Ancient Christianity lecture 2

Jesus was born in a

Manger at Bethlehem

What is the message of old and New Testament?

That the God of the universe revealed himself to humanity. That he’s transcendent and loves his creation.

Most people in the Greek world….

believed in a god or was somewhat religious

Convincing people to believe in God wasn’t the issue, but it’s a matter of

Which god

The audacious message of Christianity is that the God and Creator of the universe _____.

God became Human in Jesus Christ

What were three favorable circumstances that God used to pave the way for Jesus Christ?

Judaism, Greek culture, and the Roman Empire

What is Judaism in simple terms?

The monotheistic religion of Jewish culture. Practices are guided by the Torah, which includes the five Books of Moses. Views God as having a special covenant with Jewish people.

According to Judaism, the fall of man wasn’t supposed to be a tragedy, but

The beginning of a story that will unfold and pave the way for a Messiah.

Name four ways Greek culture was used without paganistic practices?

Logos: Greek word that means reason and rational thought. Used to explain the incarnation of God

Ousia: Greek word that means substance. Used to help explain how God the father and son are one.

Platonism: explains the non material world. Dominant philosophical model for understanding the existence of God.

What idea about God did stoics reject?

That God feels emotion and desires a relationship with his creation.

Which Roman Emporor brought peace and transformed the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire? (Called himself Princepts)

Cesar Augustus

Who is Pontifex Maximus?

A powerful figure who oversaw religious and political practices of the Roman Empire

We’re all Romans atheists?

No, they depended on gods for empire’s existence