Timeline • ~ CE 29 Crucifixion of Jesus • 34-64 Missionary activity of Paul • 250-260 Brutal persecution by Romans • 313 Constantine tolerates Christianity • 325 Council of Nicaea • 391-2 Christianity becomes state religion • 479 End of Western Roman Empire • 529 Benedict founds monastery
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Timeline ~ CE 29Crucifixion of Jesus 34-64Missionary activity of Paul 250-260Brutal persecution by Romans 313Constantine tolerates Christianity 325 Council.
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Timeline
• ~ CE 29 Crucifixion of Jesus• 34-64 Missionary activity of Paul• 250-260 Brutal persecution by Romans• 313 Constantine tolerates Christianity• 325 Council of Nicaea• 391-2 Christianity becomes state religion• 479 End of Western Roman Empire• 529 Benedict founds monastery
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Mosaic of the Good Shepherd - Ravenna
Outline
I. Cultural context
II. Influence of Judaism
III. Early Christianity
IV. Christianity evolves: The 4th Century
V. Legalized Christianity
I. Cultural Context
• Mystical Religion– First through Third century is time of mystical religions
• holy groves, shrines, oracles, power of dreams
• high initiation fees
• belief in afterlife only for believers
– usually have parades/ events in cities
– power of astrology
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ARIES PISCES AQUARIUS
CANCER LEO CAPRICORN
VIRGO SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS
LIBRA TAURUS GEMINI
I. Cultural Context
• Gnosticism – A powerful and prevalent belief system– easily adapted to other religions– belief that “Wisdom” (or “light”) came to earth and
returned to heaven• Those who are enlightened or “chosen” will listen
• Seen as a conflict between “light” and “dark”
– merging Greek philosophy toward religious ends
II. Influence of Judaism
• Roman world– skeptical, tolerant and mystical– especially cosmopolitan
• 1st Century widespread Jewish beliefs– unscriptural belief in afterlife– awaiting a Messiah
• The career of Jesus– Born in Judea
– Preaching, healing, and teaching
– Arrival in Jerusalem during Passover (30 C.E.)
• Seen as foretold Messiah
– Arrest• Pontius Pilate• Crucifixion
II. Influence of Judaism
II. Influence of Judaism
• 1st Century: Judeo-Christians– follow Jewish practices and add two others
• love feast (agapecutpe)
• Eucharist (re-enactment of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples).
II. Influence of Judaism
• St. Paul (c. 10–c. 67)– Converted to Christianity– Rejected Jewish law as irrelevant to salvation– Making converts among Greek-speaking
Jewish communities– conversions lead to divergence from Judaism
Paul’s journeys
III. Early Christianity
• The appeal of Christianity– Communal aspect– Early organizational structure
• Special position of women
• Growth of Christianity
Christianity Expands
III. Early Christianity
• Threat to the state– why was Christianity viewed as a threat?
• Failure to accept state gods
• aversion to all political/social activity
• focus on otherworldly pursuits
• challenging social practices
• cannibalism
III. Early Christianity
• Roman Reactions– persecutions
• blamed as scapegoats
• Nero (64 CE) incites local persecutions
• Decius, Gallus and Valerian (250-260)
• Diocletian (303)
III. Early Christianity
• Christian defense mechanisms– secret symbols– meeting places
• Homes – special role and power of women
• Catacombs
III. Early Christianity
• Catacombs - burial societies– burial of dead
– decoration.
III. Early Christianity
• Art work– religious
themes, concepts.
IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century
• Persecutions were intermittent and short-lived
• By 300, 1–5 percent of total Roman population were perhaps Christians
IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century
• Constantine and his “conversion” to Christianity– Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312– Christianity tolerated in 313 CE (Edict of Milan)– determined to gain control of Christianity as a tool to
unite the Empire• new relationship with a Christian ruler
• individualism in Christianity.
IV. Christianity evolves: 4th
Century
• Council of Nicaea 325
• Purpose:I. to end religious dispute over Arianism
II. to define nature of relationship between imperial power and the church
– church recognized Constantine’s power.
IV. Christianity evolves: 4th Century
• 392 Theodosius I makes Christianity the official religion of Rome– persecutions continue– tolerant Roman religious view of world changes– impact on Christianity
• positive
• negative
V. Legalized Christianity
• Legalization and state support changes Christianity• Disillusionment
– Asceticism as a substitute for martyrdom
– Response to increasing worldliness
• common people flee society to dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits– emergence of hermits 3rd century
– communal living 4th century
Monasteries in the west - c. 550
V. Legalized Christianity
• St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–c. 547)– The Latin or Benedictine Rule
• Poverty, chastity, obedience, labor and prayer
– Absolute authority of the abbot– Missionary work– Dignity of human labor
St. Benedict’s Monastery
V. Legalized Christianity
The growth of ecclesiastical organization – Hierarchical organization– Distinctions of rank– The pope as bishop of Rome– Creation of a male dominated church