This document discusses how Christian beliefs have changed over time as cultures have blended. It provides examples of specific Christian beliefs and symbols that originated from other religions and became incorporated into Christianity, such as the cross originating from ancient Babylonian symbols. The document also notes how Christian beliefs were debated and codified at events like the Council of Nicea, and how beliefs have evolved from those held by early Christians to those held by many modern Christians through the mixing of cultures and beliefs over time.

1. By Christopher Bonett

2. Culture Changes
 Cultures have, throughout history, changed
when new ideas are brought into the society
 A major aspect of culture is religion
 Looking at Christianity, it can be seen that
religion changes over time, like culture

3. How To Know What is
Believed
Ancient Modern
• Sources such as the
bible and early church
fathers’ writings can be
used to see into the
past for the beliefs of
the early Christians
• There are millions of
Christians around the
country today, whose
beliefs are known
through church creeds

4. Image of the Cross
 Became a Christian religious symbol in
early 300s AD when Romans adopted
Christian faith under Constantine
 Before this, it was a symbol used by
ancient Babylonians to represent one of
their gods, Tammuz
 With the mixing of cultures at that time,
the cross became more prevalent in
Christian faith than it was originally

5. Jesus as God
 Originated as Emperor worship
 With the blending of beliefs, people
began to mix Emperor worship with the
Christian beliefs
 At the Council of Nicea in 325 AD this
creed was declared after much debate
from many church fathers
 This is a very specific point in history
were religion can be see to have
changed

6. Mary
 In antiquity, she was not praised for being
a virgin at conception, but for believing
and being blessed by their God
 She became a prevalent figure in
Christianity when Christian beliefs were
mixed with Babylonian mother goddess
worship
 Again beliefs between ancient Christians
and modern have some differences due
to blending of beliefs

7. Saints
 Ancient Christians called each other
saints, anyone who was part of the
Christian religion was “set apart” from
the rest of the people
 Today most Christians have the belief
that saints are those who have died and
were exceptional people in their lifetime

8. How it Happened
 As more and more people joined the
Christian religion, more and more ideas
were brought in and the beliefs evolved
over time
 Past experience of their culture and
beliefs enter in to their new faith and the
overall religion changes as time goes on