Studies of Religion IIPreliminary

Religious Tradition Study 1

Christianity

Origins of Christianity

The historical and cultural context in which

Christianity began

The Jewish Context

• The Jews are an ancient people who story is told in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures

• Their story is about being chosen and led by God– From Egypt (the Exodus) to a chosen land– To a time when God’s Kingdom would be

established by a Messiah

A Chosen People

• The belief in being God’s chosen people helped sustain the Jews through bad times as well as good

• By the time of Jesus the Jews had suffered at the hands of many different nations, including:– Greeks– Romans

A Prophecy in Jewish Scripture

• “But you O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel whose origin is from of old from ancient of days” Micah 5:2

• “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14

The Greek and Roman Worlds

• The Greeks took over from the Persians and controlled the known world, including Jewish territory to the edge of India under leadership of Alexander the Great (died 323 BCE)

Mosaic showing Alexander the Great on

horseback in battle

The Greek and Roman Worlds

• When Alexander died in 323 BCE there was much fighting for control of the empire

• As a result of the struggle the Jews were ruled by a number of Greek kings, first Ptolemy V and then Antiochus III

Greek coins – Ptolemy V on left and Antiochus III on right

Antiochus IV

• Antiochus IV infuriated the Jews by erecting a statue of Zeus in the Temple at Jerusalem

• The Jews rebelled (c. 160 BCE) under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus and the Maccabee family, formed a guerilla force, attacked the Greeks, regained control of the Temple and tore down the statue

• Jews celebrate this victory today as Hanukah and light a new candle on the menorah (branched candle stick) each day of the festival

Jesus’ World• The cultural and social world into which Jesus was born had significant Greek influence – a Greek polis (city) of Sepphoris was quite close to Nazareth – which was sophisticated and complex

Sepphoris – note theatre

Roadway in Sepphoris

Mosaic

Jesus’ World• At the time of Jesus Greek was widely spoken and written - Jesus may have spoken Greek as well as Hebrew and Aramaic

• Christian Scriptures were written in Greek

• Greek was also the language of art, drama, commerce and architectureThe earliest parchment fragment known from the Bible is from John 18. It is written on both sides in a Greek script called uncials and dates from about 100-150 CE

The Greek and Roman World• The Greek and Roman worlds were full of warfare, battles and violence

• In Jesus’ time this would have been very visible to ordinary people

• Jesus’ own crucifixion is a good example of the violent methods of execution at the time

• It was also a world of mystery cults, the gods of Greece and Rome, significant architecture, literature and philosophical ideas and thinking – the works of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle were current and much discussed

Rome• Began to dominate Mediterranean world from about 167 BCE – strong cultural, social and political influence – including Palestine

• Roman influence included trade and manufacture, agriculture, sharp division between rich and poor peasants, slavery and a strong empire backed by mighty armies

• Pax Romana (Roman Peace) ensured unity of empire and increased stability by force if necessary – roads, water, art, education, laws, government and political process were all developing

• New religious ideas also spread rapidly – including the Jewish cult of Christianity

Judaism and Jewish Scriptures

• The most significant and prevailing type of Judaism has been the ‘dual Torah’ – the oral and the written Torah or Law

• When Jesus lived (4-6 BCE – c.30 CE) there was considerable diversity in Judaism:– Essenes– Sadduccees– Pharisees– Different schools – Shammai and Hillel

• The priestly class in Jerusalem had considerable influence as did the cult of sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem – following example of Moses at Mt Sinai

• Jews at time of Jesus saw themselves as separate from world – Jew and Gentile distinction important

Origins and History• Jesus was born and raised a Jew• Jesus lived as Jew• Jesus died as a Jew• The first Christians were Jewish• The Jewish Scriptures and the practices of Judaism (e.g. devotional, dietary) were part of Jesus’ and the early Christians’ life

• Jesus lived at a time when the world was dominated by Greek culture and Roman culture and power

Model of Temple and fortress at Jerusalem in time of Christ

Model of the inner Temple at Jerusalem

Islamic Mosque called the Dome of the Rock stands on the site of the Jerusalem Temple today

The only remaining part of the Jerusalem Temple is the Wailing Wall

Jewish people come to Wailing Wall to pray – it is a sacred site for Jews

Judaism and Jewish Scriptures• Judaism before and at time of Jesus

was very sectarian – separating into many different and conflicting groups

• There was no central Jewish authority and Jews organised themselves into different groups

• The Gospels speak of groups such as Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Followers or disciples of John the Baptist

• Josephus (Jewish historian) also speaks of group called Essenes

The Essenes

• Josephus and Pliny the Elder (Roman historian) tell us Essenes lived on western shore of Dead Sea at a place called Qumran

• They lived an ascetic life, mostly without women and comforts of life

• Very little was known of the Essenes until 1946 when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered

Caves on the western side of the Dead Sea where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the late 1940’s and in the succeeding years. The cave on the left is known as Cave 1, where the first

scrolls were found by Bedouin shepherds in 1946 and the cave on the right is Cave 4.

Map of Dead Sea area showing the sites of the

caves where scrolls were found and the city

of Qumran.

Jars in which scrolls were stored

Scroll of part of Isaiah

A rolled scroll

Isaiah scroll partly unrolledScroll of a sectarian commentary

on the book of Habbakuk

Qumran ruins – western side of Dead Sea

Papyrus Manuscript Fragments (3rd Century)

Fragments from John’s Gospel preserved in the dry Egyptian desert. This codex (manuscript) was acquired by A. Chester Beatty in 1931 and provides valuable early evidence of the Greek

Bible

Codex Sinaiticus

Greek Bible (here showing the beginning of John’s Gospel).

Written in Greek in

uncial letters on vellum (leather).

Probably from Egypt c. 4th century.Originally discovered by C. Tischendorf (NT scholar) in 1844 on visit to

monastery of St Catherine on Mt Sinai. It took until 1859 to persuade the monks to sell it to Tsar of Russia. In 1933 Soviet Government sold it to British Museum for £100 000. A very important early manuscript.

