Chapter 5: Rome and the Rise of ChristianitySection 4—The Development of Christianity

The Development of Christianity

The official state religion of the Roman Empire focused on the worship of a number of different gods and goddesses Jupiter (chief god), Juno (wife of chief god),

Minerva (goddess of wisdom), Mars (god of war)

In addition, emperors were often officially made gods by the Roman Senate

Believed proper ritual by state priests brought them into a right relationship with the gods

Mars, god of war

The Development of Christianity A right relationship guaranteed peace and prosperity Romans believed their success proved that the gods

looked with favor on them Romans were often tolerant to other religions

Even adopted some local gods Roman conquest of eastern Mediterranean

territories brought in numerous new religions

Minerva

Cicero: We have overcome all the nations of the world because we have realized that the world is directed and governed by the gods.”

The Development of Christianity Many of these new religions

were appealing Offered a more emotional and

spiritual experience Offered life after death which

was superior to this life Roman belief system was quite

unemotional and not very rewarding to most Roman citizens

Jupiter statue—warm and soothing?

The Development of Christianity Describe how religion and government were

connected in the Roman Empire.

Emperors were often made gods

The Romans believed that the observation of proper ritual guaranteed peace and prosperity

Felt that the success of the Roman Empire was the result of being look at with favor by the gods

The Development of Christianity AD 6: The area of Judaea became a Roman

province under the rule of a procurator Jews were divided into 3 main groups:

1. Sadducees: favored cooperation with the Romans

2. Essenes: awaited for a Messiah to save Israel from oppression and bring world peace

3. Zealots: advocated violent overthrow of the Romans In AD 66—led a revolt

Was crushed by the Romans four years later and the Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed

The Development of Christianity

Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by Roman soldiers in AD 70

The Development of Christianity Name three of the Jewish groups in Judea and

explain how they differed.

Sadducees favored cooperation with the Romans

Essenes awaited a Messiah to save Israel from oppression

Zealots advocated violent overthrow of Roman rule

The Development of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth: began his preaching during this time of

confusion and conflict Assured his fellow Jews he would not harm their

traditional religion “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I

have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” Jesus said the most important thing was the transformation

of the inner person, not to necessarily follow the letter of the law “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to

you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

The Development of Christianity Jesus taught that God’s law was

to love God and one another Voiced ethical concepts of

humility, charity, and love towards others

This would go on to form the basis for the value system of medieval Western civilization

The Development of Christianity Judaean authorities saw Jesus as a potential

revolutionary They did not want another disastrous revolt against Rome Therefore, a Jewish court turned him over to Romans Procurator Pontius Pilate ordered his execution

Crucifixion

The Development of Christianity Jesus’ loyal followers believed he

overcame death and returned to life They believed he was the Messiah Believed he was the long awaited Savior of

Israel Simon Peter: a prominent figure of

early Christianity he was a fisherman who helped spread the

word of Jesus after his death Became known as Peter

The Development of Christianity Peter and the other disciples taught that Jesus was

the Savior, the Son of God, and had come to Earth to save all humans

He also taught that the death of Jesus made up for the sins of all humans

Jesus thus made it possible for salvation By accepting Jesus as Christ, they could be saved

from the penalty of sin

The Development of Christianity Paul of Tarsus: also preached in Jesus’

name Helped to spread Christianity throughout Asia

Minor and along the shores of the Aegean Sea Within 60 days of word that Jesus escaped

death, over 10,000 converts to Christianity Mostly spread orally, but also written

Paul’s epistles outlined Christian beliefs These writings became known as the Gospels

Most writings from AD40-100

Paul of Tarsus

The Development of Christianity The Gospels formed the core of the New

Testament At first, Romans paid little attention to

Christianity Thought of as just another sect of Judaism

Romans became more concerned as Christians began to refuse to worship the state gods and emperors Saw this as an act of treason—punishable by death Christians thought they would be risking their own

salvation by worshipping ‘false gods’

The Development of Christianity Nero: Roman emperor from AD 54-68

He blamed Christians for a fire that destroyed much of Rome Many Christians were ordered to die cruelly

This persecution actually strengthened Christianity Forced it to become more organized Fear allowed only the most committed to follow the faith

"The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer" by Leon Gerome

The burning of Rome, Robert Hubert (1733- 1808), Musée André Malraux, Le Havre, France

The Development of Christianity Why did the Roman authorities fear Jesus?

