Christianity, Bible, Judaism: Overview

• These notes cover Christianity, the Bible, Judaism, and church divisions.

Christianity, Bible, and Judaism

• Essential background knowledge and facts.
• Explanation and application of key terms.
• Describing causes and effects of developments and relationship building.
• Analyzing sources and relating to the epoch and current events.
• Understanding current events like conflicts of belief and antisemitism.

Christianity

• Christianity developed out of Judaism.
• Central figure: Jesus of Nazareth ("Christ").
• Christianity is based on believing in only one God (monotheism).
• Jesus lived about 2000 years ago in Palestine.
• Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified.
• Christians believe that Jesus resurrected after death and is the Son of God.
• Jesus' death, in Christian doctrine, absolves humans of their guilt.

Early dissemination of Christianity

• Phase 1 (until 100 AD):
  • The first Jerusalem community emerged.
  • Apostles travels led to initial persecutions but also spread of Christianity.
• Phase 2 (until 200 AD):
  • Christian communities expanded but weren't recognized as a global religion.
• Christian persecution (250–311 AD):
  • Christians faced persecution under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, as they were viewed as a threat to the Roman Empire.
• Constantinian Shift (from 313 AD):
  • Under Emperor Constantine, persecution ceased with the Edict of Tolerance.
  • Theodosius I declared Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.

Church Divisions

• 1054: Great Schism:
  • Separation between the Roman Catholic Church (West) and the Greek Orthodox Church (East).
• 1517: Reformation:
  • Schism within the Catholic Church leading to Protestantism.

The Bible

• The Bible serves as the holy scripture of Christianity.

Old Testament (OT):

• Contains scriptures considered sacred in Judaism.
• The five books of Moses (Pentateuch) form the Torah.
• Originally written in Hebrew, with some Aramaic sections.
• It was translated into Greek for diaspora Jews between 300–100 BC.

New Testament (NT):

• Originated from a reinterpretation of the Old Testament relating to Jesus Christ.
• Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) narrate the life and teachings of Jesus.
• Collection of letters from apostles like Paul.
• Revelation presents an end-time vision.
• Originally written in Greek.

Bible Structure:

• The Bible is divided into books, chapters, and verses.
• It comprises a collection of transmitted writings.
• Modern translations, like the "Einheitsübersetzung," aim to find a compromise between different traditions.

Types of Texts:

• (Song of Songs) → Love Lyric:
  • Poetic, figurative language.
  • Expression of love, longing, beauty.
  • Comparisons with nature images.
  • Highly emotional language, often in verse form.
  • No action or legal instructions, but presentation of love.
• (Deuteronomy) → Laws and Edicts:
  • Clear, concise regulations.
  • Often in list form.
  • Direct instructions or prohibitions.
  • Authoritative, prescriptive language.
  • Absence of narrative or poetic elements.
• (Book of Revelation) → Prophetic Texts / Apocalypse:
  • Visionary, symbolic language.
  • Predictions of the future.
  • Descriptions of heaven or end-time events.
  • Dramatic imagery such as "New Heaven and New Earth."
  • Religious revelations about the future.
• (2 Samuel) → Historical Report:
  • Objective, narrative language.
  • Chronological depiction of events.
  • Direct quotes from people.
  • Narrative structure (Who? When? Where? What happened?).

Key Terms

• Mission: Spreading Christian faith through preaching and evangelization.
• Eucharist: Holy Communion, with bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ.
• Ten Commandments: Fundamental moral rules given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).
• Nicene Creed: Central Christian declaration.
• Baptism: Sacrament symbolizing acceptance into the Christian community, purification from sins, often with water.
• Trinity: Doctrine of God's threefold nature: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
• Apostles: Close disciples of Jesus.
• Prophets: People called by God to proclaim His will.
• Resurrection: Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.
• Pentecost: Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
• Last Judgment: Belief that Christ will come at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.
• Easter: Celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection.
• Christmas: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25th.
• Women: Women play key roles in the Bible and Christianity.

Historical and Religious Significance of the Bible

• The Bible is a source of historical events, including stories about ancient cultures and historical personalities
• TheNew Testament particularly speaks about the life, execution, and teachings of Jesus.
• Translations have made the Bible accessible to different cultures.
• Foundation of Christian belief.
• It tells of the relationship between God and people.
• Belief in one God, commitment to Jesus Christ, a community of believers in the church, belief in eternal life, and rules to live by.

Schisms

• The Great Schism (1054)
  • It signified the divide between the Western and Eastern churches.
  • Roman Catholic Church (West) with the Pope in Rome.
  • Greek Orthodox Church (East) with the Patriarch of Constantinople.
• Background:
  • Dispute over church authority (the Pope claimed precedence.)
  • Theological Differences.
  • Linguistic and cultural differences between West and East Rome.
  • 1054: Mutual excommunication of Pope and Patriarch.
• Consequences:
  • The Orthodox Church came into existence as an independent belief.
  • Separate churches remain with their traditions.
• The Reformation (1517) --> Division between Catholics and Protestants
  • Roman Catholic Church.
  • Evangelical Church (Protestantism), initiated by Martin Luther
• Background:
  • Criticism of the Catholic Church, of forgiveness for money particularly.
  • Demand.
  • Bible as the sole authority.
  • 1517: Luther publishes the 95 Theses causing the Reformation to begin.
  • Division between Catholics and Protestants through various faith.
• Consequences:
  • A lot of protestant faith came into existence.

Judaism

• The origins of Judaism, and the history.

Origins of Judaism:

• Jewish identity as having a Jewish mother, though not all stick to the strict Tora.
• Defined by adherence to 613 commandments of the Tora.
• Father of the people of Israel, has descent from the 12 tribes.
• Belief in one God (Yahweh) and their descent unites them.
• National and religious identity.
• Developed during the desert voyage.
• Their monotheistic religion clashed.
• Led to segregation: Jerusalem is a holy place for (Jews (Temple Mount), Christians and Muslims.
• Monotheistic like Christianity and Islam; go back to Abraham.
• Jesus criticized temple service.
• The Roman emperor Titus destroyed Jerusalem.
• The second temple was destroyed and started the scattering of Jews, 15m.