Origins of Christianity

Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus• To speak of Christianity is to speak of Jesus

• Jesus is central to Christianity’s:– Origins– Teachings– Understanding of who God is

• But Jesus understood in many different ways

• Jesus has been understood as:– Jesus of Nazareth– Jesus the Christ

• To understand Christianity we must address the question – “Who is Jesus Christ?”

Jesus of Nazareth

• Lived about 2000 years ago• An historical figure just like any other person from history – there are sufficient references to Jesus in the historical material of his day to know that he really lived (e.g. the historians Pliny and Josephus mention him)

• He was a person of some notoriety around Jerusalem and Palestine

Jesus the Christ

• Christ comes from the Greek word christos meaning ‘the anointed one’

• Christ is therefore used as theological word

• Christ is the anointed or promised Messiah and therefore he is the centre of Christian belief

Jesus• Jesus is the central figure of the Christian Scriptures (sometimes called the New Testament)

• Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection represent for Christians the coming of God’s salvation for all humankind.

• The name ‘Jesus’ comes from Hebrew meaning ‘saviour’ (Matthew 1: 21)

• The name ‘Christ’ comes from Greek meaning the ‘anointed’ one chosen by God for a special task.

Jesus’ life before his public ministry

• Little is certain about Jesus’ early life before he met John the Baptist

• Scripture gives us some information, e.g. Luke 1: 36, 41-42; Matthew 2: 23, Mark 6: 3

• Jesus of Nazareth born near the end of the reign of Herod the Great who ruled from 37 to 4 BCE – so Jesus was born about 6-4 BCE

• Mother was Mary and legal father Joseph.• The only incidents we know of his early life are the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke and the stories of his early and later childhood in Luke 2: 22-38; 41-5

Church of the Nativity,

Bethlehem

Interior of the Church of the Nativity,

Bethlehem

Entrance to Grotto

Place of Jesus’ birth in Grotto

Mary and Jesus

Jesus’ life before his public ministry

• Jesus’ life is set against his struggle between him and his adversaries – Galileans vs Judeans; poor vs rich; charismatic vs institutional; eschatological vs this world; lay vs priestly

• In Mark 6: 3 Jesus is described as a carpenter

• He was unmarried• His life contained some shock and scandal, such as the scene played out in Mark 6: 1-6a

Words, deeds and claims of Jesus• Little is known of the beginning of Jesus’

public ministry • We know that he was baptised by John the Baptist (Matthew 3) although Jesus changed John’s message of repentance to the joy of salvation for those who hear God’s message

• At first Jesus’ followers were a small group within Judaism

• Jesus called people to follow him and to share his ministry of teaching and healing (Matthew 10)

• Jesus chose 12 disciples in particular but he did include women in the group that followed (Luke 8: 1-3) and women were among the leaders of the early Christian communities (Romans 16)

Words, deeds and claims of Jesus• Jesus was a skilled speaker who used

literary forms from the past prophetic and wisdom traditions of Israel

• He particularly like parables – a story designed to tease the mind and make people think about the kingdom of God (e.g. Mk 2: 15-17; Mt 11: 29)

• Jesus’ ministry focused on the coming of God’s reign, God’s love and mercy and the gathering of God’s people at end of time

• Coming of God’s reign is complex but in general means God’s deliverance for people of God (especially poor and oppressed), righting of wrongs and establishment of God’s reign of justice and peace (Lk 11: 2, 20; Mt 12: 36)

Jesus frequently taught in parables, often in the open air. The parables were usually

stories familiar to those who were listening

This painting by John

Christensen shows 12 of the parables told by Jesus

in the Christian

Scriptures. How many can you identify?http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/studio/artist_feature/16_christensen/enlarge.asp

Words, deeds and claims of Jesus

• Jesus has many titles, including ‘Messiah’, ‘Lord’, ‘Christ’, ‘Son of God’ and it is probable that many of these came about during the early period of Palestinian Christianity

• Most were probably not used during Jesus’ earthly ministry and some may have been written back into the text of the Christian Scriptures

• What is clear is that Jesus in his ministry claimed to be unique, God’s final messenger, and the one who contained within his person and teaching an exclusive access to God’s saving reign

Jesus - the model of Christianity

• Focus of Christianity is Jesus and his message• Jesus welcomed all into God’s Kingdom• The pictures we see of Jesus in Gospels and

writing of early Christians (e.g. Paul) provide a model for all Christians

• Christians believe that as they live their lives they are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) - Jesus is model

• Christian calendar organised around Jesus’ life• Christians see Jesus as God and as revealing God

What do these pictures tell us about Jesus?

Final days and Jesus’ resurrection

• Exact details of what happened to Jesus in his final days is not known

• It does seem however that the Jewish leaders and the Romans worked together to kill him (see Mk 14: 53-65; 15: 1-15)

• Jesus arrested, tried, taken to place called Golgotha (outside Jerusalem), and crucified with criminals

• Early Christian Scriptures (e.g. 1 Cor 15: 3-7) and canonical gospels state that Jesus rose from dead and was seen by many people (Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20-21

• Resurrection not easy to understand or describe but it had great impact on disciples and central to Christian life and system of beliefs

19th Century

20th Century

15th Century

Arthur Boyd Crucifixion, Shoalhaven 1979-80

Resurrection

Medieval

Resurrection

Australian artist Keith Looby - 1940

Ascension and Pentecost• Christian Scriptures tell about how Jesus

was lifted up from the earth after his resurrection and how he ascended to right hand of God

• Ascension signifies that Jesus’ humanity entered heavenly place and it is from there that he will come again at end of time (Acts 1: 1-11)

• Christ’s glorified body hidden from people in meantime, but Christ still intercedes (speaks up for) people for them constantly, acting as a mediator before God

