Christianity

A Brief Introduction

Second Temple Judaism(s)

• Pharisees• Sadducees• Essenes• Zealots• Temple, Torah, &

Messianic Expectations

Jesus to Christ

• Matthew• Mark• Luke• John• Thomas• Paul• Other writings

Jesus of History

or

Christ of Faith?

The Synoptic Problem

Jesus to ChristIllustrated in the Birth Narratives

Matthew Luke

Joseph and Mary lived in Bethlehem (implied).

When Jesus was born, angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt because Herod intended to kill all the male infants (two years of age and younger).They took refuge in Egypt, and when Herod died they would have returned to Bethlehem, but Archelaus was now the ruler, so they moved to Nazareth instead.

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth. August Caesar required 'all the world' to register for tax purposes in the home of a remote ancestor.

Joseph was descended from David, so he went to Bethlehem and brought his betrothed, Mary, who was in a late-term pregnancy. While in Bethlehem, she bore a son.

When she could travel, they returned to their home in Nazareth.

Paul

• Stephen & Hellenists• Saul to Paul• Antioch (confrontation)• Galatians• Jerusalem Council• Paul’s Gospel

Christological Controversies

• Context: Jewish monotheism and Pagan polytheism

• Two approaches:– docetism– adoptionism

• Consensus– Nicene Creed (325)– Chalcedon (450)

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

The Nicene Creed (cont.)We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

The Nicene Creed (cont.)

We believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son). With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Calvinism

• Total Depravity• Unconditional Election• Limited Atonement• Irresistible Grace• Perseverance of the Saints

Catholic, Orthodox, Mainline Beliefs/Values

• God (as Creator)• (Original) Sin• Redemption• Sacramental Theology• Faith, tradition,reason (and experience)

Evangelical Beliefs/Values• Personal Salvation

– God loves you/the world (and has plan)– Sin separates people from God– Jesus death atones for sin– We must individually receive Christ

• “Fundamentals”– inerrancy of the Bible– (literal and recent six-day creation)– Virgin Birth– Bodily Resurrection– Miracles, etc. (at least biblical miracles)– Actual/physical return of Christ to earth

Catholic, Orthodox, Mainline Worship

• Music• Written Prayers• Ministry of Word

– Hebrew Bible– Psalm– Epistle– Gospel– Homily

• Eucharist

New Forms of Worship

• Charismatic• Calvary Chapel• Seeker-Friendly