The Rise of Judaism & The Rise of Judaism & Christianity Christianity

A A HistoricalHistorical Perspective Perspective

Monotheism Monotheism

Belief in one God Belief in one God Monotheistic religions began in the Monotheistic religions began in the

Middle EastMiddle East Judaism Judaism Christianity Christianity Islam Islam

History of Judaism History of Judaism

1800 B.C.E. drought and famine push 1800 B.C.E. drought and famine push the Hebrews into Egypt the Hebrews into Egypt

They are enslaved by the Egyptians They are enslaved by the Egyptians Moses frees them and brings them to Moses frees them and brings them to

the Sinai Peninsula the Sinai Peninsula Moses receives the 10 Moses receives the 10

Commandments Commandments Creates a Kingdom of Judah (Israel) Creates a Kingdom of Judah (Israel)

History of Judaism – Cont. History of Judaism – Cont.

Many foreign rulers conquer the Many foreign rulers conquer the Kingdom of Judah Kingdom of Judah

Eventually the Roman Empire Eventually the Roman Empire conquers Israel and the Jewsconquers Israel and the Jews

Jews become scattered within the Jews become scattered within the Roman Empire Roman Empire

Jewish Diaspora = scattering of Jews Jewish Diaspora = scattering of Jews throughout the worldthroughout the world

Teachings of JudaismTeachings of Judaism

God = YahwehGod = Yahweh 10 Commandments are religious & 10 Commandments are religious &

ethical lawsethical laws Torah – sacred text (Old Testament Torah – sacred text (Old Testament

of the Bible) of the Bible) Individuals are responsible for Individuals are responsible for

actions actions

Emergence of Christianity Emergence of Christianity

Began being practiced by Jews in Began being practiced by Jews in Eastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean

Originally thought of as a Sect Originally thought of as a Sect (subgroup) of Judaism(subgroup) of Judaism

Diverged from Judaism as non-Jewish Diverged from Judaism as non-Jewish people began converting people began converting

Early Roman ReligionEarly Roman Religion

During this time many Romans During this time many Romans worship nature spritsworship nature sprits

Adoption of Greek mythology Adoption of Greek mythology Began worshiping the Emperors as Began worshiping the Emperors as

Gods Gods

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth

Does not accepted the Roman Does not accepted the Roman Emperor as God Emperor as God

Big controversy among Christians and Big controversy among Christians and Jews is he is the messiah Jews is he is the messiah

Controversy troubles Roman officials Controversy troubles Roman officials who believe he threatens their power who believe he threatens their power

Roman governor Pontius Pilate Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentence’s Jesus to death for being a sentence’s Jesus to death for being a political rebelpolitical rebel

Spread of ChristianitySpread of Christianity

Jesus’ death strengthens and spreads Jesus’ death strengthens and spreads Christianity Christianity

Those who believe Jesus was the Those who believe Jesus was the messiah become Christians messiah become Christians

Christian Appeal & BeliefsChristian Appeal & Beliefs

Offers hope and eternal life for all Offers hope and eternal life for all Everyone is = in God’s eyes Everyone is = in God’s eyes Control over destiny Control over destiny Accept Torah but also created the Accept Torah but also created the

New Testament New Testament Accepts 10 commandments Accepts 10 commandments Trinity: God, Jesus & Holy Ghost Trinity: God, Jesus & Holy Ghost

GeographyGeography