IV. Christianity

1. Outline of the lecture

1. History of Christianity

Christianity is the world’s most widely spread religion with more than 2 billion adherents.

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. The term “ Christ”

derives from the Greek adjective which means “ anointed”, “Messiah”

History

Christianity originated in the 1 century AD in Palestine.. Jesus’ followers were first called Christians by non- Christians in the city of Antioch where they had fled and settled after early persecution in Judea. Christianity emerged as a protest against violence and inequality.

Jesus claimed to be long awaited Jewish Messiah. Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave birth to the Son of God. From her he received humanity and will and all else a child would receive from his mother.

Jesus was condemned of blasphemy and executed around 30 AD

Jesus apostles were the main witnesses that after his crucifixion, he rose from the dead.

2. Christian doctrine

The central belief of Christianity is the faith in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.

Crucial beliefs are: Jesus’ incarnation (God becoming human)

atonement (healing of the breach between God and humanity)

crucifixion (he died on the cross for the mankind sins)

death and resurrection (“ For our Salvation”)

*Christians believe they should live according the example of Jesus:_____________________________________-

**Christians have only one life. After the death _____________________________________________________

The most uniform and broadly accepted tradition of doctrine includes

*

* God is a Trinity, the single eternal being existing in 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father made the world, God the Son- Jesus and a part called the Holy Spirit. These 3 parts make up the one true God.

* Jesus is both God and human, 2 natures in one person

* Jesus is the Messiah, the heir to the throne of David. He is the hope of all mankind, their advocate and judge.

* Jesus was innocent of any sin. Through his death and resurrection, believers are forgiven their sins.

* The Holy Spirit is sent to bring hope and lead mankind into true knowledge of God and his purposes.

* Jesus will return personally and bodily to judge all mankind

* The Bible is the word of God. This is divided into the Old Testament and New Testament.

3. Jesus teaching

Two main rules which Jesus told his followers to live by:

· Love God withal your heart, mind and strength

· Love your neighbour as yourself

Key to Heaven are The Ten Commandments from Jesus

1.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4. Christian festivals and sacraments

Baptism

Confirmation – when child is old enough to make promise to God- they confirm the promise made by God parents at the Christening

Marriage

Death

Holy Communion- Christians have shared blessed bread and wine and given thanks for Jesus life, death and resurrection

Festivals

Christmas

Lent

Palm Sunday –the first Day of the Holy week. Jesus rode into Jerusalem

Good Friday (страстная пятница)- Jesus died on the cross

Easter Sunday

3. Glossary

Innocent conception- непорочное зачатие incarnation- воплощение, олицетворение	Penalty, retribution- кара atonement-искупление вины
Crucifixion- распятие sacrament- таинство	Veneration- почитание baptism- крещение
Anointed- помазанник communion- причастие	Blasphemy- богохульство lent -пост
Resurrection- воскрешение

4.Task for IWS- Orthodox Christianity

Catholicism

5.Task for office hours- Festivals of Christians

6.Reference

Музафарова Н.И. История религий, стр. 157-148

A History of the World Religions, charter: “Christianity”

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14