http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=RyanCross&feedformat=atom WikiChristian - User contributions [en] 2024-03-28T20:42:06Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.32.1 http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=File:Biblewithlight.jpg&diff=659124 File:Biblewithlight.jpg 2008-11-25T11:27:20Z <p>RyanCross: Protected &quot;Image:Biblewithlight.jpg&quot;: image currently on Main Page [edit=sysop:move=sysop]</p> <hr /> <div>An open [[Bible]]<br /> [[Category:Bible]]<br /> [[Category:Unknown source]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=File:Christians_at_lourdes.jpg&diff=659123 File:Christians at lourdes.jpg 2008-11-25T11:25:18Z <p>RyanCross: Unprotected &quot;Image:Christians at lourdes.jpg&quot;: not on Main Page anymore</p> <hr /> <div>Christians marching in a procession at [[Lourdes]]<br /> [[Category:Catholic Church]]<br /> [[Category:Unknown source]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Pinkgil123&diff=659122 User talk:Pinkgil123 2008-11-25T11:22:41Z <p>RyanCross: Welcome to WikiChristian!</p> <hr /> <div>Welcome to [[WikiChristian:About|WikiChristian]]! Come contribute often! If you need help, just ask an [[WikiChristian:Active users|active user]]. &amp;ndash; [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;'''Ryan'''Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ([[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;''talk''&lt;/font&gt;]]) 03:22, 25 November 2008 (PST)</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:Stub&diff=659121 Template:Stub 2008-11-25T11:19:51Z <p>RyanCross: Protected &quot;Template:Stub&quot;: highly-visible template on numerous pages [edit=autoconfirmed:move=autoconfirmed]</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;small&gt;''This article is a [[:Category:Stubs|stub]]. You can help [[WikiChristian:About|WikiChristian]] by expanding it.''&lt;/small&gt; [[Category:Stubs]] &lt;noinclude&gt;[[Category:Template]]&lt;/noinclude&gt;</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Template:Stub&diff=659120 Template:Stub 2008-11-25T11:18:00Z <p>RyanCross: improve template</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;small&gt;''This article is a [[:Category:Stubs|stub]]. You can help [[WikiChristian:About|WikiChristian]] by expanding it.''&lt;/small&gt; [[Category:Stubs]] &lt;noinclude&gt;[[Category:Template]]&lt;/noinclude&gt;</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Ezekiel_(EBD)&diff=652443 Ezekiel (EBD) 2008-10-29T08:59:35Z <p>RyanCross: Ezekiel (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Ezekiel</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Ezekiel]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Ezekiel&diff=652442 Text:EBD:Ezekiel 2008-10-29T08:59:35Z <p>RyanCross: Ezekiel (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Ezekiel</p> <hr /> <div>God will strengthen.<br /> <br /> (1.) 1 Chr. 24:16, &quot;Jehezekel.&quot;<br /> <br /> (2.) One of the great prophets, the son of Buzi the priest (Ezek. 1:3). He was one of the Jewish exiles who settled at Tel-Abib, on the banks of the Chebar, &quot;in the land of the Chaldeans.&quot; He was probably carried away captive with Jehoiachin (1:2; 2 Kings 24:14-16) about B.C. 597. His prophetic call came to him &quot;in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity&quot; (B.C. 594). He had a house in the place of his exile, where he lost his wife, in the ninth year of his exile, by some sudden and unforeseen stroke (Ezek. 8:1; 24:18). He held a prominent place among the exiles, and was frequently consulted by the elders (8:1; 11:25; 14:1; 20:1). His ministry extended over twenty-three years (29:17), B.C. 595-573, during part of which he was contemporary with Daniel (14:14; 28:3) and Jeremiah, and probably also with Obadiah. The time and manner of his death are unknown. His reputed tomb is pointed out in the neighbourhood of Bagdad, at a place called Keffil.<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] | [[Ezekiel]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Road_(EBD)&diff=650652 Road (EBD) 2008-10-23T14:54:31Z <p>RyanCross: Road (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Road</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Road]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Road&diff=650651 Text:EBD:Road 2008-10-23T14:54:31Z <p>RyanCross: Road (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Road</p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> (1 Sam. 27:10; R.V., &quot;raid&quot;), an inroad, an incursion. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of a way or path.<br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Ije-abarim_(EBD)&diff=650650 Ije-abarim (EBD) 2008-10-23T14:52:40Z <p>RyanCross: Ije-abarim (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Ije-abarim</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Ije-abarim]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Ije-abarim&diff=650649 Text:EBD:Ije-abarim 2008-10-23T14:52:40Z <p>RyanCross: Ije-abarim (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Ije-abarim</p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> Ruins of Abarim, the forty-seventh station of the Israelites in the wilderness, &quot;in the border of Moab&quot; (Num. 33:44).