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Rome, Jesus, and the Spread of Christianity

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Rome at the Birth of Christ

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Rome: The Right time The right place!!! GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS PHILOSOPHIC AL FACTORS POLITICAL FACTORS

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Rome: The Right time the right place!!! RELIGIOUS FACTORS Blending of Greek & Other Religious beliefs Polytheism Many Gods Pagan State recognition of Traditional Greek Gods Emperor cult worship

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Rome: The Right time the right place!!! GREECE Culture Language Metaphysics

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Rome: The Right time the right place!!! ROMAN ORDER Transportation All roads lead to Rome Legal System

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Rome: The Right time the right place!!! JEWISH RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION Jewish Beliefs Monotheism One God Hope for a Messiah

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Christianity: Seizing the moment

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Christianity: Seizing the Moment Christ is born between 6 BC & 6 AD

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The Appeal of Jesus His Ministry His Death His Claim YShua min Nazaret Jesus of Nazareth

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The Appeal of Jesus HIS MINISTRY Healing Preaching The Kingdom of God Harsh judgment or Loving Father? YShua min Nazaret Jesus of Nazareth

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The Appeal of Jesus HIS DEATH Pontius Pilate Scandal YShua min Nazaret Jesus of Nazareth

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The Appeal of Jesus THE CLAIM Resurrection Available to Believers Hope After Death YShua min Nazaret Jesus of Nazareth

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Key People & Actions foster the Spread of Christianity PETER Traveling Preacher Later revered as First Pope or the Bishop of Rome Martyred in Rome in mid-60s AD

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Key People & Actions foster the Spread of Christianity PAUL (Saul of Tarsus) Jewish Started Gentile Churches Wrote letters which make up 1/3 of the New Testament Martyred in Rome in mid-60s AD

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Key People & Actions foster the Spread of Christianity THE JEWISH WAR Destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD Clear Division between Jews & Christians

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Martyrdom -- POLYCARP

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Christians Oppressed 19 Romans were not tolerant towards Christians because: they refused to honor the emperor with sacrifices they refused to worship Roman gods to protect the state Christians were used as scapegoats, blamed for social and economic problems Many Christians became martyrs- or people who suffer or die for their beliefs However, Christianity continued to spread due to the fact that all people were welcome

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Key People & Actions foster the Spread of Christianity Constantines Edict of Toleration (313 AD) Theodosius declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire (380 AD) Augustine & the Rise of the Holy Roman Empire (d. 430 AD)

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Key Resource for the Spread of Christianity THE NEW TESTAMENT Portable Translatable Religion