• Christianity spread quickly. Early Christianity spread quickly. Early Christians sold their possessions and Christians sold their possessions and donated what they made to the poor donated what they made to the poor or to fund missionary work. The Holy or to fund missionary work. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles on Spirit came to the apostles on Pentecost and gave them the ability Pentecost and gave them the ability to speak many languages. This to speak many languages. This helped people to understand them.helped people to understand them.videovideo and questions and questions

• Although Christianity was spreading Although Christianity was spreading quickly, Christians were often quickly, Christians were often persecuted for their beliefs: stoned persecuted for their beliefs: stoned to death, crucified or put into the to death, crucified or put into the coliseum to be chased and killed by coliseum to be chased and killed by wild animalswild animals

• 306 CE306 CE Persecution ended with Persecution ended with Roman Emperor Constantine Roman Emperor Constantine (handout)(handout)

1054 CE The Great Schism – The First 1054 CE The Great Schism – The First major split where the Orthodox church major split where the Orthodox church splits from the Roman Catholic Church.splits from the Roman Catholic Church.

• OrthodoxOrthodox Roman Catholic•centered in Turkey centered in Rome•spoke Greek spoke Latin•Married priests unmarried priests•Bishops share Pope has authority

authority

This split is followed by the crusades

Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation• 1517 1517 – A monk named Martin Luther – A monk named Martin Luther

objected to some practices of the objected to some practices of the Catholic Church. He did not believe in:Catholic Church. He did not believe in:

• long-established rituals of the churchlong-established rituals of the church

• belief that money or other goods belief that money or other goods could buy favours in God’s eyescould buy favours in God’s eyes

• that service to others was important that service to others was important for salvationfor salvation

• Instead he believed that knowing Instead he believed that knowing God through study of the bible was God through study of the bible was more important.more important.

• Martin Luther was excommunicated Martin Luther was excommunicated from the church. He translated the from the church. He translated the Bible from Latin to German so that Bible from Latin to German so that the average person could understand the average person could understand it without the help of a priest.it without the help of a priest.

• This helped the spread of This helped the spread of Protestantism throughout EuropeProtestantism throughout Europe

• 1534 1534 – The Anglican Church was – The Anglican Church was formed by Henry VIIIformed by Henry VIII

• He wanted a divorce but the Catholic He wanted a divorce but the Catholic Church would not allow it…so he Church would not allow it…so he formed his own church.formed his own church.

All three major branches of Christianity…All three major branches of Christianity…Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant continue to grow.Protestant continue to grow.

All three major branches of All three major branches of Christianity…Orthodox, Roman Christianity…Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant continue to Catholic and Protestant continue to grow into over 38,000 different grow into over 38,000 different churches.churches.

• Roman Catholic continues as one.Roman Catholic continues as one.

• Orthodox further splits into Greek Orthodox further splits into Greek and Russian.and Russian.

• Protestantism splits into Baptist, Protestantism splits into Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army etc….(Christianity project)Army etc….(Christianity project)

EcumenismEcumenism• Ecumenism is the promotion of Ecumenism is the promotion of

worldwide Christian unity.worldwide Christian unity.• There have been ongoing calls for unity There have been ongoing calls for unity

between the Christian churches.between the Christian churches.videovideo• Answer the following in your book:Answer the following in your book:• 1. What are the benefits of Ecumenism?1. What are the benefits of Ecumenism?• 2. Why is religious separation contrary to 2. Why is religious separation contrary to

the message of Christ?the message of Christ?• 3. Do you think the Christian community 3. Do you think the Christian community

will ever be unified? Why or why not?will ever be unified? Why or why not?

The Samaritan WomanThe Samaritan Woman videovideo• Work in groups to answer the following:Work in groups to answer the following:

• 1. How does the story of the Samaritan 1. How does the story of the Samaritan Woman relate to ecumenism?Woman relate to ecumenism?

• 2. Do you agree that human beings are 2. Do you agree that human beings are naturally suspicious of outsiders and naturally suspicious of outsiders and people who are different? Explain and people who are different? Explain and include examples to support your answer.include examples to support your answer.