Rise of Christianity

Religion in the Roman Republic

• Roman empire tolerated diversity of its subjects–Citizens must show loyalty by

worshipping Roman gods–Because most were polytheistic, they

didn’t mind worshipping the Roman gods along with their own

• Growing number of people looking elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment

Before Jesus…• In 63 B.C.E., Romans took over the Holy

Land• Herod was given rule of Judea/S. Palestine

–at the time, Romans excused Jews from worshipping their gods

• Herod died around 4 B.C.E. –divisions intensified among Jews over

politics and religion

Herod’s kingdom & tomb

Mediterranean Sea

Jews ~ Divided in Roman Palestine

• Sadducees: religious leaders (priests) who maintained the temple; they saw Roman rule as inevitable

• Pharisees: everyday people devoted to following Jewish law (“orthodox”)

• Am ha’aretz: everyday Jews (rural, uneducated) who didn’t follow all the religious laws but were believers

• Zealots: called on Jews to revolt against Rome and reestablish an independent state

The Messiah• The Hebrew word mâšîah means ‘anointed

one’ sent by God– In the 6th c. B.C.E. the Jews hoped God

would send someone to return them from exile

– In the 2nd c. B.C.E. they hoped God would defeat foreign enemies, such as the Romans

• NOTE: The concept of an eschatological (“the end of the world”) messiah emerges in the era after Christ

The Messiah• During Roman rule, the Jewish belief in a

messiah was as diverse as the Jews; some beliefs included:– God would destroy the enemies of Jews– a new Garden of Eden would be created– most believed God would expel the Romans

and send someone to be a reformer and leader/teacher

– any messiah would be a descendent of David

Enter Jesus…• Born in Bethlehem…?

–around 4 BCE–Jewish

• Raised in a time of great debate~ exposed to political & religious diversity of the time

• Almost all of what is believed of Christ’s life is written in the Gospels–written 100+ years after Jesus’ death

The story of Jesus• The Gospels, for the

most part, tell a consistent story of Christ’s life and teachings– devout, observant Jew– an independent,

critical thinker– used parables– performed miracles of

healing– called himself the Son

of God

Christ’s Teachings• 10 Commandments

– laws of Moses and Jewish prophets

• love in many forms– esp. forgiveness– show kindness to all,

including the needy, disabled and oppressed

• give and you shall receive– justice, morality, and

service to others

The Two Commandments

1. Love of (the one) God

2. Love your neighbor as yourself

These were not “new” commandments (Deut & Lev), but Jesus de-emphasized the other commandments

Condemned to Death

• Seen by Roman authorities as a threat to their rule

• Put to death but believed

by Christians to have

arisen from the dead

and ascended into

heaven

After Christ’s Death

• Apostles and followers spread his teachings

• Apostle Peter established Christianity in the city of Rome

• Paul played the most influential role

Christians Are oppressed

• seen as disloyal to Rome

• practicing in secret made them appear evil

• persecution by rulers such as Nero led to martyrdom

Christian Message Appeals to many

• Missionary work made easier because of Roman unity

• Persecution brought new converts

• Welcomed all people ~ message of love & equality• Incorporated ideas of Greek philosophers

Rome Becomes Christian

• Edict of Milan ~ 313 C.E.–Emperor Constantine granted freedom of

worship to all citizens of Roman Empire• Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the

official religion by the end of the 300s

Fall of Rome - 476 CE

• Christian Church took over much of the Empire’s role

* remained the central institution of Western Civilization for 1,000 years

Rome Becomes Christian: Early Christian Church Develops… Page 170