• Christ also continues to pour out Holy Spirit on people – Pentecost (50 days after Easter) celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide the Church following Jesus’ ascension

The Ascension of Christ as depicted by

Rembrandt

Icon of Pentecost Descent of Holy Spirit represented by dove

The Early

Development of

Christianity

The Gospels• The four gospels are the most important part of the Christian Scriptures – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

• The four gospels were important in the early period of Christianity – first as an oral tradition and later as a written tradition

• Each gospel presents a particular portrait of Jesus – different historical, cultural and faith perspective in each

The Gospel of Mark

• Mark (earliest – perhaps 54-60 CE) wrote to gentiles Christians (non-Jews) who were being persecuted

• Mark emphasised the crucified Christ as the Son of God with whom people could identify as sharing in their suffering

• Mark often represented as a lion

The Gospel of Matthew

• Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians in Syria and focused on Jesus the teacher

• Written around 85 CE• Important links with Jesus’ Jewish heritage

• Matthew often represented by the figure of man

First century fragment of Matthew’s Gospel

The Gospel of Luke

• Luke wrote about the same time as Matthew

• Probably for gentile Christians

• Emphasised the compassion and forgiveness of Jesus

• Luke often represented by an ox

The Gospel of John

• Probably written in Ephesus around end of first century

• Not a synoptic gospel but more theological in nature – less interested in story

• Written with knowledge of the other three gospels

• John often represented by eagle

Book of Kells c. 800 CE

The Letters of Paul• Fifth major source of Christian writing

• Letters to Romans, Galatians, Corinthians

• Earliest letter called 1 Thessalonians (c. 49-51 CE) through to Letter to Philippians (c. 53-60)

• Paul emphasises Jesus as God in action, wisdom of God, Christ redeeming world and forming new covenant between God and humanity

St Pauland thegrowth

ofearly

Christianity

Paul and expansion of Christian Church

• Four main stages in expansion of Christian Church:

1. Jesus death and resurrection announced to Jews and others at Pentecost (Acts 2-4)

2. Church learns first lesson about expansion – the gospel message not tied to Jerusalem (Acts 6-9)

3. Church learns second lesson – you don’t need to be a Jew to be disciple of Jesus (Acts 10: 11; 13: 4; 15)

4. Church expands through Paul’s missionary journeys and becomes less Jewish

Paul’s Missionary Journeys

• Paul born around 10 CE• Lived in Tarsus – a righteous and influential Jew who persecuted Christians

• Converted to Christianity around 34-35 CE• First visited Jerusalem after conversion in 37 CE

• Wrote letter to early Christians giving advice and teaching – 1 Thessalonians, c. 49-50 CE; Romans, c. 55-58 CE

• Executed following imprisonment at Rome, c. 62 CE

• You can explore Paul’s journeys at:http://www.luthersem.edu/ckoester/Paul/Main.htm

Paul’s Missionary Journeys• Paul’s missionary work springs from his

dramatic conversion experience (Acts 9)• Paul was originally a Jew and so awaited the coming of Messiah – conversion to Christianity meant he continued to worship God but from a new perspective (1 Thes 1: 9; Phil 3: 6)

• Paul’s major motivation for missionary activity was that he had seen the Lord (1 Cor 9: 1) as the Risen Christ (1 Cor 5: 8)

• He was then convinced that Jesus was the Messiah who worked through human weakness (2 Cor 12: 9)

• Paul wanted to share his experience and knowledge of God with others and so undertook several missionary journeys

Paul appealed to the Emperor as a Roman citizen and so had to travel to Rome to put his case to the Emperor (c. 64-68

CE). Paul travelled from Caesarea to Rome by boat.

Paul was executed in Rome.

Paul’s Journey to Rome

The Development of Early Church Communities

The Christians

• Acts records Christians were first called ‘Christian’ at Antioch (Acts 11: 26)

• This can be dated to around 40 CE since the famines during reign of Emperor Claudius occurred at this time and are also mentioned in Acts 11: 28.

• Before this followers of Jesus were known as the sect of ‘The Way’ (Acts 9: 2; 19: 9, 23; 24: 14, 22)

Earliest Church Communities• The word ‘church’ (ekklesia in Greek)

is only spoken by Jesus twice in gospels (Mt 16: 18 and 18: 17)

• Ephesians 5: 25 says that “Christ loved the church and gave himself for her”.

• Later Christian writers also used the word ‘church’ – e.g. Ignatius of Antioch and Origen

• Despite the use of the word ‘church’ it is unlikely that Jesus planned anything like what the church became – his intention seems to have been to preach the gospel (good news) to all people

Earliest Church Communities

• Early Christian or church communities confessed ‘the name of Jesus’ (Acts 4: 18) to show their belief

• They were baptised to show that they belonged to ‘The Way’ (Ephesians 4: 5)

• Christian communities formed in large cities such as Ephesus and Antioch and became known as the Church of Ephesus etc

• Paul (1 Cor 1: 2) also seems to have spoken of ‘the Church of God’ suggesting something more than the local level

• ‘Church’ therefore seems to have been used for local congregations and for the whole church

The Jewish Phase 1st Century CE

• First Christians were a Jewish sect

• Struggle between those who wanted to see Jesus movement remain Jewish and those who wanted it to be more universal

• Paul’s ideas dominated and it became more inclusive

• Jewish Christians faded out

Greek and Roman Phase

• Greek thought gave Christianity a sense of orthodoxy – right belief formulated in the form of propositions and frameworks for living life

• Some argue that if Christianity had not adopted these ways of thinking it would have remained unorganised and just a small Jewish sect

Christians were often persecuted during the

early years of the Church (e.g. 64, 95 CE). In Rome and other places they were fed to the lions as sport for the

locals.

What effect do you think these persecutions had on

the Church?

When the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (d. 337 CE) became a

Christian, Christianity became the official

religion of the Roman Empire.

