christianity basic beliefs and early history in middle east and beyond

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Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

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Page 1: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Christianity

Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Page 2: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Opening Questions

• What do you think about Christianity? What are some of the first things that come to mind?

• Why is Christianity viewed negatively by some people?

Page 3: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Christianity• World’s largest religion

• Central Belief– Jesus Christ was the son of God, died for the

sins of all humanity, was resurrected and returned to heaven

– Must believe this in order to go to heaven

• Different branches and denominations– Catholicism– Protestantism– Orthodox Christianity

Page 4: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Essential Bible Verse

The Bible is the most important holy scripture for Christians.

A key verse for Christians in the Bible is the following:For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Page 5: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

The Holy Trinity• One God with

three parts– Father – Creator,

Master Planner, Holy

– Son (aka Jesus) – Needed as a sacrifice for humanity’s sin

– Holy Spirit – Active, sent to fulfill God the Father’s plans

Page 6: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Fall of Man• The Book of Genesis (the first book of the Bible)

tells how God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden with a command not to eat from one tree. They did, which was the Original Sin.

• From that point on, humanity continued to get worse in terms of sinfulness.

• God hates sin. Ancient Israelites sacrificed animals to obtain forgiveness. Christians believe Jesus was sent as the final sacrifice.

Page 7: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Foundations in Judaism

• Jesus and the Apostles were Jews

• The first Christians began as Jews

• The story of Creation, the first people, the Ten Commandments, stories of judges and kings of Israel, and books of prophets are important and read by Christians.

Page 8: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

References to the Messiah in the Old Testament

Gen 3:15, Gen 22:18, Gen 26:4, Gen 49:10, Num 21:6-9, Num 24:17, Duet 18:15, Psm 16:9-10, Psm 22:all, specifically: Psm 22:14-16-18, Psm 132;11, Isa 7:14, Isa 9:6-7, Isa 40:10-11, Isa 50:6, Isa 52:13-15, Isa 53:all, Isa 60:21, Jer 23:5, Jer 33:14-15, Ezek 34:23, Ezek 37:25, Dan 9:25, Mic 5:2, Mic 7:20, Zech 6:12, Zech 9:9, Zech 9:10, Zech 12:8-10, Zech 13:7, Mal 3:1-4, Mal 4:2-6.

Page 9: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Difference from Judaism

• Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah foretold by the Old Testament prophets.

• Jews believe that the Messiah has not come.

• Some ethnic Jews do believe that Jesus was the Messiah (they are a minority though) and call themselves Messianic Jews or Jews for Jesus.

Page 10: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

The Bible

• 66 Books in the Bible

• Old Testament – 39 Books, before Jesus came to Earth

• New Testament – 27 Books, after Jesus came to Earth and went back to heaven, letters of advice on how to live for early Christians (no Bible was organized yet)

Page 11: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Old Testament• Creation and first people (Adam, Eve, Noah,

etc.), Original Sin• How God set apart the nation of Israel• Exodus and giving of the Law of Moses• Conquest of Canaan with Joshua – Creating

Nation of Israel• Nation of Israel (Judges then Kings) – Jewish

history– Cycle of sinfulness, punishment, repentance– Conquest by enemies (Assyrians, Babylonians) and

captivity– Return to homeland, rebuilding of Jerusalem

Page 12: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

New Testament• Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

– 4 versions of Jesus’ life; there are other gospels that were not approved to go into the Bible (Gospel of Thomas, who was one of the 12 Apostles)

• The Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles)• Epistles of Paul and other epistles

(Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc.)• Revelation – Apocalypse, Second

Coming of Christ, Armageddon, Judgment, the “New Jerusalem”

Page 13: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Parts of Jesus Christ’s Life • Annunciation, Incarnation and childhood

(birth through 12 years old)• Public Ministry (~30 – 33)• Passion (events surrounding his crucifixion)• Resurrection and Ascension• ACTIVITY: Look through the art history

books; find a work of art for each of the following: Annunciation, Public Ministry – when he was traveling, teaching, and healing people, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and his return as Judge during the end of the world

Page 14: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Incarnation and Childhood• Annunciation to Virgin Mary• Angel visited Joseph in dream (don’t divorce

Mary)• Nativity– Went to Bethlehem for a Roman

census; no vacancies; Jesus born in manger (stable) – lowly, humble; visited by shepherds and angels appeared to the shepherds

• Visited by Magi (Wise Men – probably Zoroastrian priests) who bring gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh)

• Flight to Egypt (Herod wanted to kill the Messiah; ordered the deaths of all boys two and under; Angel warns Joseph in a dream to take family to Egypt and not return until visited again)

Page 15: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Public Ministry

• Age ~30 Baptism and fasting for 40 days – temptations from the Devil

• Miracle at Cana – turning water into wine• Miracles – Healing the blind, lepers, paralyzed,

and “demon possessed”, walking on water, and even raising people from the dead!

• Teachings – Sermon on the Mount, parables• Challenging the Jewish religious leaders – Are

you really following God’s laws? Are you loving your neighbors as you love yourselves?

