Early History and Beliefs of Judaism and Christianity

Pre Class

Explain the significance of Jerusalem to: Jews Christians Muslims

Founders of JudaismAbraham Abrahamic covenant;

God promised: to make of Abraham a

great nation The Promised Land to make Abraham a father

of many nations Unconditional (required

nothing of Abraham)

Founders of JudaismMoses Greatest prophet/teacher Led the Exodus (escape

of Hebrews from slavery in Egypt)

Mosaic covenant: 10 Commandments –

establish Hebrews’ relationship with Yahweh, moral laws (self-restraint, family and human life)

Return to Canaan (Promised Land)

Founding of Israel

12 desert tribes unified by Ark of the Covenant Judges ruled, prophets

warned people Hebrews overcame

Canaanites after 200 years; pushed Philistines to coast

Kings of Israel

Saul – unified 12 tribes during fighting

David Established capital/religious center

at Jerusalem Covenant between king and

people/God Solomon

Wealth/power for Israel (trade with Arabia)

Built relationships with other powers in the region

Temple

The Kingdom of David and Solomon - 1077 - 997 BCE

Israel Divided

Struggles for power weakened Israel after Solomon’s death

Northern Kingdom (Israel – Samaria) Conquered by Assyrians – captured, enslaved

Hebrews Southern Kingdom (Judah – Jerusalem)

Conquered by Chaldeans -destroyed Jerusalem, temple

Persians allowed Hebrews to return

Diaspora - the scattering of Jews from the land of Israel

revolt against Roman rule (66-70 CE)

Destruction of Jerusalem, Temple

Judea destroyed; Jews dispersed from Palestine to Europe (faced restrictions of

Roman Empire), Middle East

Formed regional groups Preserved traditions, beliefs;

faced similar expulsions, persecutions

Where did the name “Palestine” come from??

Palestine – a name given to the Jewish province of Judea by the Romans (“Palaestina”), during Hadrian’s rule, to wipe away the identity of the state of Judea

The Western Wall Remains of Second Temple

Place of prayer (mourning for destruction of temple)

Disputed between Jews/Muslims

Judaism = teachings of the Hebrews

ethical monotheism Torah – first 5 books of Old

Testament History Mosaic Law (10 Comm) –

“eye for an eye,” higher value on human life, kinder towards poor, slaves

Ethics – from prophets’ messages

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.

IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother.

VI. Thou shalt not kill.

VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

X. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbour's.

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Beliefs/Practices Yahweh (God)

Fear – early Hebrews Freedom to choose between good

and evil Spiritual force, divine

Worship synagogue Every synagogue contains an Ark, which is

a cupboard where the Torah Scrolls, which

contain the text of the Hebrew Bible, are

kept, and a desk from which to read the Torah. (BBC)

The Calendar

The Jewish calendar is a combined moon and sun calendar, unlike the conventional Western (or Gregorian) calendar.

The result is that Jewish festivals move about the Western calendar from year to year. The Jewish calendar also starts each day in the evening.

This is because when God was creating the world he started each day in the evening. (BBC)

Holy Days

Days of Repentance (Days of Awe) During the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and

Yom Kippur everyone gets a chance to repent. Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world.

Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of

the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close.

Christianity Began in Palestine (1st Century) grew out of Judaism’s traditions Jesus – founder; Gospels – stories of Jesus’ life

Preacher – taught goodness, mercy; Parables – stories about morality; miracles attributed to him

Disciples Sentenced to die by Romans – “enemy of the

state”; crucified According to Christians – resurrected**, ascended

into heaven

After Jesus’ Death: Christians – believe Jesus is the

Messiah (one anointed by God) Jews – do NOT believe this; still

awaiting the Messiah

When/why did the split happen?

Teachings of Christianity (rooted in Judaism)

Grounded in Jewish traditions (Trinitarian) Monotheistic 10 Commandments

eternal life - reward for the humble, merciful, and unselfish. Sermon on the Mount (Golden

Rule, Beatitudes)

What do you remember about life in the Roman Empire at its height?

Why do you think Christianity appealed to many Romans?

Spread of Christianity Christians – followers of Jesus Disciples spread message through Jewish

communities in Palestine and beyond (Paul’s letters)

spread quickly (Roman Empire) Hope of eternal life Control over destiny Equality in the eyes of God

Persecution Romans persecuted

Christians Wouldn’t worship

Emperor as a god Wouldn’t worship

Roman gods PACIFISTS – wouldn’t

fight to defend the Empire

Martyrs-people who suffer or die for their beliefs.

# of Christians INCREASED – why??

Development of the Church

Empire forced to accept religion 312- Constantine supported Christianity 391 - official religion of the Roman empire Formal Church

Pope – patriarch of Rome Great Schism 1054

Roman Catholic (Rome) Eastern Orthodox (Constantinople)