ChristianityChristianity

Objectives explore how change affects different

classes within a culture; research the effect of Jesus and his

teachings on different classes of people who were living during his time; and

apply the findings about the relationship between social class and the acceptance of change to social events that have taken place in recent history.

Discussion

During Jesus’ life, was it a calm or a tumultuous time period?

What was the status of Judaism? Were those following Judaism united, or

did many different religious factions exist?

Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx_Gq

IIkKOY&index=5&list=PLRV9_oeU3MvSo04rhlfOo5wuZUPcXntK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1tmTP5Jfb8&index=6&list=PLRV9_oeU3MvSo04rhlfOo5wuZUPcXntK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFxfvXKN-nQ&index=9&list=PLRV9_oeU3MvSo04rhlfOo5wuZUPcXntK8

List of social classes

– temple priests– money changers– merchants and artisans– shepherds and farmers– the outcasts

ActivityYou will be assigned a social class to research a group. Research and answer the following questions.–Do you think that this social class would have been interested in social change? Why or why not?–Would this social class have supported the teachings of Jesus?–How do you think the teachings of Jesus affected this social class? Do you think they had a positive or negative impact?

Activity

PREPARE TO PRESENT!

Discussion Review

Are there any trends observed? Which groups were more interested in

social change? Which groups were less interested? Which groups had the most to gain by

supporting Jesus?

Relevance

Connect Christianity with recent social justice movements. (i.e. Civil Rights movement, Feminism etc.)

Which social groups supported these changes?

What are the similarities between those people who supported Jesus and those who supported more recent social movements?

Assignment

Write a 1 paragraph response connecting Christianity to social justice.

How are these two subjects related? What was the ultimate goal of Christianity and how does this connect to social justice movements?

What is Christianity? A diverse, 2000 year old religion Followed by almost 1/3 of the

world’s population– 2.1 billion

Based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus– Believed to be the Christ (messiah,

savior) by his followers (thus called “Christians”)

Major DivisionsRoman

Catholic– 1.1 billion

Eastern Orthodox– 217 million

Protestant– 365 million

Anglican– 80 million

The Historical Jesus

Born, lived, and died a Jew in the first century in Roman occupied Palestine– Nazareth

Knowledge of Him based on New Testament– Little is known of childhood

Baptized at age 30 by John (“the Baptist”)– Blessed by Holy Spirit as He came out of

water– “thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well

pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

Jesus’ History, continued

Then began a mission of preaching, teaching, and healing as an itinerant teacher

Had a following of 12 primary disciples– Countless multitudes attracted by his

miracles and words of wisdom

Jesus’ Death Jesus claimed that he spoke

with the authority of God Betrayed by disciple Judas Put on trial for being a

revolutionary & a political threat to Roman and Jewish authorities

Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate– condemned and put to death

by means of crucifixion The following Sunday, He

appeared to his followers as a triumph over death – Later ascended into Heaven

Jesus’ Teachings Focused on the kingdom of God

– Standards of human conduct – Merciful God—how people should treat each

otherGolden Rule– Personal God --“Our Father”

Used stories and parables to teach Known as miracle worker and faith healer Religious and social reformer

– Accepted a variety of people– Go above and beyond the letter of the law

Preached forgiveness of sin over punishment for sin– Turn the other cheek

History of Christianity Jesus’ work was continued after

resurrection by St. Paul and St. Peter– Established churches throughout Europe

Church remained small and persecuted– Roman Emperors Nero, Domitian, Diocletian

Constantine promoted Christianity– Became official religion of Rome

Great Schism, 1054– Split western (Roman Catholic church) and

eastern (Orthodox church)

What does it mean to be a founding father?

List some qualities/characteristics.

List some founding fathers or icons!

Can be any religious, political, or ethnic leader!

Activity

Working in small groups, choose three or four of the names for further discussion (preferably one or two from each different category):– Compile a list of characteristics or

accomplishments associated with each person. Notice any similarities or differences?

Activity

Does it make a difference that some are considered religious leaders and others are national or ethnic symbols? Why? Why do some seem to fit in both categories?

Be prepared to present!

Present

Discuss

Were these people as well-known in their own time as they are now?

What did others think of them during their own lifetime? How and why do their stories get told?

Why do the stories about these people differ?

Response

Which is more important-what the person really did or what he/she represents to later generations?

How does this help us think about what an important figure symbolizes to an individual or group?

The Great Schism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IARagygaQhg

Catholicism

Pope is supreme spiritual leader and Vatican head of state– Vatican City is an independent

country surrounded by Rome– St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square

First pope was Leo I (officially), or St. Peter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:VaticanCityentrance.jpg

Orthodoxy Literally means “right teaching or right

worship”– Derived from two Greek words: orthos (right) and

doxa (teaching or worship)

Followers believe that there were false teachings and divisions in early Christian times– Threatened the identity and purity of the Church– Followers believe the Orthodox Church carefully

guards the truth against all error and schism

Believe in saint worship, Eucharist, confession of sins, baptism

St. Basil Cathedral, Moscow

Protestantism Movement from 16th century “Reformation”– To reform the (Catholic) church

• Corruption, leadership, authority, etc.– Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox– Brought to America in various forms

Usually recognize only 2 sacraments of baptism and communion – 7 in Catholicism– No saints, no rosary, no pope, etc.

