The Rise and Basic
Teachings of Christianity
in the Middle Ages
1 What is Chris*anity? •  Chris(anity is a monotheis(c religion –  “One” God –  Recorded in the New Testament / Bible •  Based on the teachings of its founder, Jesus of Nazareth –  4 BC -­‐ 30 AD Where did Christianity come from?
-­‐  Chris(anity began in the mid-­‐1st Century (1-­‐100 AD) -­‐  Sect of Judaism -­‐  County of Judea (Israel) -­‐  By 63 B.C., Romans had conquered Judea -­‐  Allowed the people to worship freely -­‐  Some Jews longed for a leader (“messiah”) that would lead them to freedom 3 The Roman capture of Jerusalem Who was Jesus? •  Born in 4 B.C. in Bethlehem •  Raised in the Jewish faith •  At 30 began preaching to villagers about his own religious ideas •  Recruited 12 disciples (apostles) to help him spread his ideas •  Roman authori(es felt Jesus would lead local Jews in a revolt against their rule •  Ordered him arrested and executed 5 Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem Jesus’ Presenta*on at the Temple Jesus…The Buddhist? 8 Jesus…The Married Man? 9 Jesus’ Teachings and Following Jesus’ Disciples (Apostles) Jesus’ Execu*on and Burial Jesus’ Believed Resurrec*on Risen (2016) 14 How did Christianity Spread?
•  Jesus’ disciples spread his message throughout the European world –  Peter established the Chris(an Church in Rome –  Paul a major missionary to Europe •  O\en faced discrimina(on at the hands of Roman officials / other religious groups 15 How did the early Church develop?
-­‐ Emperor Constan(ne issued the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. -­‐ The Edict granted freedom of worship to all ci(zens of the Roman Empire -­‐ By the end of the century, Chris(anity was the official religion of the Roman Empire and its territories 16 When did the “Chris*an” Church become the “Catholic” Church? •  Chris(ans lacks a unified leader or teachings –  Many local leaders –  Different interpreta(ons of Jesus’ teachings •  In 382 AD, the Council of Rome formally organized the Roman Catholic Church –  Becomes the dominant Chris(an Church in Europe during the Middle Ages –  “Catholic” = Greek word for “universal” The Church vs. Pagan Tradi(on 18 What was the Catholic Church like during the Middle Ages? •  The Roman Catholic Church was one of the major social and governmental ins(tu(ons of the Middle Ages •  Unrestricted power over the poli(cal, social, and religious lives of Europeans –  Based out of the city of Rome Why was the Catholic Church so powerful? •  Number of reasons: 1.  The Church was a major landowner (manors) 2.  Dictated the beliefs of people • 
• 
Answered “big” ques(ons “soul saving” 3.  Wealthy • 
“Indulgences” 4.  The Church was not under the control of a king Medieval Europe’s Concept of God & Satan 21 Not to be confused…. 22 “Purgatory” 23 “Indulgences” An “indulgence” is a
payment or act by a
Catholic to free a loved
one’s soul from Purgatory
24 Sale of “indulgences” by the Catholic Church 25 “Religious Icons” 26 “Holy Relics” 27 “Holy Relics” 28 “Holy Relics” 29 Who controls the Catholic Church? •  The leader of the Church’s structure was the Pope –  Life-­‐term –  Elected by Cardinals –  Spiritual / poli(cal leader •  Current pope (since 2013) = Francis I Pope’s to Resign “Quiners…” Pope Benedict XVI
(2013)
Pope Gregory XII
(1415)
31 What was the structure of the Catholic
Church?
The Pope Bishops & Cardinals Priest + Community •  Controls Church affairs
•  Interprets Church teachings for all
Catholics
•  Advise the Pope on Church business
•  Manges the day-to-day business of the
Church
•  Deals with the day-to-day religious needs
of the community
•  Teaches the basic lessons of the Church
to the community / performs ceremonies
How did the Catholic Church enforce its power? •  The Church enforced its will through three (3) ac(ons: 1.  RECANT!!!! • 
“the error of your ways” 2.  Excommunica(on • 
Banned from Church & Heaven 3.  The Inquisi(on • 
Capital punishment