SOR- Christianity- Term 2- Year 11

The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began- What was the society like at the time in Palestine?

It was occupied by the Romans and Rome allowed the practicing of Judaism and Palestine had a jewish context. Jews claimed they were in 'promised land', they suffered deprivation Aden hardship under Roman rule. Burdens on the Jews included harsh Roman taxes.

The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began- What groups compromised the make up of this society?

Assyrians, Babylonians, Russians, Greeks and Jews, Romans.

The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began- What political situation/ issues were faced by the people of this time in Palestine?

Palestine suffered oppression, there was no central Jewish authority, a range of religious politics from conservatism to militant messianism.

The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began- How did the Jewish people's previous experience impact upon their beliefs and lives?

There was a temple for a place of worship for jews, Palestine was multicultural , the predominant occupation was forming.

The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began- What was the geography like? the food, housing, occupations, gender roles, the social structures, the religious structure...

The predominant occupation was farming, many occupations were craft based eg. tent makers, potters, gold smiths, carpenters. Women worked at home grinding corn and making clothes, the early first century saw the emergence of a sect called the Christians.

What is the bible?

The bible in itself is a small library of books, all of which emerged from the history of the people of ancient Israel. It is the most influential book in the history of Western and much of Eastern civilisation. People have a lot of opinions regarding what It means.

Old Testament

Written in ancient Hebrew and Aramic over the span of more than 1000 years, The TaNak (Jewish bible) contains 24 books. The books emerge from the history of ancient Israel. They tell of their birth as a nation, their history in the land, exile from it, return, and their eventual rebuilding around the city of Jerusalem. Furthermore , it is the story of Israel's origin as Abraham's family, how God promised to bless all nations through him via a messianic king- who one day would come

New Testament

27 books emerged out of the movement started by Jesus of Nazareth. All of them were written in Greek by Jewish authors who has become Jesus' disciples.

The bible, what is it + why is it important to Christians?

The bible is a small collection of books, all of which came out of the history of the people of Israel. It consists of the old and new testament. It is important to Christians as it was the most influential in much of civilisation. The bible is literally the direct world of God, that is why it is important.

How many books are there in the Hebrew scriptures & The Christian scriptures?

Hebrew Scriptures= 24 books

Christian Scriptures= 66 books

How are the Christian scriptures divided?

Old testament and New Testament- Gospels, Epistles, Acts, Revelations.

What are the Gospels? Who are their authors + when were they written? Why were they written ?

The Gospels in the Bible are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These Gospels are written by the people who's names are in the gospel. Mark was the 1st Gospel to be written believed to be in the year 70, Matthew and Luke- in the 80 or 90

What does the word Epistle mean? who wrote these?

A letter, which Is a book of the New Testament.

'God is transcendent'

this means totally other than his creation; he is above and beyond it eg. God is unique, omnipotent, eternal, immense, contains all things, beyond human understanding, cannot be praised enough.

'God is immanent'

this means present to and joined to His creation eg. God choses the Hebrews and makes them a people, God establishes a covenant with the Jews, making them a holy nation, God frees the Jews from Egypt, God gives them a land, God establishes the kingdom of David, God sends prophets to guide the jews, God sustains the Chosen people in Babylon and restores them to Israel.

The Trinity

Is a model for the personal existence. Three 'persons' act as a single authority. Therefore there is one ultimate authority, one God. The relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit is part of what God is.

Death and Resurrection of Jesus

- Jesus has a unique relationship with God.

- it is the human Jesus who is divine

- It is through Jesus that Christians find direction in their lives

- Identity of Jesus is eternally established in God's own being.

- Jesus came to serve, to give the Good News of the Father's love and compassion

- Incarnation is a powerful symbol of God's freedom and grace operating in human history.

- Need for humbling ourselves before God and giving total commitment just like Mary who is a sign of hope and solace.

- Jesus shared all aspects of our humanness

- Pilate stands as a powerful symbol of all those who, through indifference, the misuse of power, and self righteousness, crucify the poor and the weak, the hungry and the sick.

- Through Jesus' death we enter into a new covenant

- by ritualising Jesus' passion, his suffering and his death we continue his mission. This is the heart of the Eucharist

- God's love is more powerful than death.

- God's love is able to turn evil around

- In the end God's victory over evil is assured.

What does the bible contain?

- the sacred stories of the Hebrew people

- stories about the covenant made between Moses and his people and God, which was fulfilled through Christ.

- stories of how God helped people throughout history.

- songs and poems about God

- stories of Jesus and his teachings

- stories about the first Christian communities and their struggle to keep faith.

Revelation

The disclosure of God and his will to his people. It means the disclosure of something that could not have been revealed without the will of God.

- a book in scriptures

- Jesus revealing God through teachings

- Christians believe God has revealed himself first through creation- genesis

- revealed through the writings of scripture

Salvation- Eternal Life

the belief that human beings require deliverance. In christianity, the process or state where one is redeemed by Jesus Christ from the power of sin, evil and death.

