Christianity from Judaism to Constantine (Religion)

Crash Course: Christianity from Judaism to Constantine (Religion)

Crash Course: Christianity from Judaism to Constantine

Introduction Imagine a faith that's been around for over 2,000 years, has over 2.4 billion followers, and has shaped Western civilization in ways both grand and gruesome. That faith is Christianity, and in this Crash Course, we're going to explore its wild and winding road from Judaism to the reign of Constantine.

The Core Idea Christianity emerged from Judaism in the 1st century CE, with a radical twist: Jesus Christ, a Jewish preacher, was believed to be the Son of God, and his death and resurrection were seen as the key to salvation. This idea sparked a global movement that would change the course of history.

Key Facts & Figures

• 70 CE: The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem marks the end of Jewish independence and the beginning of a long period of Jewish diaspora.
• 30-33 CE: Jesus Christ is crucified in Jerusalem, an event that will be seen as the central moment in Christian theology.
• 33-100 CE: The apostles, including Peter and Paul, spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world, often in the face of fierce persecution.
• 64 CE: Emperor Nero blames Christians for a devastating fire in Rome, marking the beginning of a long history of Christian persecution.
• 313 CE: Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, granting Christians freedom to practice their faith and paving the way for Christianity to become the dominant faith in the Roman Empire.
• 325 CE: Constantine convenes the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church, to establish a unified doctrine.
• 380 CE: Theodosius I declares Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire, marking the end of paganism and the beginning of a new era.
• 400 CE: The Roman Empire is divided into Eastern (Byzantine) and Western halves, with Christianity playing a central role in both.
• 500 CE: The Council of Chalcedon establishes the doctrine of the two natures of Christ, a concept that will be a source of controversy for centuries to come.
• 600 CE: The rise of Islam marks a significant challenge to Christianity, as Muslims see themselves as the true followers of the Abrahamic faith.
• 1000 CE: The Crusades, a series of military campaigns launched by Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule, mark a new era of conflict between Christianity and Islam.
• 1500 CE: The Protestant Reformation, led by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, marks a significant split within Christianity, as Protestants reject certain Catholic doctrines and practices.

Thought Bubble Imagine you're a Jewish merchant living in Jerusalem in the 1st century CE. You've heard rumors of a charismatic preacher named Jesus who's been performing miracles and attracting a large following. You're skeptical, but you're also curious. You decide to attend one of Jesus' sermons, and you're struck by his message of love and forgiveness. You're not sure what to make of it, but you're intrigued. As you watch Jesus being crucified, you're shocked and saddened. But then, something strange happens: Jesus' followers claim that he's risen from the dead, and they begin to spread his message throughout the Mediterranean world. You're not sure what to make of it, but you're drawn to the sense of community and purpose that Jesus' followers seem to have.

Why This Matters

• Christianity's impact on Western civilization: Christianity has shaped art, literature, music, and politics in ways that are still felt today.
• The rise of the Roman Empire: Christianity played a central role in the rise of the Roman Empire, as emperors like Constantine saw it as a way to unify their vast territories.
• The decline of paganism: Christianity's spread marked the end of paganism, as people began to see the old gods and goddesses as irrelevant.
• The rise of Islam: Christianity's spread also marked the beginning of a long history of conflict with Islam, as Muslims saw themselves as the true followers of the Abrahamic faith.
• The Protestant Reformation: The Protestant Reformation marked a significant split within Christianity, as Protestants rejected certain Catholic doctrines and practices.
• The impact on science: Christianity's emphasis on reason and inquiry helped lay the groundwork for the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries.
• The impact on art and literature: Christianity's themes and imagery have inspired some of the greatest works of art and literature in human history.

Crash Course Recap

• Christianity emerged from Judaism in the 1st century CE.
• Jesus Christ was crucified and believed to have risen from the dead.
• The apostles spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world.
• Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE.
• The Council of Nicaea established a unified doctrine in 325 CE.
• The Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western halves in 400 CE.
• The Council of Chalcedon established the doctrine of the two natures of Christ in 500 CE.
• The rise of Islam marked a significant challenge to Christianity in 600 CE.
• The Protestant Reformation marked a significant split within Christianity in 1500 CE.
• Christianity has shaped Western civilization in ways both grand and gruesome.
• The rise of the Roman Empire was facilitated by Christianity.
• The decline of paganism was marked by the spread of Christianity.
• The rise of Islam was marked by conflict with Christianity.
• The Protestant Reformation marked a significant split within Christianity.
• Christianity's emphasis on reason and inquiry helped lay the groundwork for the scientific revolution.

Quiz Yourself

1. Who was the first emperor to issue the Edict of Milan? a) Constantine b) Theodosius I c) Nero d) Augustus

Answer: a) Constantine

1. What was the central doctrine established by the Council of Nicaea? a) The two natures of Christ b) The Trinity c) The Incarnation d) The Resurrection

Answer: b) The Trinity

1. Who was the leader of the Protestant Reformation? a) Martin Luther b) John Calvin c) John Wesley d) Martin Luther King Jr.

Answer: a) Martin Luther

1. What was the name of the council that established the doctrine of the two natures of Christ? a) Council of Nicaea b) Council of Chalcedon c) Council of Trent d) Council of Constantinople

Answer: b) Council of Chalcedon

1. What was the name of the emperor who declared Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire? a) Constantine b) Theodosius I c) Nero d) Augustus

Answer: b) Theodosius I