CHRISTIANITY + PRE 1945

CULTURAL CONTEXT

• Christianity began in Judea, with Jerusalem as a religious and economic hub.

• Judaism was challenged by Greek (Hellenistic) polytheistic culture.

• Many Jews hoped for a Messiah to free them from Roman rule.

• The Torah guided daily life, but there was no unified Jewish authority.

• Messianic expectations grew during times of suffering and foreign control.

FOUR DISTINCT GROUPS OF JEWS

PHARISES:

• viewed themselves as righteous

• believed in oral law

  SADSUCEES

• wealthy and priestly class who worked with romans

• conflicted with Pharisees

• rejected oral law

  ZEALOTS

• militant group → aggressive group of warriors

• believed they needed to physically overthrow romans

  ESSENES

• lived in isolated communities

• believed in purity

• monks

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

• Judea was conquered by the Roman Empire in 63 BCE.

• Roman rule brought new taxes and systems of slave labor.

• Local governors (e.g. Pontius Pilate) were appointed by Rome.

• Jewish people were often persecuted under Roman rule.

• The empire allowed trade and travel, spreading ideas across regions.

• Social classes included Roman officials, merchants, slaves, and minorities.

JESUS MINISTRY (AGE 30-33)

• Worked as a carpenter in early adulthood.

• Baptised by John at age 30; Holy Spirit descended (Mark 1:1–12).

• Began ministry to spread God's message.

• Spent 40 days in the desert; tempted by Satan (faced 3 key temptations).

• Started preaching in Judea; recruited fishermen as disciples.

• Taught a liberal interpretation of commandments.

• Used parables (e.g. The Prodigal Son) to teach — simple stories with deeper meaning to make people reflect.

PERFORMED MIRACLES

• Turned water into wine (John 2:1–11)

• Fed a whole crowd with 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matthew 14:17–23)

• Raised Lazarus from the dead: “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:38–44)

• Taught using parables — e.g. The Prodigal Son

• Message: “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:23)

THE PRODIGAL SON (LUKE: 9-19)

• A father has two sons: eldest is obedient, youngest rebels and wastes his inheritance

• Youngest ends up poor, eating pig food, returns home expecting rejection

• Father runs to him, embraces him, cuts off apology, throws a feast

• Eldest is jealous and refuses to celebrate

• Father teaches him to forgive: “he was lost but now found”

• Teaches Christians to forgive and see outsiders as children of God

PASSION WEEK

• Sunday (Entry into Jerusalem):
  “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” – Matthew 21:9

• Monday (Temple Cleansing):
  “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” – Matthew 21:13

• Tuesday (Prophecy of Temple Destruction):
  “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another...” – Matthew 24:2

• Wednesday (Judas’ Betrayal):
  “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” – Matthew 26:14

• Thursday (Last Supper):
  “Take and eat; this is my body... This is my blood of the covenant.” – Matthew 26:26–28

• Friday (Crucifixion):
  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46

• Saturday (Burial & Silence):
  “The son of god appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who have been faithful” (D&C 138: 18)

• Sunday (Resurrection):
  “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” – Matthew 28:6

DEATH + RESURRECTION

• Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as Messiah due to political/religious threat.

• Romans feared he’d lead rebellion.

• Jesus arrested, tortured, crucified.

• Buried quickly due to Sabbath customs.

• Tomb found empty; resurrection confirmed.

• Encouraged disciples to preach second coming.

JESUS AS A ROLE MODEL

• Forgiveness

• Love

• Humility / Service

• Advocate for poor

AGAPE LOVE (UNCONDITIONAL LOVE)

• Selfless, sacrificial love for all people.

• Shown through:

  • Jesus’ crucifixion (sacrifice for salvation).

  • Washing disciples’ feet (humility).

  • Loving enemies.

  • Parables like the Good Samaritan (mercy and kindness).

  • Teaching forgiveness and prayer.

QUOTES ON LOVE

• “Love the Lord your God... and love your neighbour as yourself.”