<br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Elm_(EBD)&diff=650647 Elm (EBD) 2008-10-23T14:51:36Z <p>RyanCross: Elm (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Elm</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Elm]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Elm&diff=650646 Text:EBD:Elm 2008-10-23T14:51:36Z <p>RyanCross: Elm (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Elm</p> <hr /> <div><br /> <br /> Hos. 4:13; rendered &quot;terebinth&quot; in the Revised Version. It is the Pistacia terebinthus of Linn., a tree common in Palestine, long-lived, and therefore often employed for landmarks and in designating places (Gen. 35:4; Judg. 6:11, 19. Rendered &quot;oak&quot; in both A.V. and R.V.). (See TEIL TREE.)<br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User:RyanCross&diff=650645 User:RyanCross 2008-10-23T14:50:38Z <p>RyanCross: tweak</p> <hr /> <div>{{User:RyanCross/Topbar}}&lt;br&gt;<br /> {| style=&quot;border:5px solid brown; background-color: white; width: 100%;&quot;<br /> |-<br /> | <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:left; margin:8px; margin-top:5px;&quot;&gt;[[Image:Wooden cross.jpg|48px|left|]]&lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;font: 13pt Century Gothic; text-align: center; padding:5px; border-bottom:5px solid brown;&quot;&gt;Welcome to RyanCross' user page&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size: ; padding: 5px;&quot;&gt;<br /> <br /> Hey there, I'm RyanCross, a [[Christian]], [[WikiChristian:About|WikiChristian]] [[WikiChristian:Administrators|administrator]].<br /> <br /> I do a lot of administrative actions on WikiChristian. I perform blocks, unblocks, page protections, unprotections, deletions, undeletions, and general maintenance. If I have made a mistake in my actions or if you do not a agree with my actions, please feel free to tell me about it.<br /> <br /> If you need my assistance, please feel free to ask on my [[User talk:RyanCross|talk page]] or you may [[Special:Emailuser/RyanCross|email me]]. God bless! :)<br /> <br /> [[Category:User Christians]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Graham_grove&diff=650644 User talk:Graham grove 2008-10-23T14:50:01Z <p>RyanCross: /* Update */ reply</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;infobox&quot; width=&quot;315px&quot;<br /> |-<br /> ! align=&quot;center&quot; | Archives<br /> ----<br /> |-<br /> |<br /> # [[User talk:Graham grove/Archive 1|Discussion between January 2005 - October 2008]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Reply==<br /> <br /> Hey Graham,<br /> <br /> Life's going good for me right now, actually :) I've been busy with school and work, but I'll see what I can do about the clean up. I ''would'' use PilhetBot if it ws an automated program, but it's not an ''actual'' &quot;bot&quot; unfortunately. Just an account I flagged as a bot so all the miniscule changes and clean up work I did with it wouldn't clog up Recent Changes. :)<br /> <br /> How are you doing, btw?<br /> <br /> God bless, -- [[User:P.B. Pilhet|P.B. Pilhet]] / [[User talk:P.B. Pilhet|Talk]] 00:31, 11 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Reference Scripture pages ==<br /> <br /> What should be done about these? At the moment they're at [[Special:deadendpages]].<br /> <br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:1-25 (KJV)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:1-25 (WEB)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:26-31;2:18-24 (KJV)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:26-31;2:18-24 (WEB)]]<br /> <br /> [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 22:08, 12 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : I reckon we should just delete them unless you can think of a good reason to keep them. Thanks. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham grove]] 05:36, 13 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Greek New Testament template ==<br /> <br /> Should this be deleted? - [[Template:Galatians 1:23 (Greek)]] [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:03, 16 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Forget about the above - I've just found the new template and I'm going to delete the one above. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:38, 16 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Re:EBD ==<br /> <br /> All the entries under Q,U,V and Y have been moved and there are no X entries. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:11, 17 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Online theological journals ==<br /> <br /> Here's something from Theopedia you might like to look at - [http://www.theopedia.com/Online_theological_journals Theopedia Online theological journals] [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:41, 18 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == HELP! ==<br /> <br /> I somehow deleted the original [[Text:Apostles' Creed]]. I tried to get it back but couldn't, so I copied the Wikisource one, then I found I had 2 Wikisource duplicates, I deleted 1, but found both had been deleted so undeleted. How do I remove only 1 copy?. There is now a Wikisource template [[Template:Wikisource]] which I used in the above article [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 03:10, 19 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Not sure how to fix the problem. I'll look into it. Thanks Kathleen. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 12:58, 21 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Copyright templates ==<br /> <br /> A full set of Copyright templates can be found here [[:Category:Copyright templates]]. Note:MormonWiki.org is a Christian Wiki exposing Mormonism. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 03:35, 21 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Opinion of information section on article ==<br /> <br /> I'd like your opinion on the information section of this article [[Australian Christian Channel]]. Its the best I could do without an Infobox template, which I tried out here but found didn't work. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 02:36, 22 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Looks like you did well. I've re-formatted to fit WikiChristian's page layout style ([[WikiChristian:Page Layout]]). I'm not sure how to incorporate infoboxes. I'm not fussed about infoboxes - if the information can be put into prose then I think that that is good. And if not, then a table can always be created in the main article. Cheers. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 07:55, 22 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == [[Temple Mount]] ==<br /> <br /> I've put an Infobox on the above article, but I'm not sure what to put for Returnto. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:28, 22 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : That's great. A good returnto could probably be [[Jerusalem]]. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 10:40, 22 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Update ==<br /> Hello. I see there have been some major changes since I was gone. The one I noticed very quickly was to the [[Main Page]]. So, if you don't mind, could you update me on what has changed? I will still be a bit inactive, but I'll be sure to pop in from time to time for a while. I've been busy on both, real life and other wikis (such as [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:RyanCross Simple English Wikipedia] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:RyanCross English Wikipedia]). &amp;ndash; [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;'''Ryan'''Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ([[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;''talk''&lt;/font&gt;]]) 07:37, 23 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> :Yep, all is very well. Thank you for the links. I'll be sure to try to help with updating our content pages. Yours, &amp;ndash; [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;'''Ryan'''Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ([[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;''talk''&lt;/font&gt;]]) 07:50, 23 October 2008 (PDT)</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Fatling_(EBD)&diff=650642 Fatling (EBD) 2008-10-23T14:47:40Z <p>RyanCross: Fatling (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Fatling</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Fatling]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Fatling&diff=650641 Text:EBD:Fatling 2008-10-23T14:47:40Z <p>RyanCross: Fatling (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Fatling</p> <hr /> <div><br /> (1.) A fatted animal for slaughter (2 Sam. 6:13; Isa. 11:6; Ezek. 39:18. Comp. Matt. 22:4, where the word used in the original, sitistos, means literally &quot;corn-fed;&quot; i.e., installed, fat). (2.) Ps. 66:15 (Heb. meah, meaning &quot;marrowy,&quot; &quot;fat,&quot; a species of sheep). (3.) 1 Sam. 15:9 (Heb. mishneh, meaning &quot;the second,&quot; and hence probably &quot;cattle of a second quality,&quot; or lambs of the second birth, i.e., autmnal lambs, and therfore of less value).<br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Hezekiah_(EBD)&diff=650640 Hezekiah (EBD) 2008-10-23T14:45:59Z <p>RyanCross: Hezekiah (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Hezekiah: I hope I'm doing this correctly</p> <hr /> <div>#REDIRECT [[Text:EBD:Hezekiah]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Text:EBD:Hezekiah&diff=650639 Text:EBD:Hezekiah 2008-10-23T14:45:59Z <p>RyanCross: Hezekiah (EBD) moved to Text:EBD:Hezekiah: I hope I'm doing this correctly</p> <hr /> <div>Whom Jehovah has strengthened. (1.) Son of Ahaz (2 Kings 18:1; 2 Chr. 29:1), whom he succeeded on the throne of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned twenty-nine years (B.C. 726-697). The history of this king is contained in 2 Kings 18:20, Isa. 36-39, and 2 Chr. 29-32. He is spoken of as a great and good king. In public life he followed the example of his great-granfather Uzziah. He set himself to abolish idolatry from his kingdom, and among other things which he did for this end, he destroyed the &quot;brazen serpent,&quot; which had been removed to Jerusalem, and had become an object of idolatrous worship (Num. 21:9). A great reformation was wrought in the kingdom of Judah in his day (2 Kings 18:4; 2 Chr. 29:3-36).