CHRISTIANITYLargest religion today

2 billion followers!

15%

16%

20%21%

27%

1%

Christians in the world

North AmericaAsiaCentral & South AmericaAfricaEuropeAustrailia & Pacific

Christians; 33.10%

Non-Christians; 66.90%

Christians compared to religous people

BeliefsI mean really beliefs, not history

Christian Texts Old Testament

Hebrew BibleComes from Jews

New TestamentNew scripture

Parts of New Testaments First four: Gospel

View Jesus is four points○ Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Next books: EpistlesLetters by apostles, early leaders to church

○ e.g.) Epistle to the Romans, First epistle to the Corinthians, Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Last book: Book of Revelation, like epistles, complicated pictures of prediction

Afterlife Jesus, before crucified, proved was hu-

man By resurrection, proved was god Everyone has a soul

Afterlife depends on believe Jesus or not One of important beliefs

Jesus’ death, forgive people’s sin

Trinity God, the father Jesus, the son Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)

Allow people to be with god and Jesus

Jesus Teachings Right/Wrong Do to others as you want to be treated

Golden Rule

Judeo-Christian Old Testament Ten Commandments Helped shape life on Europe, America,

etc. Themes of art Equality

Two Essential Holidays Christmas

Jesus’ birth Easter

Jesus’ return to life

HistoryOrigins of Christianity

Origins From Judaism

Jews were ruled by Romans at the time

Groups of JewsJudaism

Didn’t like Roman rule – hoped god to send Messiah

and free Jews.

Zealots op-posed to pay

tax.

Pharisees observed Jewish laws,

thought people could come back to

life.

Sadducees sup-ported Jewish tra-

dition, but also helped Roman

rule.

Others iso-lated them-

selves in deserts

Jesus Born in Bethlehem

Gospels (Christian Writing) says Jesus is descendant of Jewish King David

Grew in NazarethGrew as Carpenter

Baptized by prophet called John, taught Hebrew Bible

Jesus…… Continued Known as……

Champion of the poorOutcast of society

Teachings listened by people who need help

Closest followers think if Jesus is Mes-siah or not

Jesus…… Continued Again Preached living a good life Around A.D. 33, celebrate Jewish holi-

day Pontius Pilate worried about the crowd

Arrest Jesus, crucifies Jesus

According to Gospels…… Jesus was placed in a tomb with guards Some visited 3 days later

Jesus was not there!Told other people

○ Thought god resurrected Jesus○ Thought Jesus was Messiah, and they are

Christians

Spread of Christianity Jesus chose 12 trusted people (disci-

ples/apostles) After the death of Jesus, Peter became

head of church Visited Europe, Asia, North Africa Christians viewed themselves as Jews

Difference Grew!

Paul Spread Christianity throughout Roman

Empire He didn’t believe Christianity at first

Later, he believed Jesus came to him and told him to spread Christianity

Wrote epistlesTold that no need to follow all Jewish rules

to become Christian

How did Christian Spread? - II. Roads

• Travels are easier• Christians move quickly from region to re-

gion• Paul – only possible at the time

II. Greek – eastern half• Christianity writing – in Greek

III. By monotheism & fairness

Question appears: Why did Roman Empire didn’t like Chris-

tians?Roman Empire said okay to many religions!

○ Monotheistic Jews were too – Rome respected Jews!

- Jews was new religion, Christians were not!

Who is the most famous Roman Emperor for killing Christians?

Nero! (A.D. 64)

Caused by fire de-stroying Rome

Thought was Chris-tian’s fault.

After A.D. 250…… Emperors killed Christians

Some people didn’t believe……Some people became martyrs

○ Martyrs: people who die for the religion Constantine became first Christian Em-

perorDream – essential war with cross and won

the war

Official Religion after Constantine’s reign –

A.D. 380

Some New Testa-ments Lines

I am Catholic, one big branch of Christian!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they

will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

-Matthew 5:3-6

“ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.

And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ ”-Matthew 22:37-39

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your father in heaven.”

-Matthew 5:43-44

“Give to everyone what you owe them: if you owe tax, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

-Romans 13:7

My per-sonal fa-

vorite