christianity
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Roman Religion
■ Borrowed religion from the Greeks
■ Roman gods had similar traits as the Greek gods with different names.
▪ Example: Zeus was the king of the Greek gods, while Jupiter was king of the Roman gods
Roman Religion■ Revival of State Religion
through festivals & ceremonies
■ Rituals = Peace & Prosperity
■ The empire was successful due to the favor of the gods.
■ Allowed gods and goddesses of conquered peoples as well as eastern religions
Roman Religion
■ Augustus became the first official “god” of Rome
■ Subsequent emperors were made gods by the Senate
■ This practice led to later problems with the Christians
Jews■ By AD 6, the Roman Empire
had expanded into Judaea.■ Ruled by Procurator■ Political groups:
– Sadducees: desired cooperation with the Romans;
– Pharisees: closely followed religious law to protect Jews;
– Essenes: waiting for the Messiah to save Israel from the oppressive Romans
– Zealots: overthrow Roman rule.
Jews
Jews rebelled against the Roman government and their regulations.
– In 70 A.D., Romans stormed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple complex. ▪ 500,000 Jews were killed
– Then in 132, another half-million Jews died in three years of fighting.
– Most Jews were driven from their homeland into exile after this.▪ This dispersal of the Jews is called the Diaspora.
Jews
YHWH -Hebrew designation for the name of God Yahweh or Jehovah: English translation from Hebrew
“Only God is God”-Creation is not God, Man is not God, and kings are not divine
Stressed moral behavior over ritual
JewsThe Faith of Judaism● Self-restraint● Family● Value of Human Life● Formal Worship● Monotheistic● Stresses moral & ethical behavior
Christianity grew from the beliefs of the Jews which sought the Messiah, who would free them from Roman persecution.
Jesus
■ Jewish Prophet ■ Mission: to complete God’
s work to save Israel “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them”.
■ Voice ethical concepts of humility, charity, and love toward others
Jesus
• Jesus preached justice, compassion, coming of Godʼs kingdom
• Jesusʼ Sermon on the Mount included Beatitudes
• Asked people to love and pray for enemies; to live simply, humbly
● Jewish leaders angered by Jesusʼ teachings
● Were upset that some followers claimed Jesus was the Messiah
Jesus
■ Feared by Romans to be a revolutionary who would lead a Jewish revolt against the Romans
■ Arrested, tried by the Pharisees, for heresy then turned over to Romans
■ Procurator Pontius Pilate had him crucified
■ Followers believe he arose from death
Early Years of Christianity
■The resurrection of Jesus spread Christianity quickly, teachings passed on orally then written – New Testament■Two disciples, Peter & Paul, continued teachings of Jesus.■Spread message to communities throughout Asia Minor and along Aegean sea.
Spread of Christianity
■ Spread to major cities throughout Eastern Empire.
■ Initially, ignored by Romans, as considered a Jewish sect.
■ Soon changed because Christians:▪ Refused to worship state gods & emperors▪ Considered to be treasonist punishable by death▪ Roman began persecuting Christians
Spread of Christianity
■ Thrived regardless of persecution, strengthened as it began to become organized and assume control over Christian communities.
■ Christianity spread as a result of:▪ Embracing all people- men, women, slaves, poor, and nobles.
▪ Gave hope to the powerless▪ Appealed to those who were repelled by imperial Rome.
▪ Offered a personal relationship with a loving God.▪ Promised eternal life after death.
Constantine and Christianity
■ A critical moment in Christianity occurred in 312 when the Roman emperor Constantine was fighting 3 rivals for his life.– On the day before the battle at Milvian Bridge,
Constantine prayed for divine help▪ He then saw a cross of light in the heavens bearing the description, “In this sign, conquer.”
– Constantine won the battle and gave credit for his success to the Christian God.
The Official Religion
■ In 313, Constantine ordered an end to all persecution of the Christians.
■ In the Edict of Milan, he declared Christianity to be one of the religions approved by the emperor.
■ Finally in 380, the emperor Theodosius made it empire’s official religion.