Christianity

1. Christianity

2. Overview • World's largest religion • over 2.2 billion followers • View a Flash animation about the spread of religions • http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/Religion.swf

3. Overview • Centered around Jesus of Nazareth • Monotheistic religion • Related to Judaism and Islam through Abraham and his sons Isaac and Ishmael • Came out of Judaism • Jesus was Jewish • Now is divided into • Roman Catholic • Eastern Orthodox • Protestant

5. The Trinity • God the Father • creator of Heaven and Earth, created humans in his image • God the Son • Jesus – took human form so that he could die as a sacrifice for peoples’ sins • God the Holy Spirit • the spiritual presence of God; God’s active force

6. The Trinity • St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain this concept to the Celts in Ireland

7. The Bible • Old Testament • known as “the scriptures” • stories about early Hebrews (Isrealites) such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, etc. • New Testament • written by the followers of Jesus • about the life of Jesus, his teachings, about living the Christian life, and about the early Church

8. Jesus of Nazareth

9. Christ / Messiah • “Christ”  from the Greek noun Χριστός (Khristós) which means “anointed one” • “Messiah”  from the Hebrew noun משיח (Moshiach) which means “savior” or “anointed one” • Christian means “belonging to Christ” or “of Christ”

10. Christ / Messiah • Believed to be the Son of God and the Messiah (savior) of the Jews • God in human form • Atonement • Jewish belief in a sacrifice meant to take the place of sins • Jesus is known as the “Lamb of God” who took the place of animal sacrifice to become the “ultimate sacrifice” • Christians do not sacrifice animals, they repent and ask for forgiveness

11. Birth • Angels visited Mary & Joseph • city of Bethlehem in modern Israel • Augustus’ tax • no room at the inn • around 4 BC • celebrated as Christmas • “Christ’s Mass”

12. Birth • earthly parents were Mary and Joseph, but Jesus is considered to be the son of God • Mary • without sin • Imaculate Conception • a virgin • venerated by Christians, but not worshipped • Joseph • a carpenter • descended from King David • little is known

13. Youth • not much is known • grew up in Nazareth • Joseph  a carpenterJesus  a carpenter ?? • knew the Jewish scriptures (the Torah) • Jesus was foundin a synagogueteaching the rabbis

14. Adulthood • rabbi taught God’s love for man • miracles healing, multiplied food, calmed storms, water into wine, walk on water • disciples followers (“discipline”) • 12 Apostles most important disciples

15. Death • Jewish high priests became jealous • accused of blasphemy (speaking against the teachings of Judaism) • Pontius Pilate  Roman Governor of Judaea • crucifixion (hung on a cross) in Jerusalem (around AD 30) • sacrifice “Lamb of God” INRI IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM (Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum)

16. Resurrection • The Resurrection – Jesus rose from the dead after three days (celebrated as Easter Sunday) • appeared to disciples (doubting Thomas) • ascended into Heaven

17. Judgment • “The Second Coming” • “The Rapture” • Jesus will return to Earth to judge people’s souls (inner spirits) • good  Heaven • bad  Hell

18. Goals of Christianity • Salvation • forgiveness of sins; being “saved” • Everlasting Life • salvation allows followers to live forever in Heaven • Heaven • a peaceful place where God and his faithful followers spend eternity • Hell • a fiery place to avoid where Satan and sinners spend eternity (obviously not a goal!!!)

19. Saints • Not all Christians have the same view of the Saints • people who have died and are in Heaven • (people on Earth who will be in Heaven when they die ???) • Mary • Joseph • Peter • Paul • Mother Theresa ??

20. Angels • Spiritual beings who serve God in Heaven • Guardian Angels • Angel of Death • Angels fighting evil • Michael • Angels as messengers • Gabrielle • Raphael

21. Demons • Lucifer (“bright and shining one”)  Angel who thought he was better than God • God banished Lucifer to Hell  Satan • bad angels followed Lucifer  demons who try to corrupt the souls of people on Earth

22. Teachings • Ten Commandments • (from Judaism – Old Testament) • have only one God • keep the Sabbath day as a day of worship and rest (Christians celebrate on Sunday) • don’t use God’s name as a way of cursing • obey your parents • don’t lie, steal, sleep with someone without being married to him/her, etc.

23. Teachings • Beatitudes • (from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount) • Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. • Blessed are they who sorrow: for they shall be comforted. • Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after holiness: for they shall be filled. • Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. • Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. • Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

24. Teachings • Great Commandment • Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. • Love your neighbor as yourself. (referred to as the “golden rule”) • Gospels • stories about life and teachings of Jesus • Matthew • Mark • Luke • John

25. Teachings • Parables • Jesus used parables to teach • stories that teach a lesson Parables activity

26. The Trinity Virgin Birth Crucifixion Resurrection Ascension Reign / Judgment Saints Salvation Eternal Lifein Heaven “I Believe” Statement of Faith (Belief)The Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty,    the Creator of Heaven and earth,    and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,    born of the Virgin Mary,    suffered under Pontius Pilate,    was crucified, died, and was buried. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven    and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,    whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,    the communion of saints,    the forgiveness of sins,    the resurrection of the body,    and life everlasting. Amen. • *The word "catholic" with a small letter “c” refers to the entire universal Christian Church.

27. “The Church” • Church was founded and led by Peter “the rock” • Jesus gave him “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” • Peter became Bishop of Rome and is considered the first Pope • Crucified upside-down

28. Church Leadership Used by all Christians until 1517. Catholic Church still uses this hierarchy, but many Protestant denominations use different systems • Pope • human leader of the worldwide Christian Church. Bishop of Rome. Peter was the first Pope. • Cardinal • elects the Pope and governs a large territory (multiple states) • Bishop • leader of several different churches in a smaller territory (northwest Ohio) • Priest • pastor or minister to one or more churches • Deacon • assists the priest

29. Persecution • Persecution • being treated badly because of your beliefs • outcast, execution  Nero, Diocletian, etc. • Martyr • someone who dies because of their beliefs • Jesus, Perpetua and Felicity, Peter, Paul • Diaspora • AD 70– spreading out of the Jews • Romans conquered and destroyed Jerusalem, burning the Temple

30. Conversion of the Empire • Constantine • AD 312 – converts to Christianity after battle • makes Christianity legal • solidifies many doctrines • helps build the Bible • Theodosius • AD 391– Christianity becomes the official religion of the Empire • Christianity becomes required

31. Division of the Empire • Western Empire / Eastern Empire • Roman Empire is too big  Emperor Diocletian • West (Rome) / East (Byzantium  Constantinople) • Rome (West) falls in AD 476, but Eastern Empire continues in Byzantium • Byzantium  renamed Constantinople by Emperor Constantine • Christianity in the West (centered in Rome) and East (centered in Constantinople) began using different practices

32. Christianity in the East • Justinian • Eastern Emperor AD 527-565 • Code of Justinian • simplified / organized Roman laws • guaranteed fair treatment for all • Built the Hagia Sophia • most famous Orthodox Church • now a Muslim mosque

33. Schisms • Great Schism (1054) • schism = split • Roman Catholic • Western Church; headquartered in Rome • Eastern Orthodox • Eastern Church; Byzantium (Constantinople) • Reformation (1517) • Martin Luther – priest; protested corruption • Protestants – followers of Martin Luther • Denominations – divisions of Church

34. Divisions of Christianity • Worldwide – 2.2 billion Christians (33% of world’s population) • 1) RomanCatholic • 1115 million • 17% of all humans • 54% of Christians • 2) Protestant • 663 million • 10% of all humans • 32% of Christians • 3) Eastern Orthodox • 297 million • 5% of all humans • 14% of Christians These numbers are 2005 estimates

35. Divisions of Christianity • In the US – 237 million Christians (79% of Americans) • 1) Protestant • 54% of Americans • 68% of US Christians • 2) Roman Catholic • 24% of Americans • 30% of US Christians • 3) Eastern Orthodox • 1% of Americans • 1% of US Christians These numbers are 2005 estimates

36. Protestants Worldwide • Common Protestant denominations – 663 million worldwide • Baptist - 110 million • Calvinist - 75 million • Methodist - 75 million • Anglican - 73 million • Lutheran - 70 million • Assemblies of God - 51 million • Mormon (Seventh-day Adventists / Latter-day Saints) – 26.5 million • Church of God in Christ - 7 million • The Pentecostal Mission - 6.7 million • Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Brethren) - 6.35 million • Apostolic Church - 6 million • Zion Christian Church - 2.5 million • Quaker - 0.35 million • Non-Trinitarian - 20 million • Jehovah's Witness • Unitarian These numbers are 2005 estimates