Exploring the Religions of Our World

1. Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 3 Christianity

2. Chapter 3 Christianity many churches Background Christianity many doctrines many denominations same core beliefs

3. Chapter 3 Christianity History Jesus of Nazareth: • birth was a fulfillment of Jewish prophecy • was the long awaited Jewish Messiah • taught: the kingdom of God was at hand • was publicly crucified for being an insurrectionist • rose from the dead, changing the lives of his followers

4. Chapter 3 Christianity Periods of Christian History Page 83

5. Chapter 3 Christianity History – two major and lasting divisions 1. The Great Schism (1054) Contributing factors: • Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium • Increased power of the bishop of Rome • The spread of Islam in the East • Differences in customs • The filioque controversy

6. Chapter 3 Christianity History – two major and lasting divisions (continued) 2. The Protestant Reformation (1517) Contributing factors: • interference by kings in Church affairs • cooperation between church and state • growth of temporal power in the Western Church • the Avignon Papacy • Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses

7. Chapter 3 Christianity Movements within Protestantism Fundamentalism – holds that what is written in the Bible is to be understood in its most literal sense Evangelicalism – emphasizes a personal faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible as the sole religious authority Pentecostalism – emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit

8. Chapter 3 Christianity Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures The Christian Bible includes: The Hebrew Scriptures The Christian Bible The New Testament

9. Chapter 3 Christianity Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures(continued) To compose the sacred books, God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full use of their own faculties and powers so that, though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more. Dei Verbum no. 11

10. Chapter 3 Christianity Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures(continued) Gospels stories of the life of Jesus The New Testament Acts of the Apostles history of the early Christian communities Epistles letters of the early Christian communities Book of Revelation an apocalyptic work

11. Chapter 3 Christianity Christians Agree On • The authoritative books in the New Testament • The thirty-nine books in the Old Testament • The Bible is the inspired word of God Christians Disagree On • The authoritative books in the Hebrew Bible: 39 vs. 46 • The interpretation of the Bible: Magisterium vs. private/personal • The “Book of the Church” vs. the “Church of the Book” • Scripture vs. Sacred Tradition • Biblical inerrancy

12. Chapter 3 Christianity Beliefs and Practices Creed – articulates Christian beliefs The Apostles’ Creed (c. AD 150) I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from then He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

13. Chapter 3 Christianity Beliefs and Practices (continued) The Nicean Creed (AD 325) We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light true God from True God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father, through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

14. Chapter 3 Christianity Beliefs and Practices (continued) Jesus second person of the Trinity; God in the flesh The Trinity one God in three divine persons Sin closed the gates of heaven Redemption God chose to save humanity through Jesus The Bible offers instructions on Christian living The Church the “new Israel”

15. Chapter 3 Christianity Ordinary Time Sacred Times The Liturgical Calendar Advent Jesus: life, death, resurrection Easter Lent Christmas

16. Chapter 3 Christianity Sacred Times(continued) Sunday a “little Easter” Sacraments given by Christ Prayer formal and informal

17. Chapter 3 Christianity Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces Churches - where the community comes together for worship and fellowship

18. Chapter 3 Christianity Other Christian Denominations through a Catholic Lens • catholic means “universal” The Catholic Church holds: • the fullness of Christ’s body • the fullness of the means to salvation • the fullness of faith • the sacraments • the ordained ministry from the Apostles • universality

19. Chapter 3 Christianity Vocabulary • sect • denominations • doctrines • Messiah • blasphemy • Apostles • Gentile • Council • Epistles • Martyr • Patriarchates • Pope • Crusades • Magisterium • Transubstantiation • rationalists • empiricists • Apocalyptic • Canon • Heresy • Apocryphal • Apologetics • Incarnation • Original sin • Church • Advent • Epiphany • Lent • Pentecost • Sacraments • Icons • Church Fathers • Inerrancy