Lecture 1 Notes 8/30 (Religious Context of Christianity) Flashcards
What did Christianity do?
-It brought about a new stage of development in the west.
-It changed how people viewed the purpose of life.
What were the 4 main Jewish groups in the first century?
-Sadducees
-Pharisees
-Essenes
-Zealots
The Sadducees
-Believed in strict interpretation of Mosaic Law.
-They were in the upper stratum of society. Elite hereditary lineage.
-They were the conservatives in society. They don’t believe in resurrection, and they controlled the Temple.
The Pharisees
-They had a flexible attitude toward Jewish Law.
-They had support from most of the Jewish population.
-They believe in life after death.
-Were definitely more accepting of Jesus than the Sadducees.
-The pharisees were more accepting of Jesus than the Sadducees.
The Essenes
-They believed the end days were imminent
-Semimonastic community near the dead sea.
-Separated from most people. anticipated the end of the messianic age.
-Teacher of righteousness.
-The Essenes were more accepting of Jesus than the Zealots.
The Zealots
-Small Group
-patriots
-Did not like taxes
-Did not like authority.
-They displayed violence and resitance to emperior/authority.
Jesus Christ
-Talked about the need to undergo moral transformation to enter God’s Kingdom.
-He appealed to some groups, but was seen as dangerous by other groups (Definitely the Sadducees).
The Spread and Triumph of Christianity
-Originated in the first century.
-It took firm root in the second century.
-It began to grow in the third century.
-Christianity becomes toe official religion of then Roman empire by the fourth century.
What did Christianity have to do to appeal to more people?
Christianity had to disentangle itself from its Jewish Context.
Why did Christianity appeal to so many people?
-It provided a deep, meaningful relationship with God.
-Christianity was open to all people.
-Christianity provided comfort to people.
-Emphasis on family life.
-Monotheism and Christian Ethics were appealing to people.
How did Christianity Appeal to women?
-In the eyes of God, women were seen as equal to men.
-Christian men were faithful to their wives and respected them.
-Women were among the first people to convert to Christianity sand they were important in converting other people to Christianity as well.
How did Christianity appeal to slaves?
-Slaves had a hope for an afterlife. and that there was a reason for their suffering.
-Their masters were held accountable under Christianity.
-They were offered the same relationship with God that everyone else was offered.
How did Christianity appeal to lower classes?
-Jesus surrounded himself with poor people. He truly gave them attention.
-Jesus himself was a member of the lower class.
-Jesus advocated for the poor.
-There was no need for moving, as they will be rewarded in Heaven.
How did Christianity appeal to the Romans?
-Christianity was willing to use Greek philosophy, so it appealed to educated people.
-Christian texts were written in languages members of the Roman empire would understand. Christianity offered forgiveness.
How did Christianity appeal to Jewish people?
-Jesus was Jewish.
-They beleuved Jesus was fuldilling messianic prophecvies.
-hjesus seemed like a messiah to the Jewish people.
-Chrisitanity was initially a sect of Judaism.
-The Old Testament, which christianity uses, was part of the Old Torah.
