The Rise of Christianity

Jesus was born around 6 BC, in the Roman area of Judea. He became an influential rabbi. Death by crucifixion and his resurrection as Christ were writings in the gospel.

-Paul of Tarsus brought the teachings of Jesus to non jews though the Mediterranean world

-Christianity was opposed by Roman emperors.

-Adopted as the official religion of Rome’s divided empire by Constantine in 313 AD

• Basic Doctrines

  • Began with the teachings of Jesus of Nazereth

    • compassion for the poor and downtrodden

  • Emphasized the Holy Bible as the word of God

  • Paul the apostle was responsible for the spread of Christian theology

  • St Augustine became the first great Christian philosopher

    • wrote Confessions and City of God

• Reasons for the spread of Christianity in the Roman world

  • Individual convictions in one’s beliefs grew during the Roman persecution period

  • Doctrines that emphasized empathy and immortality

  • Conversion of Constantine to Christianity 313 AD

  • The Pope became supreme at the time imperial Rome was disintegrating