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A Conquering New Faith: Christianity

Overview Christianity: part of a religious revolution begun centuries before Jesus

Replacement of polytheism by monotheism

Jesus lived and taught as a Jew Own unique stamp on Jewish teachings Missionary effort Persecution and intern disagreements Official religion of the East/West Roman state

by 400

Sources of Christianity The Jews in the World of Greece and Rome

Christianity began as Jewish sect 5-6 million at the time of Jesus Many Jewish religious groups Jews spread throughout the world

Their god would protect his Chosen People

Did not seek out converts but Gentiles often followed their way of life

Jewish Disputes in a Changing WorldRise of a new Jewish kingdom following revolt by the priestly family of the Maccabees against the Syrian king in 166 B.C.After 25 years Judea became an independent state under the Maccabees Rome captured Jerusalem in 63 B.C.Divisions and discontent among Jews Influence of Hellenistic culture Distrust of temple priests Obedience of the Law Pharisees Groups set up separate communities

Rome breaks up the Jewish kingdom and made Judaea a province of the empire Rome respected Jewish religion Heavy Roman taxation and governors corrupt Revolt in 70 A.D.

Destruction of the Temple Revolt in 135 A.D.

Jerusalem turned into a Roman city

Rise of Rabbinic Judaism Rabbi (“my teacher” Mishnah (“Repetition”), rabbi’s interpretation of the

Law Talmud (“Commentary”)

Mystery Religions Ancient vegetation myths

MithraismGreek Philosophical Thought Influence of Plato’s thought on Christianity

Eternal soul distinct from the bodyDoctrine of Ideas

Stoicism

The Life and Teachings of JesusThe “Nature” of Jesus The Gospels

Written by the disciples Christ – the Anointed One

The Sermon on the Mount Ethical teachings of Jesus By the disciple Matthew Virtue Blessed are the meek Code of Conduct Failure of the disciples

The Early Church and Its Expansion

Missionary Beginnings: Pentecost Fifty days after the Resurrection First converts all Jews Relationship of the Gentiles Council of apostles and elders in Jerusalem in 44 A.D. Importance of the destruction of the Temple, 70 A.D. Gentile converts not bound by Jewish Law Easter Changes from Judaism

The Apostle PaulBorn a Jew Apostle to the GentilesFulfillment of historical JudaismCannot be saved by the lawThe Gospel superseded the Law, even for JewsRoad to DamascusInterpreter of the new faithGospel transcends all worldly relationships; all individuals are equal in the eyes of GodSalvation based on faithHow does a person receive faith

The Spread of ChristianityApostles found congregations: Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor

Appeal and Rejection in the Age of Pax Romana Jews in most of the cities Universalism Christian communities Role of women

Spread of Christianity

Persecution of the Christians caused by own attitudes

Christians often refused to associate with non-ChristiansAvoid public ceremonies in death Spoke out against venerating the emperorDeclared the empire doomed to destructionDeclared Roman gods and goddesses falseMissionariesSpread of Christianity limited to eastern territory and western cities by 200 A.D.Rabbis call for stricter observance of the LawIn the third century the pagan gods and goddesses seemed unable to protect the empireChristianity remained a minority Christians seen as contemptuous of established institutions

Growth and Persecution in the Empire’s Time of Troubles

Christian message more convincing as the empire began to suffer struggles for succession, epidemics, and barbarian invasion

Attacks from pagan philosophers

Christianity banned by Rome in the first century A.D. as a danger to the state, now aggressive to stop spread of the religion Diocletian 304-311 sought to destroy Christianity

Emperors have too many other problems to concentrate on Christianity

Christianity still a minority in urban and rural areas

The Growth of Christian Organization and Doctrine

BaptismEucharist or MassChristianity became an institutionThe Rise of the Priesthood and the Emergence of Bishops Clergy and laity Ordination Priests

Hierarchy of the church Bishop – successor of the original apostles Apostolic succession Diocese and parishes

Several diocese into a province Metropolitan (Archbishop) Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Rome Patriarchs

Roman Supremacy: The PopePower to excommunicate Establishment of a monarchyQuestion of when to celebrate EasterAuthority of the Roman bishop Petrine tradition Patriarchs of the East reject Rome’s claim Roman bishop claims “Vicar of Christ” on earth By fifth century, bishop of Rome calling himself pope

With conquests by Muslims in the seventh century (Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem), pope in Rome and patriarch in Constantinople were the only two powerful bishops left

The Canon of ScripturesCanon of Scriptures

“Old Covenant” and “New Covenant”

New Testament Writings by Apostles or their companions

Vulgate Jerome’s Latin translation at the end of the

fourth century

Doctrinal Differences: Orthodoxy and Heresy

Doctrinal differences in ritual, rules of conduct, theology (explanation of God, the Creation, sin, and salvation)Gnosticism Religious philosophical origins separate from Christianity, influenced by

Plato Spirit is the only true good Matter is a cast off from the physical world when created The body (matter) is a source of evil Gain knowledge by which the soul may liberate itself and join with the

universal spirit Mystical insight

Dualistic concept of the universe in teachings of Zoroaster Manichaeism and Albigensian heresy Donatism, Donatus, Bishop of Carthage

Surrender of holy books during persecution of Diocletian Rites performed by treasonous bishops invalid Council of Arles decided against Donatus

The Council of Nicaea and the Trinitarian Creed

Nature of Jesus and his relationship to God Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria

Father and Son were two equal persons but of one substance Arius, priest of Alexandria

Must have been a time when Christ did not exist and thus could not be coequal Emperor Constantine

Christianity a source of discord, not unity Council of Nicaea, 325

300 bishops attend Creed of Nicaea – confirms Athanasius; Arius refuses to endorse Christ is man and God

Council of Tyre Reverses Nicaea: exiles Athanasius

Council of Constance, 381 Under Emperor Theodosius I reaffirms the Nicaean decision

Continued divisions

The Worldly Victory of the ChurchThe Alliance with the State Diocletian

Underground movement to open and public Public opinion shifts fo compassion

Emperors came to accept Christianity after Constantine’s edict of toleration, 313

Advice from bishops Theodosius I legalized Christianity by making it the

state religion and forbidding pagan rites, 381 Weakness of paganism The Jews

Theodosius orders toleration of the Jews

Augustine: The Philosopher of Christian Victory

Manichaeism - dualismBishop of Hippo, North AfricaPredestination The “elect”

“Earthly City” and “Heavenly City”Sacking of Rome, 410The City of GodJust WarView of the future

Early Christian Monasticism Escape from society

The Ascetic Ideal Self-discipline

The Hermit Monks: Anthony Lives in the desert Struggles with sexual desire Influences others

Regulated Communities: Basil, Jerome Religious houses, Pachomius Basil, bishop of Asia Minor Jerome Translation of the Bible

Benedict and His Rule Benedict of Nursia Monastery at Monte Cassino Benedictine Rule

Power of the abbot Work

Regular and secular clergy

Discussion QuestionsHow did the early developments of Judaism have an influence on the development of Christianity?What were the teachings and philosophy of Jesus? How do they reflect conditions in Judea and his own time?How and why did Christianity grow and spread? What difficulties did it face? How did these affect Christianity?What was the organization of the Christian Church? What were the strengths and weaknesses to this structure?What were the doctrinal problems facing Christianity and how were these resolved?