Christianity part 1+2

covers p1 and p2 as per say

what is the origins of christianity?

• Christianity began in the 1st Century CE in Judea/Palestine under Roman rule.

• Christianity developed out of Judaism.

• Followers of Jesus believed He was the promised Messiah sent by God.  

what is the jewish background of christianity?

• Judaism was centred in Jerusalem and the Temple.

• Jews believed in one God: Yahweh.

• Jews followed the Torah (Jewish Law).

• Jewish society strongly influenced Jesus’ teachings and early Christianity.

What was the messianic expectation?

• Jews believed God would send a Messiah (“anointed one”).

• Many expected the Messiah to:

  • Defeat Roman oppression

  • Restore Israel

  • Become a political leader and liberator  

• Christians later believed Jesus fulfilled this prophecy spiritually rather than politically.

what was romans rule in Christianity?

• Judea was controlled by the Roman Empire.

• Jews experienced:

  • Heavy taxation

  • Political oppression

  • Roman military occupation  

• Roman governors such as Pontius Pilate ruled the region.

what were the major jewish groups?

• Pharisees

  • Strictly followed Jewish Law and traditions.

  • Believed in resurrection and angels.

• Sadducees

  • Wealthy priestly class connected to the Temple.

  • Conservative and accepted only written law.

• Zealots

  • Radical Jewish nationalists.

  • Violently opposed Roman rule.  

what was roman religious context?

• Romans were polytheistic (many gods).

• Worshipped gods such as:

  • Jupiter

  • Apollo

  • Minerva

• Emperor worship was expected.  

• Christianity conflicted with Roman beliefs because Christians worshipped only one God.

what was the cultural context?

• Common occupations:

  • Farming

  • Carpentry

  • Pottery

  • Tent-making

  • Goldsmithing  

• Women commonly:

  • Made clothing

  • Ground grain

  • Managed households

• Children were viewed as blessings from God.

• Society was patriarchal.

what was the persecution of Christians?

• Early Christians were persecuted by Roman authorities.

• Christians refused emperor worship.

• Christianity spread secretly at first.  

what was the spread of christianity?

• Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire because:

  • Roman roads allowed travel

  • Greek language was widely spoken

  • Trade networks connected cities

• Eventually Christianity separated fully from Judaism.

what was the birth of Jesus?

• Jesus was born around 6 BCE in Bethlehem.

• Mother: Mary.

• Christians believe in the Virgin Birth:

  • Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  

• Herod the Great ruled Judea at the time.

• Angels announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds.

• Wise men (Magi) followed a star to worship Him.

• Significance:

  • Confirms Jesus as Messiah

  • Demonstrates both humanity and divinity

what was the baptism and beginning of ministry?

• Jesus began ministry at about age 30.

• Baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  

• During baptism:

  • Holy Spirit descended as a dove

  • God’s voice declared Jesus His Son

• First revelation of the Holy Trinity:

  • Father = voice

  • Son = Jesus

  • Holy Spirit = dove

what was the temptation in the wilderness?

• Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness.  

• Satan tempted Him.

• Jesus resisted temptation and remained faithful to God.

• Afterwards He called His first disciples

what did Jesus preached during his travels?

• Jesus travelled preaching:

  • Kingdom of God

  • Love

  • Forgiveness

  • Salvation

  • Repentance

• Taught through parables:

  • Short stories with spiritual meanings.  

what miracles did Jesus conduct?

• Miracles demonstrated God’s power and strengthened faith.

• First Miracle

  • Turning water into wine at Cana.  

• Other Miracles

  • Healing the sick

  • Feeding 5000 people

  • Walking on water

  • Raising the dead

  • Healing blind Bartimaeus.  

what was Jesus ministry in Jerusalem?

• Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey during Palm Sunday.  

• Crowd welcomed Him with palm branches.

• Symbolised humility and peace.

• Last Supper

  • Shared Passover meal with disciples.

  • Introduced Eucharist/Holy Communion:

    • Bread = His body

    • Wine = His blood  

how did the death of Jesus occur?

• Arrest

  • Betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

  • Arrested in Garden of Gethsemane.  

• Crucifixion

  • Sentenced to death under Pontius Pilate.

  • Crucified at Golgotha/Calvary.

  • Christians believe His death brought salvation from sin.

what is the resurrection of Jesus?

• On the third day Jesus rose from the dead.

• Mary Magdalene found the empty tomb.  