Page 16: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Passion of Christ• Passion of Christ refers to events leading up to

the Crucifixion• Entering Jerusalem with Apostles on back of

donkey (Palm Sunday) to celebrate Passover• Turning over tables of businesses at the temple• Last Supper – Passover Meal; communion ritual

established; Jesus announces that one of them will betray him

• Betrayal (by Judas) in the Garden and beaten• Trials, whipping, beating, mocking, and

crucifixion• RESURRECTION on the third day

Page 17: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

The Twelve Apostles (Disciples)

• Jesus chose 12 close confidants but had many other followers

• Here are the Twelve:– Peter (orig. Simon) Andrew (brothers)– James John (brothers)– Philip Bartholomew– Matthew Thomas– James, son of Alphaeus Thaddeus– Simon the Zealot Judas Iscariot

Page 18: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Apostles Confusion – Was Jesus the Messiah?

• He was a great leader, teacher, healer, miracle worker but the Messiah?

• Could he be Moses, Elijah, or someone else reincarnated?

• Peter the first to recognize him as Messiah – privilege of being the “rock” on which Christ will build his “church” (the body of Christian believers), holds keys to heaven

Page 19: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Perugino’s Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to Saint Peter

Page 20: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Passion of Christ

• Christ entered Jerusalem for the Passover. This is celebrated as PALM SUNDAY. He taught and healed people in the few days before his arrest.

• Celebrated Passover meal (the Last Supper – this is when Christ established the idea of Communion; Judas leaves to get the authorities

• Jesus is arrested in Garden of Gethsemane. • He is put on trial by the Jewish Sanhedrin (a

group of 60 religious specialists) for claiming to be the Messiah.

• They bring him to Pontius Pilate; Pilate tries to hand him off to Herod, a Jewish ruler in the region; Herod passes him back to Pilate.

Page 21: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Betrayal of Jesus/The Kiss of Judas

• Part of the Passion• Jewish religious leaders did not want to arrest

Jesus in public• Judas goes to them and offers to help them• Pharisees give him 30 pieces of silver• Judas leads them to the Garden of Gethsemane

where Jesus liked to bring the Apostles to get away from crowds

• Judas leads a group to arrest him, identifies Jesus by greeting him with a kiss

• Guilt – Judas commits suicide

Page 22: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Kiss of Judas

Page 23: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Passion of Christ continued

• Pilate orders Jesus whipped and crucified.• Jesus is crucified, taken down from the cross,

and put in a stone tomb. • On the third day, He is resurrected from the

dead. Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb and found it empty. Angels talked to them. In one Gospel, Jesus appears to Mary.

• Mary tells the Apostles. Then, Jesus appears to the Apostles more than once.

Page 24: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Ascension of Christ and Mission to the Apostles

• Christ takes the Apostles to a mountain and gives them the instruction to teach people about Him. He tells them that people must believe in Him in order to obtain salvation. He also instructs them to baptize believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• He ascends to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God-The Father waiting for the day when the Father sends him back to judge humanity.

Page 25: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

The Role of the Apostles

• The Apostles spread Christianity. • Peter traveled around the Middle East (ex.

Babylon) and established major church in Rome.• Philip went to Ethiopia.• Thomas went to India. • All the Apostles except John (the youngest) died

violent deaths. John died of old age. • A new man came into the picture – Paul. Paul

was not an original Apostle but is one of the most important. Paul wrote letters to the early Christian churches (ex. Romans, Corinthians)

Page 26: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Last Judgment

• Christ will return to judge humanity. • Did a person believe in Him as the Son of God? • Did a person love God as shown by his actions

(obedience, asking for forgiveness)? • Did a person love his neighbors as

demonstrated by his actions?• People will either go to hell or heaven for

eternity.• God loves people so much that He gives them

many chances in life to come to a knowledge of Him. If people reject Him, then…

Page 27: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
Page 28: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

The Last Judgment

Page 29: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
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Page 36: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

John the Baptist, Saint

Andrew & Saint

Lawrence

Page 37: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Saint Bartholomew

Page 38: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
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Page 40: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Faith

Page 41: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Faith rising

Page 42: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Hope

Page 43: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Love

Page 44: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
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Page 46: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Christian Practices• Celebration of Christmas and Easter• Prayer• Going to church/communal worship• Tithing – giving 10% of income to church• Bible reading – the “Word of God”• Communion• Evangelism – teaching people about Jesus• Baptism in Water• Baptism in the Holy Spirit• Live like Christ (forgiving others, helping the

sick and poor)

Page 47: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Sin• Anything displeasing to God based on Ten

Commandments and other commandments given by Jesus

• Sin separates people from God, who is holy• “For all have sinned and fall short of the

glory of God.” Romans 3:23• The need for a sacrifice to atone for sins• Ancient Israelites sacrificed sheep and other

animals• Christians believe Jesus was the final

sacrifice

Page 48: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Ten Commandments

Page 49: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Forgiveness

• Seek forgiveness from God through the blood of Jesus Christ

• FORGIVE OTHERS – Bible says if you that if you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you

• Do not judge others, judge yourself

Page 50: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Essential Belief

• Nicaea Creed

• Jesus Christ is the son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, was crucified and buried and rose again on the third day and ascended to be at the right hand of the father

• He will come again to judge the living and the dead

Page 51: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Focus on Heaven• SALVATION BY FAITH in Jesus Christ

– Christians cannot earn their way to heaven. They will always fall short and sin.

