OBJECTIVES:

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CAUSES FOR THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN

WORLD?

UNDERSTAND THE DIVERSE RELIGIONS INCLUDED IN THE EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE

The Rise of Christianity

Diverse Religions

Many different religions existed Isis in Egypt (women) Jupiter, Mars, Juno

(traditional Roman Gods)

High degree of religious tolerance

Judea

Most Jews were reluctantly willing to live under Roman rule

Others, called Zealots, were not

Called for RebellionRomans leveled

JerusalemdiasporaJewish people

scattered across the Middle East and Europe

Jesus Christ

Born around 4 B.C. in Bethlehem

Grew up worshipping God and followed Jewish Law

By age 30, he began preaching and performing miracles

Apostles

Jesus recruited 12 apostlesThey traveled to Jerusalem to spread his

message

Teachings

Based on Jewish Law Emphasized justice,

morality, and service to others

New beliefs Proclaimed himself to

be the Son of God

Death

To Roman authorities, Jesus was a threat because his speeches could inflame those eager to end Roman rule

Betrayed by one of his disciples

Death / Resurrection

CrucifixionHis disciples saw him

rise from the deadCommanded them to

spread his teachings

Paul

Never met JesusHad a vision of Jesus

speaking to himSpread his

Christianity to Rome True Missionary

Rome Embraces Christianity

Emperor Constantine issued Edict of Milan (A.D. 313)

Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century

Begins corruption of original message of Christianity

The Spread

Appealed most of all to poor. Why?Constantine and vision (312)Led to Edict of Milan 313 AD390 Theodosius declares it official religion,

even repressed other faiths!

Theology – “Talk or discourse about God”Increased scholarship and learning

throughout the early Church and Roman Empire.

Structure of the Church (Board exercise)