• Central belief of Christianity.

• Demonstrates victory over death and promise of eternal life.

what is the ascension of Jesus?

• 40 days after resurrection Jesus ascended into Heaven.  

• Took His place at the right hand of God.

what is the pentecost of Jesus?

• Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and Mary.  

• Apostles spoke in different languages (“tongues”).

• Marks the birth of the Christian Church.

why is Jesus the model for christians?

• Christians believe Jesus perfectly revealed God’s will.

• His teachings and actions demonstrate how humans should live.

• Jesus models:

  • Prayer

  • Service

  • Compassion

  • Forgiveness

  • Love

  • Obedience to God  

What is the prayer aspect of Jesus life?

• Frequently withdrew to pray privately.  

• Prayed during:

  • Difficult moments

  • Before major decisions

  • Times of suffering

• Christians follow this example through prayer and worship.

• Example

  • Prayer in Gethsemane before crucifixion.

what is the life of service of Jesus life?

• Dedicated His life to helping others.

• Served:

  • Poor

  • Sick

  • Outcasts

  • Marginalised people  

Teachings Supporting Service

• Beatitudes

• Golden Rule:

  • “Treat others as you want to be treated.”

what is Jesus advocating for the poor?

• Defended disadvantaged and oppressed people.

• Emphasised justice and compassion.  

• Christians are encouraged to:

  • Help the poor

  • Practice charity

  • Support social justice

how does Jesus advocate love and forgiveness?

• Taught unconditional love.

• Forgave:

  • Sinners

  • Disciples who abandoned Him

  • Even His executioners  

• Key Teaching

  • “Love your neighbour.”

  • “Love your enemies.”

how does Jesus demonstrates faithfulness to God

1.  Jesus Demonstrates Faithfulness to God

   • Remained obedient despite suffering.

   • Accepted crucifixion according to God’s will.

   • Christians aim to imitate this faithfulness.

what were the early christian communities?

• Developed after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• Spread through preaching of Apostles.

• Focused on:

  • Worship

  • Prayer

  • Teaching

  • Charity

  • Fellowship

who is apostle Peter?

• Leader and spokesperson of the Apostles.  

• Helped establish the Apostolic Church in Jerusalem.

• Often called:

  • “Apostle of Apostles”

  • First Pope in Catholic tradition

• Preached after Pentecost and converted many people.

Who was Paul of Tarsus (Saint of Paul) (background, importance, significance)

• Background

  • Originally Saul of Tarsus.

  • Initially persecuted Christians.

  • Converted after vision of Jesus on road to Damascus.  

• Importance

  • Spread Christianity to Gentiles (non-Jews).

  • Travelled through:

    • Asia Minor

    • Greece

    • Roman Empire  

  • Wrote letters (Epistles) to Christian communities.

  • His writings became part of the New Testament.

• Significance

  • Helped transform Christianity into a universal religion rather than only a Jewish movement.

what is the council of Jerusalem?

• c.49 ce

• Important meeting between Christian leaders.  

• Major issue:

  • Did Gentile converts need to follow Jewish Law?

• Decision:

  • Gentiles did not need full Jewish Law/circumcision.

• Significance:

  • Christianity became distinct from Judaism.

  • Allowed rapid spread among non-Jews.

how did church structures develop?

• Churches became more organised after 70 CE.  

• Leadership roles developed:

  • Bishops

  • Priests

  • Deacons

• Christian writings emerged:

  • Paul’s letters

  • Gospels

what persecution did Christianity go through and its growth?

• Christians faced Roman persecution for centuries.

• Refused emperor worship.

• Despite persecution, Christianity continued spreading rapidly.

what is a denomination?

• A denomination is a branch or expression of Christianity with distinct:

  • Beliefs

  • Worship practices

  • Leadership structures

  • Interpretations of scripture and tradition

how did denominations develop?

• Denominations developed due to:

  • Theological disagreements

  • Political conflicts

  • Cultural differences

  • Debates over authority and doctrine

what were the origins of catholicism?

• Developed from the early Christian Church centred in Rome.

• Catholics believe authority traces back to Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles.

• Christianity became increasingly centralised under the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).

what is the leadership of the catholicism?

• Pope is supreme authority.

• Hierarchical structure:

  • Pope

  • Cardinals

  • Bishops

  • Priests

what is the core beliefs of catholicism?

