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Origins
Outline the historical and cultural context in which Christianity began
Born during a time where Judaism was at the forefront of religious tradition
The Roman Empire held great power, controlling land surrounding the Mediterranean,
including Judea
It was because of the lack of Jewish authority and the fact that the Romans had power
over religious practice that instability rose within the Jewish religion
Because of this, the Jews had organized themselves into several groups; the Pharisees,
Saducees, Essenes and Zealots
It was in these circumstances when there was much tension and a sense of disunity within
the Jewish tradition that Jesus was born into the world
Jesus sought to renew the Jewish religion but had not intended to lead a breakaway from
Judaism
The early followers of Christianity saw Jesus as being the Jewish Messiah, sent to the
people of Israel by God, to bring salvation and hope
Broke away from Judaism and gradually spread throughout the Roman Empire to establish
a separate tradition
To begin with, this community of followers just a sect within Judaism, but at the end of
the first century CE it had become the separate religion, known today as Christianity
Principal
event
Description
The birth of
Jesus
The beginning
of Jesus
ministry
Days in the
wilderness
The
parables/miracl
es of Jesus
Ministry in
Jerusalem
(Holy Week)
The passion,
arrest and
death of Jesus
Resurrection
and ascension
Spent most of his life in Nazareth as a carpenter. When Jesus was 30, he was
baptised by John the Baptist, in the Jordan River. This is when he began his
ministry that lasted for 3 years.
Withdrew to the desert of Judea for 40 days after his baptism, where he
reflected on his options. He chose to accept his role as Saviour of Humanity.
Met 1st disciples fisherman Simon, Peter, Andre, James and John.
Was a strong speaker who often used various forms of oratory to catch the
attention of his audience. Parables are short symbolic stories. Gospels report
Jesus performing numerous miracles, such as changing water into wine at a
wedding feast in Cana.
Jesus gained a huge following through the simplicity and effectiveness of his
message and healings. Religious and political opposition increased as his
popularity grew. First Sunday is Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters Jerusalem. On
Passover evening, Jesus and disciples celebrated the Last Supper where the
Eucharist was begun, and asked to be carried on by his followers.
When leaving the garden of Gethsemane, after praying, Jesus is arrested and
sentenced to death on the cross by Pontius Pilate. He is later nailed to the cross
and crucified on the Hill of Calvary.
When Jesus tomb was found empty, an angel appeared and explained Jesus
had risen from the dead. All 4 gospels report him rising and speaking to his
[CHRISTIANITY]
Pentecost
disciples. For 40 days, Jesus continued to appear and teach his disciples about
the kingdom of god. He then finally ascended into heaven.
10 days after ascension, the disciples, and Mary (Jesus mother) experienced
the Holy Spirit in form of tongues and fire. It was at this moment they realised
Jesus had overcome death.
Describe the early development of Christian communities after the death of Jesus
Initially Jesus' disciples were confused but knew what they were to do after Pentecost:
spread the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, preaching and healing in
his name
Peter and James, two of Jesus' disciples (Palestine) and Paul of Tarsus (Hellenic world), led
the Jesus movement.
The letters of Paul to communities were the first Christian writings - helped assist their
understanding of beliefs and practises of Christianity
49 CE: Council of Jerusalem to settle differences in what it meant to be a Christian
between Hellenic and Palestinian Christianity
Persecution of Christians by the Romans until 313 CE when Emperor Constantine legalised
Christianity
Councils of Nicea and Ephesus clarified teachings on issues such as the humanity and
divinity of Jesus
1054 CE: East-West Schism. Split of the Christian Church with the Orthodox Church and the
Roman Catholic Church due to disputes over the authority of the pope in Rome and the
relationship between the persons of the Trinity
[CHRISTIANITY]
Variant
Beginnin
gs
Head or
authority
Anglicanis
m
1534
1535
Archbishop of
Canterbury
Catholicism
1052 with
the Great
Schism
The Pope
Orthodoxy
1054 with
the Great
Schism
Patriarchs of the
15 patriarchates
that make of the
church
Principal Beliefs
Outline the principal beliefs regarding the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ
[CHRISTIANITY]
Outline the beliefs about the nature of God and of the Trinity
understanding or experience
Three key functions:
o
Bringing Gods new life to creation creating (Father)
o
Turning creation from sin and darkness redeeming (Son)
o
Blessing all creation sanctifying (Holy Spirit)
There is only one God
The Trinity helps us to understand the nature of God
All trinity is eternal
The Father is transcendent (not confined to the material world), the Son is immanent
(God is involved in the world) and the Spirit is both
[CHRISTIANITY]
Identify the importance of the Bible in Christianity
Inspired by God > The Word of God through which God speaks to followers
Documents the life of Jesus Christ
Deepens an adherents understanding of the principal beliefs of Christianity
Parables give us morals and ethical guidelines (The Beatitudes, the Ten
Commandments, the Love Commandment)
Key events in human history and proof of this
Human interaction with God
Informs Christian ceremony
Foundation for private reading and study
Examine extracts from the Bible which demonstrate the principal beliefs of Christianity
The divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ
Jesus wept. John 11:35 (humanity)
The nature of God and the Trinity
In Genesis (1: 26) God says "Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of
ourselves" which seems to point to God's Trinitarian nature because otherwise God would
have possibly said "I will make man in my image"
Revelation
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets but in these late days he
has spoken to us by his Son. Hebrews 1:1-2
Salvation
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
Succinct summary of Christian ethics, and emphasises the importance of human life
and the need to respect family and personal integrity
The first four commandments describe one's relationship with God and the other six are
about maintaining good relationships with one's neighbour
[CHRISTIANITY]
Provide a model for the Christian life because it warns against an approach which
values only material strength and power, by pointing to an inversion of values
whereby things that are only regarded as having no value according to the dominant culture
are celebrated in the reign of God
Provide an ethical stance which stands in contrast to the dominant culture
Jesuslove commandment
Can be distilled into the primary covenantal notions of love of God and love of neighbour
In the ministry of Jesus, Christians are required not only to love their neighbour but also to
love their enemies
Love is seen as the fulfillment of the law because love is the essential quality that gives
meaning to all other virtues
Personal Devotion
Describe the different types of personal prayer
Vocal prayer words are recited, spoken or sung. May be structured traditional prayers
e.g. Lords Prayer, Hail Mary, liturgical texts (bible) or may be original and spontaneous
based on personal experience
Mental prayer process of reflection that involves the mind, imagination and will
Meditation generally understood as the excursing of ones spiritual memory based on
repetition of words and phrases. Usually pronounced aloud and accompanied by vocal and
bodily rhythm (used to focus attention on the Divine and block out distractions)
Contemplative prayer difficult to explain using words, it is often experienced as a
simple prayer of quite where the mind and imagination are free to wander. It is understood
as the pure gift of God. It is focused on a perception of Gods living presence
[CHRISTIANITY]