<br /> <br /> On the death of Sargon and the accession of his son Sennacherib to the throne of Assyria, Hezekiah refused to pay the tribute which his father had paid, and &quot;rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not,&quot; but entered into a league with Egypt (Isa. 30; 31; 36:6-9). This led to the invasion of Judah by Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13-16), who took forty cities, and besieged Jerusalem with mounds. Hezekiah yielded to the demands of the Assyrian king, and agreed to pay him three hundred talents of silver and thirty of gold (18:14).<br /> <br /> But Sennacherib dealt treacherously with Hezekiah (Isa. 33:1), and a second time within two years invaded his kingdom (2 Kings 18:17; 2 Chr. 32:9; Isa. 36). This invasion issued in the destruction of Sennacherib's army. Hezekiah prayed to God, and &quot;that night the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000 men.&quot; Sennacherib fled with the shattered remnant of his forces to Nineveh, where, seventeen years after, he was assassinated by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer (2 Kings 19:37). (See SENNACHERIB.)<br /> <br /> The narrative of Hezekiah's sickness and miraculous recovery is found in 2 Kings 20:1, 2 Chr. 32:24, Isa. 38:1. Various ambassadors came to congratulate him on his recovery, and among them Merodach-baladan, the viceroy of Babylon (2 Chr. 32:23; 2 Kings 20:12). He closed his days in peace and prosperity, and was succeeded by his son Manasseh. He was buried in the &quot;chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David&quot; (2 Chr. 32:27-33). He had &quot;after him none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him&quot; (2 Kings 18:5). (See ISAIAH.)<br /> {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] | [[Hezekiah]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Emerging_Church&diff=650636 Emerging Church 2008-10-23T14:39:44Z <p>RyanCross: /* Links */ dash instead of a hyphen</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text=&quot;Emergent&quot; is a loosely knit group of people in conversation about and trying experiments in forwarding the ministry of Jesus in new and different ways, as the people of God in a post-Christian context. From there, wide diversity abounds. &quot;Emergents&quot; seem to share one common trait: disillusionment with the organized, institutional church as it has existed through the 20th century (whether fundamentalist, liberal, megachurch, or tall-steeple liturgical). Its strengths: creative, energetic, youthful, authentic, highly relational. Its weaknesses: somewhat cynical, disorganized, sometimes reckless (even in the theological ideas willing to be entertained), immature. [[Todd Mangum]]}}<br /> <br /> {{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = The Emerging Church |<br /> subtopics = [[Emergent Village]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }} <br /> <br /> The &quot;emerging church&quot; describes a difficult-to-define movement of the last three decades that has moved away from traditional, institutional styles of worship and church hierarchy. Proponents of this movement often call it a &quot;conversation&quot;. Members of emerging communities often are disillusioned with the organized and institutional church and may support the deconstruction of modern Christian dogma. The movement often favors the use of stories and narratives. Members of the emerging movement place high value on good works and social activism. <br /> <br /> The movement is also referred to as the &quot;emergent church&quot; although in recent times there has been a shift in the understanding of some people where &quot;emerging&quot; refers to the wider, informal, church-based, global movement and &quot;emergent&quot; refers to an official organization, the [[Emergent Village]]. <br /> <br /> ===Defining the Emerging Church===<br /> <br /> Defining the emerging church is difficult and there is no clear consensus in meaning.&lt;ref&gt;Stuart Murray, Church After Christendom, (London: Paternoster Press, 2004), 73&lt;/ref&gt; [[Todd Mangum]], the associate Professor of Theology at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania in the United States has described the emerging church in this way: <br /> : ''&quot;Emergent&quot; is a loosely knit group of people in conversation about and trying experiments in forwarding the ministry of Jesus in new and different ways, as the people of God in a post-Christian context. From there, wide diversity abounds. &quot;Emergents&quot; seem to share one common trait: disillusionment with the organized, institutional church as it has existed through the 20th century (whether fundamentalist, liberal, megachurch, or tall-steeple liturgical). Its strengths: creative, energetic, youthful, authentic, highly relational. Its weaknesses: somewhat cynical, disorganized, sometimes reckless (even in the theological ideas willing to be entertained), immature.''