• Authority comes from:

  • Bible

  • Church Tradition

  • Teachings of the Church (Magisterium)

• Salvation involves:

  • Faith

  • Good works

  • Sacraments

what is the core sacraments of catholics?

• Baptism

• Eucharist

• Confirmation

• Reconciliation

• Marriage

• Holy Orders

• Anointing of the Sick

what is the key characteristics of Catholicism?

• Highly structured worship (Mass).

• Strong emphasis on saints, Mary, and ritual.

• Belief in transubstantiation:

  • Bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ during Eucharist.

what historical conflicts did Catholicism have?

• Conflict with Orthodoxy over:

  • Papal authority

  • Theology

  • Cultural/language differences

• Conflict with Protestants during Reformation:

  • Corruption accusations

  • Sale of indulgences

  • Authority of the Pope

• Counter-Reformation attempted to reform abuses and defend Catholic teachings.

what is the origins of orthodoxy?

• Split from Catholic Church during the Great Schism (1054 CE).

what is the causes of the great schism?

• Religious Causes

  • Disagreement over authority of the Pope.

  • Orthodox Christians rejected supreme papal control.

• Cultural Causes

  • Western Church used Latin.

  • Eastern Church used Greek.

  • Different traditions and practices developed.

• Political Causes

  • Rivalry between Rome and Constantinople.

• Leadership

  • Led by Patriarchs.

  • Patriarch of Constantinople considered “first among equals,” not supreme ruler.

what is the characteristics of orthodoxy?

• Strong emphasis on:

  • Ancient traditions

  • Liturgy

  • Icons

  • Mysticism

• Regional Churches include:

  • Greek Orthodox

  • Russian Orthodox

  • Serbian Orthodox

what is the core beliefs of orthodoxy?

• Preserve teachings and traditions of early Christianity.

• Salvation viewed as “theosis”:

  • Becoming spiritually united with God.

what is the historical tensions behind orthodoxy?

• Deep division with Catholic Church after 1054.

• Crusaders from Western Europe damaged relations further after attacking Constantinople in 1204.

• Despite modern dialogue, the split still exists today.

what is the origins of Protestantism?

• Began during the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

• Initiated largely by Martin Luther.

what is the causes of reformation for protestantism?

• Criticism of:

  • Corruption in Church

  • Sale of indulgences

  • Wealth and political power of clergy

• Protestants argued Church practices had moved away from biblical teachings.

what is the core beliefs of protestantism?

• Salvation through faith alone (sola fide).

• Bible alone is highest authority (sola scriptura).

• Reduced emphasis on Church hierarchy and sacraments.

what is the protestant branches?

• Lutheran

• Baptist

• Presbyterian

• Methodist

• Calvinist traditions

what is the characteristics of protestants?

• Simpler worship compared to Catholicism.

• Greater focus on preaching and scripture reading.

• Usually reject papal authority.

what is the historical context of protestant?

• Major religious wars occurred across Europe after the Reformation.

• Catholics and Protestants persecuted each other in different regions.

• Political rulers often used religion to strengthen power.

• The Reformation permanently fragmented Western Christianity.

what is the origins of anglicanism?

• Origins

  • Began in England during the English Reformation.

  • Associated with Henry VIII.

what is the cause of separation of anglicanism?

• Cause of Separation

  • Henry VIII wanted annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

  • Pope refused.

  • Henry separated England from Roman Catholic authority.

what is the leadership of anglicanism?

• Leadership

  • Archbishop of Canterbury is symbolic leader.

what is characteristics of anglicanism?

• Combines:

  • Catholic traditions

  • Protestant theology

• Worship style varies:

  • Some Anglican churches appear highly Catholic.

  • Others resemble Protestant churches.

• Core Beliefs

  • Strong focus on:

    • Scripture

    • Worship tradition

    • Balance between faith and reason

what is the historical conflict of Anglicanism?

• Long conflict between Catholics and Anglicans in England.

• Religious identity became tied to political loyalty.

• Periods of persecution affected both groups.

what is the origins of pentecostalism?

• Origins

  • Developed in early 20th century.

  • Influenced by revival movements and emphasis on spiritual experiences.

what is the main focus of pentecostalism?

• Main Focus

  • Direct experience of the Holy Spirit.

what is the characteristics of pentecostalism?

• Characteristics

  • Energetic worship

  • Emotional expression

  • Speaking in tongues

  • Healing

  • Miracles

  • Spiritual gifts

what is the beliefs of pentecostalism?

• Beliefs

  • Emphasis on personal conversion and relationship with God.

  • Belief that gifts of Holy Spirit continue today.

what is a example of pentecostalism?

• hillsong church

what is some critisiticm and tensions of pentecostalism?

• Some traditional Christians criticised Pentecostal worship as overly emotional.

• Debates exist regarding:

  • Miracles

  • Prosperity theology

  • Speaking in tongues

what is the divinity and humanity of Jesus christ as a core belief?

• Core Belief

  • Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human.

  • This belief is called the Incarnation.

  • Christians believe Jesus possesses:

    • A divine nature.

    • A human nature.

  • These two natures exist in one person.

  • This doctrine is known as the Hypostatic Union.

  • Formally defined at the Council of Chalcedon (451 CE).

what is meant as Jesus as the logos?

• Jesus as the Logos

  • Logos means “Word” or “Divine Reason.”

  • Jesus is identified as the eternal Word of God.

  • Jesus existed before creation.

  • Jesus participated in creation.

  • Jesus perfectly reveals God to humanity.

what is Jesus humanity?

• Jesus’ Humanity

  • Born through Mary.

  • Experienced:

    • Hunger.

    • Thirst.

    • Fatigue.

    • Temptation.

    • Pain.

    • Suffering.

    • Death.

  • Experienced emotions:

    • Joy.

    • Compassion.

    • Sadness.

    • Fear.

    • Anger.

  • Grew physically and intellectually.

  • Fully participated in human life.

what are some evidence of Jesus evidence?

• Evidence of Humanity

  • “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

  • Temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4).

  • Agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26).

  • Jesus grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52).

what was Jesus’ divinity?

• Forgave sins.

• Performed miracles.

• Controlled nature.

• Raised the dead.

• Accepted worship.

• Rose from the dead.

• Claimed unity with God.

what is evidence of Jesus’ divinity?

• Evidence of Divinity

  • “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

  • Thomas calls Jesus “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

  • Raising Lazarus (John 11).

  • Walking on water (Matthew 14).

what is kenosis?

• Kenosis

  • Means “self-emptying.”

  • Christ voluntarily humbled Himself.

  • Did not stop being God.

  • Accepted human limitations.

  • Demonstrates divine humility and love.

what is the theological significance of Jesus’ traits?

• Humanity allows Jesus to genuinely suffer and die.

• Divinity allows Jesus to conquer sin and death.

• Both natures are necessary for salvation.

• Jesus acts as mediator between God and humanity.

• Demonstrates God’s willingness to enter human suffering.

what is the core belief of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension?

• Core Belief

  • The death, resurrection and ascension form the Paschal Mystery.

  • Central event of Christianity.

  • Basis of Christian salvation.

what is the atonement aspect of death of Jesus?

• Atonement means reconciliation between God and humanity.

• Jesus’ death restores humanity’s relationship with God.

• Humanity is separated from God through sin.

• Jesus offers Himself as a sacrifice for humanity.

what is the covenant theology of death of Jesus?

• Covenant Theology

  • God formed covenants with humanity throughout history.

  • Humanity repeatedly broke these covenants.

  • Jesus establishes the New Covenant.

what is the paschal lamb of the death of Jesus? [this is just bonus, not really needed]

• Connected to Jewish Passover traditions.

• Jesus becomes the perfect sacrificial lamb.

• His sacrifice replaces previous sacrifices.

what is the major atonement theories?

• Substitutionary Atonement

  • Jesus suffers punishment on humanity’s behalf.

  • Dies in place of sinners.

• Christus Victor

  • Jesus defeats:

    • Sin.

    • Death.

    • Satan.

  • Focuses on victory rather than punishment.

• Moral Influence Theory

  • Jesus’ sacrifice inspires believers to live faithfully.

what is the significance of Jesus death?

• Demonstrates God’s love.

• Makes salvation possible.

• Restores humanity’s relationship with God.

• Opens the path to eternal life.

what is the core belief of resurrection?

• Jesus physically rose from the dead on the third day.

• Considered the foundation of Christian faith.

what is the significance of resurrection?

• Confirms Jesus’ divinity.

• Confirms Jesus’ teachings.

• Demonstrates victory over death.

• Demonstrates victory over sin.

• Provides hope for eternal life.

• Guarantees future resurrection for believers.

what is the theological importance?

• Without the resurrection Christianity loses its foundation.

