SOR1 – Depth Study On Christianity

Resource Description

Christianity Depth Study

Prominent Individual; Paul of Tarsus 

Contextual Background

• The following decades after Christ’s resurrection saw conflict within early Christian communities, as factions from Jerusalem pressured other Christians to conform to Jewish law.
• Jews persecuted Christians as many believed Jewish Christians mingled to much with Gentiles and lacked in observance of Jewish law.
• The Romans saw Christians as a threat to the Empire in their non-conformance to Roman Gods and festivities.
• Hence the future of Christianity balanced between its own religious tradition or a Jewish sect, this is where Paul becomes important. 

Paul’s Early life

• Born as a Roman citizen to Jewish parents in modern day Turkey
• He was familiar with Greek language and Roman culture which led to his ability to Hellenise Christianity. 
• Studied the Torah in Jerusalem to become a Pharisee – a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional law. 
• His passion often referred to as ‘zealous’ 
• Saul (Hebrew for Paul) was a persecutor of Christians due to his involvement with high priests who saw Christians as a threat to Jewish tradition.
• Paul took part in stoning and whipping Jesus-followers for referring to Jesus as the Messiah
• Eg the stoning of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr