Christianity PDF

Christianity Christianity ⊳ Christianity has become the largest religion in the world today with more than 2.2 billion followers. ⊳ This lesson will provide a broader understanding about Christianity as to how they value their beliefs and practices....

Christianity Christianity ⊳ Christianity has become the largest religion in the world today with more than 2.2 billion followers. ⊳ This lesson will provide a broader understanding about Christianity as to how they value their beliefs and practices. 2 Founder: Jesus Christ ⊳ Jesus (c. 7 BC-30 AD) is the founder of Christianity. He is also known as "Jesus son of Joseph, Jesus of Nazareth,” "Jesus of Galilee” or simply “Christ.” 3 4 Founder: Jesus Christ ⊳ The historical account of the life and works of Jesus can be found in the Bible specifically from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke, and John. The gospel narrate that Jesus came from the lineage of Abraham, born by Mary, and grew up in Nazareth, Galilee. 5 Founder: Jesus Christ ⊳ At the age of 30, Jesus started his public ministry after being baptized by his cousin John (the Baptist). After which, He devoted His life to teach the "good news" and spreading the message of the Kingdom of God." 6 Founder: Jesus Christ ⊳ Using parables and stories, Jesus stressed the importance of authentic love. ⊳ He even summed up the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament into two: ⊳ 1) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" ⊳ 2) "Love your neighbor yourself 7 Paschal Mystery ⊳ Jesus was sentenced to death, died on the cross, buried, but on the third day rose again (from the dead) and ascended into heaven. 8 Sacred Texts: The Bible (Old and New Testament) The Bible ⊳ Its name is derived from the Latin term "biblia" which means books. 10 The Bible ⊳ The Old Testament is almost the same with the Jewish Bible. ⊳ The New Testament is a collection of Christian writings which includes the biographies of Jesus Christ, the apostles, the early church, and the apocalyptic work. 11 Doctrines ⊳ Traditional Christian beliefs include the belief in the one and only true God, who is one being and exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the belief that Jesus is the divine the human Messiah sent to save the world. 12 Doctrines ⊳ They believe that all human being are created by God and are to fulfill their mission on earth. By doing the will of God, members will then be led to life everlasting in heaven. 13 Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church ⊳ "Catholic" means universal. ⊳ Believed to have been founded by Jesus Christ through the apostle Peter, who is considered as the first Bishop of Rome or Pope. 15 The Pope ⊳ The Pope is the central authority whose views on doctrines pertaining to faith and morals are regarded as infallible. 16 17 Roman Catholic Church ⊳ Believes in purgatory ⊳ Venerate Mary and the saints ⊳ Transubstantiation ⊳ Priests should be celibate ⊳ God's revelations are contained in the Holy Bible and Sacred Tradition. 18 Eastern Orthodox Church Eastern Orthodox Church ⊳ Formally separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1054 when the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo IX and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Celarius, excommunicated one another because of some disagreements. 20 East-West Schism ⊳ The split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. These churches include the Greek, Russian Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian Orthodox churches. Involved various aspects such as doctrines, language, politics, and geography. 21 Nicene Creed ⊳ A profession or statement of the core elements of the Christian faith as approved by the bishops and patriarchs of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches in 325 CE. 22 23 Nicene Creed ⊳ While both churches believe that the Son came from the Father, they differ as to where the Holy Spirit came from. The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Holy Spirit came from both the Father the Son, while the Eastern Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Spirit came (or proceeded from) the Father only. 24 25  Catholic Orthodox Papal Pentarchy Supremacy authority is shared among the Patriarchs of the Pope, or the Bishop Rome, Constantinople, of Rome, is the Alexandria, Antioch, supreme authority and Jerusalem. among all Christians 26 The Protestant Church The Protestant Church ⊳ Developed from the movement of protest against certain practices of the Catholic Church that was highly inspired by Martin Luther's publication of his Ninety-Five Theses, which he posted on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg in 1517 28 The Protestant Church ⊳ Luther was particularly opposed to the sale and purchase of indulgences, which were then believed, had the power to shorten the time that an individual, after death, would have to spend in purgatory before entering heaven. 29 The Protestant Church ⊳ Bible alone (instead of the Bible and Tradition) is the authority in matters of faith and doctrines. ⊳ They believe in salvation by faith alone, instead of good works alone or faith and good works combined. 30 The Protestant Church ⊳ They hold that one can directly ask God for forgiveness for one's sins and those priests can marry. ⊳ Two sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist. ⊳ Rejects the veneration of Mary and the saints. 31 Some Major Issues Ecumenism ⊳ The restoration of unity among Christians throughout the world. However, ecumenism is controversial because there is no definite agreement between the Catholic Church and other Christian religious denominations as to what Christian unity is, how it should be brought about, and what ecumenical methods ought to be engaged 33 Ecumenism ⊳ Doctrinal Differences - conflicting beliefs on key issues ⊳ Differing Goals - creates tension within the movement ⊳ Lack of Participation - Not all denominations actively engage making progress slow and limited. ⊳ Cultural and Political Differences - creating additional challenges 34 Contraception ⊳ In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical letter "Humanae Vitae" (Human Life) which reemphasized the Catholic Church's teaching that it is always intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. 35 Contraception ⊳ This includes sterilization, condoms and other barrier method spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods. 36 Contraception Should Christian churches adapt their teachings on contraception to align with modern societal changes, or should they uphold traditional views? Why? 37 Marriage ⊳ "The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator." Thus, Catholic Church teaches that man and woman are literally made by God for each other. 38 Marriage How do Christian beliefs about marriage shape the way individuals approach commitment, family, and faith? 39 Homosexuality ⊳ The experience or expression of same-sex attraction or relationships. How it is understood and addressed varies widely among different Christian denominations and traditions. ⊳ Many conservative denominations view homosexual acts as sinful, based on interpretations of biblical texts such as Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26–27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10. 40 Homosexuality ⊳ The expression “goods" of marriage was originated from the Catholic Saint Augustine of Hippo. Saint Augustine wrote in De bono coniugali (On the Good of Marriage) that God purposely created two genders of humanity and sexual intercourse that human society would regenerate and increase in number 41 Homosexuality ⊳ Aside from populating the earth, marriage offered companionship and a bond of charity between a man and woman (or good of fidelity). ⊳ Also marriage is an indissoluble (or everlasting) union with His Holy Catholic Church found in the union of a couple blessed by the sacrament of marriage. Simply put, marriage between man and woman is good because of its procreativity, exclusivity, and permanence. 42 Homosexuality ⊳ Christian beliefs about homosexuality are diverse and deeply influenced by theology, tradition, and societal changes. While some see it as contrary to biblical teachings, others affirm it as a valid expression of love and identity, emphasizing the importance of love and acceptance for all. 43