What effect do you think this may have had

on the Church?

The Council of Nicea – 325 CE

The Council was summoned by the Emperor Constantine (showing sitting among the 318

bishops who attended). Constantine’s aim was to ensure unity of thought in the Church about the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

The Nicene Creed declared that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine.

Emperor Justinian (483-565) with his Bishops

6th century mosaic in the church of San Vitale, Ravenna

What implications can you draw from this picture about Church and

State?

Christianity and the barbarian tribes in

Europe• Christianity became the concept that bound the barbarian tribes of Europe together

• In the Medieval world of peasants, farmers, warriors, nobles and kings, Christianity became the force that evolved the concept of nationhood

Atilla the Hun (5th Century)

One of the barbarian leaders who invaded Europe

Christianity

Later development and unique features

Key Historical Developments

• After the time of Jesus and the early Church some key developments for Christianity:– Spread throughout known world– Division between East and West of Church

• Language, beliefs, practices and authority resulted in Great Schism of 1054

– Western Church split in 1500’s (Reformation)• Roman Catholic Church• Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Protestant Churches• Split caused by differences in beliefs, practices, authority and

politics

Anglicanism

Beginnings of Anglicanism

• It is often assumed that Anglicanism began with the desire of Henry VIII to obtain a divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon

• This type of thinking is wrong and much too simplistic

• Anglicanism arose from many historical, religious and political roots

Anglicanism

• A British Church existed in England before the first Roman Catholic missionaries arrived in 597 CE

• English Church existed from possibly as early as 44 CE

• Augustine of Canterbury arrived in 597 CE and was surprised to find a Church already in Britain

Henry VIII King of England

1509 - 1547• Reformation in England

came to a head with Henry VIII

• His desire for divorce and re-marriage accelerated the rate of doctrinal change in England which had been in progress for some time

Henry VIII’s Marriages• Henry wished to divorce Catherine of Aragon (sister of

Spanish King) because she could not have a male heir• He wished to remarry Anne Boleyn• Catherine’s brother brought pressure on the Pope to

refuse Henry’s divorce• Henry broke with Rome (1534), declared himself Head of

the Church of England and obtained his own divorce• Despite this England remained very Catholic in terms of

doctrine and worship• Reformation in England broke end to monasteries and the

destruction of many shrines – the motivation here was not purely spiritual since these institutions had much money which could be diverted to the King

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

• 1489-1556• Archbishop of Canterbury

• Arranged Henry’s divorces and remarriages

• Architect of reform under Henry VIII and Edward VI

• Principal author of Anglican Service Books

• Burnt at stake

Edward VI 1547-1553

• Son of Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour

• Sick and died young without an heir

• Significant progress towards Protestant Reformation during his reign

Mary I 1553-1558

• Henry VIII’s child with Catherine of Aragon

• Staunchly Roman Catholic

• Reintroduced Roman Catholicism into England following Edward VI’s death

Elizabeth I 1559-1603

• Henry VIII’s daughter with Anne Boleyn

• Broke with Rome again

• Opposed to both Roman Catholics and Puritans

• Sought a middle way between the two

• Church of England was both Catholic and Reformed

Emergence of Anglicanism

• Anglicanism emerged from:– Historical tradition of British Church

– Desire of Henry VIII to control own destiny• Divorce question

• Taxes and authority of Rome

– Desire to correct some of the religious problems and abuses of the medieval period

• Authority of Pope

• Access to Bible

• Power of the Church

Anglicanism Today• Anglican Church sees itself as part of the One, Holy,

Catholic and Apostolic Church• It believes it is loyal to the faith of the early Church

as found in Bible and early Church• About 75 million Anglicans worldwide - 39

independent Provinces in communion with Archbishop of Canterbury

• Anglicans stress a balance between the Word of God as found in the Bible and the Sacraments like Baptism and the Eucharist

• Stresses Scripture first and then tradition and reason as sources of revelation

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion as well as the head of the Church of England

Each part (diocese) of Anglican Communion has its own bishop. Bishop Brian

Farran is the local Bishop of Newcastle

Types of Anglicans

• Two main types or strands of Anglicanism:– High Church or Catholic Anglicans

• stress importance of Word and sacraments such as Eucharist and Christ’s presence in bread and wine as well as Bible

– Low Church or Reformed/Protestant Anglicans• stress personal belief in Jesus through belief in Bible where

Christ is present through Scriptures• Less emphasis on sacraments

• Traditionally most Anglicans in Newcastle are High Church whereas most Anglicans in Sydney are Low Church

Some Issues facing Anglicans

• How to be Church in modern world?• Conflict between first and third world sections of

the Church • Should gay people be priests and bishops?• Should women be priests and bishops?• Different ethical, moral and cultural values in a

very diverse tradition - e.g. USA and Africa• How to make decisions amongst so much

difference?

High Church or Catholic Anglican Eucharist

Low Church or Protestant Anglican Eucharist

(Roman) Catholicism

Catholicism

• Recognises the authority of the Pope who is also the Bishop of Rome - hierarchical organisation

• Sees the Pope as the successor of Peter to whom Jesus gave authority for Church (Matthew 16)

• Power in the Catholic Church is centred in Rome in the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He became Pope in 2005 and lives in the headquarters of the Catholic Church - the Vatican in Rome

Bishop Michael Malone is the local Catholic Bishop of the

Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Cardinal George Pell is the leader of the RC Church in Australia. He is also Archbishop of Sydney

St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney is the Roman Catholic Cathedral

It is the largest Christian church in Australia

Roman Catholic worship is rich in symbolism

with a focus on the altar.

