Christianity

 The inscription Pilate had written is depicted on crucifixes with the

abbreviation INRI.

 This refers to the Latin translation of Pilate’s charge, Iesus Nazarenus,

Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews). On occasion
the first letter is rendered as a “J” instead of an “I,” but the Latin is
still the same.

 Since the Catholic Church was initially located in the Roman Empire
and Latin became the “official” language of the Roman Church, INRI
was favored over the Greek or Hebrew words for the inscription.

 The abbreviation reminds us that Pilate’s charge, while meant to be

mocking, is true: Jesus truly is our king, who came to save us from
sin and death. His throne was the cross and he rules over us in love
and mercy. Jesus is the one true king that we call all rally behind.
What is Christianity?
 A diverse, 2000 year old religion
 Followed by almost 1/3 of the world’s
population
– 2.1 billion
 Based on the life, teachings, death and
resurrection of Jesus
– Believed to be the Christ (messiah, savior) by
his followers (thus called “Christians”)
 Major Divisions
 Roman Catholic  Protestant
– 1.1 billion – 365 million
 Eastern  Anglican
Orthodox – 80 million
– 217 million
The Historical Jesus

 Born, lived, and died a Jew in the first century

in Roman occupied Palestine
– Nazareth
 Knowledge of Him based on New Testament
– Little is known of childhood
 Baptized at age 30 by John (“the Baptist”)
– Blessed by Holy Spirit as He came out of water
– “thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well
pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
 Jesus’ History, continued

 Then began a mission of preaching,

teaching, and healing as an itinerant teacher
 Had a following of 12 primary disciples
– Countless multitudes attracted by his miracles
and words of wisdom
 Jesus’ Death
 Jesus claimed that he spoke with
the authority of God
 Betrayed by disciple Judas
 Put on trial for being a
revolutionary & a political threat
to Roman and Jewish authorities
 Roman governor of Judea,
Pontius Pilate
– condemned and put to death by
means of crucifixion
 The following Sunday, He
appeared to his followers as a
triumph over death
– Later ascended into Heaven
 Jesus’ Teachings
 Focused on the kingdom of God
– Standards of human conduct
– Merciful God—how people should treat each otherGolden
Rule
– Personal God --“Our Father”
 Used stories and parables to teach
 Known as miracle worker and faith healer
 Religious and social reformer
– Accepted a variety of people
– Go above and beyond the letter of the law
 Preached forgiveness of sin over punishment for sin
– Turn the other cheek
 History of Christianity
 Jesus’ work was continued after resurrection by
St. Paul and St. Peter
– Established churches throughout Europe
 Church remained small and persecuted
– Roman Emperors Nero, Domitian, Diocletian
 Constantine promoted Christianity
– Became official religion of Rome
 Great Schism, 1054
– Split western (Roman Catholic church) and eastern
(Orthodox church)
 Catholicism

 Pope is supreme spiritual leader and

Vatican head of state
– Vatican City is an independent country
surrounded by Rome
– St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square
 First pope was Leo I (officially), or St.
Peter
 Orthodoxy
 Literally means “right teaching or right worship”
– Derived from two Greek words: orthos (right) and
doxa (teaching or worship)
 Followers believe that there were false teachings
and divisions in early Christian times
– Threatened the identity and purity of the Church
– Followers believe the Orthodox Church carefully
guards the truth against all error and schism
 Believe in saint worship, Eucharist, confession of
sins, baptism
St. Basil Cathedral,
Moscow
 Protestantism
 Movement from 16th century “Reformation”
– To reform the (Catholic) church
• Corruption, leadership, authority, etc.
– Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox
– Brought to America in various forms
 Usually recognize only 2 sacraments of
baptism and communion
– 7 in Catholicism
– No saints, no rosary, no pope, etc.
 Anglican
 Began in 6th century England
– Followed Luther’s protest
 King Henry VIII spent most of his reign
challenging the authority of Rome
– Divorce was just one issue
 Spread by English colonization and
missionaries
 Do not follow Pope’s authority
– Led by bishops
– Now ordain women priests
 Book of Common Prayer
 Often called Episcopal
 Scripture
 Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible)
 New Testament (written after Jesus’ death, by his followers,
during the first century; not canonized until the 4th century)
– Four gospels (“good words”) about the birth, life, teaching,
acts, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Written by Mark,
Matthew, Luke & John
– The Book of Acts of the apostles – earliest history of the
developing church
– Epistles (“letters”) of Paul addressed to the churches they
founded and led throughout the Mediterranean
– The Book of Revelation – of John - a vision of the end of
time, or the Apocalypse.
 Beliefs and Customs

 Baptism: outward sign of commitment to Jesus

 Eucharist (communion): symbolic meal of Jesus’
last meal with disciples; taken in thanks and
celebration
 Trinity: belief in God as the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost; not 3 different gods
 Saints: celebrated people who led good lives,
often associated with miracles
 Other Beliefs

 Original sin: all humanity is inherently separated

from God
 The sacrifice of Jesus – a sinless representative
of humanity (a “scapegoat”) - as the ultimate
atonement for the sins of humanity
 Heaven and Hell:
– Eternal life for those who are “saved by the blood of
the lamb (Jesus)”
– Eternal damnation for those who are not so saved
 Problem for Humans
 Damnation
– New covenant based on Christ needed
to atone for Adam’s sins
– Efforts and good deeds alone cannot
save you; you must have faith in Christ
 Christian Holy Days

Two major seasons in the Christian calendar:

 Christmas – celebrating the birth of Jesus
 Easter – commemorating the resurrection of
Christ

 Christmas:
– Advent (four weeks leading up to Christmas day)
– Christmas Day (December 25th)
– Epiphany (the “twelfth day of Christmas”)
More Christian Holy Days
 Easter: (early spring, date varies)
– Ash Wednesday and Lent (40 days before Easter, a
period of sacrifice and spiritual renewal in
preparation for Easter)
– Holy Week including:
• Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem)
• Maundy Thursday (communion meal/Last Supper)
• Good Friday (Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion)
• Easter Sunday (celebrating the resurrection)
 Pentecost: the 50th day (seven weeks) after
Easter (commemorates the coming of the
Holy Spirit upon the apostles)
 Protestant Groups
 Lutheran  Mennonite
 Church of England,  Amish
Anglican, Episcopal  Quaker
 Presbyterian,  Separatists
Congregational  Brethren (Puritan)
 Baptist  Christian Scientist
 Methodist  Jehovah’s Witness
 Latter Day Saints  Seventh Day
(Mormons) Adventist
 Pentecostal  Unification Church
 Shaker
Christianity on the Web:
 ReligiousTolerance.org Christianity menu:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/christ.htm a jumping off point for
the basics on Christianity, including the Bible, important personalities
(Jesus, Mary, saints, etc.), history, beliefs, practices, trends, denominations.
 The Spiritual Sanctuary Christianity page:
http://www.thespiritualsanctuary.org/Christianity/Christianity1.htm
l provides basic information on major Christian groups and distinctive
movements with links to official denomination websites.
 Orthodox Christianity: http://www.kosovo.com/orthodoxy.html
Basic introduction, history, doctrine and links to other Orthodox sites.
 Catholic Online: http://www.catholic.org an inside look at Catholic
concerns and life; includes a nice section on saints and angels.
 Protestantism: (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism the basics, with links to
details about a variety of Protestant denominations.