Overview of Christianity Mini-Unit Context for Christianity:
Paganism and Judaism Life of Jesus Paul of Tarsus Spread of
Christianity Persecution Constantine
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Common Traits of Mediterranean Religion Polytheistic Focused on
the Present Observance: Prayer/Sacrifice Tolerant
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Judaism Similarities to Paganism Differences from Paganism
Monotheism Jewish Law Variation
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Life of Jesus: Historical Challenges Inaccessibility of ancient
people Early Pagan Sources
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Life of Jesus: Historical Challenges Inaccessibility of ancient
people Early Pagan Sources Early Jewish Sources Josephus brought
before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name
was James, and some others
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Life of Jesus: Historical Challenges Inaccessibility of ancient
people Early Pagan Sources Early Jewish Sources Christian Sources
and their Challenges
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Life of Jesus: Historical Challenges Inaccessibility of ancient
people Early Pagan Sources Early Jewish Sources Christian Sources
Biblical Scholars look for
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Life of Jesus Who was he?
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Life of Jesus Who was he? Jesus Teachings Salvation and
Forgiveness
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Life of Jesus Who was he? Jesus Teachings Salvation/Forgiveness
Apocalypticism Political? Rooted in Judaism
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Life of Jesus Who was he? Jesus Teachings Salvation/Forgiveness
Apocalypticism Political? Rooted in Judaism Jesus Death and
Crucifixion
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Life of Jesus Who was he? Jesus Teachings Stories
Apocalypticism Political? Rooted in Judaism Jesus Death and
Crucifixion Resurrection
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Paul of Tarsus Influence Background: From Persecutor to Apostle
Caravaggio (1573-1610), The Conversion of St. Paul on the way to
Damascus.
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Paul of Tarsus Influence Background: From Persecutor to Apostle
Ideas of Paul The Messiah Jewish Law Spreading to Gentiles
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Paul, Romans 2:25-29 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only
outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No,
a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is
circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.
Such a persons praise is not from other people, but from God.
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Paul of Tarsus Influence Background: From Persecutor to Apostle
Ideas of Paul The Messiah Jewish Law Spreading to Gentiles
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Paul of Tarsus Influence Background: From Persecutor to Apostle
Ideas of Paul The Messiah Jewish Law Gentiles Spreading Faith
Message to Pagans Pauls Strategy
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Paul of Tarsus Influence Background: From Persecutor to Apostle
Ideas of Paul The Messiah Jewish Law Spreading to Gentiles
Spreading Faith Message to Pagans Pauls Strategy Results
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Spread of Christianity How did Jesus band of lower-class Jewish
followers manage to create a world religion that commanded respect
of highest Roman officials in just 300 years? Grassroots Growth
Grows roughly 40% every decade 5% of Empire by Constantine
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity Roman Context
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity Roman Context Polit/Econ Context
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity Roman Context Polit/Econ Context Infrastructure
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity Roman Context Polit/Econ Context Infrastructure
Persecution and Tolerance
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Capitalizing on Spiritual Malaise? In Pagan Terms
Exclusivity Roman Context Polit/Econ Context Infrastructure
Persecution and Tolerance Constantine
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Spread of Christianity Grassroots Growth But Why? Speaking to
Pagans Roman Context Other Themes Sense of Community Redemption and
Salvation Role of Women Diversity and Orthodoxy
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Persecution Why Were Christians Persecuted?
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Persecution Why Were Christians Persecuted? Refusal to Worship
They think the Christians the cause of every public disaster, of
every affliction with which the people are visited. If the Tiber
rises as high as the city walls, if the Nile does not send its
water over the fields, if the heavens give no rain, if there is an
earthquake, if there is famine or pestilence, straightway the cry
is Away with the Christians to the Lion. Tertullian, Christian
apologist
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Persecution Why Were Christians Persecuted? Refusal to Worship
Suspicious Behavior
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Persecution Why Were Christians Persecuted? Refusal to Worship
Suspicious Behavior Extent of Persecution Local, Sporadic, Limited
Mostly Grassroots
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THE EMPEROR TRAJAN'S INSTRUCTIONS TO PLINY THE YOUNGER
CONCERNING TREATMENT OF THE CHRISTIANS Around 100 CE the emperor
Trajan received a letter from Pliny the Younger, his governor in
Asia Minor, describing his treatment of the growing sect of
Christians. After describing how he only executed them after giving
them numerous chances to renounce their faith and worship the
emperor, he asks Trajan for further instructions on how he should
deal with this problem. The method you have pursued my dear Pliny,
in sifting the cases of those denounced to you as Christians is
eminently proper...No search should be made for these people; when
they are denounced & found guilty they must be punished; but
where the accused party denies that he is a Christian, & gives
proof...by adoring our gods, he shall be pardoned...Information
without the accusers name subscribed must not be admitted in
evidence against anyone."
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Persecution Why Were Christians Persecuted? Refusal to Worship
Suspicious Behavior Extent of Persecution Local, Sporadic, Limited
Mostly Grassroots Effects of Persecution Render unto Caesar that
which is Caesars, and unto God which is Gods. Helps spread?
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine Conversion of
Constantine (Milvian Bridge, 312)
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine Conversion of
Constantine (Milvian Bridge, 312) Why?
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine Conversion of
Constantine Increasing Support of Christianity
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine Conversion of
Constantine Increasing Support of Christianity Effects Growth of
Christianity Political Impact
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Constantine Christianity on Eve of Constantine Conversion of
Constantine Increasing Support of Christianity Effects Growth of
Christianity Political Impact Long-Term Christianity in Europe
Constantinople
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Relation to Jewish Texts Shedding Jewish Ideas Keeping Old
Testament Conflict