&lt;ref&gt;&quot;[http://www.c4ml.com/wandering-off-course/10/ Catlyst 4 Mission Leadership: Q &amp; A with Todd Mangum]&quot; (2007-10-06).&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> ===History of the Emerging Church===<br /> <br /> {{sectionstub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> '''[[Scot McKnight]]&lt;ref&gt;S McKnight, &quot;Five Streams of the Emerging Church&quot;, [[Christianity Today]], 23-October-2007. Web address: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/11.35.html&lt;/ref&gt;'''<br /> : ''It is said that emerging Christians confess their faith like mainliners—meaning they say things publicly they don't really believe. They drink like Southern Baptists—meaning, to adapt some words from Mark Twain, they are teetotalers when it is judicious. They talk like Catholics—meaning they cuss and use naughty words. They evangelize and theologize like the Reformed—meaning they rarely evangelize, yet theologize all the time. They worship like charismatics—meaning with their whole bodies, some parts tattooed. They vote like Episcopalians—meaning they eat, drink, and sleep on their left side. And, they deny the truth—meaning they've got a latte-soaked copy of Derrida in their smoke- and beer-stained backpacks. Along with unfair stereotypes of other traditions, such are the urban legends surrounding the emerging church—one of the most controversial and misunderstood movements today.''<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <br /> {{reflist}}<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church Wikipedia &amp;ndash; Emerging Church]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Current issues]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Graham_grove&diff=650635 User talk:Graham grove 2008-10-23T14:37:13Z <p>RyanCross: /* Update */ new section</p> <hr /> <div>{| class=&quot;infobox&quot; width=&quot;315px&quot;<br /> |-<br /> ! align=&quot;center&quot; | Archives<br /> ----<br /> |-<br /> |<br /> # [[User talk:Graham grove/Archive 1|Discussion between January 2005 - October 2008]]<br /> |}<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Reply==<br /> <br /> Hey Graham,<br /> <br /> Life's going good for me right now, actually :) I've been busy with school and work, but I'll see what I can do about the clean up. I ''would'' use PilhetBot if it ws an automated program, but it's not an ''actual'' &quot;bot&quot; unfortunately. Just an account I flagged as a bot so all the miniscule changes and clean up work I did with it wouldn't clog up Recent Changes. :)<br /> <br /> How are you doing, btw?<br /> <br /> God bless, -- [[User:P.B. Pilhet|P.B. Pilhet]] / [[User talk:P.B. Pilhet|Talk]] 00:31, 11 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Reference Scripture pages ==<br /> <br /> What should be done about these? At the moment they're at [[Special:deadendpages]].<br /> <br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:1-25 (KJV)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:1-25 (WEB)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:26-31;2:18-24 (KJV)]]<br /> *[[Reference Scripture:Genesis 1:26-31;2:18-24 (WEB)]]<br /> <br /> [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 22:08, 12 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : I reckon we should just delete them unless you can think of a good reason to keep them. Thanks. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham grove]] 05:36, 13 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Greek New Testament template ==<br /> <br /> Should this be deleted? - [[Template:Galatians 1:23 (Greek)]] [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:03, 16 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> :Forget about the above - I've just found the new template and I'm going to delete the one above. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:38, 16 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Re:EBD ==<br /> <br /> All the entries under Q,U,V and Y have been moved and there are no X entries. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:11, 17 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Online theological journals ==<br /> <br /> Here's something from Theopedia you might like to look at - [http://www.theopedia.com/Online_theological_journals Theopedia Online theological journals] [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:41, 18 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == HELP! ==<br /> <br /> I somehow deleted the original [[Text:Apostles' Creed]]. I tried to get it back but couldn't, so I copied the Wikisource one, then I found I had 2 Wikisource duplicates, I deleted 1, but found both had been deleted so undeleted. How do I remove only 1 copy?. There is now a Wikisource template [[Template:Wikisource]] which I used in the above article [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 03:10, 19 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Not sure how to fix the problem. I'll look into it. Thanks Kathleen. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 12:58, 21 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Copyright templates ==<br /> <br /> A full set of Copyright templates can be found here [[:Category:Copyright templates]]. Note:MormonWiki.org is a Christian Wiki exposing Mormonism. