Christianity
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- What was the Jewish world like during Jesus\'s time?
- Political unrest because of Roman stronghold.
- What are the 4 gospels?
- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- When was Jesus born?
- Around 4BC. Most scholars agree that it wasn\'t actually in the year 0.
- About his birth?
- It was miraculous as he was born to a virgin as a peasant. One wouldn\'t expect a peasant baby to save the world. He is an incarnation of God, the son of God, and a divine being.
- What do the gospels tell about his life?
- Most of his life is ignored while 90-95% of the gospels deal with the final 3 years of Jesus\'s life. Jesus rejects the Pharisees. The last week of his life is most important as he is arrested and tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and is executed by Romans as the Jews didn\'t believe in capital punishment. 3 days later, he reappears. This proves that he was indeed the Messiah. His death was the most important part of his life as it was a means of atonement and sacrifice for all human sin.
- Why is Christianity a new religion?
- It\'s distinct from Judaism because of the identity of Jesus and the interpretation of the law. Jesus is equal to God in divinity in Christianity. In Judaism, he is a mere historical figure. Christians do not follow Torah, or Jewish law.
- About Paul?
- Pharisee, rabbi, Roman citizen. Opposed Jesus movement and tried to suppress it actively. Then he has a vision of Jesus on Damascus Road who questions his opposition. Paul then becomes an apostle and missionary for Christianity.
- About Christian persecution by Romans?
- 60 to 300 AD. As Christianity grew to be more different from Judaism, Romans made it illegal to practice. In 300 AD, however, Christianity had spread and 10% of Romans were Christian. Constantine, a former Roman general, had a vision of Jesus who tells him to put the symbol for Christ on his armor. He does this and wins a war, which causes him to believe in the divinity of Jesus. He issues the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity in 313 AD. He also uses tax money to construct churches. Finally, he builds city of Constantinople as a holy city and political center. 400 AD - 50% of Romans are Christian. In 392 AD, Theodosius issues Edict that made Christianity the only legal religion. Judaism receives an exception because its ties to Christianity.
- About gnosticism?
- Gnostics believed they possessed a secret knowledge passed through oral tradition and salvation was impossible without knowing this \"secret.\" They believed matter is bad and spirit is good. Believed body is a prison and soul is divine. Felt a need to escape body. This idea was probably influenced by Indians. Jesus\'s body was an apparition and his death and resurrection are somewhat irrelevant.
- Orthodox response to gnostics?
- Assert power of canon - the Bible is authoritative. Bishops are church leaders. Establishment of 3 creeds, the Apostles, the Nicene, and the Chalcedon.
- About Apostles Creed?
- Establishes humanity. Jesus is human. Rejects gnosticism.
- About Nicene Creed?
- Jesus is divine. Rejects Arianism.
- About Chalcedon Creed?
- Jesus is one person, 2 natures - divine and human. Rejects Nestorians and monophysites.
- About Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism?
- Catholicism - one authority. Orthodoxy - many bishops and patriarchs. Nicene Creed.
- About Catholics v. Protestants?
- Reformation 1519 in Germany. Martin Luther identified theological corruptions in Catholic teacher, especially in the \"salvation by works\" notion. He believed in \"salvation by faith.\" War ensues from 1520 to 1555.
- Modernism and Traditionalism?
- Modernism: Christianity must be adapted to fit in modern world. Eliminate primitive ideas. Jesus is not divine, but simply a moral teacher. No atonement. Traditionalism: Modern world must be adapted to fit Christianity. Retain primitive ideas. Bible is infallible and Jesus is divine.
- Holy Trinity?
- Specific to Christianity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one in the same.
- Path of Ultimate Transformation?
- Atonement through Jesus\'s death. Covenant to be fulfilled by Messiah.
- About Nicene Creed reading?
- Emerged in response to the claims of priest Arius that Christ was created by God and therefore, can\'t BE God. Council of Nicaea met in 325 and decided against Arius. Most popular creed. Basically just states all beliefs of Christians.
- Sermon on the Mount reading?
- Asserts many moral lessons. God is your only master. Don\'t fret about anything. Don\'t be judgmental. You get what you give. Don\'t give your pearls to pigs. Ask and it will be given. Seek and you shall find. Take the hard road. Be wary of liars. Not all those who claim Jesus as their master will enter heaven. They must also carry out God\'s will. Whoever follows these teachings will be rewarded.
- Paul on Life After Death?
- Paul was asked how Jesus was divine if he was executed. Paul said his death and resurrection were symbolic of the end of old Jewish law and the beginning of a new era of divine grace. Baptism symbolizes Jesus\'s death because it takes away sin. In his letter, he said, if Christ hadn\'t been raised, all men would still be lost in their sins. Humans possess a different existence from other animals. Men cannot inherit God\'s kingdom.
- About original sin?
- Fall of humankind into a sinful state. Distorts image of God. Exploitation of free will leads to sin.
- About salvation?
- Recognition that man cannot achieve salvation alone. The proper relationship with God is the key to salvation. The law is not the key as humans cannot follow it perfectly. Christ is a mediator between God and humans because of his atonement.
- About faith?
- Acceptance of God\'s grace. Movement of free will in response to God\'s love.
- About grace?
- Unmerited favor from God in the form of gifts. Undeserved positive benefit.
- About afterlife?
- Judgment, heaven or hell, resurrection when Jesus returns.
- About baptism?
- Use of water to \"wash away\" sin. Symbolizes union with Christ.
- About eucharist/communion?
- Eating bread and drinking wine to symbolize union with God.
- What are the seven Catholic sacraments?
- Baptism, confirmation, eucharist, confession, anointing of the sick, holy orders (bishops, priests, deacons), matrimony.
- About Sunday the Sabbath?
- Day of worship since Christ was resurrected on a Sunday.
- About Christmas?
- Christ\'s birth in Bethlehem.
- About Lent?
- 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day. Prayer, repentance, fasting, giving up pleasures.
- About Easter?
- Day of Christ\'s resurrection.
- About Pentecost/Weeks?
- 50 days after Easter. Celebrates the outpouring of the spirit on Christ\'s disciples after his ascension to heaven.
- About Halloween?
- November 1st: Feast day to commemorate the saints and heroes of faith.