The Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of Christianity

Christianity is a fundamental break with Roman tradition

Different view of God, humans, and the world than the Greeks or Romans

Romans have the Greek Pantheon of Gods Very tolerant, Imperial, Household and

Social Cults Ritual and style valued over emotional

appeal

Christianity is a fundamental break with Roman tradition

Different view of God, humans, and the world than the Greeks or Romans

Romans have the Greek Pantheon of Gods Very tolerant, Imperial, Household and

Social Cults Ritual and style valued over emotional

appeal

Mystery ReligionsMystery Religions

Alternative to Greco - Roman beliefs Secrecy, Wonderful Afterlife, ritualistic, but deep

emotional appeal Communion with the Gods and personal

purification Mithraism

- Chief Agent of Ahura - Mazda Unconquered Sun

- Soldier’s God, worshipped on the first day of week and Born on December 25.

Alternative to Greco - Roman beliefs Secrecy, Wonderful Afterlife, ritualistic, but deep

emotional appeal Communion with the Gods and personal

purification Mithraism

- Chief Agent of Ahura - Mazda Unconquered Sun

- Soldier’s God, worshipped on the first day of week and Born on December 25.

Jewish BackgroundJewish Background

Seleucid Rulers gave the Hebrews great independence Civil Wars lead to Rome’s intervention 6 A.D. Judea becomes a Province Jewish Society is split

-Sadducees - Conservative, no afterlife, cooperate with Rome-Pharisees - Liberal, afterlife, Liberation-Essenes - Awaiting coming of God-Zealots - militant revolutionaries, revolt in 66 crushed in 70 and Masada and the Temple destroyed

Seleucid Rulers gave the Hebrews great independence Civil Wars lead to Rome’s intervention 6 A.D. Judea becomes a Province Jewish Society is split

-Sadducees - Conservative, no afterlife, cooperate with Rome-Pharisees - Liberal, afterlife, Liberation-Essenes - Awaiting coming of God-Zealots - militant revolutionaries, revolt in 66 crushed in 70 and Masada and the Temple destroyed

Jesus of Nazareth ca. 6 B.C.- 29 A.D.Jesus of Nazareth ca. 6 B.C.- 29 A.D.

Grows up in Galilee a militant Zealot region Inner transformation, not the letter of the law is

what is important Not intend to destroy the old law

-Do unto others-Love God and one another-Humility, charity, brotherly love

Claims he is the Messiah-Key issue is his view of what this means

Grows up in Galilee a militant Zealot region Inner transformation, not the letter of the law is

what is important Not intend to destroy the old law

-Do unto others-Love God and one another-Humility, charity, brotherly love

Claims he is the Messiah-Key issue is his view of what this means

Attributed to JesusAttributed to Jesus

Initial Message (acc. to Mark: The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Golden Rule (Do unto others…) The Greatest Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heat …love thy neighbor) Repentance & Forgiveness: "If your brother sins, rebuke him; and

if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times ….you should forgive him.”

Judging Others: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” Faith & Prayer: "Have faith in God... Therefore I tell you, all that

you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.”

Initial Message (acc. to Mark: The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Golden Rule (Do unto others…) The Greatest Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heat …love thy neighbor) Repentance & Forgiveness: "If your brother sins, rebuke him; and

if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times ….you should forgive him.”

Judging Others: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” Faith & Prayer: "Have faith in God... Therefore I tell you, all that

you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.”

Attributed to Jesus (Con’t)Attributed to Jesus (Con’t)

Jesus' Destiny: …must suffer greatly,… and be killed, and rise after three days.”

Jesus' Identity: "Again the high priest asked him and said to him, 'Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?' Then Jesus answered, 'I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power …

Jesus and the Father: "After Jesus was baptized... a voice came from the heavens, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’; “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” …he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…”

Jesus' Destiny: …must suffer greatly,… and be killed, and rise after three days.”

Jesus' Identity: "Again the high priest asked him and said to him, 'Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?' Then Jesus answered, 'I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power …

Jesus and the Father: "After Jesus was baptized... a voice came from the heavens, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’; “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” …he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…”

Friction Surrounds JesusFriction Surrounds Jesus

It is believed the Messiah will save Israel from oppression and establish God’s Kingdom on Earth

Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world No revolt, respect authority Disappoints the radicals Conservatives angry that Jesus is undermining respect for

traditional religion Romans fear him as a potential revolutionary Pilate orders his crucifixion, but his followers claim he rose

from the dead so the problem (for the Romans) continues

It is believed the Messiah will save Israel from oppression and establish God’s Kingdom on Earth

Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world No revolt, respect authority Disappoints the radicals Conservatives angry that Jesus is undermining respect for

traditional religion Romans fear him as a potential revolutionary Pilate orders his crucifixion, but his followers claim he rose

from the dead so the problem (for the Romans) continues

The “Jewish” MovementThe “Jewish” Movement

Christianity begins as a movement within Judaism

Peter-One leader who favors Jewish customs-Baptism and the “Last Supper” are the only major modifications-Establishes the Christian Church in Rome-Crucified upside down

Christianity begins as a movement within Judaism

Peter-One leader who favors Jewish customs-Baptism and the “Last Supper” are the only major modifications-Establishes the Christian Church in Rome-Crucified upside down