Authorities saw him as a potential revolutionary who might lead Jews into another revolt against Rome.

The Development of Christianity Bishops took more control

of church communities Clergy: took on a larger

role in the church Christianity:

Grew quickly in the first century

Took root in the second century (despite persecution)

Spread very quickly in the third century

The Development of Christianity Why was Christianity able to attract so many followers?1. The Christian message

Roman’s state religion was impersonal and existed for the good of Rome Christianity was persona.>>>offered eternal salvation to individuals

2. Familiarity Idea was similar to other religions>>immortality as a result of sacrifice

3. Fulfilled human need to belong Christians built communities bound to one another People could LOVE one another and HELP the poor and the sick

Christianity satisfied the need to belong in a way that the Roman Empire never could provide

The Development of Christianity Christianity attracted all classes

Especially the poor and powerless Eternal life was promised to all

“Christ is all and is in all” –Paul

Spiritual equality to all was a revolutionary idea

The Development of Christianity Roman emperor Diocletian led the last large

Christian persecution during beginning of 4th century Even he admitted in records that Christianity was too

strong to get rid of by force Constantine: became the first Christian emperor Edict of Milan (AD 313): Constantine proclaimed

official tolerance of Christianity Theodosius the Great: adopted Christianity as

official state religion of Rome

The Development of Christianity Why and how did the Christian church

become more organized in the second and third centuries?

Fear of persecution meant that only the most committed individuals would choose to follow Christianity. Bishops began to assume more

control over church communities, and the clergy developed distinct functions over the

regular church members (laity)

The Development of Christianity

Christianity Video—28 mminutes

The Development of Christianity

The Development of Christianity Procurator:

New Testament:

In the Roman Empire, an official in charge of a province

Writings by Jesus’ disciples mostly from between AD40—100

Describe the personal accounts of Jesus

Known as the Gospels

*record Jesus’ life and teachings and are the second main part of the Christian Bible

The Development of Christianity Clergy:

Laity:

Church leaders

Regular church members

The Development of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth:

Simon Peter:

Edict of Milan:

Founder of Christianity

Fisherman who became a follower of Jesus

Taught that Jesus came to Earth to save all humans and his death made up for the sins of all humans

Very instrumental in initial spread of Christianity

In AD 313, proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity in the Roman Empire

The Development of Christianity Paul of Tarsus:

Constantine:

Theodosius the Great:

Highly educated Jewish Roman citizen

Followed command of Jesus to preach

Founded many Christian communities in Asia Minor and along Aegean Sea

Became the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity

Emperor who adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire

The Development of Christianity Explain why the Romans persecuted the

Christians despite their general religious tolerance.

Christians refused to worship state gods and the emperor and this was seen as

treason

The Development of Christianity List the ethical concepts voiced by Jesus.

Humility

Charity

Love

The Development of Christianity Explain why Romans began to accept

Christianity and why it took so long for it to be accepted by the state.

Romans began to accept it because Christianity was more personal and meaningful than the

Roman state religion

It took long to become accepted because rejecting the state gods was seen as treason

The Development of Christianity Fill in the chart below showing characteristics of the

Roman State Religion and of Christianity.

Roman State Religion Christianity

Polytheistic Monotheistic

Emperors were made gods Jesus is the Messiah

Rituals bring prosperity God’s command is to love

Adopted other, local gods Salvation / eternal life available for all

Worship of other gods imperils salvation