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Chapter: 01. Rise Of Christianity

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REVISION CRASH COURSE: MEDIEVAL EUROPE—RISE AND SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY

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1. THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Origin of the Term: “Medieval” is derived from a Latin word meaning “time in the middle”.
The Three Historical Periods: Historians divide history into three major blocks:
Ancient (or Early) Period
Medieval (or Middle) Period
Modern Period
Chronological Discrepancies: The Medieval Period began and ended at different times in different parts of the world:
In Europe: Stretches roughly from 600 CE to 1500 CE.
In India: Stretches roughly from the 8th century to the mid-18th century CE.
Subdivisions of the Medieval Period in India:
Early Medieval Period (8th–13th century CE)
Later Medieval Period (13th–mid-18th century CE)
The Delhi Sultanate phase: 1200–1526 CE.
The Mughal dynasty phase: 1526–mid-18th century CE.
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2. BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY & EARLY LIFE OF JESUS

Historical Context:
In the middle of the 1st century BCE, the Romans conquered Palestine (the homeland of the Jews).
The Romans appointed Herod, a puppet ruler, whose oppressive and unjust reign caused the Jews to look forward to a promised Messiah (Christ) to liberate them and establish the kingdom of God.
The Birth of Jesus:
Jesus was born around 6–4 BCE in the tiny village of Bethlehem in Judea.
Believed to be the son of God, born to Mary and her husband Joseph (a poor carpenter descended from King David of Israel).
Youth & Study:
Jesus grew up in Nazareth (northern Palestine) and studied Jewish scriptures.
He observed that some religious groups (like the Pharisees) followed traditions that violated the Law of Moses.
Baptism and Ministry:
At around 30 years old, Jesus was baptized in water by his cousin, John the Baptist. During the baptism, the sky opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared him the beloved son of God.
Convinced of his divine mission, Jesus gathered twelve disciples and spent 3 years travelling through Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing the sick.
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3. MAIN TEACHINGS OF JESUS

Jesus established a simple, revolutionary code of conduct centered on two pillars:
Unconditional love for God.
True love for one’s neighbour (including the poor, sinners, and enemies).

Key Moral and Spiritual Doctrines:

The Nature of God: There is only one God, who is compassionate, loving, and forgiving.
Image of God: Humans must shape their lives in the image of God.
Rejection of Retaliation: Jesus completely rejected the ancient Mesopotamian principle of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
Forgiveness: True righteousness lies in helping the needy, forgiving enemies, and winning them over with love.
Interpretation of Law: Jesus did not seek to change original laws, but rather propagated them according to the spirit and inner meaning of the scriptures, rather than following them strictly literally.
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4. TRIAL, CRUCIFIXION, AND RESURRECTION

Conflict with Religious Leaders: Jesus’s teachings and growing popularity angered Jewish religious leaders who felt threatened.
The Trial: Leaders turned hostile and convinced the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, that Jesus was a threat to Roman political authority.
The Crucifixion: Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified (nailed to a cross). He died a painful death, steadfast in his belief that his suffering fulfilled his mission as the Messiah.
The Resurrection: Jesus’s body was placed in a sealed tomb. On the third day, disciples found the tomb empty and believed he had been resurrected (returned to life). This conviction birthed the Christian community.
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5. SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY

The Gospels: The story of Jesus’s life and teachings was recorded by four of his disciples: John, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Key Apostles:
Peter: Known as the “foundation rock” of Christianity; he actively spread Jesus’s teachings in Palestine. He was the leader of the 12 disciples and is recognized as the first Pope (crucified in 64 CE during Emperor Nero’s rule).
Paul: A convert to Christianity who travelled extensively throughout the Roman empire, paving the way for it to become a world religion.
Persecution and Legalization:
For nearly 300 years, Christians were persecuted as a religious minority in the Roman empire.
In 313 CE, Roman Emperor Constantine won a battle against his rival Maxentius. Attributing his victory to Jesus, he legalized Christianity and declared himself a Christian.
Constantine unified the Roman empire and shifted the capital from Rome to Constantinople (the ancient site of Byzantium).
The Official Religion & Church Structure:
Towards the end of the 4th century CE, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire.
St Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City) became the religious headquarters.
The Bishop of St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope, was acknowledged as Christ’s representative on earth and the spiritual head of Christians worldwide.
Spread in India:
Christianity began spreading extensively in India with the arrival of missionaries during the Medieval and Modern periods.
These missionaries established educational institutions and introduced Western Education.
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