Catholicism• Over 1 billion members - half of all the 2 billion

Christians in the world• Largest numbers in developing world - e.g. South

America has 450 million Catholics• Emphasis on sacramental worship such the

Eucharist - Christ seen to be present in bread and wine

• God is seen to work through sacraments

Catholicism

• Argues that faith and good works are necessary to salvation since people must cooperate with God through sacraments and tradition of Church

• Important place given to role of saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary who is seen as Mother of God and Mother of the Church

• Scripture, Tradition and Reason seen as equal sources of revelation

The Blessed Virgin Mary occupies a very special place in Roman Catholic thinking. She is called the Mother of God since she was the mother of Jesus who is God form living on earth with

people.

Roman Catholics pray to Mary asking that she will intercede for them - bring their prayers into the

presence of God.

Statues of Mary (often shown holding Jesus) are not worshipped but used as a focus for prayer and

devotion.

Catholicism

• Only since 1960’s have services been in local languages (vernacular) following an important council called Vatican II

• Before they were all in Latin• Catholicism has a strong tradition of monasticism

- monks and nuns• No women priests - male priests cannot marry• Strong tradition of social justice - hospitals,

schools, relief work

Mother Teresa was a famous Roman Catholic

nun who began an order of nuns to care for the poorest of the poor in India. Her work has inspired many. Roman Catholic religious usually are associated with some work of welfare,

hospitals or schools

Some Issues facing Catholicism

• Hierarchical style of Church government in modern world

• Refusal of Pope to ordain women in spite of falling priest numbers world wide

• Refusal of Pope to allow priest to marry• Sexual scandals• Differences between first and third world

parts of church

Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy

• ‘Orthodox’ means correct teaching and worship• 15 self-governing churches in Orthodox

communion - around 250 million members– E.g. ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople,

Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem - see themselves as directly linked to the Apostles of Jesus

• Greek, Russian, Serbian, Macedonian are some of the Orthodox Churches

• Orthodoxy centred around Eastern Europe, Russia and Middle East

The Divine Liturgy

• Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) important in Orthodoxy• Often quite long (2-3 hours) with extensive

ceremonies• All sung with the use of incense and rich symbolism

and vestments for priests• In some Orthodox churches parts of the liturgy are

hidden from view by a curtain or wall with doors called an iconostasis

• Orthodox have a deep sacramental view of life where God works through things of this world

Russian Orthodox worship is rich in colour and ceremony. Note incense being used by the bishop and candles.

Russian Orthodox churches are often very majestic with brightly coloured pictures painted

on the walls

Orthodoxy

• Often use icons (pictures) in worship to help with prayer and meditation

• Monasticism for men and women is important in Orthodoxy - monasticism for prayer only not for works as in Western tradition

• Only males can be priests but priests may marry• Married priests cannot become bishops or

patriarchs

Icons (pictures) of Jesus, Mary and the saints are frequently used in Orthodox worship and by followers of Orthodoxy

People often kiss the icons. They are not worshipping them but using them to remind themselves that God is present in the world.

The Patriarch of Constantinople (Batholomew I) is the head of the Greek Orthodox Church. He lives in Istanbul, Turkey. He holds a position of respect amongst all the other Greek Orthodox Churches of the world.

Archbishop Stylianos is the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia. He lives in Sydney.

Patriarch Bartholomew I participates in the Divine Liturgy with other Orthodox

leaders

Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism

• Took shape at beginning of 20th century in USA• Sometimes known as charismatic churches• Sought to bring back ‘gifts of the Spirit’ given to

earlier church (Acts 2: 4-11)• Wanted these to influence Christian thought and

worship• Worship is often very lively and spontaneous

Speaking in Tongues• Pentecostal churches value the gift of speaking in

tongues - a language of divine origin which needs to be interpreted

• They also value the gifts of healing and prophesying

• Pentecostals believe that baptism in the Spirit is essential - this depends on the person making a response of faith and being filled with the gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues

• Pentecostals therefore do not baptise infants and they rebaptise those who were baptised as infants

Pentecostalism in Australia

• Often known as:– Apostolic Church– Assemblies of God– Christian City Church– Christian Revival Crusade

• 2001 ABS Census showed that Pentecostalism increased by 11.4% since 1996, although only about 1% of the population claims to belong.

• One of the most successful Pentecostal Churches is called Hillsong Church

• Each weekend it attracts thousands of people to its Baulkham Hills and Waterloo sites

Hillsong’s main meeting hall can seat 3 500 people and it is filled several times over

each Sunday

Hillsong worship is lively and colourful and features the latest technological

equipment

The pastors (ministers) at Hillsong are a couple by the name of Brian and Bobbie Houston.

Hillsong effectively uses media and marketing to get its message across.

Brian and Bobbie have written a large number of books and tapes of their addresses are for sale at the Church and online at

hillsong.com

One of the Hillsong music leaders, Darlene Zschech, has written many popular Christian songs which feature on the lists of the most popular songs in Australia.

Hillsong has had massive sales of CDs and music DVDs.

Hillsong runs its own television station as well as a creative arts college for vocal and musical students.

Hillsong also runs a college for those who want to study the Bible more seriously.

Protestantism

Protestantism

• A system of Christian faith and practice based on acceptance of ideas coming from the Reformation of 16th Century

• ‘Protestant’ means those people who protested against the Roman Catholic Church and its worship and practices

• Protestants rejected the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church

Protestant Solas (only)• Protestants believe in solas or only important

things:– Christ alone - Christ is the only mediator (the thing

that comes between people and God) and not the Pope or the Church and its worship

– Scripture alone - Scripture (the Bible) is the only true teaching of God’s Word

– Faith alone - Faith in Jesus and his work on the cross is the only way to God - not works

– Grace alone - Salvation (being right with God) is entirely dependent on God’s gift of grace through the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit - not dependent on one’s own works of worship or worthy deeds

Protestant influence spread throughout Europe in the 16th century, beginning in Germany.

Later it spread to the new world, place like America and Australia.