Paul of TarsusPaul of Tarsus

Reaches out to non - Jews Founds Christian communities in Asia Minor and

Greece Taught that Jesus was a savior-God sent to save

all humans Jesus atones for all sins so all can be saved if they

believe in him Initially Christianity spreads slowly Paul’s letters and the preservation of Jesus’

teachings in the Gospels form the New Testament

Reaches out to non - Jews Founds Christian communities in Asia Minor and

Greece Taught that Jesus was a savior-God sent to save

all humans Jesus atones for all sins so all can be saved if they

believe in him Initially Christianity spreads slowly Paul’s letters and the preservation of Jesus’

teachings in the Gospels form the New Testament

Spread of ChristianitySpread of Christianity

Jerusalem is destroyed in 70 A.D. so local churches are fairly independent

By 100 A.D. Churches in most Eastern cities and some Western ones

Most early Christians are Hellenized Jews 2nd and 3rd Centuries more and more Latin

speaking Christians (Latin N.T. 200 A.D.) Early Christians meet in private homes to

celebrate the love feast (agape) or Lord’s Supper or Eucharist

Jerusalem is destroyed in 70 A.D. so local churches are fairly independent

By 100 A.D. Churches in most Eastern cities and some Western ones

Most early Christians are Hellenized Jews 2nd and 3rd Centuries more and more Latin

speaking Christians (Latin N.T. 200 A.D.) Early Christians meet in private homes to

celebrate the love feast (agape) or Lord’s Supper or Eucharist

Early ChristianityEarly Christianity

Men and women both have roles Led by Presbyters (Elders) Bishops appear about 100 A.D. and base

authority on descent from the Apostles All Bishops are men Easy travel within the empire makes it easy

for Christianity to spread Tolerance fades

Men and women both have roles Led by Presbyters (Elders) Bishops appear about 100 A.D. and base

authority on descent from the Apostles All Bishops are men Easy travel within the empire makes it easy

for Christianity to spread Tolerance fades

PersecutionPersecution

Viewed as a threat to public order Rumors of cannibalism and child murder Secret and exclusive ceremonies seen as harmful to unity Won’t worship state Gods (undermines state security =

Treason) Viewed as atheists by Rome, but see Rome as idolators

(reinforced by willingness to be Martyred) Persecution in the 1st century is sporadic, and they are

ignored in the 2nd Century By the death of Marcus Aurelius they are small, but strong

minority

Viewed as a threat to public order Rumors of cannibalism and child murder Secret and exclusive ceremonies seen as harmful to unity Won’t worship state Gods (undermines state security =

Treason) Viewed as atheists by Rome, but see Rome as idolators

(reinforced by willingness to be Martyred) Persecution in the 1st century is sporadic, and they are

ignored in the 2nd Century By the death of Marcus Aurelius they are small, but strong

minority

Christianity in the Late EmpireChristianity in the Late Empire

Sporadic persecution doesn’t stop growth Forces a more centralized organization Bishops gain more control

– Presbyters (priests) become clergy– Priests nominate Bishops and community elects

them– Hierarchy is paid and separates from laity

Grows slowly 1st Century, Takes root 2nd Century, widespread by 3rd Century

Sporadic persecution doesn’t stop growth Forces a more centralized organization Bishops gain more control

– Presbyters (priests) become clergy– Priests nominate Bishops and community elects

them– Hierarchy is paid and separates from laity

Grows slowly 1st Century, Takes root 2nd Century, widespread by 3rd Century

Why does Christianity GrowWhy does Christianity Grow

Promise of salvation in a suffering society Similar to mystery religions (sacrificial death of savior-god)

– Difference is human figure not mythological (Mithras/Isis)

All people can join (universal appeal), not difficult or expensive initiation (Baptism)

Gives meaning/purpose to life, fulfills need to belong Help poor, sick, widows, orphans v. huge impersonal

remote empire No classes recognized, spiritual equality

Promise of salvation in a suffering society Similar to mystery religions (sacrificial death of savior-god)

– Difference is human figure not mythological (Mithras/Isis)

All people can join (universal appeal), not difficult or expensive initiation (Baptism)

Gives meaning/purpose to life, fulfills need to belong Help poor, sick, widows, orphans v. huge impersonal

remote empire No classes recognized, spiritual equality

PersecutionPersecution

Decius (249-251): Christians responsible for disasters– State within a state– Gods angered– Forced all to sacrifice before officials to demonstrate

piety (officials refuse) Diocletian

– Too late to make significant difference Julian the Apostate (360-363)

– Only non-Christian after Constantine

Decius (249-251): Christians responsible for disasters– State within a state– Gods angered– Forced all to sacrifice before officials to demonstrate

piety (officials refuse) Diocletian

– Too late to make significant difference Julian the Apostate (360-363)

– Only non-Christian after Constantine

Tolerance of ChristianityTolerance of Christianity

Constantine– 1st “Christian” Emperor– Converts at Milvan Bridge Battlefield– 313 AD Edict of Milan

Theodocius the Great 378-395– Christianity made the official religion of Rome

Constantine– 1st “Christian” Emperor– Converts at Milvan Bridge Battlefield– 313 AD Edict of Milan

Theodocius the Great 378-395– Christianity made the official religion of Rome