Early ChristianityEarly Christianity

Why the Appeal of Why the Appeal of Christianity?Christianity?

Little spiritual aspect to Roman Little spiritual aspect to Roman state religion: cult of the Emperorstate religion: cult of the Emperor

Resemblance to existing mystery Resemblance to existing mystery religions: dying and reborn religions: dying and reborn or resurrected god or resurrected god Cult of IsisCult of IsisMysteries of Dionysus/BacchusMysteries of Dionysus/BacchusMithraismMithraism

Cult of IsisCult of Isis Egyptian originEgyptian origin Promise of Promise of

immortalityimmortality Strong ethical Strong ethical

codecode Celebrated by Celebrated by

Apuleius in Apuleius in The The Golden Ass, Golden Ass, 2nd c. 2nd c. cece

Mysteries of Mysteries of Dionysus/BacchusDionysus/Bacchus

Promise of Promise of immortality -- immortality -- as the as the grapevine grapevine regenerates regenerates each year, so each year, so will the soulwill the soul

Bacchanalia, Bacchanalia, secret rites of secret rites of initiation into initiation into the mysteries, the mysteries, sometimes sometimes degenerated degenerated into drunken into drunken orgiesorgies

Mithraism: Mithraism: Similarities to Similarities to ChristianityChristianity

Mithras referred to as “the Light Mithras referred to as “the Light of the World;” of the World;” Sol invictusSol invictus by by RomansRomans

Mediator between Heaven and Mediator between Heaven and EarthEarth

Born of a human virgin; birth Born of a human virgin; birth celebrated on December 25; born celebrated on December 25; born in a cave, visited by wisemenin a cave, visited by wisemen

Celibate god who valued self-Celibate god who valued self-control, renunciation and control, renunciation and ascetism in followersascetism in followers

Belief in heaven, hell and day of Belief in heaven, hell and day of judgementjudgement

Ritualistic baptism (in blood) as Ritualistic baptism (in blood) as purificationpurification

Strong ethical codeStrong ethical code

Persian originPersian origin

Mithraism: Mithraism: Differences with ChristianityDifferences with Christianity

Worship limited to men,initiated into Worship limited to men,initiated into mysteries mysteries (women worshipped his mother, Anahita, in (women worshipped his mother, Anahita, in separate mysteries)separate mysteries)

Mithraism became a military religion in Mithraism became a military religion in Rome: emphasized victory, strength, security Rome: emphasized victory, strength, security in next world, and absolute loyalty to in next world, and absolute loyalty to authority and fellow soldiersauthority and fellow soldiers

Promotion through ranks of ritual initiations Promotion through ranks of ritual initiations corresponded to heavenly journey of soulcorresponded to heavenly journey of soul

Strong astrological influencesStrong astrological influences Animal sacrifice: bulls and birdsAnimal sacrifice: bulls and birds

Jews in the Roman WorldJews in the Roman World After the death of Alexander the After the death of Alexander the

Great in 323 bce, Palestine was Great in 323 bce, Palestine was part of the Hellenized Ptolemaic part of the Hellenized Ptolemaic and Seleucid kingdoms and Seleucid kingdoms

The Maccabean Revolt in 167 The Maccabean Revolt in 167 bce led to Jewish independence bce led to Jewish independence and the reign of the Hasmonean and the reign of the Hasmonean monarchs and High Priestsmonarchs and High Priests

In 67 bce, a dispute arose about In 67 bce, a dispute arose about the succession of the kingship. the succession of the kingship. Each side courted Roman Each side courted Roman support.support.

Pompey marched in and Pompey marched in and conquered Jerusalem in 63 bce, conquered Jerusalem in 63 bce, marking the end of an marking the end of an independent Jewish state.independent Jewish state.

Brief Historical Background to the New Testament

Judah Maccabee

Jews in the Jews in the Roman WorldRoman World

Under Julius Caesar, Under Julius Caesar, Antipater, an Idumean, Antipater, an Idumean, ruled in Jerusalem until ruled in Jerusalem until his murder in 40 bcehis murder in 40 bce

His son, Herod, fled to His son, Herod, fled to Rome, and the Senate Rome, and the Senate named him King of the named him King of the JewsJews

In 37 bce he captured In 37 bce he captured Jerusalem with Roman Jerusalem with Roman help and ruled until his help and ruled until his death in 4 bce. After his death in 4 bce. After his death his kingdom was death his kingdom was divided.divided.

