The Rise of Christianity

The Rise of Christianity

Roman State Religion During Age of Augustus

Official state religion focused on worship of gods and goddesses

Emperors often officially made gods by Roman Senate This strengthened support

for the emperors Many festivals and

ceremonies to honor gods

What guaranteed peace and prosperity under Roman religion?

Romans believed observance of proper ritual by state priests created good relationship with gods

Because they were able to build such a strong empire, that meant the gods were favoring them

Were Romans tolerant of other religions?

YesAllowed worship of native gods and

goddesses throughout provincesEven adopted some of the local godsAs long as the religions did not threaten

public order or public morals

Location of Judaea

Near Egypt and Jerusalem

Between Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea

What was a procurator?

By 6 A.D., Judaea had been made a Roman province

The official in charge of running Judaea who was answerable to the Roman emperor

Pontius Pilate (who condemned Jesus to death) was the procurator of Judaea

Different groups of Jews’ response to Roman rule Sadducees: priests, favored cooperation with Rome Pharisees: scholars, believed close observance of

religious law would protect them from Roman influences

Essenes: lived apart from society, sharing goods in common, waiting for God to save Israel from oppression

Zealots: called for violent overthrow of Roman rule 66 A.D.: Began Jewish revolt that Romans crushed

4 years later

Connection between religion and government in Roman empire

Religion and government completely intertwined

Government needed to keep the favor of the gods and goddesses in order to be successful and keep the empire strong.

Jesus

Jewish teacher who travelled and preached throughout Judaea and neighboring Galilee

These teachings began new movement within Judaism that gained strength and eventually developed into new faith of Christianity

The teachings of Jesus…

Believed his mission was to complete salvation God had promised to Israel Adhered to entire Law, but focused on elements that transformed the inner

person Emphasized humility, charity, and love towards others Preaching stirred controversy

Some saw him as potential revolutionary who could lead revolt against Rome Opponents turned him over to Roman authorities Procurator Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion After death, followers proclaimed he had risen from death and appeared to

them Believed he was the Messiah (anointed one) who would save Israel from

its foes and bring an age of peace, prosperity, and monotheism (belief in the existence of only one god)

As opposed to polytheism (belief in many gods)

How Christianity spread throughout empire Apostles (leaders) travelled around spreading

message that Jesus was Savior and that accepting him as Christ, people could be saved from sin

Teachings of Christianity passed on orally and through written tradition Apostles’ epistles (letters) and accounts of Jesus’s

sayings made up the core of the New Testament, second part of Christian Bible

By 100 A.D. Christian churches established in most major cities

Why did Romans persecute Christians? Basic values of Christianity differed from those of

Greco-Roman world Romans only tolerated religions of other peoples if

those religions did not threaten public order or public morals

Many Romans viewed Christians as harmful to Roman state because Christians refused to worship state gods and emperors

They saw this as act of treason, punishable by death Roman govt. began persecuting Christians during

reign of Nero (A.D. 54-68)

Why did Christians refuse to worship state gods and emperors?

Christians believed there was only ONE God

To them, worship of state gods and emperors meant worshipping false gods which would endanger their own salvation

How did the church become more organized in 2nd and 3rd centuries?

Missionaries established more churches and converted more Christians

Christian church created new structure where different people had different functionsClergy: church leadersLaity: regular church members

Three reasons Christianity attracted followers

1.Gave Romans meaning and purpose to life

2.Was familiar, yet easy to adopt and relate-able

3.Provided people with a sense of belonging

Why was Christianity attractive to ALL classes of people?

Eternal life was promised to all regardless of social class or gender

First Christian emperor: ConstantineEdict of Milan: proclaimed official

tolerance of ChristianityTheodosius the Great: Romans

adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire