The Rise of Christianity
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Transcript of The Rise of Christianity
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The Rise of Christianity
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Roman State Religion During Age of Augustus
Official state religion focused on worship of gods and goddesses
Emperors often officially made gods by Roman Senate This strengthened support
for the emperors Many festivals and
ceremonies to honor gods
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What guaranteed peace and prosperity under Roman religion?
Romans believed observance of proper ritual by state priests created good relationship with gods
Because they were able to build such a strong empire, that meant the gods were favoring them
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Were Romans tolerant of other religions?
YesAllowed worship of native gods and
goddesses throughout provincesEven adopted some of the local godsAs long as the religions did not threaten
public order or public morals
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Location of Judaea
Near Egypt and Jerusalem
Between Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea
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What was a procurator?
By 6 A.D., Judaea had been made a Roman province
The official in charge of running Judaea who was answerable to the Roman emperor
Pontius Pilate (who condemned Jesus to death) was the procurator of Judaea
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Different groups of Jews’ response to Roman rule Sadducees: priests, favored cooperation with Rome Pharisees: scholars, believed close observance of
religious law would protect them from Roman influences
Essenes: lived apart from society, sharing goods in common, waiting for God to save Israel from oppression
Zealots: called for violent overthrow of Roman rule 66 A.D.: Began Jewish revolt that Romans crushed
4 years later
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Connection between religion and government in Roman empire
Religion and government completely intertwined
Government needed to keep the favor of the gods and goddesses in order to be successful and keep the empire strong.
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Jesus
Jewish teacher who travelled and preached throughout Judaea and neighboring Galilee
These teachings began new movement within Judaism that gained strength and eventually developed into new faith of Christianity
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The teachings of Jesus…
Believed his mission was to complete salvation God had promised to Israel Adhered to entire Law, but focused on elements that transformed the inner
person Emphasized humility, charity, and love towards others Preaching stirred controversy
Some saw him as potential revolutionary who could lead revolt against Rome Opponents turned him over to Roman authorities Procurator Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion After death, followers proclaimed he had risen from death and appeared to
them Believed he was the Messiah (anointed one) who would save Israel from
its foes and bring an age of peace, prosperity, and monotheism (belief in the existence of only one god)
As opposed to polytheism (belief in many gods)
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How Christianity spread throughout empire Apostles (leaders) travelled around spreading
message that Jesus was Savior and that accepting him as Christ, people could be saved from sin
Teachings of Christianity passed on orally and through written tradition Apostles’ epistles (letters) and accounts of Jesus’s
sayings made up the core of the New Testament, second part of Christian Bible
By 100 A.D. Christian churches established in most major cities
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Why did Romans persecute Christians? Basic values of Christianity differed from those of
Greco-Roman world Romans only tolerated religions of other peoples if
those religions did not threaten public order or public morals
Many Romans viewed Christians as harmful to Roman state because Christians refused to worship state gods and emperors
They saw this as act of treason, punishable by death Roman govt. began persecuting Christians during
reign of Nero (A.D. 54-68)
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Why did Christians refuse to worship state gods and emperors?
Christians believed there was only ONE God
To them, worship of state gods and emperors meant worshipping false gods which would endanger their own salvation
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How did the church become more organized in 2nd and 3rd centuries?
Missionaries established more churches and converted more Christians
Christian church created new structure where different people had different functionsClergy: church leadersLaity: regular church members
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Three reasons Christianity attracted followers
1.Gave Romans meaning and purpose to life
2.Was familiar, yet easy to adopt and relate-able
3.Provided people with a sense of belonging
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Why was Christianity attractive to ALL classes of people?
Eternal life was promised to all regardless of social class or gender
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First Christian emperor: ConstantineEdict of Milan: proclaimed official
tolerance of ChristianityTheodosius the Great: Romans
adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire