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Moving toward Christianity

Moving toward Christianity. What we inherited from the Greeks. Good at Math, arts and sculpture Great dramatists Great thinkers including Socrates, Plato and Aristotle Athens the birthplace of democracy. Alexander the Great and the Hellenized World.

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Moving toward Christianity

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  1. Moving toward Christianity

  2. What we inherited from the Greeks • Good at Math, arts and sculpture • Great dramatists • Great thinkers including Socrates, Plato and Aristotle • Athens the birthplace of democracy

  3. Alexander the Great and the Hellenized World • The spreading of Greek cultures is called “Hellenic”—referring to Helen of Troy • Combined with other cultures—it was a dynamic force in ancient civilization • Greek culture influenced Egypt, Persia, the Middle East • Learning was spread like butter on a piece of toast—all with echoes of Greece • Though Alexander died young, he remains “the Great” because he brought his culture to so many.

  4. Library at Alexandria • May have been destroyed by Julius Caesar • One of the great mysteries • Regardless, many great masterpieces lost; we only know them by name

  5. The Romans • Conquered Greece • Spoke Latin (we use the Latin alphabet today) • Good at governing/empire building • Great at Civic organization: roads, aqueducts, stadiums. • Rome favored LAW over individuality

  6. Christianity • Cannot be overemphasized enough • Could be the most important event in human history • The New Testament philosophy remains unique among world religions • No other world religion has produced the “highs” and “lows” that Christianity has

  7. Blessed are the Peacemakers For they shall inherit the earth Persecuted for Righteousness sake Are to forgive seventy times seventy

  8. Christianity’s appeal • Brought Hope

  9. Appealed to women and slaves

  10. Explored the soul—spiritual beauty over physical beauty

  11. Christians worked to relieve suffering of others • They protested against slaves, gladiators • Believed in sacrifice and compassion

  12. Humility over Pride

  13. Overcame human sacrifice, violence, magic, fortune telling

  14. One God over many

  15. We are a Judeo-Christian Society • Christianity and Judaism share the old testament • The Jews were persecuted for hundreds of years • Many evil deeds have been committed in the name of Christianity

  16. Pressures on the Roman Empire • Overextended empire • Weak Emperors • Moral Decay • Lines blur between Rome and the barbarians • Pressure from Celts (Wales), Scotts (England), Germanic Tribes • What a mess!

  17. Atilla the Hun sacks Rome in 450 • Remains a legend—dies after a night of hard drinking

  18. Tried to keep out Barbarians—little success

  19. Heavenly City City of God and Heaven Represented Perfect Government Reality: a struggle between popes and kings Earthly City City of Man, state and empire An imperfect government; could be criticized Reality: fighting, wars, greed St Augustine 420 a.d.

  20. RESULTS OF AUGUSTINE • NO CAESAROPAPISM—the beginning of separation of church and state.

  21. Byzantine Empire The King/Pope moves to Constantinople in 330 to escape Barbarian invasions Rule as Christians but with Greek traditions

  22. Christian world finally divided in 1054—Roman Catholic vs. Orthodox

  23. The Arabic World • Emerges in 700 as powerful unifier of desert tribes • Honors Old Testament and Jesus • Considers Jerusalem a sacred city • Expanded into Spain—stays there until 1492 • Almost conquered Europe in 732

  24. Battle of Tours, A.D. 732 • Saves Europe for Christianity and stops the Muslim invasions. One of the most important battles in World History

  25. Charles Martel was the Grandfather of Charlemagne

  26. Last, and the Least—Latin Christendom • Government is splintering • Chaos and anarchy • Rome now de-centralizes—back to tribes • Tribes self govern with “Trial by combat” • No money, reverts to barter system • Neglect of roads

  27. The Dark Ages Descend into Europe • Lawlessness takes over the vacuum left by Roman order • Attacks make it difficult to plant and harvest crops • Similar to “Gang” warfare • But—many within the tribe are “free” and they cobble together some form of tribal government

  28. Many Legend arise from this time, including King Arthur

  29. Western Europe needs help • Even Conan can’t help!

  30. Neither can President Bush

  31. The Christian Church to the rescue • Missionaries sent to convert heathens • Letters are written for support • Monasteries in isolated places copy bibles and other ancient books • The Church looks to the Bishop of Rome; • The East falls under the influence of the Emperor • The West remains independent from the state

  32. Charlemagne • Grandson of Charles Martel, who defeated the Muslims at Tours in 732. • Crowned in Rome on Christmas Day, A.D. 800 • Learning revives before another wave of Barbarian Invasions.

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