• Demonstrates God’s power over death.

• Establishes Jesus as Lord.

what is the core belief of ascension?

• Jesus ascended into Heaven forty days after His resurrection.

• Returned to the Father.

what is the significance of ascension?

• Significance

  • Completion of Jesus’ earthly mission.

  • Return to divine glory.

  • Jesus reigns with God.

  • Jesus intercedes for believers.

  • Prepares for Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

what is the eschatological importance? [not really needed]

• Points toward:

  • Final Judgement.

  • Eternal life.

  • Resurrection of believers.

  • New Creation.

what is the core belief of the trinity?

• Christianity is monotheistic.

• There is only one God.

• God exists as three persons:

  • Father.

  • Son.

  • Holy Spirit.

• The three persons are distinct yet one God.

what is the trinity?

• Central doctrine of Christianity.

• Three persons share one divine essence.

• Co-equal.

• Co-eternal.

• Not three separate gods.

what is god the father?

• Creator of the universe.

• Sustainer of creation.

• Source of all life.

• Loving Father.

• Just judge.

what is God the Son?

• Jesus Christ.

• Reveals God to humanity.

• Redeems humanity from sin.

• Establishes salvation.

what is God the Holy Spirit?

• Sanctifier.

• Guides believers.

• Inspires Scripture.

• Strengthens the Church.

• Gives spiritual gifts.

what is the development of the doctrine?

• Council of Nicaea (325 CE)

  • Rejected Arianism.

  • Affirmed Jesus’ full divinity.

• Homoousios

  • Means “same substance.”

  • Father and Son possess the same divine nature.

• Council of Constantinople (381 CE)

  • Confirmed divinity of the Holy Spirit.

  • Completed Trinitarian doctrine.

• Nicene Creed

  • Formal statement of Christian belief.

  • Used in Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican worship.

• Immanent Trinity

  • God’s eternal inner life.

  • Relationship between Father, Son and Spirit before creation.

• Economic Trinity

  • How God acts in human history.

  • Father creates.

  • Son redeems.

  • Spirit sanctifies.

• Perichoresis

  • Mutual indwelling of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  • Perfect unity and relationship within God.

• Theological Significance

  • Explains Christian understanding of God.

  • Demonstrates that God is relational by nature.

  • Explains why love is central to Christianity.

  • Forms the basis of Christian worship and prayer.

what is the definition of revelation?

• Revelation is God’s self-disclosure to humanity.

• Allows humanity to know truths that reason alone cannot discover.

• Reveals God’s nature and plan for salvation.

what is the general (natural) revelation?

• Knowledge of God through:

  • Nature.

  • Creation.

  • Human reason.

• Demonstrates God’s existence and power.

what is special (divine) revelation

• Direct communication from God.

• Revealed through:

  • Prophets.

  • Scripture.

  • Jesus Christ.

what is progressive revelation?

• God’s truth unfolds gradually throughout history.

• Begins in the Old Testament.

• Reaches fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

what is Jesus as the ultimate revelation?

• Highest form of revelation.

• Perfectly reveals God’s nature.

• Not merely a messenger of God.

• Christians believe Jesus is God’s revelation in human form.

what is the scripture and tradition of revelation?

• Catholic and Orthodox View

  • Authority comes from:

    • Scripture.

    • Sacred Tradition.

• Protestant View

  • Authority primarily comes from Scripture alone (sola scriptura).

why is revelation important theologically?

• Forms the basis of Christian belief.

• Allows believers to know God’s will.

• Provides guidance for faith and morality.

• Leads humanity toward salvation.

what is the definition of salvation?

• Salvation is deliverance from sin and death.

• Restoration of humanity’s relationship with God.

• Ultimate goal is eternal union with God.

why is salvation necessary?

• Original Sin

  • Originates from Adam and Eve.

  • Human nature becomes wounded.

  • Humanity becomes separated from God.

• Personal Sin

  • Individual sinful actions continue this separation.

what is grace under salvation?

• Free and undeserved gift from God.

• Salvation begins with God’s initiative.

• Cannot be earned solely through human effort.

what is redemption under salvation?

• Humanity is freed from sin through Christ.

• Jesus pays the price for humanity’s liberation.

what is justification under salvation?

• Humans are made right with God.

• Restores relationship with God.

what is sanctification under salvation?

• Lifelong process of becoming holy.

• Growth in faith and virtue.

• Ongoing transformation through God’s grace.