- life after death

- implication regarding humanity being forgiven

- Jesus sacrifices his life freely to 'save' humanity- reward= path to God.

God

- mystery

- creator

- humanity created in Gods image and likeness

- Head of Trinity- three persons in one

- Addressed as 'father'- parent

- Humanity tries to explain God through human terms

What is a term used for 'believers'?

Adherents

Religion provides its adherents with:

a source of meaning

Why is the land central to Aboriginal Spirituality?

The land is the dwelling place of ancestral beings

What are sacred sites?

places where ancestor spirits impacted on the landscape.

Gospel (s)

The stories of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, usually referring to the first four books of the Christian Scriptures- The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Messiah

Translation of a Hebrew word meaning 'Anointed one'

Exodus

Greek word for 'exit', and used to describe the escape of the people of Israel from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

Jewish

the name given to the people of Israel after their exile in Babylon; the survivors were mainly from the tribe of Judah.

Judea

Part of a mountainous area that the Jewish people believe has been promised to them by God.

Prophets

inspired teachers, revealers or interpreters.

Roman Empire

Two thousand years ago, Rome controlled all the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including Judea. The Romans spoke Latin, but Greek was also important.

Sects

Groups of people with a common interest; factions.

Baptism

A religious act of purification by water, from the Greek word Baptizo, 'immerse'. For Christians, it marks their reception into the Christian community.

Gentiles

General term for non- Jewish People

Kingdom Of God

Also referred to as the 'kingdom of heaven' or 'the reign of God', this expression was one of the key terms used by Jesus in his preaching and ministry and can be summed up as 'God's people in God's place under God's rule'

Myths

Spiritual or religious ideas expressed in human terms.

Passover

The Jewish festival that celebrates the Exodus from Egypt.

Sabbath

The Jewish day of rest and religious observance. It begins at sunset on Friday and ends on Saturday at nightfall.

Bishop

the title given to the leader in some Christian Churches.

Creed

a formal, but concise, statement of beliefs. Christianity has a set of creeds.

Apostles Creed

tradition of the christian church.

- earliest known creed used in the liturgy and catechesis of the Church around 390CE.

- has wide spread use amongst Christians

- Inspired by the Holy Spirit

The Nicene Creed

- completed at the 1st Council of Constantinople in 381CE

- Highlights the 4 marks of the Church (or attributes)

Eucharist

The sacred meal of bread and wine commonly celebrated in some form by Christians as their central act of worship. It commemorates the last meal of Jesus with his disciples prior to his death.

Liturgy

The official or set forms of worship, as opposed to private devotions.

Pope

the bishop of Rome, considered to be the successor of the apostle Peter- the head of the catholic church.

Protestant

A general term for those breaking away at the reformation- those people/ churches who did not acknowledge the authority of the Church of England.

Purgatory

The intermediate stage between death and heaven according to Catholic theology.

Reformation

The early sixteenth century movement that began as an effort to purify the life and teachings of the Catholic Church, and eventually led to the establishment of seperate Christian Churches.

Rite

a formal or ceremonial act or procedure that is prescribed or is customary in a religious context.

Sacraments

Sacred or holy actions that can bring about changes; a visible sign of an invisible action of God.

Theology

'words about God'; the systematic study of God, God's attributes and God's relationship to the universe.

Ethics

the system of explicit, philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs and practices to clarify what is right and wrong, and what human beings should freely do or refrain from doing.

Devotion

the ready will to serve God

Spirituality

Describes the manner which people live their lives in relationship with God, others and the world, based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Saints

Persons whose exceptional holiness of life is formally recognised by the Church and who are entitled to veneration.

Core Ethical Teachings

(The guidelines for 'right living')

- States what is right and what is wrong

- involves choice/ free will.

- living in right relationship with God, Neighbours and Oneself.

- They are the basic guidelines all Christians believe they live by.

- Moses received the commandments on Mt Sinai.

The ten commandments or Decalogue are found in the Hebrew Scriptures and along with the New Testament (Christian Scriptures) form the foundation of Christian ethical teaching. For Christians, ethical observance of the Decalogue is based on love not fear. The Ten Commandments provide 'boundary markers' calling Christians to love God and their neighbours.

What is the greatest commandment?

- 'You shall love your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

- love your neighbours as you would love yourself

Beatitudes

are a series of blessings that are found in the fifth chapter of Matthew in the Christian Bible. These blessings were given by Jesus during his 'Sermon on the Mount' to his disciples.

What is Prayer?

is both the means through which we can encounter God and our response to the experience of God in the everyday moments of our lives. Prayer is about developing a relationship with God.

Forms of Prayer:

- conversation

- meditation

- contemplation

Types of Prayer:

- adoration or Praise

- Forgiveness

- Intercession

- petition

- Thanksgiving

Examples of Prayer styles:

- traditional prayers

- scripture

- The divine office

- chants

- mantras

- meditative reading

- icons

- retreats

- rituals

- journaling

- songs/ music

- spiritual direction

- stories

Practical techniques for developing a healthy prayer for life:

- place

- time

- physical position of the body

- disposition

- presence