Jews in the Roman WorldJews in the Roman World

Herod Antipas was appointed tetrarch of Herod Antipas was appointed tetrarch of Palestine and Peraea in 4 bc. Ruled until Palestine and Peraea in 4 bc. Ruled until 37ce 37ce

Herod Agrippa, ruled Palestine from 37- 44 Herod Agrippa, ruled Palestine from 37- 44 ce.ce.

Roman procurators: 44-50 ceRoman procurators: 44-50 ce Herod Agrippa II: 50-92 ceHerod Agrippa II: 50-92 ce 66 ce: Jewish Zealot riot and rebellion66 ce: Jewish Zealot riot and rebellion 70 ce: Roman destruction of the Temple and 70 ce: Roman destruction of the Temple and

sacking of Jerusalemsacking of Jerusalem

Christianity’s AppealChristianity’s Appeal

Promise of eternal lifePromise of eternal life Strong ethical codeStrong ethical code Message of PeaceMessage of Peace Offered salvation to all believers Offered salvation to all believers

-- gave hope to slaves and women -- gave hope to slaves and women Martyrdom of early ChristiansMartyrdom of early Christians EvangelicalismEvangelicalism

EvangelicalismEvangelicalism

Three major early Christian movements:Three major early Christian movements: NazoreneNazorene Pauline Pauline GnosticGnostic

“...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Jesus, Acts

1:8

NazoreneNazorene

Jewish Christians: Jewish Christians: first followers in first followers in Jerusalem, led by Jerusalem, led by James and PeterJames and Peter

Advocated Advocated preservation of preservation of Jewish ritualsJewish rituals

Peter founded Peter founded church in Romechurch in Rome

PaulinePauline

Saul’s conversion Saul’s conversion Paul Paul Greek JewGreek Jew Roman citizenRoman citizen Classically educatedClassically educated

Establishment of Churches Establishment of Churches throughout the Mediterranean world: throughout the Mediterranean world: Epistles Epistles CorinthCorinth EphesusEphesus GalatiaGalatia PhillipiPhillipi ThessalonicaThessalonica

GnosticGnostic The image of God as a diad or duality. While The image of God as a diad or duality. While affirming the ultimate unity and integrity of affirming the ultimate unity and integrity of the Divine, Gnosticism noted in its the Divine, Gnosticism noted in its experiential experiential encounterencounter with the numinous, dualistic, with the numinous, dualistic, contrasting manifestations and qualities.contrasting manifestations and qualities.

Sexually egalitarianSexually egalitarian Many Gnostic texts written by womenMany Gnostic texts written by women Importance of Mary Magdalene – second Importance of Mary Magdalene – second

only to Jesusonly to Jesus Male and female images used to represent Male and female images used to represent

Supreme GodSupreme God Redemption achieved through Redemption achieved through gnosisgnosis: :

knowledge. One attains salvation by learning knowledge. One attains salvation by learning secret knowledge of one’s spiritual essence: secret knowledge of one’s spiritual essence: the creative experience of revelation, a rushing the creative experience of revelation, a rushing progression of understanding, and not a static progression of understanding, and not a static creedcreed

Carlo Dolci, Magdalene

Nag Hammadi texts with Nag Hammadi texts with Gnostic Gospels discovered in 1945Gnostic Gospels discovered in 1945

"In the name of the Father unknown to all, in the Truth, Mother of All, in the One who came down upon Jesus, in the union, redemption and communion of powers."

44thth c. papyrus manuscripts discovered in c. papyrus manuscripts discovered in Egypt – written in Coptic – the language of Egypt – written in Coptic – the language of the Egyptian Christian Churchthe Egyptian Christian Church

45 titles including the Gnostic Gospels and 45 titles including the Gnostic Gospels and writings attributed to Jesus’s followers writings attributed to Jesus’s followers including:including: The Gospel of ThomasThe Gospel of Thomas The Gospel of PhillipThe Gospel of Phillip The Gospel of MaryThe Gospel of Mary The Gospel of TruthThe Gospel of Truth The Gospel of the EgyptiansThe Gospel of the Egyptians The Apocalypses of Paul, James, and PeterThe Apocalypses of Paul, James, and Peter

