CHRISTIANITY SYLLABUS SUMMARY

OUTLINE THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT IN WHCH CHRISTIANITY BEGAN: -Christianity grew out of Judaism in the 1st century CE (Common Era). Initially it was a sect of Jewish Christians, and over time developed into what we know today. -Jesus lived in Palestine BCE and 30 CE (approx.), and during this time, Palestine was: occupied by the Romans, very multicultural, the Jews claimed they were in the promised land due to their covenant with god, and Jews suffered deprivation and hardship under the Roman rule. There was no central Jewish authority, and there were many different Jewish sects. The temple was the main place of worship for Jews and there were many ranges of religious politics -The early 1st century saw the emergence of a sect called the Christians EXAMINE THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS OF JESUS LIFE: -BIRTH; in Bethlehem, with his mother Mary and legal father Joseph, in a manger. Was visited by shepherds. On his 12th day of living, he was visited by the 3 wise men, which had been following a star in order to find and pay homage to the newborn king of the Jews. Grew up in Nazareth -BEGINNING OF MINISTRY; at the age of 30, Jesus began his ministry, and was baptised by John in the River Jordan. His ministry lasted 3 years. -DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS; withdrew into the desert of Judea for 40 days after his baptism, where he reflected on his options. He chose to accept his role as Saviour of Humanity. Met 1st disciples fisherman Simon, Peter, Andre, James and John -PARABLES; Jesus was a strong speaker who often used various forms of oratory to catch the attention of his audience. Parables are short symbolic stories -MIRACLES; Gospels report Jesus performing numerous miracles, such as changing water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana -MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM; Jesus gained a huge following through the simplicity and effectiveness of his message and healings. Religious and political opposition increased as his popularity grew -HOLY WEEK; First Sunday is Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters Jerusalem (full of Jews celebrating Passover). On Passover evening, Jesus and disciples celebrated the Last Supper where the Eucharist was begun, and asked to be carried on by his followers -PASSION, ARREST AND DEATH; when leaving the garden of Gethsemane, after praying, Jesus is arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. He is later nailed to the cross and crucified on the Hill of Calvary, died after 6 hours -RESURRECTION; when Jesus tomb was found empty, an angel appeared and explained Jesus had risen from the dead. All 4 gospels report him rising and speaking to his disciples -ASCENTION; for 40 days, Jesus continued to appear and teach his disciples about the kingdom of god. He then finally ascended into heaven. -PENTECOST; 10 days after ascension, the disciples, and Mary (Jesus mother) experienced the Holy Spirit in form of tongues and fire. It was at this moment they realised Jesus had overcome death

EXPLAIN WHY JESUS IS A MODEL FOR CHRISTIAN LIFE: -The focus of Christianity is Jesus message that all were welcome into the reign of God, and that he was sent to Earth in human form by God to teach Gods ways to others -Jesus lives a life of Prayer; Christians throughout history have closely studied Jesus attitude of prayer and have sought to model their lives on a variety of lessons drawn from Jesus example. He often withdraws from daily life to pray in a private place, and can be found praying in times of personal crisis as well as for the needs of others -Jesus lives a life of service to others; Christians have always embraced service to others and have done so as a direct consequence of the examples of Jesus. There are many examples of healing miracles where Jesus seeks to bring the healing power of God to help others -Jesus acts as an advocate for the poor; This tradition is embraced in the ministry of Jesus who makes this one of his central characteristics, there are many examples of Jesus taking the side of the poor and helping -Jesus loves and forgives others; love one another, just as I have loved you is one of Jesus main messages. Jesus was always seen to forgive the failings of others, and Christians now model this behaviour in a number of ways. DESCRIBE THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES AFTER THE DEATH OF JESUS: -After the death of Jesus, Saul was traveling when he was hit with a blinding light, and the risen Christ appeared. Soon after, Saul converted to Christianity, and later became a great evangelist. Saul presented Christs messages to the Gentile world, and established Christian churches in Greece and Asia minor. -Many unnamed Christians returned to their homes and spread the word of the Gospels -The term Christians was 1st used for the followers of Jesus in a small town, after Jesus resurrection. -The early development had 4 major stages; 1) Jesus death/resurrection was announced to the Jews and the Pentecost 2) Church learns its 1st lesson of expansion. The first gospel message is not tied to Jerusalem 3) The Church learns a valuable 2nd lesson expansion and disagreement, and you need not be a Jew to be a disciple 4) The Church expands through Pauls missionary journeys. OUTLINE THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF: ANGLICANISM, CATHOLICISM, ORTHODOXY, PENTECOSTALISM, AND PROTESTANISM Anglicanism= -formalised by King Henry the 8th after he split from the Roman Catholic Church. -some main beliefs are; importance of the Lords Supper, sacraments such as baptism and the central worship of the Bible. Catholicism= -historically began with Jesus disciples, and was established on the leading skills of St Peter. Very hierarchical, with priests, bishops, cardinals, and the pope high in leadership -some main beliefs are; disciples were visited by the holy spirit, holy spirit guides the followers, Gods grace brings the sacraments, and the followers of this Church are guided by