• “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you.” – John 13:34

• “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son...” – John 3:16

• “We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” – 1 John 3:16

• Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30–33

• “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” – Matthew 5:41

CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF AGAPE → POPE FRANCIS

1. Pope Francis

• Advocates for peace, unity, and refugees.

• Promotes dialogue and humility (e.g. kissing feet of South Sudanese leaders).

• Quotes:

  • “Peace is a gift, it is a challenge, it is a commitment.”

  • “Every act of violence... is a wound in humanity’s flesh.”

CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF AGAPE → DESMOND TUTU

Desmond Tutu

• Archbishop of South Africa.

• Opposed apartheid and global injustice.

• Quotes:

  • “My humanity is bound up in yours...”

  • “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

  • Called “the voice of the voiceless” by Nelson Mandela.

CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF AGAPE LOVE → MLK

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK):

• Inspired by Jesus’ teachings of non-violence and love for enemies.

• Emphasised justice, peace, and dignity through non-violent protest.

• Saw peace as linked to righteousness and justice (embodied pacifism).

Quotes from MLK:

• “When it came to enemies, Jesus relinquished with love.”

• “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

• “Stand up for what is right. I will never leave you, I will never leave you alone.”

IMAGO DEI (IMAGE OF GOD)

Key Ideas:

• Peace is not just the absence of war, but the tireless pursuit of justice.

• All humans are made in the image of God — deserving dignity, love, and peace.

• Catholic teachings link peace to human rights and social justice.

Quotes:

• “This is our deepest aspiration: to love and to be loved indefinitely.” – Pope Francis

• “Love is the measure of faith... and the soul of love.”

• “A touch of mercy transforms everything.”

FORGIVENESS

Core Ideas:

• Jesus is the ultimate model of forgiveness — he forgave even Judas and the Roman soldiers who crucified him.

• Forgiveness is linked to God’s grace and eternal life through Jesus.

Key Quotes:

• “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

• “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

CONTEMPORARY EX OF FORGIVENESS: LEILA ABDULLAH

Contemporary Example – Leila Abdallah:

• A devout Christian mother who forgave a drunk driver that killed her three children.

• Quotes:

  • “I’m not going to hate him because that’s not who we are.”

  • “Forgiveness is the path to holiness.”

EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

Persecution of Christians:

• Seen as blasphemous by Roman authorities.

• Refused to participate in Roman worship.

• Viewed as a threat to Roman power.

Examples of Persecution:

• Massacred in the Colosseum

• Fed to lions

• Used as human candles

AFTER DEATH OF JESUS

• Jesus was resurrected and appeared to his disciples, promising to return.

• Commissioned the disciples to spread Christianity.

• Early Christians were persecuted — they practiced in secret.

Early Christians Needed:

• A powerful leader and structural guidance.

• Freedom from strict Jewish laws.

• A sense of belonging (community, church).

• Sacred texts and daily structure.

• A flexible, reassuring message.

PAUL OF TARSUS

• Originally Saul — persecuted Christians.

• Converted after a divine encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:4) "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

• Became a missionary and spread Jesus’ teachings across the Roman Empire.

• Focused on both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews).

• Wrote epistles (letters) that form much of the New Testament.

• Helped structure and define early Christian beliefs.

FIVE MAIN CONTRIBUTIONS OF PAUL

1. Justification by Faith:

   • Humans are saved by faith, not by following Mosaic Law.

   • “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

   • “It is with your heart that you believe and are justified.” – Romans 10:10

2. Agape Love:

   • Emphasised unconditional love.

   • “Love is patient, love is kind... it always protects...” – 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

   • “The greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

3. Missionary Journeys:

   • Planted churches, appointed leaders (e.g. Timothy).

   • “They had appointed elders in every church.” – Acts 14:23

   • “You know all about my teachings...” – 2 Timothy 3:10

4. Separation from Judaism:

   • Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15): Gentiles didn’t need to follow Jewish customs (e.g. circumcision).

   • “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles...” – Acts 15:19

   • “Circumcision is of the heart... by the Spirit.” – Romans 2:29

5. Eucharist & Conduct in Church:

   • Taught on proper Christian gatherings.

