The document provides an overview of the rise of Christianity. It discusses how Christianity began as a sect of Judaism, with Jesus and his early followers being Jewish. It then describes how Christianity separated from Judaism and began spreading among non-Jewish populations, particularly due to the missionary efforts of Paul. Finally, it discusses some of the key events and developments in early Christianity, including Roman persecution of Christians, the conversion of Constantine, and the church's eventual dominance in the Roman Empire.

2. The Rise of
Christianity
Ronald Wiltse 2007

3. A. Introduction: What is the Bible?
1. The Old Testament

4. A. Introduction: What is the Bible?
1. The Old Testament
2. The New Testament
Jewish Bible (Old Testament)
+ New Testament
Christian Bible
 Jewish Bible called the Old Testament by
Christians
 Jewish Bible was the Bible for Jesus and
early Christians

5. 1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
B. Judaism was a thorn in the
Roman Empire.

6. 1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
2. Other Jews were dispersed throughout
the Roman Empire (the Diaspora).
B. Judaism was a thorn in the
Roman Empire.

7. Those pesky Jews . . .
Israel in the eastern
Roman Empire
Israel in the eastern
Roman Empire

8. The Jews lived not only in Palestine, but
elsewhere:
Where the Jews lived
In the Empire

9. Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on the Arch of Titus

10. Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on
the Arch of Titus

11. …Jesus is born in Bethleham.
Adoration of the Magi, by Giorgione (National Gallery, Washington)

12. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
C. Who was Jesus?

13. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
C. Who was Jesus?

14. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ
C. Who was Jesus?

15. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
C. Who was Jesus?

16. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission:
C. Who was Jesus?

17. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
C. Who was Jesus?

18. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
3. His method:
C. Who was Jesus?

19. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
3. His method: listening to the Father
C. Who was Jesus?

20. Jesus learning carpentry from his father
painting by Holman Hunt

21. Jesus found, about his Father’s business
painting by Edward Millais

22. Jesus told parables
The Prodigal Son,
by Rembrandt

23. D. Jesus was executed by the
Romans.

24. Jesus Rising from His grave
Painting by
Mattias Gruenewald

25. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.

26. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.

27. Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and
hears a voice
Michelangelo,
Conversion of
St. Paul

28. Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and
hears a voice
Carravaggio,
The Conversion
Of Paul

29. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.
2. Then, Christian leaders included all
people (Paul and the separation from
Judaism).

30. The Church leaders decide the message of
Jesus is for all people, not just Jews.
For 250 years, Christian
missionaries could travel
peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
For 250 years, Christian
missionaries could travel
peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
he fullness of time God sent His Son . . .” Paul, in his letter to the Galat

31. Paul helps spread the Good News across the
Roman Empire.
Paul’s first and Second
Missionary Journeys
Paul’s 1st
& 2nd
Missionary Journeys

32. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by

33. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and

34. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and
2. correct knowledge

35. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.

36. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.

37. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol

38. Christian symbols develop . . .

39. Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior


40. Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior


41. Christian symbols develop . . .
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior


42. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol

43. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol
c. the Chi-Rho symbol

44. Christian symbols develop . . .

45. Christian symbols develop . . .

46. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.

47. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.

48. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and
powerful.

49. Constantine: By this you shall conquer
From the papal apartments,
Vatican City

50. Constantine: legality, the challenge of
wealth, and the challenge to the Pope
Medieval people believed
that this was
Constantine (the only
Roman equestrian
statue to survive from
ancient times).
Actually, it is Marcus Aurelius.

51. …A Converted British Family Sheltering a
Christian Priest from the Druids
painting by
Holman Hunt

52. The double-edged sword: accepting
Constantine’s offer of wealth
The Road
Leading
Downhill
Into Rome,
over which St. Peter’s
Basilica was built so that
the spot believed to be
where Peter was buried
would be under the altar.

53. Geopolitics:
the influence of
geography on
political events

54. Where is the best geopolitical location for
Constantine’s new capital?

55. Where is the best geopolitical location for
Constantine’s new capital?

56. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the Bosphorus
The Black SeaThe Black Sea
The Aegean SeaThe Aegean Sea

57. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the Bosphorus
The Black SeaThe Black Sea
The Aegean SeaThe Aegean Sea

58. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the BosphorusThe Black Sea
The Bosphorus Today

59. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the Bosphorus

60. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the Bosphorus
Where along the
Bosphorus is the
best location?

61. The geopolitical location of choice: the
entrance to the Bosphorus
Here. Why?

62. The exact place: south of the Golden Horn
Why is this such a
good place
geopolitically?

64. Rome versus Constantinople:
the universal church versus the correct
church
(catholic) (orthodox)
Church division after 325

65. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and
powerful.
b. The church eventually became a
persecutor of others.

66. H. The church turned against Jews.