OBJECTIVES: WHAT WERE THE MAIN CAUSES FOR THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN WORLD? UNDERSTAND...
-
Upload
mercy-chapman -
Category
Documents
-
view
232 -
download
0
Transcript of OBJECTIVES: WHAT WERE THE MAIN CAUSES FOR THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN WORLD? UNDERSTAND...
OBJECTIVES:
WHAT WERE THE MAIN CAUSES FOR THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN
WORLD?
UNDERSTAND THE DIVERSE RELIGIONS INCLUDED IN THE EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE
The Rise of Christianity
Diverse Religions
Many different religions existed Isis in Egypt (women) Jupiter, Mars, Juno
(traditional Roman Gods)
High degree of religious tolerance
Judea
Most Jews were reluctantly willing to live under Roman rule
Others, called Zealots, were not
Called for RebellionRomans leveled
JerusalemdiasporaJewish people
scattered across the Middle East and Europe
Jesus Christ
Born around 4 B.C. in Bethlehem
Grew up worshipping God and followed Jewish Law
By age 30, he began preaching and performing miracles
Apostles
Jesus recruited 12 apostlesThey traveled to Jerusalem to spread his
message
Teachings
Based on Jewish Law Emphasized justice,
morality, and service to others
New beliefs Proclaimed himself to
be the Son of God
Death
To Roman authorities, Jesus was a threat because his speeches could inflame those eager to end Roman rule
Betrayed by one of his disciples
Death / Resurrection
CrucifixionHis disciples saw him
rise from the deadCommanded them to
spread his teachings
Paul
Never met JesusHad a vision of Jesus
speaking to himSpread his
Christianity to Rome True Missionary
Rome Embraces Christianity
Emperor Constantine issued Edict of Milan (A.D. 313)
Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century
Begins corruption of original message of Christianity
The Spread
Appealed most of all to poor. Why?Constantine and vision (312)Led to Edict of Milan 313 AD390 Theodosius declares it official religion,
even repressed other faiths!
Theology – “Talk or discourse about God”Increased scholarship and learning
throughout the early Church and Roman Empire.
Structure of the Church (Board exercise)