What is CIVIC VIRTUE? PUTTING THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS CITIZENS ABOVE ONES PERSONAL DESIRES/WANTS Today: I CAN IDENTIFY THE BASIC BELIEFS OF CHRISTIANITY AND UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY Christianity 4 Corners Activity • Use the pages in your textbook (169-174) • Make sure you are working hard, I will be walking around and giving a grade for participating • You have 20 minutes to complete it • Once you are done start the spoke diagram for Christianity Christianity People still visit this rock where Jesus was said to be crucified • 1.9 billion followers world wide • God • Jesus Christ - 33 AD Jerusalem • Bible • Clergy (pope/bishop/priest/minister/pastor) Da Vinci’s Last Supper Basic Beliefs: There is only one God, who watches over and cares for his people. Jesus Christ was the son of God. He died to save humanity from sin. His death made eternal life possible for others. Persons achieve salvation by following the teachings of Jesus. Christianity in the Roman Empire Origin Roman power had spread to Judea – homeland of the Jews in 63 bc, and had taken control by ad 6; Jews had Biblical tradition of Messiah who would come & restore kingdom of Judah Born 4-6 bc in Judea, Jesus gathered his 12 disciples around him & began public ministry at age 30. Crucified three years later. After being placed in tomb, three days later he began appearing to disciples & was reported to have ascended to heaven. Other Important People Simon Peter, leader of the apostles; Paul , Roman Jew, spread Theodosius the Great – adopted Christianity as official religion Constantine – became 1st Christian emperor & issued Edict of Milan: toleration for Christians Status in the World Today 2 billion believers; largest religion emphasis on conversion many different sects – Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant Spread Paul took message to Gentiles Paul’s “epistles” or letters Constantine – Edict of Milan Theodosius – made Christianity official religion of Empire Pax Romana and road system Appealed to & embraced all people persecution made more popular & strengthened commitment evangelical emphasis common language Christianity Special Vocabulary Apostles – special name for the twelve disciples or pupils Bishop – priest over several local churches Pope – head of Christian Church (now Catholic) Heresy – any belief that contradicts the teachings of the church Basic Beliefs Monotheism – personal relationship w/ God Split with Judaism over divinity of Jesus Jesus is Son of God, who saves believers from sins Jesus rose from dead & ascended to heaven Promise of eternal life for repentant people Follow 10 Commandments & “Do unto others” importance of service highly structured clergy Social Structure appealed to all classes, but especially to poor – stressed equality Holy Book Bible – Old and New Testament is the word of God New Testament written down between ad 40 and 100 Christianity 4-Square • How did conditions in the Roman Empire contribute to the spread of Christianity? Answers: • Travel was easy and safe because of Pax Romana • Common language – Hebrew, Greek, then Latin Christianity 4-Square • Why were the citizens of the Roman Empire so receptive to a new religion at this time? Answers: • It embraced all people • gave hope to the powerless • appealed to those who were repelled by Roman extravagances • offered personal relationship with God • promised life after death Christianity 4-Square • Do you think Christianity would have developed in the same way if it had arisen in an area outside the Roman Empire? Explain. Answers: • More slowly outside w/o benefit of roads and common language • Perhaps faster w/o persecution Christianity 4-Square • Who do you think did more to spread Christianity – Paul or Constantine? Explain. Answers: • Paul – he carried it throughout and welcomed Gentiles • Constantine because he accepted Christianity and ended the persecution End of class: • Begin your review • With Today’s notes you can fill out the Christianity portion of the religions chart • To receive a retest on the Unit 2 Test you must turn in a completed review. • All notes are online. Let me know if you would like to check out a book from me to study!