Christian Religious Studies -THE CREATION ACCOUNTS
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY: JESUS CHRIST AND THE EARLY CHURCH
Christianity has origin in Judaism;
Christianity began as a movement within Judaism by Jesus of Nazareth in the 1st century AD. The religion originated among Jews in the Roman Province of Judea but spread rapidly throughout the Mediterranean region. Abraham as an Ancestor of faith in Judaism had his name changed from Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:4-6). Jesus himself alluded that Abraham looked forward to his coming to perfect Judaism into Christianity (John 8:56; Matthew 5:17).
A SUMMARY ON JUDAISM
Judaism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, dating back over 3,000 years. It is centred around the belief in one God, Yahweh, and the teachings contained in the Hebrew Bible, especially the Torah, which is considered the most sacred text. Judaism emphasizes ethical conduct, social justice, and the importance of community.
Key practices include observing the Sabbath (Shabbat), keeping kosher dietary laws, and celebrating religious festivals such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Jewish life is guided by commandments (mitzvot) and a strong sense of tradition passed down through generations.
Jewish identity can be religious, ethnic, or cultural, with a diverse range of traditions and practices among Jewish communities worldwide. Throughout history, Jews have faced periods of persecution and diaspora, but they have also made significant contributions to culture, science, and arts globally.
A SUMMARY ON CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It originated in the 1st century CE in the Roman province of Judea and is the largest religion in the world today. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour who was crucified, died, and was resurrected to offer salvation to humanity.
The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the sacred scripture of Christianity. Central practices include prayer, worship, baptism, and communion. Christianity emphasizes love, forgiveness, and living according to Jesus’ teachings.
There are many Christian denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy, each with its own traditions and interpretations. Christianity has had a profound influence on Western civilization and has played a significant role in history, culture, and moral thought worldwide.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND JUDAISM
The relationship between Christianity and Judaism is complex and historically intertwined. Christianity emerged from Judaism in the 1st century CE, rooted in Jewish beliefs, scriptures, and practices. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was a Jewish preacher, and the early Christian movement was initially seen as a sect within Judaism.
Over time, theological differences developed—most notably, Christianity’s belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God contrasts with Jewish teachings, which do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. These differences led to a gradual separation between the two religions.
Despite this, Christianity has been influenced deeply by Jewish tradition, scripture (the Old Testament), and ethics. Historically, relationships have ranged from periods of cooperation and mutual respect to tension and conflict, often influenced by social and political factors.
Christian Religious Studies -THE CREATION ACCOUNTS
There are two accounts of creation: the first account is attributed to a writer or a group of writers who were believed to be mainly concern about religious purity. The work of this puritan group is called the Priestly document (P). The priestly writer sees everything in terms of proper religious practice. This is the writer who put the first and second accounts of creation together in the 6th century B. C. E. after it’s completion in the days of exile.
The second account is attributed to the writers called the “Yahwish” (J) after the first of the German word Jahvish. They are documented (J) because they use the name Yahweh for the God of Israel. This account of creation is the older of the two accounts. It is believed to have been written before the division of the kingdom of Israel around 960 BCE.
The rest of the accounts of creation are based on Israel’s entry into Canaan which includes material from a group of writers commonly called the Elohist (E), who used the general term Elohim for the God of Israel. The Elohist (E) accounts was written around 800BCE and incorporated into the Yahwish (J) acounts around 722BCE. The accounts were put together to call Israel back to God. Therefore, purity of worship and service to God were paramount in this document. However, there is a material in this document which was written earlier than the exile.
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