Estimates of numbers vary, but it is probably somewhere between 400 & 600 million people

Martin Luther1483 - 1546

• Leading figure of European Reformation

• Studied law and then became a monk in 1505

• He became Professor of Biblical Studies at University of Wittenberg in Germany

Luther’s Other Objections

Objected to: • paying of Church taxes• Celibacy of clergy• Masses for the dead• Pilgrimages• Religious orders and other Catholic practices

• Denying the wine to laity at Eucharist• Doctrine of transubstantiation and sacrifice of the Mass

Luther’s Key UnderstandingsBy 1518 Luther had the following key

understandings which shaped his contribution to the Reformation:

• Faith depends upon God not on our ability

• Law is distinct from Gospel – law based on good works, Gospel based on God’s free grace

• Believer is righteous as result of God’s grace yet still sinful

• Justification through faith in Christ• Faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone

A woodcut from c. 1540 entitled True and False Churches

The true church listens to Luther and expresses true eucharistic piety (real presence of Christ crucified and the Lamb) with people receiving both bread and wine. False church (Pope,

cardinals and friars are engulfed in hell fire.

Luther’s 95 Theses - 1519

• Luther nailed his objections to church practices (including indulgences) on church door in Wittenberg

• Faith alone he asserted justifies rather than good works

• No need for mediation of church and priesthood for believer to have access to God – each person had direct access

Luther nailing his 95 Theses to church door

- 1519

What happened to Luther?

• His writings were pronounced heretical by the Pope – 1520

• Formally excommunicated – 1521• Married an ex-nun• Significant leadership role in German Reformation

• Lutheran Church bears his name

Impact of Reformation

• Reformation began as an attempt to reform and purify the Roman Catholic Church

• Parts of Europe became reformed (e.g. Switzerland and England) but Roman Catholics remained powerful

• Reformation to varying degrees – more reformed among Calvinists and Puritans than Anglicans

• A Reformed strand of Christianity now stood with Roman Catholic and Orthodox strands

Calvinist worship in Lyons, France

Men and women

separated

Bibles open

Note prominence

of preaching pulpit and lack of altar

Significance?

A modern Protestant (Reformed) Church

Protestantism Today

• A significant part of Christianity• Many Protestants are conservative in the

views but others are more liberal• In Australia the main Protestant churches

are churches like:– The Uniting Church of Australia– The Presbyterian Church– The Baptist Church

Christianityin

Australia

Christians in Australia• Examine statistical material from the

Australian Bureau of Statistics and draw some conclusions about Christians and Non-Christians in Australia today

• Like other Australians most Christians live near coast

• Christians come in all shapes and sizes and do all sorts of jobs

• Christians are involved in Australian society in all sorts of ways

• Christians in Australia are both homogeneous and diverse – suggests ways this is so

PrincipalBeliefs

ofChristianity

Principal Beliefs

• Major Christian beliefs shared by all Christian denominations

• There are however degrees of difference in interpretation of beliefs and how they are lived out in life

• Christianity more than a set of beliefs – it relates to a person’s lived experiences

• Personal encounter with God comes before practices, creeds and regulations – these can act to make sense of personal encounter

The nature of God and the Trinity15th Century Icon of the Holy Trinity

Father

Creator

Son

Redeemer

Holy Spirit

Sanctifier (makes holy) and giver of life

The Trinity• Christians believe in one God but that this God has been revealed in three persons – Father/Creator, Son/Redeemer, Holy Spirit/Sanctifier

• This is the mystery of the Holy or Blessed Trinity (mystery = deepest reality which cannot be fully known by a person)

• This is central belief of the Christian faith

• Persons of Trinity exist in intimate relationship – what one person of Trinity does the others do as well – not 3 Gods but one God in 3 persons

• Each person of the Trinity is distinct but does not act in isolation from the other two

Paintings by English artist William Blake (1757-1827) depicting

God the Creator.

What images was the artist attempting to

create?

The Trinity

• Word ‘Trinity’ does not occur in Bible but the idea of Trinity can be found (e.g. 2 Cor 13: 14; Mt 28: 19)

• Theologians also see indications of Trinity in Hebrew Scripture (e.g. 3 angels who visit Abraham, Gen 18: 1-15 and the 3 fold sanctus in Isaiah’s vision, Isaiah 6: 3)

• First appears about 160-220 CE being used by early Christian writer Tertullian

The Trinity

• Traditionally Trinity described as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Some theologians use image of divine, loving community which serves as a model for all humanity

• Others have preferred to use terms creator (God bringing life to all creation), Redeemer (turning all creation away from sin and darkness towards God) and Sanctifier (blessing and making all creation holy)

Revelation

Revelation• Christians believe that God reveals knowledge to them,

but they believe this happens in different ways• Some believe that God’s revelation is only through the

Bible and Jesus Christ• Others believe that God’s revelation comes through the

traditions of the Church and through reason• Nonetheless all Christians acknowledge that God’s

greatest revelation is through Jesus• Some conservative Christians believe that God’s

revelation has mostly happened and will be fulfilled at the end of time

• Other less conservative Christians see God’s revelation as continuing today through people and events

The Nature of Humanity

CreatedFallen

Redeemedthrough Jesus Christ

The Nature of HumanityChristians believe that humans can be understood only in the light of divine revelation from sources:

• Scripture• Tradition• ReasonChristians believe that humanity is basically good because God created humans and that God is humanity’s greatest and final good

Humanity capable of intelligence and love which perfect people’s relationship with God and other people

Humanity is social – reaches full potential when living life characterised by justice and friendship in the context of a Christian community

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

Australian Artist Margaret Preston - 1950

Fallen Humanity

• Humanity is also fallen and wounded

• It bears marks of sin – that is the absence or rejection of God’s grace – sin hides or damages humanity’s relationship with God

• The biblical myth of Adam and Eve in Genesis set out the creation, goodness and fallen nature of humanity

The Expulsion

By

Margaret Preston

1875-1963

What do you think Preston is trying to say in this

painting?