The Nag Hammadi Library

GnosticGnostic

Highly dualistic: good vs. evilHighly dualistic: good vs. evil Good: spiritual and divineGood: spiritual and divine Evil: materialEvil: material

Did not believe in Incarnation of SaviorDid not believe in Incarnation of Savior Sexually egalitarianSexually egalitarian Belief in reincarnationBelief in reincarnation Redemption achieved through Redemption achieved through gnosisgnosis: secret : secret

knowledge reserved to those who pursued ascetism, knowledge reserved to those who pursued ascetism, followed strict dietary rules, and removed followed strict dietary rules, and removed themselves from temptationthemselves from temptation

Nag Hammadi texts with Gnostic Gospels discovered Nag Hammadi texts with Gnostic Gospels discovered in 1945in 1945

Christian TextsChristian Texts

Adoption of Jewish Bible as Old Testament Adoption of Jewish Bible as Old Testament Many early GospelsMany early Gospels 367: Canonization of New Testament: 367: Canonization of New Testament:

Gospels, 70-100 ad: Matthew, Mark, Luke, JohnGospels, 70-100 ad: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Acts of the ApostlesActs of the Apostles 21 Epistles: 14 ascribed to Paul: Incarnation 21 Epistles: 14 ascribed to Paul: Incarnation

and Atonementand Atonement Revelation, c. 75-95 adRevelation, c. 75-95 ad

Patristic Writings: early Church fathersPatristic Writings: early Church fathers 393-405: Vulgate Bible 393-405: Vulgate Bible

Latin Translation by St. JeromeLatin Translation by St. Jerome

Establishment Establishment of of

Christian ChurchChristian Church

ConstantineConstantineca. 280-337ca. 280-337

First Christian Roman EmperorFirst Christian Roman Emperor 313: Constantine issued 313: Constantine issued Edict of Edict of

Milan: Milan: toleration toleration 325: Convened Council of Nicaea: 325: Convened Council of Nicaea:

Nicene Creed Nicene Creed Christianity incorporated pre-existing Christianity incorporated pre-existing

pagan customs and motifspagan customs and motifs 330: capital of Empire moved to 330: capital of Empire moved to

ConstantinopleConstantinople

In Hoc Signo Vinces

Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire 361-363: Emperor Julian the Apostate tries to 361-363: Emperor Julian the Apostate tries to

reinstate paganism, but mostly allows reinstate paganism, but mostly allows religious liberty to the Christians religious liberty to the Christians

375-383: Emperor Gratian confiscates temples, 375-383: Emperor Gratian confiscates temples, abolishes privileges for heathen priests, etc. abolishes privileges for heathen priests, etc.

379-395: Emperor Theodosius I prohibits 379-395: Emperor Theodosius I prohibits heathen religious observances heathen religious observances

402: Emperor Honorius moved capital of 402: Emperor Honorius moved capital of Western Empire to RavennaWestern Empire to Ravenna

410: Rome sacked by Visigoths410: Rome sacked by Visigoths 455: Rome sacked by Vandals455: Rome sacked by Vandals

Christian IconographyChristian Iconography

Alpha and Omega

Chi RhoChristogram

Ihs :abbreviated name of Jesus in greek (s)

Icthys: FishAcrostic for Jesus Christ

Son of God Saviour

Anchor/CrossHebrews 6:19, ‘Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

both sure and steadfast.’

Dovethe soul that reached divine peace

TheTheGoodGood

ShepherdShepherdand and

Agnus DeiAgnus Dei(lamb of God)(lamb of God)

Catacomb FrescoA marble statue of the Good Shepherdfound in al-Mina - Gaza

CatacombsCatacombs

Ancient underground cemeteries, used Ancient underground cemeteries, used by the Christian and the Jewish by the Christian and the Jewish communities, at Rome. communities, at Rome.

The Christian catacombs, which are the The Christian catacombs, which are the most numerous, began in the second most numerous, began in the second century and the excavating continued century and the excavating continued until the first half of the fifth.until the first half of the fifth.

Christians gathered to celebrate their Christians gathered to celebrate their funeral rites, the anniversaries of the funeral rites, the anniversaries of the martyrs and of the dead.martyrs and of the dead.

After the persecutions, especially in the After the persecutions, especially in the time of pope Saint Damasus (366 - 384) time of pope Saint Damasus (366 - 384) they became real shrines of the they became real shrines of the martyrs, centres of devotion and of martyrs, centres of devotion and of pilgrimage for Christians from every pilgrimage for Christians from every part of the empire. part of the empire.