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 03:35, 21 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> == Opinion of information section on article ==<br /> <br /> I'd like your opinion on the information section of this article [[Australian Christian Channel]]. Its the best I could do without an Infobox template, which I tried out here but found didn't work. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 02:36, 22 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : Looks like you did well. I've re-formatted to fit WikiChristian's page layout style ([[WikiChristian:Page Layout]]). I'm not sure how to incorporate infoboxes. I'm not fussed about infoboxes - if the information can be put into prose then I think that that is good. And if not, then a table can always be created in the main article. Cheers. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 07:55, 22 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == [[Temple Mount]] ==<br /> <br /> I've put an Infobox on the above article, but I'm not sure what to put for Returnto. [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 08:28, 22 October 2008 (UTC)<br /> <br /> : That's great. A good returnto could probably be [[Jerusalem]]. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 10:40, 22 October 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Update ==<br /> Hello. I see there have been some major changes since I was gone. The one I noticed very quickly was to the [[Main Page]]. So, if you don't mind, could you update me on what has changed? I will still be a bit inactive, but I'll be sure to pop in from time to time for a while. I've been busy on both, real life and other wikis (such as [http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:RyanCross Simple English Wikipedia] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:RyanCross English Wikipedia]). &amp;ndash; [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;'''Ryan'''Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ([[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;cursive&quot;&gt;''talk''&lt;/font&gt;]]) 07:37, 23 October 2008 (PDT)</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Sidebar&diff=645916 MediaWiki:Sidebar 2008-09-21T14:14:51Z <p>RyanCross: revert</p> <hr /> <div>* Navigation<br /> ** mainpage|mainpage<br /> ** Special:Randompage|Random page<br /> ** Special:Random/Bible|Random verse<br /> ** recentchanges-url|recentchanges<br /> ** helppage|help<br /> * Sister projects<br /> ** http://www.believerscafe.com|Believerscafe<br /> ** http://www.wikimd.org|Wikimd</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Sidebar&diff=645915 MediaWiki:Sidebar 2008-09-21T14:14:40Z <p>RyanCross: +</p> <hr /> <div>* SEARCH<br /> <br /> * Navigation<br /> ** mainpage|mainpage<br /> ** Special:Randompage|Random page<br /> ** Special:Random/Bible|Random verse<br /> ** recentchanges-url|recentchanges<br /> ** helppage|help<br /> * Sister projects<br /> ** http://www.believerscafe.com|Believerscafe<br /> ** http://www.wikimd.org|Wikimd</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Sidebar&diff=645914 MediaWiki:Sidebar 2008-09-21T14:10:12Z <p>RyanCross: links to articles should be first</p> <hr /> <div>* Navigation<br /> ** mainpage|mainpage<br /> ** Special:Randompage|Random page<br /> ** Special:Random/Bible|Random verse<br /> ** recentchanges-url|recentchanges<br /> ** helppage|help<br /> * Sister projects<br /> ** http://www.believerscafe.com|Believerscafe<br /> ** http://www.wikimd.org|Wikimd</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User_talk:RyanCross&diff=645898 User talk:RyanCross 2008-09-21T07:57:55Z <p>RyanCross: /* Protection */ no problem</p> <hr /> <div>{{User:RyanCross/Topbar}}&lt;br&gt;<br /> {| style=&quot;border:5px solid brown; background-color: white; width: 100%;&quot;<br /> |-<br /> | <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;font: 13pt Century Gothic; text-align: center; padding:5px; border-bottom:5px solid brown;&quot;&gt;Welcome to RyanCross' talk page&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;text-align: ; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size: ; padding: 5px;&quot;&gt;<br /> ==Re: Adminship==<br /> <br /> Hi Ryan,<br /> <br /> First off, welcome to WikiChristian! Secondly, I saw your request on Graham's page and have given you administrator status. There are no specific policies you have to follow (you may want to check [[Wikichristian.org:Page Layout]]) - but here's a few things to remember:<br /> <br /> #Semi-protection is never needed, because IP's can't edit the site anyway,<br /> #Moving pages is disabled, except to users with the &quot;move&quot; permission and admins,<br /> #All of this site's articles must only reflect a Christian point of view - other views may be expressed, but they must be clearly listed as opposing Christianity (i.e., the [[atheism]] article can't appear to support atheism in any way).