Christianity: A universalizing religion*
By: Mr. Pfeiffer
*A religion that attempts to be global, that attempts to appeal
to all people, not just a particular culture or location
The Basics
 Founded on teachings of Jesus by his followers after his
death (30 AD) - monotheistic
 Jesus was born a Jew in Bethlehem
 Followers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) wrote the Gospels
about Jesus life and teachings
 Basis for the Bible which is Christians Holy Book
Christianity Spreads
 Aided by the adoption of Christianity as the state religion of
the Roman empire (Constantine), Christianity spread
 Many missionaries around the world spread “God’s Word”
 Relocation Diffusion
 Aided by the economic success of Christian nations (European)
The Spread of Christianity
2.3 billion Christians around the world!
Divisions in Christendom
 Not all Christians are the same
 There are 3 branches of Christianity (and many
denominations/sects)
 Roman Catholics (NW Europe/NE USA)
 Orthodox Christians
 Protestants
Roman Catholics
 Church lead by the Pope (based in Rome); follow origins
back to original followers of Christ
 Found in NW Europe/NE USA
Hierarchy in Roman Catholic Church
Orthodox Christians
 Christianity split with fight between Church and rulers of
Constantinople
 Link religion and political authority
 Found in Eastern Europe (least common Christianity in USA)
Orthodox
Christianity
Hierarchy
Protestants
 Martin Luther decide Catholic Church had it wrong
 Don’t look to Pope/Church leader, read the Bible yourself
 Aided greatly by printing press
 Very popular in “Great Plains” and South(east)
That’s a lot of sects!
Holy Places
 Jerusalem – site of teachings, “Last Supper,” entombment
(before being, according to Christian tradition, raised from
the dead)
 Golgotha – Hill Jesus was crucified on
 Bethlehem – Birthplace of Jesus
 Nazareth – Jesus' hometown
Beliefs/Traditions
 Jesus died for the sins of man, but was resurrected by God
 God = Jesus
 Communion
 Blood (wine) and Body (bread) of Christ consumed for
forgiveness of sins
 WWJD
 Live like Jesus
 Forgiveness/Selflessness
Calendar
 Gregorian/Western Calendar (our calendar) was created by
Pope Gregory XII
 0 AD = Birth of Jesus (BC/AD)
 Christmas – Birth of Jesus (Dec. 25th – since 336 AD)
 Good Friday– Death of Jesus
 Easter – Resurrection of Jesus (first Sunday after the first full
moon following the spring equinox)
Churches (places of worship)
 Sacred space
 Christian worship is based in Churches
 Collective worship is important
 Big prominent places of worship
 Different looks because its so widespread
Christianity and land use
 Cemeteries used to bury the dead (sanitary to dispose)
 Originally in catacombs under the city
 Christianity was an “underground” religion then
Extras
 Jews, Christians, and Muslims all belief in the
same God (origin of the religion is the same)
 Some scholars believe that to urge Romans to
Christianize, early Church holidays match
some dates with traditional pagan holidays
(winter solstice, sun god, Mithras)
 The Bible is the most printed book in the
world (all-time) with an estimated 6 billion
copies shipped
 Despite preaching peace, the Crusades were
one of many examples of God/Christianity
being used an excuse for war