Compare it with the previous

painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

Redemption• Christians believe that fallen humanity is redeemed (brought back) through Jesus Christ

• Jesus Christ is the hope and victory over sin and death and the means of atonement (at-one-ment with God)

• Jesus Christ is the greatest sign of God’s love for humanity

• Redemption applies to the whole creation – not just humanity – Christ has reconciled all things to God (Col 1: 20; Rom 8: 18-23)

Sacred Texts and Writing

The Bible

The Bible

• A collection of writings that Christians believe are inspired by God - God’s Word

• Christians believe they are useful as an authority for belief and life as a Christian

• Christians therefore place a high priority on reading the Bible - both privately and in groups (e.g. services in Church and study of the Bible)

• Some Christians see the Bible as literally true (fundamentalists) while others believe it is necessary to interpret what the Bible says

Christians read the Bible alone

Christians read the Bible in large groups when they come together to worship

Some churches have a lectern

where the Bible sits. The eagle

suggests the power of God’s

word and carrying it

out to people.

The Bible• Divided into two main parts:

– Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) - the writings of the Jews and their relationship with God - 39 books

– Christian Scriptures (New Testament) - the writings of the early Christians and their relationship with God through Jesus and Holy Spirit - 27 books

• Also the Apocrypha - books written between Hebrew and Christian Scriptures - Roman Catholics accept its authority whereas Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants do not see it as inspired by God in same way as rest of Bible

The Bible Bookcase

The Bible is not one book but

several collected together over a long period of time. It was finally put

together in one book about 300

CE.

The Old Testament (Hebrew

Scriptures) contains 39

books.

The New Testament (Christian Scriptures) contains 27

books.

The Message of the Bible

• The essential message of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is God’s special relationship with God’s chosen people the Jews - despite the problems God does not abandon them and promises to send them a Messiah

• The essential message of the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) is the life and work of Jesus Christ who Christians see as the Messiah bringing people back into relationship with God.

Importance of the Bible

• Basic source of belief and practice• Some see it as sole source of authority

while others do not• Important in helping Christians live out

their daily lives - guidelines for behaviour• Basis of prayer and worship• Bible is always read at Eucharist and

through it Jesus is present with believers

Everyday Life of Believers

• Bible used at various important times:– Baptism

– Eucharist

– Marriage

– Ordination

– Sickness

– Death

• Bible used in worship in cycle of Church year - e.g. Christmas and Easter

Core Ethical Teachings of Christianity

Christian Ethics

• The way of life appropriate for those who accept the Christian faith

• Helps someone make decisions about what is right thinking or right action

• BUT there are many different views amongst Christians about what is right thinking and right action

• Not all Christians think in the same way about what is right action or behaviour but all believe that they are guided by God in their decisions

The Basis of Christian Ethics

• Christians believe they are made in the image of God (Genesis 1: 27) therefore Christians show respect for human creation

• Christians believe they have freedom and intellect or reason and these help them to make decisions

• Christians also believe that the Bible and the tradition of the Church help them in making ethical decisions

Key Bible Passages

• Ten Commandments - ten rules given by God to Old Testament Prophet Moses

• Found in two places in Bible:– Exodus 20: 1-17

– Deuteronomy 5: 6-21

• Seen as direct instructions from God - important for people to follow

• Talk of duty to God and duty to other people

The Ten Commandments• Duty to God

– Have no other Gods but me– Don’t make idols– Don’t take God’s name in vain– Keep the Sabbath day holy (Sunday)

• Duty to other people– Honour father and mother– Do not murder– Do not commit adultery– Do not steal– Do not bear false witness or lie– Do not covet (spend life wanting other people’s things)

Jesus’ Summary

• Jesus summarised the 10 into 2• In Mark 12: 30-31 Jesus said: “You shall love the

Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You shall love your neighbour as youself”.

• Jesus wanted people to interpret the commandments as instructions to love

• Christians have tried to interpret them in this way ever since

The Beatitudes

• In Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 5) Jesus speaks to many people telling them how they should

• He says what is important for them to do• He encourages people to live peaceful lives, to be

merciful, to follow God’s laws, not to be proud or arrogant, to pray to God and to forgive others as God forgives them

• In Matthew 7: 12 he says: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” - this has been called Jesus’ Golden Rule

Jesus’ Commandment of Love• In John 13 Jesus gives his friends a new commandment• He says: “I give you a new commandment, that you

love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

• Many Christians therefore try to live a life based on love following this commandment of Jesus

• They believe this is what God did for humanity in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection

• This commandment to love others is often the basis of much of the work carried out by Christians aimed at helping other people (e.g. Samaritans and St Vincent de Paul)

The Commandment of Love• Following Jesus’ commandment to love in John

13 many Christians decide what is ethics on the basis of whether or not it is a loving action or thought

• Love in the New Testament (Greek agape) does not mean physical or sexual love but a love that gives the self for the other person

• Many Christians believe that this is what Jesus was talking about in reference to love

• Christians believe that in showing love to other people they are showing love to God (see Matthew 25)

Personal DevotionalPractices

ofChristianity

Devotional PracticesThree overlapping approaches to prayer and worship among Christians:

• Private• Communal• Liturgical

• Christians worshipping together (e.g. Eucharist) is both communal and liturgical

• A Christian worshipping alone can be both private and liturgical

• All worship or liturgy is adoration or reverence directed towards God (Ex 20:1) which is not the same as veneration of saints or sacred objects

• Christians worship in ‘spirit and truth’ (Jn 4:24) and this can occur outwardly in ritual, sacraments, ceremonies and devotional actions and objects

Origins of Christian Worship

• Christians did not continue Jewish practice of sacrifice, since Christ’s sacrifice on cross was sufficient sacrifice (Heb 9:12; 24-26) – despite this much Christian worship has Jewish background

• 3 rituals mentioned in Bible: Baptism, Eucharist, laying on of hands

• 1st day of week was most frequent time for Christian worship (Acts 20:7) although some met daily for worship (Acts 3:46)

