ROME THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY THESIS Christianity needed

ROME: THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY THESIS: Christianity needed the Roman Empire in order to grow and spread.

1. THE JEWS • The Jews one of many groups of people conquered by Roman Empire • Romans allowed them to continue to practice monotheistic Judaism • Some Jews wanted to rebel against Rome & believed a messiah would be sent to help them • Eventually Romans banished Jews from empire in 135 A. D. – The Diaspora

2. JESUS • Was a Jewish man who began preaching ideas of Judaism with a new twist! • Claimed to be the messiah & son of God • Rejected “eye for an eye” in favor of “turn the other cheek” • Jesus was seen as a threat by both Jewish priests and Roman government • Executed c. 33 A. D. – followers of Jesus’ teachings became Christians, believe he rose from dead • Christ = “christos” = “annointed one”

3. PETER • Was Jesus’ main disciple (follower) • Jesus told Peter to lead Christians after his death • “Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock…” • Peter becomes bishop of Roman church = first pope • Pope & bishops provided structure, hierarchy to Christian Church

4. PAUL • Was a Jewish man who had never met Jesus but had a vision & converted to Christianity • Set up churches from Mesopotamia to Rome – how was he able to do this? ____ • Early Christians were persecuted by Roman govt, yet Christianity spread & grew – why? ___________

THESIS: Christianity would not have grown without the Roman Empire. • TRUE: • FALSE:

THESIS: Christianity needed the Roman Empire in order to grow and spread. • TRUE: – Rome allowed free religion – Christianity traveled throughout the Roman Empire – Roman Empire had built road system for ideas to spread – Christian places in Europe later conquered other parts of world – See next slide • FALSE: – Jesus told Peter to lead Christians – Jesus was an appealing figure to follow – Christian church had good organization – Roman Empire banned Christianity

THESIS: Christianity needed the Roman Empire in order to grow. • TRUE: – Romans were afraid Jesus was powerful – Roman roads allowed people to travel & get idea – Roman execution of Jesus made Christianity popular – People could use Christianity to revolt against the govt. – Most Christian leaders were Roman – See next slide • FALSE: – People want to go to heaven (not need govt. ) – Jesus & his followers (disciples) spread the word, not the govt. – Romans killed Jesus! – Jews had been conquered by the Romans – Would have spread anyway since many religions have done so – People believed in Jesus’ power – Romans outlawed Christianity – Christian Church had its own structure/hierarchy

THESIS: Christianity would not have grown without the Roman Empire. • TRUE: – Paul spread during Pax Romana – Roman roads allowed news to travel – Cross on Roman shields – See the next slide – Rome could convince – Large area, unified by Latin language – Roman execution made Jesus a symbol! • FALSE: – Roman Empire outlawed Christianity – Beliefs persuaded people to convert (afterlife, etc) – Romans persecuted Christians – People made secret churches – Had loyal followers – Romans killed Jesus! – Could have still been popular in another place

THESIS: Christianity would not have grown without the Roman Empire. • TRUE: – Based on a religion already in Rome – Romans killing Jesus made him famous – Hellenism made Romans open-minded – Roman trade/roads spread ideas – See next slide • FALSE: – Romans killed Jesus – Appealed to poor – Jesus/disciples preached to people – Roman govt. outlawed Christianity – Romans didn’t promote it – People met in secret anyway – Promised a life after death

3 KEY EVENTS IN SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY • Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan (313 A. D. ): allows religious freedom in Roman Empire • Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire (392 A. D. ) • After Roman Empire falls in 476 A. D. , the Christian Church replaces the Roman govt. as Europe’s main institution