The Catacombs of Saint Callixtus

Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

Incorporation of Roman Law Incorporation of Roman Law and Hierarchyand Hierarchy PopePope CardinalsCardinals BishopsBishops PriestsPriests

Latin as the language of the Latin as the language of the ChurchChurch

Pope Leo 440-461 Pope Leo 440-461

Christian CrossesChristian CrossesTau Cross Greek Cross Latin Cross Celtic Cross

Russian Orthodox Papal Cross Crucifix Baptismal Cross

Early Christian ArchitectureEarly Christian Architecture Earliest churches built under the Earliest churches built under the

direction of Constantine were direction of Constantine were based on the Roman basilicabased on the Roman basilica

Roman basilicas served as places Roman basilicas served as places for public gatherings: law courts, for public gatherings: law courts, financial centers, army drill halls, a financial centers, army drill halls, a center of public power. center of public power.

The basilica contained an apse, a The basilica contained an apse, a semi-circular projection usually off semi-circular projection usually off the short wall of the rectangular the short wall of the rectangular building. building.

5th c Roman basilica

of Sta. Sabina Early Christian Basilicas

St. AugustineSt. Augustine354-430354-430

Countered Pelagian and Donatist Countered Pelagian and Donatist heresiesheresies

Author of Author of ConfessionsConfessions and and City of City of GodGod (response to fall of Rome) (response to fall of Rome)

Synthesized Christian doctrine with Synthesized Christian doctrine with classical philosophyclassical philosophy Neo-PlatonismNeo-Platonism Aristotle’s Unmoved MoverAristotle’s Unmoved Mover

Pope Gregory the GreatPope Gregory the Great540-604540-604

Born to an aristocratic Roman family, he Born to an aristocratic Roman family, he abandoned politics to become a monk abandoned politics to become a monk

Became Pope in 590 against his willBecame Pope in 590 against his will Reformed ecclesiastical discipline and the Reformed ecclesiastical discipline and the

LiturgyLiturgy Sent Augustine of Canterbury to England to Sent Augustine of Canterbury to England to

convert the Anglo-Saxonsconvert the Anglo-Saxons Instituted the Schola Cantorum in Rome: Instituted the Schola Cantorum in Rome:

Gregorian ChantGregorian Chant

Gregorian ChantGregorian Chant Chants – plainsong, plainchant – sung during Chants – plainsong, plainchant – sung during

the Massthe MassKyrie eleisonKyrie eleisonGloriaGloriaCredoCredoSanctus and BenedictusSanctus and BenedictusAgnus DeiAgnus Dei

Monophonic: a single line of melodyMonophonic: a single line of melody Sung a capella -- without accompaniment – by Sung a capella -- without accompaniment – by

the clergy and/or choirs of monksthe clergy and/or choirs of monks Free rhythms that create hypnotic effectsFree rhythms that create hypnotic effects

http://www.christdesert.org/noframes/chant/chant.html

Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire

435: Theodosius II commands that 435: Theodosius II commands that pagan temples be destroyed or pagan temples be destroyed or turned into churches turned into churches

527-567: Emperor Justinian prohibits 527-567: Emperor Justinian prohibits heathenism upon pain of death. heathenism upon pain of death.

529: Justinian abolishes the 900 529: Justinian abolishes the 900 year-old School at Athensyear-old School at Athens

532: Justinian and Theodora save 532: Justinian and Theodora save Constantinople and order the Constantinople and order the construction of the Hagia Sophiaconstruction of the Hagia Sophia

Christ enthroned between angels and Saints, apse

mosaic, San Vitale

Schism:Schism:Roman Catholic and Eastern OrthodoxRoman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox

Latin as Church Latin as Church LanguageLanguage

Church governed by Church governed by local bishops headed local bishops headed by elected Popeby elected Pope

Mandatory celibacy Mandatory celibacy for priestsfor priests

Reverence for sacred Reverence for sacred images and relicsimages and relics

Greek as Church Greek as Church LanguageLanguage

Church governed by Church governed by Patriarch appointed by Patriarch appointed by EmperorEmperor

Clergy allowed to marryClergy allowed to marry

Iconoclastic controversyIconoclastic controversy