Christianity Flashcards
Jesus and overview
- central figure = Jesus, itinerant Jewish preacher
First recognised as Messiah by John the Baptist
Life ministry &teaching In Galilee created strong following among Jews and gentiles
Not until story of death and resurrection that followers began to spread gospel of Christ
To christians -J= Son if god who came to speak about kingdom of god and teach humanity how to live
Death & resurrection - salvation from sin and return would bring ever lasting life to adherents
Christians are supposed to spread gospel message and follow his commandment
Historical and cultural context (Jewish roots)
Jewish story handed down in sacred song and as part of the oral tradition - called to be ppl of god under Abraham
Exodus - freed from slavery in Egypt, Moses brought to Promised Land. Story eventually written down in the Torah - was a covenant
Mindful of the cove want Jews lived in the place god gave them. Other ppl (ahem Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans) took over land and controlled the lives of the Jewish people
Jews began to look for a messiah to lead them out of slavery and into freedom
Many around time of Jesus believed that the Messiah would lead a revolt against rule of the Romans and bring a new golden age for Judaism - age of new kingdom
Messiah
Prophets gave ppl hope
Wrote of a messiah that would set the Jews free from Slavery and usher in new time for Israel
Messiah would return Jews to power in their homeland and rebuild their temple
Jewish scriptures there are references to great leaders who fulfil specific roles of prophets, priests and kings. Jesus is the fulfilment of all three for Christians
Palestine under the Romans
Jesus lived in time when Palestine was under Roman authority and Judea was controlled by a Prefect
Prefect position held by Pontius Pilate when Jesus brought to trial
Jewish community led by predicts of the Sanhedrin (Jewish judicial authority)
- priests had much of the wealth and most of the power over the Jewish society
- through their control of the temple and temple worship - Temple = wealthy through the money that observant Jews would offer as well as taxes on the people . Also held the personal wealth of many rich Jews
Significant groups within Jewish community (Palestine under Romans part two)
Sadducees - priestly class, members of the aristocracy and were the majority of members of the Sanhedrin
Pharisees - followers of Mosaic Maw
- focused on the importance of obeyin strict rules in and effort to live a devout life
Some people believe that Jesus may have been born into the Pharisaic community
Zealots - looked to bring about the release of the Jewish people from the tyres to of the Romans.
Each of the groups had a particular attitude to the coming of the messiah and responds to Jesus differently
Principle events of Jesus life - brith and early life
Evangelists (MMLJ) recorded stories of J’s life
Briers recorded in Math and Luke’s gospels (Mat 1:18-25) (Luke 2:1-7) Luke records birth as same time as the census of Caesar Augustus (c. 6-7CE)
Gospel writers - Jesus grew up in Nazareth, small village in Galilee where he remained throughout his childhood
Traveled at least once to Jerusalem for Passover
Appears that Jesus education in the Torah was significant part of early life. Likely given the understanding of the of the scriptures evident in teaching once started working as a preacher
Meeting John was significant event for Jesus. After he retreated into desert to contemplate future. Public ministry of Jesus began as he travelled the countryside for three years teaching and healing people
Jesus the teacher principle events in JCs life
Mark - Jesus was a prezhcer
He came to proclaim the reign of god - message one that was welcomed by the Jewish community eager for freedom from Roman rule
Idea of the coming of kingdom or reign of god is a clear message given by Jesus that comes through in all gospels
Jesus had many deciples - chose twelve men to whom he gave the role of authority and leadership - continued this after his death
Lived in patriarchal society - gave special role to Mary Magdalene - important mentioned by name several times
Each gospel - diff aspect of Jesus as Eva written for diff audience.
Teachings about reign or kingdom of god essential element of Jesus message
Matt gospel
Emphasis importance of faith for a mostly Jewish audience
Luke
More concerned with humanity of Jesus - included Jesus ministry to the Gentiles as an important aspect of work - writing to Gentiles
Mark
Written for Jewish audience in Diaspora
Johns gospel
Written last but for a wider audience - Jews and gentiles looking towards Christianity
