The profundity of human thought through moving sight and sound
Edited by Dr. James K. Powell II - Introduction
The Abrahamic Family: Christianity
From human
rabbi/prophet.... ...to Godlike
Christ.... ...to
Textbook:
Read the following with these concerns in mind:
1. What is the overall social and perspectival backdrop for Christianity? What were the early Christian perspectives? How do slavery and Roman aristocracy converge?
2. Who were the historical Jesus of
Nazereth ("Christ") and
3. What is the meaning of "New Testament"? How did it emerge?
4. What is the role of the God in
the new context? How does the "God-man" of
5.What is the meaning of salvation and history? How is it more "individual" in Christianity than mass and group social as in the case of Judaism?
6. How does the exile and return and chosen people motif play a role in Judaism which will continue to play a role in the subsequent Abrahamic traditions?
7. What is the overall message of the axial age prophets? What is the position of Jesus in this regard?
8. What is the nature of the living denominations and what is their relationship to Judaism's past?
Jesus of Nazereth: along with Krishna and Rama, the only "Founder" both historical and divine
The Core Text: The New Testament
St. Paul the Apostle: from Pharisee "hater" of Christians to Greek Interpreter of Judaism
The Early Sects: The "Judaizers"
The "Orthodox" Christians and the Origins of the Greek and Roman Catholic Churches
The "Gnostic" Christians and the Monastic Movement
Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome, Patron of the Christians
The Holy Roman Empire: Successor to Rome?
The Eastern Orthodox Church: Byzantium and the Eastern Roman Empire
The Roman Catholic Church: Organization of Power in Western Europe under the Popes
The Crusades: Western Powers "Rescue" (and Destroy) the Holy Land from Muslims
The Last Remnant of Papal Power in the Papal States
Revolt from the North: The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther: Lutheranism and the Appeal to the Bible and the Individual Relationship with God
John Calvin: The Radical Reformation and the Perspective of Northwest Europe
Roman Catholic Decline in Europe, but Expansion in the So-called "New World"
Original Source Materials: Classic writings from the perspective of Christianity
Martin Luther's 95 Theses: the Nail that Drove a Revolution
PowerPoint:
Christianity: Judeao-Greco-Roman and Post-Roman Evolution
Lecture
Christianity: First Four Centuries: Greece meets Israel Powell, April 2008
Christianity: Dark Ages and Rise of the Pope, Catholic expansion, Crusades, Protestants Powell April 2008
Videographies:
Thomas Merton and Chatrul Rinpoche: the Pratyekabuddha and Christian Mysticism -2005 by Jeremy Holiday
An Investigation of Buddhist Influences on the Development of Christian Monasticism by Nelson
A Comparison of Christ with Buddha by Bogdanske
A Comparative Introduction to Basic Buddhist and Christian Beliefs and Practices by Malo
A Comparative Study of the Role of Zoroastrianism in Buddhism and Christianity by Lukk
Taoism and Christianity by Hall
A Comparative Study of Compassion in Christianity and
Buddhism by Beckman