Review Sheet - Christianity

Question 1

What cults/religions had major influences on the development of Christianity?

Answer 1

Zorotaism faith
Cult of Isis
Mithraism

Question 2

Describe the main beliefs of foundational Christianity

Answer 2

Dualistic world view - material world and spiritual world. The spiritual world is more important.

Salvation religion - Humans enter the afterlife with the help of a divine agent

After Life - There is a better world after we die - or - divine retribution

Salvation in Christianity is based on “faith in god”

Agape = selflessness for others

Question 3

What are some of the main ideas of Judaism?

Answer 3

Sacrifice to God
Covenant (agreement) between God and the people
Penalty if they didn’t uphold the covenant with God and they were punished

Question 4

Describe the nature of the relationship between Judea and the Roman Empire

Answer 4

Jewish people did not want to worship the Roman emperors as gods because they only recognized Yahweh bc they were monotheistic. Many Jews were executed by the Roman government because they refused to worship the Roman emperor = lot of tension

Question 5

Describe the main elements of the Zoroastrian religion

Answer 5

ideas like "heaven" and "hell" 
Ahura Mazda (light and the dark)

Question 6

What is the relationship between Mithraism and Christianity?

Answer 6

-Christmas (birth of Jesus) is similar to a holiday celebrated around the winter solstice which is impt. in M.

Sunday became the day of rest in Christianity - same in M.

Baptism, confession, and forgiveness of sins was adapted from M.

And all ideas of sacrifice were adopted by Christians in a new way (since Jesus sacrificed himself, there was no need to sacrifice animals or food).

Question 7

What is the relationship between the Cult of Isis and Christianity?

Answer 7

Nurturing mother - Isis nurturing Horos (mary nursing Jesus)