   • “When you come together to eat, wait for one another.” – 1 Cor 11:33

   • “As often as you eat this bread... you proclaim the Lord’s death.” – 1 Cor 11:26

OTHER KEY THEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

• Grace, free will, baptism, salvation, resurrection, body of Christ.

• Justification by faith became central to Protestant Reformation theology.

IMPACT AND LEGACY

• Christianity grew globally — now 33% of the world’s population.

• Over 37 million churches today.

• Christianity became its own religion, not just a sect of Judaism.

• Paul is considered:

  • The greatest missionary.

  • A key church planter.

  • Teacher of sola fide (“faith alone”) theology.

KEY EVENTS

• birthed by virgin Mary

• argued with rabbi at age of 10-12

• was tempted by satan 3x at a desert while fasting for 40 days

• events of passion week

3 THINGS SATAN TEMPTED JESUS WITH

• turning stones into bread

• jump off cliff to see if angels will save him

• worship satan (by bowing to him)

QUOTES ON HOW JESUS REJECTED SATAN

jumping off cliff:

• “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7)

worshipping satan:

• “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)

PARYER

→ "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
↳ This illustrates Jesus’ commitment to prayer. Despite the demands of his ministry and the crowds that followed him, Jesus consistently sought solitude to connect with the Father. His example of prayer and devotion to God underscores the importance of regular intentional prayer in maintaining a close relationship with God.

HUMILITY/SERVICE

→ "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
↳ This highlights Jesus’ role as a servant leader. Rather than seeking status or authority, he dedicated his life to serving others, culminating in his sacrificial death. Jesus’ actions teach adherents the value of humility and the importance of putting others’ needs before our own.

ADVOCATE FOR POOR

→ "The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..." (Luke 4:18)
↳ Jesus declares his mission to bring hope and healing to the marginalised, including the poor. By emphasising his commitment to uplifting those in need, Jesus sets an example for adherents to advocate for social justice and care for the less fortunate.

• PRODIGAL SON LINK → Teaches to ✝ as anyone can return to God.

PRINCIPLE BELIEFS

• HUMANITY + DIVINITY

• DEATH + RESURRECTION

• TRINITY

• REVELATION

• SALVATION

HUMANITY + DIVINITY

• Humanity:

  • Jesus is man because he is the son of a woman and has a body and soul.

  • Came into the world as an infant.

  • He ate, slept, walked, drank.

  • Suffered: "My soul is sad even unto death" (Matthew 26:38).

• Divinity:

  • Jesus is God because of his immaculate conception into a virgin.

  • The only Son of God.

  • Old Testament promised redeemer would be God.

  • Performed miracles; walked on water; rose Lazarus from the dead; healed a blind man.

  • "Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Pt 1:3).

DEATH + RESURRECTION

• Death:

  • Crucified for challenging the authority of Rome.

  • Slow, agonising death through nailing and being overtaken by Rome.

  • "Father into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

  • Crucified painfully, agonising for six hours.

  • Death symbolises salvation for humanity’s sin.

• Resurrection:

  • Empty tomb — Sunday morning.

  • "When they heard that Jesus had risen… they did not believe it" (Mark 16:11).

  • Jesus comes back and says Holy Spirit → he will return.

  • Ascended to heaven 40 days later.

  • Gave Christians hope in their faith.

  • Easter links to resurrection.

TRINITY

The Trinity is the concept of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all linking to one God.

• Father, Son, Holy Spirit are distinct people.

• Each person is fully God.

• There is only one God.

• Holy Spirit: leads individuals into embracing Christ.

• Son: spreads message, ultimate example, allows believers to draw closer to God.

• Father: creator, decision-maker.

REVEVLATION

CATALYST (Spark):

• Jesus as agent.

• Tanakh prophesies his appearance from the line of King David.

• Beginning of his life — his divine birth — instigates beginning of new revelation.

MODEL (Actions):

• Jesus as the content.

• His life, actions, words, wisdom, recorded in Gospels and commented on by Epistles (e.g., by Paul).

• Example: Christians emulating him today.

