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Introduction to Christianity

Introduction to Christianity. Founding. 33 AD Palestine Jesus of Nazareth Jewish carpenter The Bible Old Testament New Testament. Followers. Christianity is the largest world religion Why? Total: 2 billion people U.S.: 159 million (2001) 42% of Americans attend church. Vocabulary.

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Introduction to Christianity

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  1. Introduction to Christianity

  2. Founding • 33 AD • Palestine • Jesus of Nazareth • Jewish carpenter • The Bible • Old Testament • New Testament

  3. Followers • Christianity is the largest world religion • Why? • Total: 2 billion people • U.S.: 159 million (2001) • 42% of Americans attend church

  4. Vocabulary • Places of worship: church, chapel, cathedral, basilica • Spiritual leaders: pastor, minister, reverend, priest, bishop • “Twelve Apostles”: twelve original followers of Jesus • “Gospel of Matthew (Mark, Luke, and John)”: first four “books” of the New Testament

  5. Symbols

  6. Major Beliefs • One God • The Holy Trinity • Father • Son • Holy Spirit • Humans were created good but now born sinful • Afterlife: resurrection of body and soul, purgatory (Catholic & Orthodox), and eternal heaven or hell

  7. Roman Catholic • Only accepted church until the late Middle Ages – considers itself the “true” church • Largest denomination in world (not in U.S.) • Most formal, ritualized • Distinct beliefs: • Pope • Saints • Transubstantiation – body and blood of Christ

  8. Eastern Orthodox • Began as the eastern half of Christendom, the former Byzantine Empire (“Great Schism”) • 225 million followers (mostly in Greece, Turkey, and Russia) • Distinct beliefs: • More abstract and mystical – personal experience • Icons • Seven Ecumenical Councils – leaders

  9. Protestant • 53% of Americans • Branch of Christianity with multiple denominations and a wide theological spectrum • Denominations differ in the degree by which they reject Catholic beliefs (Anglicans and Lutherans are very close; Presbyterian and Baptist retain little of Catholic ceremonies) • 16th century Protestant Reformation

  10. Major Holidays • Lent (40-day period prior to Easter) • Good Friday (last Friday before Easter) • Easter (Sunday – date varies) – April 8, 2012 • Christmas (December 25)

  11. Leading up to Easter • Fat Tuesday • Mardi Gras or Carnival • Lent • 40 days of fasting or sacrificing a sinful habit • Good Friday

  12. Easter • Spring festival that celebrates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion • The entire liturgical calendar is centered around Easter

  13. Religious Observances • Special church service (often at sunrise) • “Christ is risen”

  14. Other Observances • Easter Bunny • Rabbits and eggs were widely used pagan symbols • Easter Egg Hunts • - Eggs viewed by Christians as symbols of joy and celebration (they were forbidden during the fast of Lent)

  15. Christmas • Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ • Began to be observed in the late 3rd century AD as an alternative to pagan winter holidays • Jesus’s Birthday?

  16. Religious Observances • Special worship services (often at night on Christmas Eve) • Nativity Scene

  17. Christmas Trees • Christmas Trees • Modern tradition • “Christianization” of a pagan tradition involving evergreen boughs

  18. Santa Claus • Santa Claus • A.K.A. Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Old Saint Nick, etc. • Popular image created in late 1800s

  19. Why are we learning this? • Religion is one of the most important aspects of culture • Some of the greatest works of art, music and literature have been based on Christianity and the Bible

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