Christianity

Origins of Christianity

• Christianity grew out of Judaism in the first century CE
• Initially, it was a sect of ‘Jewish Christians’ and over time this became Christianity as it is known today
• Jesus lived in Palestine between 6 BCE and 30 CE (approx)

Palestine at this time

• It was occupied by the Romans (If you were a citizen of Rome you had many rights and privileges that others didn't have, to do this you could pay them a lot of money or be in the army for 10 years)
• Rome allowed the practice of Judaism and Palestine had a Jewish context
• The Jews claimed they were in ‘The Promised Land’ due to their Covenant with God
• Jews suffered deprivation and hardship under Roman rule
• One of the burdens on the Jews was the harsh Roman tax
• Palestine had suffered oppression by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Russians and the Greeks
• There was no central Jewish authority, yet there were many different Jewish sects
• There was a range of religious politics from conservatism to militant Messianism
• The Temple was the central place of worship for the Jews
• Palestine was very multicultural
• Jews lived side by side with Greeks, Arameans, Canaanites, Phoenicians and Samaritans
• The predominant occupation was farming
• Many occupations were craft based such as tent makers, potters, goldsmiths, carpenters and sandal makers
• Women worked at home grinding corn and making clothes
• The early first century saw the emergence of a sect called the Christians

Jesus’ main life events:

• Jesus’ life is reported in the Gospels, yet the writers of these were not historians. Hence, they are not to be taken literally as historical narrative

• Other historians, Josephus, Pliny, and Eusebius make references to Jesus in their works

• Jesus’ birth occurred circa 6 BCE, as determined by the Gospels

• His birth is reported as being in Bethlehem

• Yet, many scholars believe that Jesus was probably born and lived in Nazareth

  \n Jesus: Birth to adolescence:

• Herod the Great was the Jewish ruler at the time and Ceasar Augustus was the Emporer

• Jesus’ mother was Mary and his legal father was Joseph

• Jesus was circumcised 8 days after his birth

• The family then returned to Nazareth

• He grew up in a largely agricultural community and spoke Aramaic

• Every year the family returned to Jerusalem for Passover

• At age 12 Jesus had his Bar Mitzvah

  \n

Jesus the adult:

• Jesus was an artisan

• Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist

• Jesus had a ministry that involved him wandering around the countryside

• The gospel writers report that he performed miracles

• his ministry lasted for 3 years

• He eventually ends up in Jerusalem

  \n

The last tragic hours:

• He is arrested (possibly for being a religious and social agitator)

• He is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Emperor's Procurator in Jerusalem and he imposes a death sentence

• Jesus is executed via crucifixion at age 33 (approximately)

  \n

Why is Jesus a model for Christian life?

• Jesus’ ways were Jewish. He addressed Jews and his ideas, language and imagery were Jewish.

• Jesus used parables as a form of storytelling.

• He used them to challenge authorities.

• Jesus focused on the notion that all are welcome in the Kingdom of God.

• His “words” and deeds were reported in the Gospels and the letters of Paul.

• These writings act as a framework for how future Christians should behave and believe.

• Jesus’ birth, life and death have formed the basis of the Christian calendar.

• The Gospels are testimonies to the early Christian faith. They were written in Greek between 70 CE and 100 CE, long after Jesus had died.

• Jesus is the “Christos”, the anointed one, the one chosen to be the Messiah and hence the saviour of the world.

• His acts and deeds illustrate how all people should live and relate to others.

• Jesus demonstrates the forgiveness of God and the possible relationship with God after death

  \n

The early Christian communities:

• After Jesus’ death, the Apostles and other coverts recounted his life to others and the message of Jesus spread

• The 12 Apostles were led by Simon (Peter)

• The 12 were the first to carry on the traditional words and deeds of Jesus

  \n

Peter and Paul:

• Peter eventually travelled to Antioch, Ephesus and Rome
• James was the Christian leader in Jerusalem until his execution in 62 CE
• Saul of Tarsus (Very rich Roman citizen, because of this they couldn't kill him) converted to Christianity after having a vision of Jesus. He changed his name to Paul and became a missionary and converted Jews and Gentiles through his journeys into Turkey and Greece
• Paul’s founding of the Christian communities and later writing probably established Christianity
• It is the letter of Pauls and the Acts of the Apostles which allow us to see the development of Christianity after Jesus’ death

\n Jesus - Human and Divine:

Christians believe that:

• Jesus was both fully human and fully divine

• Jesus was the son of God and human

• all humans were created in the image of God

• The incarnation of Jesus as a human was an act of love from God for humanity

• Jesus was born to a human woman and died as a human being

• Jesus is part of the Trinity

• The 3 “persons” in the Trinity are eternal

• Jesus is God and therefore has the power to defeat evil.

• He is the archetype for human behaviour.

• Jesus’ humanity shows the interrelatedness between God and humans.

• Jesus the ultimate revelation. He is revealed as God.

  \n

The Trinity:

• Christianity is a monotheistic religion

• Monotheism reflects Christianity’s Jewish roots

• The Trinity is a belief that Jesus was both human and God. He was God incarnate.

• The Trinity is not a biblical concept but was probably first used by Tertullian in the 2nd Century

• There is a ‘threeness’ to God-father, Son and the holy spirit. All aspects are unique, equal and eternal.

• The 3 aspects are distinct, but they are NOT 3 gods

• There are 3 persons but only one divine being. They dwell in each other (circumincession)

• The Christian teaching is that the Trinity is a mystery never to be understood by humans in their lifetime

• Over the centuries there have been many attempts to understand the Trinity (especially by Augustine of Hippo)

  \n

Jesus’ ministry:

• Jesus had a ministry involving him wandering around the countryside. His ministry lasted for around 3 years

• he eventually ends up in Jerusalem

• He is arrested

• He is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Emperor’s Procurator in Jerusalem and he imposes the death sentence.

  \n

Jesus’ death:

• Historians such as Josephus, have chronicled that Jesus was executed via crucifixion

• This death penalty was typically used by the Romans for the crimes of insurrection and sedition

• After interrogation by Pontius Pilate Jesus was sent to Golgotha (the Hill of the Skulls) and executed alongside two other criminals

• Both Jews and Romans had reasons for wanting him dead

  \n

The resurrection:

• For Christians, the suffering experienced in Jesus’ life is overcome by a resurrection and a reunion with God
• Christians see that each believer will one day also be reunited with God in the same way
• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
• The implication is: the human person will be transformed beyond death
• The resurrection is not a historical event but a faith-based event
• There remains much theological discussion about it
• The essence of the resurrection is that Jesus conquered death and rose bodily from the grave and returned to God
• Yet, his body is spiritual and not necessarily the same as it was on earth
• The various Christian denominations see the resurrection as either bodily or spiritual

Personal devotion:

• Devotion is a form of personal worship that can include things like prayer, reading the bible, lighting candles, going to confession (catholic), singing, dancing
• Meditation is a mindful activity, that allows you to have your heart on God and continue what you’re doing (Brother Lawrence) 

Prayer:

• Jesus himself prayed many times one of these including the lord’s prayer at the sermon on the mount 
• The Lord’s Prayer: 

“Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.”