scriptures and teachings Orthodoxy= -believed to have evolved through the expression of the relationship between the father, son and the holy spirit -some main beliefs; establishing the role of scripture and tradition to be equal, sacraments are of divine worship, icons are distinctive, and liturgies are filled with song and dance Pentecostalism= -emerged during the early 1900s, emphasising the holy spirit and its gifts. Pastors hold authority, and hold services with lots of preaching, testimony, song and dance -focuses on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in things such as healing and prophecy. Believers involved are expected to have good, holey and sanely interpretations of the prophecies, and live in Christs expectations Protestantism= -emphasis on the bible as high authority, being a form of teaching, the priesthood of believers, to hold individual responsibility and the right to believe in faith and justification. All churches formed teaching practices under the leadership of each particular founder -was established in the 16th century by Martin Luther, a man who instigated the reformation

PRINCIPAL BELIEFS:
OUTLINE THE PRINCIPAL BELIFS REGARDING THE DIVINITY AND HUMANITY OF JESUS: -The Christian doctrine of the incarnation is that Jesus was God, and that God took upon a human form in Jesus Christ -The divinity of Jesus or seeing him as the Son of God is evident by: 1. Gospel testimonies of Jesus miracles and healings 2. Followers/Eyewitnesses of his death, resurrection and ascension -Jesus was understood as divine because he was Son of God the creator, which made sense of his role in Earth to beat and defeat death, resurrection and ascension EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS: -Jesus was perceived as a subversive and was put to death for his radical views. After 3 days he rose from the dead, and remained human for 40 days. His body then ascended into heaven, and the resurrection was witnessed by many, and gave proof of his divine authority -The obedience, death and resurrection attains atonement and restoring of humankind to a right relationship with God -Through his resurrection, Christ defeated sin and death for all humanity, and the messages from Christs resurrection for Christians are: 1. God loves mankind and forgives human failings 2. God asks that people love one another as he has loved them -Death and Resurrection of Christ provides the proof of his divine authority, and the hope of life after death

OUTLINE THE BELIEFS ABOUT THE NATURE OF GOD AND OF THE TRINITY: -There is a belief in Christianity about the Trinity three persons, but 1 God. It is seen as a mystery beyond humans understanding. Christianity is monotheistic -The idea of God as a creator is recognised mainly in the Old Testament, where he interacts with the chosen people. In the New Testament, the idea of the trinity is suggested in the commissioning of the apostles to make all disciples of all nations. -Example from Matthew 28:19, referring to the Trinity: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. EXAMINE THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF REVELATION: -Revelation or message of God has occurred throughout history. For Christians, fundamentally given through Jesus Christ. Revelation refers to the idea of how God reveals or communicates his message/will/laws to humans. -God is intimately involved with all aspects of human life, therefore revelation relies on us to respond with a committed relationship to God - revelation is not complete without acknowledgement from God Revelation is an ongoing process -Example from John 1: 14-18, referring to revelation from his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came from Jesus Christ -Example from Isaiah 40: 1-11 comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God DESCRIBE THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION: -Salvation means the deliverance of sin that we can only attain through our relationship with God. For Christians, salvation will only come to you in your final days in the world, when you are reunited with God. It is only attainable through the grace of God -Example from Exodus 12: 1-28 nothing leavened you may eat, wherever you dwell you may eat only unleavened bread -The main ideas about Salvation are: 1. It is God who saves (John 14:6) Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me 2.Gods saving action is liberating, particularly for those who are most vulnerable 3.Jesus life and ministry embodies the saving action of God 4. Christians are called to accept the gift of Gods saving actions through their faith in Jesus and their own action on behalf of those in need

SACRED TEXTS AND WRITINGS:

IDENTIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE IN CHRISTIANITY: -The bible has unequalled authority as the source of teaching for all Christians. Christians believe the bible is the inspired word of God and offers deep spiritual insights.

-It is a record of key events in the story of humanitys interaction with God. Catholics see the bible as a place to draw teachings and recognise the teaching authority of the Church -The Bible Is important to Christians because it: 1. Records salvation history 2. Records the creation story 3. Records the life and ministry of Jesus 4. Highlights the key beliefs which determine the practical application of legal, ethical and ritual dimensions 5. Provides guidelines for ritual, prayer and worship 6. Provides a model for life actions; especially ethics 7. Underpins theological studies EXAMINE EXTRACTS FROM THE BIBLE WHICH DEMONSTRATE THE PRINCIPAL BELIEFS OF CHRISTIANITY: -The Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16: 13-20) Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven. 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. -The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:22) And he said, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. -The Nature of God and the Trinity (Luke 3: 21-22) When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. -Revelation (John 20: 30-31) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. -Salvations (John 3: 16-17) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.