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