• Worship involved teaching, preaching, singing, prophesying, reading letters and ‘the breaking of bread’ (Acts 2:42)

• Early Christian worship was full of joy and thanksgiving (1 Thes 5:16-18)

Features of Worship• Worship for Christians is a response to the presence of God in people’s lives

• God is received and perceived in worship as a mystery, although Christians know that God was really present in the person and work of Jesus

• God only partly revealed in worship but these experiences can become deeper through liturgy, sacraments, creation, relationships and scripture

Public Worship

• Jesus prayed in public at different times and in different ways

• Sometimes he prayed alone, at other times with disciples and large crowds

• Some examples:– Raising Lazarus from dead (Jn 11: 41)– At Last Supper (Mt 26:26-29)– On cross (Jn 19:28-30)– With travellers at Emmaus (Lk 24:30)– At Temple in Jerusalem (Jn 17:1-39)

Features of a Church• Christianity has shaped architecture of churches – and architecture has shaped Christian worship

• First Christians worshipped in houses• After 312 CE church architecture took on the form of great Roman basilicas or audience halls of a ruler

• Over time various features were added to distinguish churches – e.g. pulpits, platforms, transepts, choir areas, artwork, fonts, altars

• 20th century churches have returned to simpler styles featuring larger spaces and more natural materials

• Artists assist worship – adapting to time and culture

Religious Rituals involve PrayerThe main religious rituals of the Christian

Church are concerned with events of life:• Initiation – baptism and confirmation• Eucharist• Marriage• Penance/Reconciliation• Ordination• Anointing• Death and dyingAlthough many of these rituals are common to the various Christian denominations there are significant differences in terms of the practice of these rituals and the beliefs associated with them among and between denominations

Baptism

Infant

Adult

Believers Baptism

Orthodox

Icon of Christ at the Last

Supper with the disciples

A modern day Eucharist

What symbols can be seen and what are their meanings?

Private Worship

• Private Christian worship is usually considered as ‘prayer’, ‘meditation’, ‘devotions’ or ‘spirituality’

• Prayer means literally to make a ‘petition’ or ‘request’ and comes from Latin (precari – to entreat or beg)

• Prayer is the most fundamental and important form of address to God

• The oldest Christian prayer is found in 1 Cor 16:22 – ‘Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus Come’.

Examples of Christian Prayer

Jesus’ personal prayer life

Jesus prayed privately, sometimes aloud and sometimes silently:

• After his baptism (Lk 3: 21-22)• During temptations and fasting in desert (Lk 4:1-13

• When seeking relief from busy ministry (Lk 5:16)

• Early in morning each day (Mk 1:35)• Sometimes he prayed all night before important decisions (Lk 6:12; Mk 14:26-42)

• After important sermons (Jn 6:15)• In times of great distress and trouble (Jn 12:27-28)

• During his crucifixion (Mt 27:46)

Meditation• Christians meditate by thinking about some particular prayer, object (e.g. an icon) or thought

• Meditation involves spiritual memory• It often involves repetition of words or phrases said silently or aloud

• An Orthodox form of meditation is called the Jesus Prayer where the person says over and over again: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner’

• Meditation helps a person move to a higher state of spiritual awareness

Personal Bible Study• Christians use the Bible as a source of prayer, reading, devotion, reflection and study

• Many different translations of Bible in many language

• Some Churches accept different books as canonical (officially sanctioned)

• Prayer groups and Bible study groups meet to read and study the Bible in context of prayer

• Biblical material is also shown in art works such as sculpture, stained glass, wall hangings, bookmarks, books, bumper stickers, folk art, mugs, T-shirts, garden plaques and calendars

A Bible Study Group

Devotions and PrayerChristians have worshipped Jesus in many ways:• Public or private• Communal or individual• Officially sanctioned or not• Plainly or in very complex waysMany of these ways are described as ‘popular piety’, ‘popular religion’, ‘popular devotions’, including: stations of the cross, passion plays, devotions to Eucharist, pilgrimages, rosary, meditations on aspects of Christ’s life and work, fasting, denial

Some churches base their devotions and prayers on prayer books, actions like speaking in tongues

Retreats• A period spent in silence accompanied by meditation and spiritual exercise (Ps 46:10 ‘Be still and know that I am God’)

• Sometimes under direction of another person who guides spiritual exercises

• Vary in length from a short period to rest of life (e.g. hermit)

• In retreat a person reflects on spiritual life and the quality of their living

• Modelled on Jesus’ retreat to desert before he began his public ministry (Mt 4:1-11)

• Sometimes involve prayer, fasting and almsgiving

Pilgrimage• Popular in Middle Ages (Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is story of pilgrimage)

• Combined ‘moving’ and ‘being still’ as pilgrims moved from one sacred site to another and contemplation on the life of Christ or saint associated with site and the virtues of Christ or saint

• Pilgrimages were prayerful journeys where the pilgrim attempted to come closer to a source of spiritual strength

Scenes of Pilgrimage from

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

The Liturgical Calendar• Christian liturgical calendar begins in Advent

– the season of preparation for Christmas (about November)

• The ‘seasons’ of the Christian calendar are associated with life of Christ and saints (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Saints)

• Some seasons are preparations for important times, e.g. Lent is preparation for Easter

• Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Orthodox make extensive use of liturgical calendar with other churches making less use

• Anglican and Roman Catholics have same calendar but Orthodox follow a different calendar

• Some dates in calendar are important historical dates for a church, e.g. founding of Uniting Church

Devotional Practices in everyday lives of

people• Help to focus people on God in everyday life

• Bring people into contact with mysteries of faith which provide tangible ways of allowing people to experience meaning

• Context for key moments of life, e.g. birth, death, marriage

• Church building provides physical space for these devotional practices to take place

• Strengthens and directs Christian person to be more Christ-like

• Provides a sense of community

Devotional Practice

Funeral

Rosary beads

Woman praying with rosary beads