CHANGE (Gospels):

• Jesus as process.

• Through him, Christianity connects to God.

• Christians aspire to live a life with Jesus.

• Following his actions and character will lead to process of being a good Christian.

SALVATION

• In the biblical creation story of Adam and Eve, the fall from grace of God by choosing not to obey Him spiritually depicts the loss of innocence.

• Jesus’ sacrifice redeems humanity’s innocence through his salvation out of love for God and his disciples.

• Salvation meaning: term for being delivered from sin; collective saving from evil.

• ‘Jesus’ means God’s salvation.

• "He will save the people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, Acts 4:12).

SACRED TEXTS/WRITINGS

Category	Books
Gospels	1. Matthew2. Mark3. Luke4. John
Acts of Apostles	5. Acts
Epistle Letters	6. Romans 7. 1 Corinthians 8. 2 Corinthians 9. Galatians 10. Ephesians 11. Philippians 12. Colossians 13. 1 Thessalonians 14. 2 Thessalonians 15. 1 Timothy 16. 2 Timothy 17. Titus 18. Philemon 19. Hebrews 20. James 21. 1 Peter 22. 2 Peter 23. 1 John 24. 2 John 25. 3 John 26. Jude

GOSPELS

• Matthew: Focuses on Jesus, includes birth story, Sermon on the Mount, Old Testament prophecy fulfilled.

• Mark: Emphasises Jesus’ miracles, servant-like action, begins with John Baptist, shortest Gospel.

• Luke: Highlights Jesus’ compassion for the poor, sinners, and women; birth story; parables; shows Jesus as Saviour.

• John: Focuses on Jesus’ divinity, includes symbolic language, raising of Lazarus.

ETHICS

• 10 COMMANDMENTS

• 8 BEATITUDES

• THE COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

10 COMMANDMENTS

1. "You shall have no other gods before me."

2. "You shall not make yourself any graven images."

3. "You shall not take the name of your God in vain."

4. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

5. "Honour your mother and your father."

6. "You shall not kill."

7. "You shall not commit adultery."

8. "You shall not steal."

9. "You shall not lie."

10. "You shall not covet."

8 BEATITUDES

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

• "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37–39).

• Jesus teaches that the most important commandments are to love God completely and love others as yourself.

• Originates in the Shema but focuses more on love.

• GOLDEN RULE

  • "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31).

GREAT SCHSIM

• The Great Schism of 1054 was the formal split between the Western Church (Roman Catholic) and Eastern Church (Orthodox).

• Main reasons for split:

  • Filioque clause: Western Church added “and the Son” to the Nicene Creed without consulting the East.

  • Authority:

    • West: believed in hierarchy (Pope – Catholic).

    • East: believed in no hierarchy (equal distribution between 5 patriarchs).

CHRISTIAN DENOMNATIONS

• Christianity

  • Orthodox

  • Catholic

  • Protestant

  • Anglicanism

• Pentecostalism

• Church of England

ANGLICANISM

• Form: 16th century during English Reformation under King Henry VIII (Church of England).

• Break away: Separated from Roman Church because Pope refused Henry’s request for annulment. Henry wanted a divorce, but Catholicism did not allow it.

CATHOLOCISM

• Form: Origins traced directly to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, particularly Peter (considered first Pope).

• Break away: Corruption of Church (e.g., selling indulgences) to fund church in Rome — led to Protestant Reformation.

ORTHODOXY

• Form: Eastern part of Rome in 1054 split (Great Schism).

• Break away: Theological, political, and papal authority disputes (e.g., over Nicene Creed).

PENTACOSTALISM

• Form: 20th century after the Azusa Street Revival.

• Break away: Moved away from Protestant Christianity to focus on experiences of the Holy Spirit — speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy.

PROTESTANISM (REFORMATION)

• Result of people splitting from Catholic Church.

• Began with Martin Luther (German lawyer/monk), inspired by Paul’s letters and the concept of sola fide.

• Rejected authority of the Pope.

• Believed Bible is the sole authority, salvation through faith and God’s grace.

• Bible translated into common languages.

