Religion Depth Study: CHRISTIANITY

Historical and Cultural context in which Chrisitianity began

• Historical

• Cultural

Historical Context

• Chrisianity began in the 1st Century CE in Judea

• The area was controlled by the Roman Empire

• Jesus who was apart of the jewish adherents faced deprivation and hardship under Roman rule

• There were different Jewish groups with different beliefs that Jesus did not belong in ( Next slide)

Different Jewish Groups

• Pharisees: A group that followed Jewish Law closely and believed in ideas like the afterlife and Messiah

• Sadducees: An elite-temple based group who held power, supported Roman authority and took a literal approach to scripture.

• Essenes: A separist group who lived in isolated in, strict communities as the believed society and and the Temple were corrupt

About the groups

These different groups showed that society was divided in beliefs and responses to Roman Rule, creating tension that contributed to the emergence of Christianity

Cultural Context

• Christianity grew out of Judaism

• Belief in one god

• The Roman World was culturally diverse with many different religions, allowing Christianity to spread more widely

• All christian teachings were within Jewish context

Origins: Jesus Christ

• Jesus life is reported in the Gospels

• He had a short career as a teacher and a healer with a reputation of peforming miracles

The Principal Events of Jesus Life

1. Jesus and Bethlehem

2. Birth to Adoloscence

3. Miracle of Jesus

1. Jesus and Bethelehm

• His birth was in Bethelehm

- Luke 2:7-12: “Jesus was born in a manger, visited by shepards who had been told Christ the Saviour had been born

• Jesus was sent by God as a model- to restore peach among people of Judea

2. Birth to Adololescence

• Herod the great was the Roman Ruler at the time

• Jesus Mother was Mary, father was Joseph

• He grew up in a largely agricucltural community

• Every year, Jesus family returned to Jerusalem for the Passover ( Jewish Holiday)

1. The Arrest, Passion and Death (DEPTH)

• The Arrest, Passion and Death of Jesus Christ is when he was betrayed and arrested, suffered through trials and punishment, and was crucified and died.

• KEY SCRIPTURE: “They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.” (John 19:2)

What happened?

The Arrest

• After the Last Supper, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray

• He is betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, with a kiss

• Soldiers arrive and arrest him

• Shows Jesus willingly accepting what is about to happen

The Passion (Suffering)

• He is falsely accused and sentenced to death

• He is whipped, mocked, and given a crown of thorns

• Forced to carry his cross to the place of execution

• Shows extreme suffering and sacrifice

The Death

• Jesus is nailed to a cross by Roman soldiers

• He suffers for hours and then dies

• According to the Gospels, he forgives those responsible

Meaning

• Christians believe Jesus’ suffering (the Passion) shows his obedience to God and willingness to sacrifice himself.

• Despite injustice and pain, he does not resist, which highlights teachings about forgiveness, humility, and love.

• His death by crucifixion is understood as a sacrifice for humanity’s sins, restoring the relationship between God and humans

The Resurrection (DEPTH)

• The Resurrection is when Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion

• “He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6)

Key events

• After his crucifixion, Jesus is placed in a tomb and a large stone is rolled in front

• On the third day, women followers go to the tomb and find it empty

• An angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead

• Jesus then appears to his disciples and other followers

• The disciples recognise him and believe he is alive again

Meaning

• It demonstrates a proof of divinity and how Jesus is the son of God

• How victory over death as death is not final

• Hope of eternal life, believers think they can also rise after death

• Foundation of Christianity

The Parables

• Parables are simple stories Jesus told that have a hidden religious or moral meaning

• Spoke a Holy language in human words → to teach.

• He was also aware of the consequences that his radical teachings would have on many of the Jews, especially the Jewish Hierarchy and Romans.

Examples

The Good Samaritan — Luke 10:25–37

The Prodigal Son — Luke 15:11–32

The Lost Sheep — Luke 15:3–7

Jesus as a role model for Christian life

1. Jesus Teaching and Actions

2. Commitment to the service of others

3. Importance of Prayer

4. Poor and disadvantaged

5. Modelled forgivenesss

1. Jesus teachings and actions

• Jesus Christ teaches moral behaviour through the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule

• Participated in the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist

• Example: Beatitudes (Matthew 5) teach humility, mercy, and peacemaking

Everyday example: Beatitudes (Matthew 5) teach humility, mercy, and peacemaking

• Anti-bullying programs in Christian schools promote peacemaking and respect

2. Commitment to the service of others

• Jesus sacrafised his life as an act of salvation for many- servant of humanity

Everyday example

• St Anthonys Family, run by sisters of St Joseph ( It is a church-based support group that helps people in need)

3. Importance of Prayer

• Jesus regularly prays alone for guidance (Matthew 6:6)

• Encourages persistence in prayer and trust in God

Everyday Example

• Christians do daily personal prayer or quiet reflection time

4. Advocated for the poor and disadvantaged

• Jesus focuses on helping the poor and excluded

• The Gospels depict him consistently attending to the poor (Matthew 19:16-30)

• Evident in the Feeding of the 5000 ( Matthew 14:13-21)

Everyday example

• Refugee support programs by churches help migrants and asylum seekers

5. Modelled Forgivness

• Forgave  his disciples who betrayed and abandoned him

• He prayed for the forgiveness of his own executioners. (Luke 23:33) 

• Therefore modelled peace upon all people, of love and understanding.

Everyday example

• The families of victims of the 2015 Charestone Church shooting forgave the perpetrator, demonstrating Christian Teachings

Know 3 on how Jesus was a role model ( Depth Study)