← Return to hand out section in the Christianity presentation «

Christianity Glossary

A.D. Vander Vliet, 2008-06-28

As world religion:
Today, example from African continent as an example if Christianity evolving and adapting in an environment similar to the situation and conditions during Antiquity in the Hellenic and then the Roman Empires. [ Persecution, conflict, redefinition, growth.]
Beginnings:
The legacy of Alexander the Great. That is: opened boundaries from Greece to India. [Culture, travel, commerce, Greek language, Alexandria’s Museon]
Religious situation:
In the empire: Polytheisms of the old pagan religions of Egypt, Persia (Iran +), Greece, Rome. The use of philosophy and reason; the idea of monotheism, the religions of the Mysteries: Isis and Horus, Elysian (Fertility), Mithras (Sun) and a new superstition!
And in Palestine:
Movements: The Therapeutics, Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Ebonites, Jesus and John the Baptist, Essenes and the 'God Fearers'. The Pharisees taught that the temple and sacrifice was no longer essential, but keeping the Law and circumcision of males was. Paul was a Pharisee from Damascus, who after his vision of Christ in the Heavens began teaching to the Gentiles (God fearers +) that the law was fulfilled by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and that baptism replaced circumcision. And that all people were equal in Jesus Christ.
Documentation:
The start is Paul's letters (50 – 60). The come the gospels and other letters, last come the Acts of the Apostles (120). But … all this still had to be decided (Constantine). Many writings circulated explaining and promoting different views and serving various groups. It was religious stew throughout the empire with no threat of any unity; Desert Fathers (Rules).
Coordination:
Constantine is sympathetic to the Christians (15% of pop. of 60M) and calls for a council to decide on the canon (NT), the nature of the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ and the core teachings (creed), in 325 Nicaea, Asia Minor. Threats to the empire: The European barbarians (Christians …) and the Persians (Manicheans!)
Saint Augustine:
How to reconcile reason and faith, teachings on sin and redemption, charity. (Books: 'The City of God' [that is Rome] and 'Confessions'), Church Father for Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Early Middle Ages, 600 – 1 000:
The Popes and the conclave, Arian Christians, Pagans, Calendars, St. George! and &ellips; the monks (St. Benedict, Rules & Monte Casino). Inventions, Charlemagne, monasteries and schools.
Scholasticism, 1 000 - 1 200:
Cluny (France) and monastic orders, new Popes, cathedrals, crusades and universities (Paris). The teachings of Anselm (Believe and understanding) and of Thomas Aquinas using Aristotle's logic, separation of faith and reason in mutual accord.
Disruption in 1 300: Plagues and the Flagellants, Mysticism and Devotion (Eckhart and Thomas a Kempis)
New Times, 1 500 – 1 750:
The explorers opened up the world to itself, setting off an integration process that still continues today. The Holy Roman Empire concept disintegrates and is displaced by national states. The reference frame work of society is restructured through the printer press, Bibles translated into the vernacular, new teachings (Reformation) by new teachers (Luther, Calvin, …). [Individual bible reading and study, individualism, pietism and wars of religion, statehood and conflicts about freedom of conviction. Democratisation; Colonisation and the beginning of Missionary activity (RC., then Prot.)
>Reformation:
Luther: Salvation, not through works (St. James and RC.), but through faith alone with the scripture as authority. Calvin: Salvation given by God through grace alone; wrote ‘The Institutes of the Christian Religion’ which is still relevant today. Descartes.
Integrating World, 1750 – Present:
Scientific discoveries and understanding (Newton, 1700), the Enlightenment, French Revolution, renewed confrontation between faith and reason (The Theology of Schleiermacher, Tillich). New world Pietism, freedom of religious opinion and belief, no state religion.
Christianity’s Impact as a world religion:
The Christians in the Roman Empire addressed a number of issues: Community and mutual care based on the teachings of Jesus; mutual respect, honesty, compassion and the singular devotion to a single Deity, no exception even into death, all for the purpose of devotion to the teachings and not for personal gain or revolution. Christianity teaches the acceptance of the failing hero enabling the integration of personal failings (sin), its forgiveness and the ability to go on.

The increased 'mobility' or portability of a religious belief, that is no longer bound to territory, ethnicity and politics, but centers on the person and allows for reinterpretation and adaption with time and place. In addition, it is a belief that is accepting of the world as we find it, that can be and must be improved, but is also accepted and not rejected as such. Christianity is a life accepting religion and seeks to redeem it.

Today’s challenge:
One is similar to Antiquity’s time to integrate and simplify the world of experience and one is new in the sense that the major religions of today need to find a common ground in this world of experience.
Top
Top