• Not a blank check to sin – Christians regard God as father and friend – Would you keep hurting/insulting your father or friend?

• Obeying commandments• Love God with all heart, soul, mind, and

strength • Love neighbor as you love yourself• These sum up Ten Commandments

Page 52: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Differences among Christians

• Different denominations have different views• Salvation by faith alone (Protestant) vs. Salvation

and Good Works (Catholic) – faith without works is dead – it does say this in the Bible

• Women as priests/ministers• Biblical interpretation– Literal (fundamentalist) vs.

open/metaphorical• Views towards the Sabbath, gays, abortion/birth

control, drinking, enjoyment of pop culture

Page 53: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Why is it significant to understand Christianity in History of Middle

East?• Jerusalem is holy to Christians – site of

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection

• Christians believe that Armageddon, the final battle between good and evil, will occur in Israel in the Valley of Megiddo.

• Control of Holy Land influenced the Crusades (1096-1272), which greatly damagesd relations with Muslims

Page 54: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Constantine the Great (272 – 337 CE)

• First Christian Roman Emperor

• Mother Helena was Christian

• Claimed to see a vision of cross of light in sky before a battle with inscription – “In this sign you will conquer.”

• Legalizes Christianity – Christians were being persecuted

• Promotes Christianity as major religion

Page 55: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
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Map of Byzantine Trade Routes

Page 58: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
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Was Constantine a true Christian?

• Textbook calls him a “nominal Christian”• Had rivals killed so that he could consolidate

power• Colossal image of himself resembling the

Roman god Jupiter in a basilica in Rome• Baptized with water on his death bed (an

important Christian ritual – Why did he wait so long to do this?)

• If he really wanted to accept Christianity, wouldn’t he have behaved following Christ’s example?

Page 60: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
Page 61: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Council of Nicaea

• Meeting called by Constantine (about 300 bishops present from all over the Roman Empire)

• Answers questions and builds consensus on who Christ was – this becomes the Orthodox view

• Christians, who had different views, were labeled heretics and persecuted as if they were rebelling against the empire

Page 62: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Icon of Constantine and the Church Fathers

• They are holding a slightly modified form of the Nicene Creed (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381).

Page 63: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Christian Dissident Groups

• AriansArians – believed that Jesus was divinely sired and inspired, but was not on the level of God – JUST A MAN (arose in Alexandria; priest called Arius)

• NestoriansNestorians – through that Christ was TWO DIFFERENT BEINGS – one divine, one human (When the church of Ephesus condemned them, they fled to Persia); arose in Antioch

• MonophysitesMonophysites – opposite view of Nestorians and Arians – Jesus was only one being and was ONLY DIVINE/GOD (not human)

Page 64: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire Persecutes Heretics

• Heretics – people who go against the official church doctrines

• Orthodox Christian view – Jesus was both God and man in one body (power of God to perform miracles with the weaknesses of man)

• Arians, Nestorians, and Monophysites were persecuted and killed.

Page 65: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Heretics, Christian Arabs, and Muslims

• Because the Orthodox view of Christianity persecuted Christians with different view points, how would that hurt the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire?

• Christianized Arabs felt greater loyalty to their culture over the Byzantine Church.

• Heretics became enemies of the Byzantine Empire and fought alongside Muslim armies in the 7th and 8th centuries.

Page 66: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Official View of Church

• Council of Nicaea determined the proper view of Christ

• Created a common prayer (Nicene Creed)

• Decided what books/writings would make up the Bible (Why did they choose some books over others?)

• Jesus Christ was 100% man and 100% God contained in the body of one man

Page 67: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond
Page 68: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

America, Christianity, and Middle East

• America, while having freedom of religion, is heavily influenced by Christianity; many lawmakers identify themselves as Christians.

• Christians, because of ignorance on Islam, side with Israel because of Judaism’s connection to Christianity.

• America often favors Israel (sharing of technology, military and financial aid); an important ally in the Middle East

Page 69: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Radical Christian Hope for End of World and Christ’s Last Judgment

• Belief that conflict in Middle East will hasten the day of Christ’s return

• Finally, they will be able to see Jesus and live in heaven

• Better to side with Israel then Islamic nations

• Demonstrates misunderstanding of what Islam is really about

Page 70: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

• Trinity

• Sin, forgiveness, and salvation through belief in and following of Jesus

• The Bible – the road map for Christians– The Gospels (first four books of the New

Testament – tell who he was

• Water baptism

• Communion

• Evangelizing

• Loving God and loving neighbors

Page 71: Christianity Basic Beliefs and Early History in Middle East and Beyond

Assessment

• What are the fundamental beliefs and teachings of Christianity?

• What is the most important holy book?• What are important rituals and practices?• Create a list of 10 essential

understandings of Christianity – what people must know about the religion to understand it. Briefly explain each essential understanding (3 points each)