Anglican Began in 6th century England

– Followed Luther’s protest King Henry VIII spent most of his reign

challenging the authority of Rome– Divorce was just one issue

Spread by English colonization and missionaries Do not follow Pope’s authority

– Led by bishops– Now ordain women priests

Book of Common Prayer Often called Episcopal

Art in Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6NAP0M-PM

Activity-Part 1

Working in groups of 4 or 5, create a poster about a cathedral from the Middle Ages.

List the following information about your assigned cathedral: location, length of time it took to build, year it was started and year it was finished, and any other interesting facts about that cathedral.

Activity

Additionally, answer the question: What is the significance of the cathedrals in the Middle Ages society?

List of Cathedrals

a. Chartres b. Notre Damec. Reimsd. Laone. St. Chapelle

Activity -Part 2

Design a stained glass window.– 1 PER GROUP!

Your window design should incorporate elements learned from and mini-research and should be either a Christian symbol or a Christian narrative.

Protestant Groups Lutheran Church of England,

Anglican, Episcopal Presbyterian,

Congregational Baptist Methodist Latter Day Saints

(Mormons) Pentecostal Shaker

Mennonite Amish Quaker Separatists Brethren (Puritan) Christian Scientist Jehovah’s Witness Seventh Day

Adventist Unification Church

Scripture Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) New Testament (written after Jesus’ death, by

his followers, during the first century; not canonized until the 4th century)– Four gospels (“good words”) about the birth, life,

teaching, acts, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Written by Mark, Matthew, Luke & John

– The Book of Acts of the apostles – earliest history of the developing church

– Epistles (“letters”) of Paul addressed to the churches they founded and led throughout the Mediterranean

– The Book of Revelation – of John - a vision of the end of time, or the Apocalypse.

Beliefs and Customs

Baptism: outward sign of commitment to Jesus

Eucharist (communion): symbolic meal of Jesus’ last meal with disciples; taken in thanks and celebration

Trinity: belief in God as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; not 3 different gods

Saints: celebrated people who led good lives, often associated with miracles

Other Beliefs

Original sin: all humanity is inherently separated from God

The sacrifice of Jesus – a sinless representative of humanity (a “scapegoat”) - as the ultimate atonement for the sins of humanity

Heaven and Hell: – Eternal life for those who are “saved by the

blood of the lamb (Jesus)”– Eternal damnation for those who are not so

saved

Problem for HumansDamnation

– New covenant based on Christ needed to atone for Adam’s sins

– Efforts and good deeds alone cannot save you; you must have faith in Christ

Christian Holy Days

Two major seasons in the Christian calendar:

Christmas – celebrating the birth of Jesus Easter – commemorating the resurrection

of Christ

Christmas:– Advent (four weeks leading up to Christmas

day)– Christmas Day (December 25th)– Epiphany (the “twelfth day of Christmas”)

More Christian Holy Days

Easter: (early spring, date varies)– Ash Wednesday and Lent (40 days before

Easter, a period of sacrifice and spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter)

– Holy Week including:• Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry into

Jerusalem)• Maundy Thursday (communion meal/Last Supper)• Good Friday (Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion)• Easter Sunday (celebrating the resurrection)

Pentecost: the 50th day (seven weeks) after Easter (commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles)

Many holy days originate in martyrdom

What does it mean to be a martyr?

Definition

A person who is killed because of their religious beliefs.

Who are some famous martyrs other than Jesus? List some.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwYUMu9GBY8

Activity-Part 1

Working individually, research a martyr. Identify the following information:

Name. Where they were from. When they died. HOW they died. When their feast day is.

Activity-Part 2

Now reflect on this individual’s experience. They died for something they TRULY believed in. What is something you find worth dying for? Explain in 3 paragraphs

Rules:– You cannot die for family/friends– It must be something greater than yourself.

Possible Topics Freedom Equality Justice Love Political beliefs Religious beliefs EXPLAIN WHY YOUR TOPIC IS

IMPORTANT TO YOU. What is your personal connection with your topic?

Christianity on the Web: ReligiousTolerance.org Christianity menu:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/christ.htm a jumping off point for the basics on Christianity, including the Bible, important personalities (Jesus, Mary, saints, etc.), history, beliefs, practices, trends, denominations.

The Spiritual Sanctuary Christianity page: http://www.thespiritualsanctuary.org/Christianity/Christianity1.html provides basic information on major Christian groups and distinctive movements with links to official denomination websites.

Orthodox Christianity: http://www.kosovo.com/orthodoxy.htmlBasic introduction, history, doctrine and links to other Orthodox sites.

Catholic Online: http://www.catholic.org an inside look at Catholic concerns and life; includes a nice section on saints and angels.

Protestantism: (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism the basics, with links to details about a variety of Protestant denominations.