• Challenged indulgences, infant baptism, and reliance on Pope/Priest.

• Anglicanism is a branch of Protestant Reformation, though Henry VIII’s motives were political (divorce).

FIVE SOLAS

1. Sola Scriptura — Scripture alone.

2. Sola Gratia — Salvation by grace.

3. Sola Fide — Faith alone.

4. Solus Christus — In Christ alone.

5. Soli Deo Gloria — For the glory of God alone.

PRE-1945 AUSTRALIA

England

• Anglicanism — led by King.

• England ruled over Ireland.

• From the Irish perspective: English = oppressors.

Ireland

• Catholicism — led by Pope.

• Poor.

• From the English perspective: “dirty”.

ARRIVAL AND ESTABLISHMENT (1788 → FRIST FLEET)

• 6–13 Jewish convicts.

• 301 Catholic convicts (from Ireland).

• 661 Anglican convicts (from England).

• Arrived 26 January.

• 3 February — first Christian service in Sydney (under a tree) led by Richard Johnson.

• All members of the colony, including convicts, were forced to attend Anglican services.

ANGLICANISM (ARRIVAL & ESTABLISHMENT AUS)

Arrival

• Arrived in 1787 with First Fleet — 66% of fleet Anglican (Church of England = main denomination in England).

• Richard Johnson = first Anglican leader in Australia (also chaplain).

Establishment

• Johnson ran Sunday church weekly for whole colony.

• First church built in 1793.

• Anglican leaders = magistrates during the week.

• Anglicanism guided law, schools, government.

• 1845: 72.4% of Australians Anglican.

CATHOLICISM (ARRIVAL & ESTABLISHMENT AUS)

Arrival

• Arrived on First Fleet (smaller numbers — ~30% convicts).

• Not practised at first — forced Anglican practice and conflict between English & Irish.

• Highly discriminated against.

Establishment

• 1803: First Catholic leader, John Dixon, arrived.

• 1804: Castle Hill Rebellion — Catholics banned from public worship for 20 years.

• Catholic cathedral eventually built — still exists today.

ISLAM (ARRIVAL & ESTABLISHMENT AUS)

Arrival

• Before 1770: Indonesian Macassans traded with Yolngu people (NT).

• Never permanently settled.

• 1800s: Afghan cameleers to build telegraph line.

• 1947: 0.04% of Australian population = Muslim.

Establishment

• Afghan cameleers built “ghantowns” outside settlements to freely practise Islam.

• Mosques established — e.g., Broken Hill (1887), largest mosque in South Australia.

• Hub for Muslim communities.

• By 1895: 300 practising Muslims.

• Introduced Islamic burials, rituals, halal food.

JUDAISM (ARRIVAL & ESTABLISHMENT AUS)

Arrival

• 6–13 Jewish convicts in First Fleet (1788).

• Helped establish taxation system in colony.

Establishment

• 1837: Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society).

• Promoted secularism in universities.

• 1830: First Torah scrolls brought by Rabbi Aaron Levy.

• 1844: First synagogue in Sydney (York Street Synagogue).

• 1878: Building of synagogue still in use today.

SECTARIANISM

• Definition: Division between denominations within Christianity.

• Anglicanism (English) vs Catholicism (Irish).

Main Points:

• Political conflict with English occupation of Ireland caused religious tension.

• Reformation + Protestant England vs Catholic Ireland.

• First years of settlement = forced Anglican practices → Castle Hill riots.

• Discrimination led to loss of jobs for Catholics.

• Quote: “Catholics were the most wild, ignorant and savage race…” — R. Hughes.

REASON & IMPACT OF SECT

Reasons

1. Protestant Reformation → England = Anglican, Ireland = Catholic.

2. English occupation of Ireland (forced Anglican ideas on Irish).

3. Forced Anglican worship in Australia.

Impact on Australia

• WWI conscription debate.

• Employment discrimination (“No Catholic Irish need apply”).

• Education — Anglicans only teaching roles, lower literacy rates among Catholics.

• Castle Hill Rebellion.

• Disenchantment with religion.

• Rural & urban Catholic communities established.