Christianity: Terminology
Christ (founder)
Christians (followers)
Christianity (religion)
Christianity: Religion
 Christianity
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodoxy
 (West East Roman Empire)
 Roman Catholic
Protestant (M. Luther)
Catholic
All are Christians
New Curriculum
 Emphasis ??
Existing HKCEE Curriculum (NT & OT)
Now on Jesus Christ (founder)
 Historical Approach (objective, verifiable)
 (vs. religious or personal)
 = 3 Perspectives (past, present, future)
Heritage of Jesus Christ
Life of Jesus Christ
Perception of Jesus Christ
I)
Heritage of Jesus Christ
= Background
1)
Historical Background
1) =Old Testament (≠Jewish Bible in itself)
2) Its themes serve as heritage of the new rel.
2)
Socio-political Context (within Palestine)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Under Roman governorship
Under Greek Culture
Striving for Independence (Maccabees)
Political Groups: Herodians, Zealots, Sadducees
Religious Groups: Pharisees, Essenes
II) Life of Jesus Christ
= The Origin of Christianity
A) Deeds (The 4 Gospels, esp. Mark)
Includes:
Birth,
Ministry,
Miracles,
Passion,
Resurrection and Ascension
II) Life of Jesus Christ
B)
Words (teachings)
 1) Kingdom of God
 Its presence
 Its entrance
 Its future: New Element: Eschatology (Mark 13) +
2Peter 3:9 …
 2) Will of God (Ethics)
 About discipleship
 Parables (means)
 Law
III) Perception of Jesus Christ
 =The Continuation of Jesus’ Ministry
 A) Jesus’ Identity
teacher, prophet, Messiah, Son of man, Son of
God, etc.
As perceived by his surrounding people
 B) Development of the Early Church
Ascension – Pentecost – Persecution –
Spreading to Gentiles – Jerusalem Council Rome
III) Perception of Jesus Christ
 C) Development of Basic Christian Belief
 1) Faith and Salvation
 Paul’s concept of salvation (diff. emphases):
 Justification by faith (Forensic, separation of the R. of
God)
 Change of Sovereignty (Slave of Evil or God)
 Unity with God (Baptism metaphor, Rom6)
 James’ complement to Paul’s Justification
2) New Commandment (Distinctive of X’ty)
 Love one another (Love neighbors as one self)