the rise of christianity ronald wiltse 2007 a. introduction: what is the bible? 1. the old testament
TRANSCRIPT
The Rise of Christianity
Ronald Wiltse 2007
A. Introduction: What is the Bible?
1. The Old Testament
A. Introduction: What is the Bible?
1. The Old Testament2. The New Testament
Jewish Bible (Old Testament)
+ New TestamentChristian Bible
Jewish Bible called the Old Testament by Christians
Jewish Bible was the Bible for Jesus and early Christians
1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
B. Judaism was a thorn in the Roman Empire.
1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
2. Other Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire (the Diaspora).
B. Judaism was a thorn in the Roman Empire.
Those pesky Jews . . .
Israel in the eastern Roman Empire
Israel in the eastern Roman Empire
The Jews lived not only in Palestine, but elsewhere:
Where the Jews livedIn the Empire
Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on the Arch of Titus
Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on the Arch of Titus
…Jesus is born in Bethleham.
Adoration of the Magi, by Giorgione (National Gallery, Washington)
1. Who did Jesus say he was?
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of God
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission:
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God 3. His method:
C. Who was Jesus?
1. Who did Jesus say he was?a. the Son of Godb. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God 3. His method: listening to the Father
C. Who was Jesus?
Jesus learning carpentry from his father
painting by Holman Hunt
Jesus found, about his Father’s business
painting by Edward Millais
Jesus told parables
The Prodigal Son,by Rembrandt
D. Jesus was executed by the Romans.
Jesus Rising from His grave
Painting byMattias Gruenewald
E. The early church was founded by Jesus’ followers.
E. The early church was founded by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.
Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and hears a voice
Michelangelo,Conversion ofSt. Paul
Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and hears a voice
Carravaggio,The ConversionOf Paul
E. The early church was founded by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.
2. Then, Christian leaders included all people (Paul and the separation from Judaism).
The Church leaders decide the message of Jesus is for all people, not just Jews.
For 250 years, Christian missionaries could travel peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
For 250 years, Christian missionaries could travel peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
“In the fullness of time God sent His Son . . .” Paul, in his letter to the Galatians
Paul helps spread the Good News across the Roman Empire.
Paul’s first and Second Missionary Journeys
Paul’s 1st & 2nd Missionary Journeys
F. In the second century the Church went through two fundamental changes, rejecting salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
F. In the second century the Church went through two fundamental changes, rejecting salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and
F. In the second century the Church went through two fundamental changes, rejecting salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and
2. correct knowledge
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes persecuted Christians.
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
Christian symbols develop . . .
Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol
c. the Chi-Rho symbol
Christian symbols develop . . .
Christian symbols develop . . .
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic philosophy.
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the favored religion of the state.
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and powerful.
Constantine: By this you shall conquer
From the papal apartments,Vatican City
Constantine: legality, the challenge of wealth, and the challenge to the Pope
Medieval people believedthat this was
Constantine (the onlyRoman equestrian
statue to survive fromancient times).
Actually, it is Marcus Aurelius.
…A Converted British Family Sheltering a Christian Priest from the Druids
painting by Holman Hunt
The double-edged sword: accepting Constantine’s offer of wealth
The RoadLeadingDownhill
Into Rome,over which St. Peter’s
Basilica was built so thatthe spot believed to be
where Peter was buriedwould be under the altar.
Geopolitics:the influence of geography on political events
Where is the best geopolitical location for Constantine’s new capital?
Where is the best geopolitical location for Constantine’s new capital?
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
The Black SeaThe Black Sea
The Aegean SeaThe Aegean Sea
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
The Black SeaThe Black Sea
The Aegean SeaThe Aegean Sea
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
The Black Sea
The Bosphorus Today
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
Where along the Bosphorus is the best location?
The geopolitical location of choice: the entrance to the Bosphorus
Here. Why?
The exact place: south of the Golden Horn
Why is this such a good placegeopolitically?
Rome versus Constantinople: the universal church versus the
correct church (catholic)
(orthodox)
Church division after 325
G. The Christian church overcame its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and powerful.
b. The church eventually became a persecutor of others.
H. The church turned against Jews.