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Christina Sperazza REL 150-03 Final Paper 04-27-15
The course, Exploring Christianity, has provided a rich analysis of many aspects of
Christianity, starting from its beginning, its biblical origins, the divisions of the Church, as well
as present-day issues and practices. Of the many ideas discussed in class, as well as read about in
Christianity: An Introduction, there is three main concepts discussed that are especially
important- the history and composition of the New Testament, the persecutions of Christians, and
the differences of Eastern and Western Churches. The Four Gospels, and their overlap of
material, as well how Constantine ended the horrific persecution of Christians of in the Roman
Empire, and how the split between the Eastern and Western churches originated are three key
moments learned in Exploring Christianity.
Prior to taking this course I have never taken a religion class before. My family and I
goes to church every once in a while, so the main story line of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, as well
as Joseph and Mary are of familiarity to me, however most of what I studied was completely new
information to me. Specifically relating to the three key concepts introduced, I did not know
some of the gospels were synoptic, or that there was a theory to explain why three of the four
Gospels contain much of the same material. Additionally, I heard of the name Constantine before
in Global History class in History, only remembering that the name Constantinople was named
after him. However now I know he is extremely important to the history of Christianity, and he is
the reason for the religions eventual acceptance. Also, I knew that there were some basic
differences (culturally) that contributed to the riff in churches between the Eastern and Western
churches of Europe, but I did not know the more technical differences in terms of theories and
teachings.
The similarities and differences between the Gospels of the New Testament was a
key element of Exploring Religion. The overlap of material found in the Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, and Luke (because they used many of the same sources) is what makes them being
referred to as “synoptic gospels” taking root from the Greek word “synopsis” (summary)
(McGrath, 91). Not included in these synoptic gospels in the gospel of John because John’s
gospel is distinctively different. The material of these gospels is explained in the Two- Source (or
Four Source Theory): 1) Most of the content in Mark’s gospel is included in Matthew and Luke,
suggesting that Matthew and Luke both based their writings off Mark, making Mark the first
gospel. 2) There is material in Matthew and Luke’s gospel not in Mark’s gospel, suggesting they
used an additional source not provided to Mark- called the “Q” source. 3) There is material only
found in Matthew, not the other gospels, suggesting there is an “M” source. 4) There is material
