CH 6 Judaism and
Christianity 2000 B.C. - 1453
7.1.4 Describe the historical origins, central beliefs, and
spread of major religions.
Section 1: Origins of Judaism
Land of Canaan
Abraham (Father) left Mesopotamia and settled in the West in Canaan.
2000 BC -1500 BC
Hebrews in Egypt
Hebrews moved to the land of Egypt due to famine in Canaan.
The Hebrew people grew in numbers. Pharaoh became fearful of
of them and enslaved them.
A man Moses around 1200BC
told Pharaoh to let his people
go. Plagues struck the land and
eventually Pharaoh let the
Hebrews go.
Exodus-a long
journey that
Moses led his
people out of
Egypt and into
Canaan.
Hebrews =Israelites
Mid 1000’s BC Invaders
began to sweep in and attack
Israel
Split into two kingdoms
Israel- North lasted until 722 BC
Judah- South last until 586 BC
The Diaspora
After the Fall of Judah- the Jewish nation scattered across the world.
Jewish Population- 14 Million
Israel – 4 Million
US- about 4.5 Million
Russian and other More than 2 Million
Jewish Beliefs
Monotheism- belief in one and only one God.
Torah- Jewish book of law, 5 Books total including the
Ten Commandments
The Hebrew Bible- the law, eight books of prophets, Proverbs and Psalms.
Traditions and Holy Days
Rabbis- a religious teacher
Hanukah- festival of lights, a time to remember a time when the Jewish people did not
Have enough oil to light the temple and miraculously it was lit for eight days.
Jewish Traditions
Passover- Jews honor the Exodus the journey of the Hebrews out of slavery from Egypt.
Rosh Hashanah- start of the New Year in Jewish calendar.
Yom Kippur- Jews ask God to forgive their sins. (Most Holiest of the Year)
Section 2: Origins of
Christianity
Jesus – born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and around the age of 30 began
his teaching
Messiah- a great leader the ancient Jews predicted would come to restore the
greatness of
Israel.
Christianity- Jesus’s life and teachings form the basis of the religion.
Bible
The Holy Book for Christians
People are called Christians because they believe Jesus Christ to be the Messiah
Old and New Testament
The Crucifixion
30 AD. Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem which was under Roman rule at that time.
Crucifixion- a type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross.
Resurrection- according to Christian beliefs Jesus was buried and dead for three
days and rose from the dead.
Jesus stayed with his disciples for 40 days teaching and giving instructions on how to
pass on his teachings.
Disciples- followers of Jesus who spread the message called the Gospel- meaning good
news.
Jesus’s Acts and Teachings
Miracles- an event or act that cannot be explained or performed normally by a human.
Parables- similar to fables, but usually teach religious lessons.
Jesus had 12 disciples who he taught and instructed to spread his message.
Sermon on the Mount
Christianity Spreads and
Persecution
Rome- largest Empire at the time saw Christianity as a threat.
Paul- a Jewish believer who also persecuted Christians, but later converted to Christianity.
Paul spread the Gospel message of Jesus’s teachings across the region and beyond.
Saint- a person known and admired for his or her holiness.
Paul Spreads Christianity
Church Grows 100 to 300 AD
Roman Emperors persecute Christians from 70 AD to 300 AD in fear of them causing
social unrest in the Empire.
Constantine- Emperor of Rome became a Christian and removed bans from Christianity
being practiced.
Constantine called for a meeting to organize the teachings and clarify its practice.
Constantine’s Empire
The Edict of Milan
Constantine’s push for religious toleration in the empire.
Ended the age of Christians being
persecuted.
Section 3: Eastern
Empire/The Byzantine Empire
Rome Fell in 476 AD invaders from the North
Emperors ruled from Constantinople in the East.
Justinian- Emperor from 527- 565 AD
Removed out dated laws and unchristian type laws
Created Justinian’s Code- simplifying Roman law, guaranteed fairer treatment for all.
Emperor Justinian tried to reunite East with the West, sent army to retake Italy
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire” refers to the society that developed in the eastern
Roman Empire after what event ?
Constantinople- ancient city built between Greece and Asia Minor. This city became
capital of the Roman Empire.
Eastern Roman Empire
Differences Between East and
West
EastHad interactions with other people groups due to trade routes
Government- the eastern emperors had more power than the western
emperors.
Religion in the East was a central part of citizens
lives.
The East spoke Greek while in the West they spoke
Latin.
End of the Byzantine Era
1453 AD- The Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople and renamed it
Istanbul.
Eastern Roman Empire- 1,000 year reign came to an end.
Istanbul Not Constantinople