Timeline

• ~ CE 29 Crucifixion of Jesus• 34-64 Missionary activity of Paul• 250-260 Brutal persecution by Romans• 313 Constantine tolerates Christianity• 325 Council of Nicaea• 391-2 Christianity becomes state religion• 479 End of Western Roman Empire• 529 Benedict founds monastery

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Mosaic of the Good Shepherd - Ravenna

Outline

I. Cultural context

II. Influence of Judaism

III. Early Christianity

IV. Christianity evolves: The 4th Century

V. Legalized Christianity

I. Cultural Context

• Mystical Religion– First through Third century is time of mystical religions

• holy groves, shrines, oracles, power of dreams

• high initiation fees

• belief in afterlife only for believers

– usually have parades/ events in cities

– power of astrology

Find your horoscope:

How accurate was your horoscope?

ARIES PISCES AQUARIUS

CANCER LEO CAPRICORN

VIRGO SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS

LIBRA TAURUS GEMINI

I. Cultural Context

• Gnosticism – A powerful and prevalent belief system– easily adapted to other religions– belief that “Wisdom” (or “light”) came to earth and

returned to heaven• Those who are enlightened or “chosen” will listen

• Seen as a conflict between “light” and “dark”

– merging Greek philosophy toward religious ends

II. Influence of Judaism

• Roman world– skeptical, tolerant and mystical– especially cosmopolitan

• 1st Century widespread Jewish beliefs– unscriptural belief in afterlife– awaiting a Messiah

• The career of Jesus– Born in Judea

– Preaching, healing, and teaching

– Arrival in Jerusalem during Passover (30 C.E.)

• Seen as foretold Messiah

– Arrest• Pontius Pilate• Crucifixion

II. Influence of Judaism

II. Influence of Judaism

• 1st Century: Judeo-Christians– follow Jewish practices and add two others

• love feast (agapecutpe)

• Eucharist (re-enactment of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples).

II. Influence of Judaism

• St. Paul (c. 10–c. 67)– Converted to Christianity– Rejected Jewish law as irrelevant to salvation– Making converts among Greek-speaking

Jewish communities– conversions lead to divergence from Judaism

Paul’s journeys

III. Early Christianity

• The appeal of Christianity– Communal aspect– Early organizational structure

• Special position of women

• Growth of Christianity

Christianity Expands

III. Early Christianity

• Threat to the state– why was Christianity viewed as a threat?

• Failure to accept state gods

• aversion to all political/social activity

• focus on otherworldly pursuits

• challenging social practices

• cannibalism

III. Early Christianity

• Roman Reactions– persecutions

• blamed as scapegoats

• Nero (64 CE) incites local persecutions

• Decius, Gallus and Valerian (250-260)

• Diocletian (303)

III. Early Christianity

• Christian defense mechanisms– secret symbols– meeting places

• Homes – special role and power of women

• Catacombs

III. Early Christianity

• Catacombs - burial societies– burial of dead

– decoration.

III. Early Christianity

• Art work– religious

themes, concepts.

IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century

• Persecutions were intermittent and short-lived

• By 300, 1–5 percent of total Roman population were perhaps Christians

IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century

• Constantine and his “conversion” to Christianity– Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312– Christianity tolerated in 313 CE (Edict of Milan)– determined to gain control of Christianity as a tool to

unite the Empire• new relationship with a Christian ruler

• individualism in Christianity.

IV. Christianity evolves: 4th

Century

• Council of Nicaea 325

• Purpose:I. to end religious dispute over Arianism

II. to define nature of relationship between imperial power and the church

– church recognized Constantine’s power.

IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century

• 392 Theodosius I makes Christianity the official religion of Rome– persecutions continue– tolerant Roman religious view of world changes– impact on Christianity

• positive

• negative

V. Legalized Christianity

• Legalization and state support changes Christianity• Disillusionment

– Asceticism as a substitute for martyrdom

– Response to increasing worldliness

• common people flee society to dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits– emergence of hermits 3rd century

– communal living 4th century

Monasteries in the west - c. 550

V. Legalized Christianity

• St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–c. 547)– The Latin or Benedictine Rule

• Poverty, chastity, obedience, labor and prayer

– Absolute authority of the abbot– Missionary work– Dignity of human labor

St. Benedict’s Monastery

V. Legalized Christianity

The growth of ecclesiastical organization – Hierarchical organization– Distinctions of rank– The pope as bishop of Rome– Creation of a male dominated church

Roman World ca. 450 CE