<br /> <br /> God bless! -- [[User:P.B. Pilhet|P.B. Pilhet]] / [[User talk:P.B. Pilhet|Talk]] 01:01, 23 July 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> P.S. -- Feel free to protect your userpage is you like - I've protected mine, cause I deal with a lot of the vandalism here ;) -- 01:02, 23 July 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> :Thanks P.B Pilhet, for the adminship and the advice. I'll look around just to get used to this wiki and see how things work out here. I'll do my best. God bless, [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;Ryan†Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ('''''[[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;talk&lt;/font&gt;]]''''') 08:13, 23 July 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Re:Welcome ==<br /> <br /> Greetings. I wonder if [[Special:Emailuser]] is not activated or it's just because I'm new? [[User:Bennylin|Bennylin]] 09:03, 24 July 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> :I have confirmed my email. What I mean is when I click [[Special:Emailuser/Bennylin]] (or in my case, your username) I got :<br /> &lt;pre&gt;<br /> No such special page<br /> <br /> You have requested an invalid special page.<br /> <br /> A list of valid special pages can be found at Special:Specialpages. &lt;/pre&gt;<br /> :Thanks. [[User:Bennylin|Bennylin]] 09:16, 24 July 2008 (PDT)<br /> Btw, you're just one day old here and have become an admin? :)<br /> <br /> == Well done ==<br /> <br /> You're doing a fantastic job of getting rid of vandalism. Well done. Thanks. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham grove]] 03:01, 7 August 2008 (PDT)<br /> :Your welcome. I'll check and see if there are any more vandalism pages. Thanks, [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;Ryan†Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ('''''[[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;talk&lt;/font&gt;]]''''') 07:33, 7 August 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> == Protection ==<br /> <br /> That would've been funny, if it hadn't been so sad, to see how you unprotected [[WikiChristian:About]] and 16 hours later it was vandalized! I put the protection back on, only because that page is linked to in the footer of every single page, make it a highly visible target. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 23:49, 20 September 2008 (PDT)<br /> :No problem. My mistake; I didn't think we'd get vandals vandalizing that page so soon after the unprotection. Thanks, [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;Ryan†Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ('''''[[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;talk&lt;/font&gt;]]''''') 00:57, 21 September 2008 (PDT)</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Mksmothers&diff=645895 User talk:Mksmothers 2008-09-21T05:57:59Z <p>RyanCross: You have been blocked from editing for a duration of indefinite due to the following violation(s) that you have committed: Vandalism.</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;table class=&quot;messagebox protected&quot; style=&quot;width:auto; height:auto; background:White; border: 3px solid crimson&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td valign=&quot;top&quot; &gt; [[Image:Timestop.png|45px| ]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td valign=&quot;center&quot; &gt;'''''You have been blocked from editing''''' for a duration of indefinite due to the following violation(s) that you have committed: ''Vandalism''. If you feel this block is unjust, you may contest it by emailing administrator [mailto:tmatas@tampabay.rr.com P.B. Pilhet] or any available administrator from [[Special:Listadmins|this list]]. Please be sure to include your username (if you have one) and IP address in your email. Once your block expires or is withdrawn, please refrain from making any more harmful contributions to WikiChristian, or you may be blocked indefinitely. Thank you. <br /> :-- [[User:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;Ryan†Cross&lt;/font&gt;]] ('''''[[User talk:RyanCross|&lt;font color=&quot;navy&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;talk&lt;/font&gt;]]''''') 22:57, 20 September 2008 (PDT) &lt;!-- [[Template:Blocked]] --&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;/table&gt;</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Church_building&diff=645894 Church building 2008-09-21T05:54:16Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Muser</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Church Building<br /> [[Image:Olney_church.jpg|thumb|center|The church building in the village in [[Olney]].]] |<br /> subtopics = [[Famous church buildings index]]<br /> * [[Cathedral]] | [[Basilica]] | [[Chapel]]<br /> * [[Church signs]]<br /> * [[Church]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> A church building (or simply church) is a building used in [[Christian]] [[worship]]. Although the [[Church]] (the people that belong to [[Jesus]]) can meet anywhere, they have since early times built buildings specifically for worshipping [[God]] in. There are many well known church buildings around the world such as [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Rome]]. A common architecture for churches is a building in the shape of a cross, often with a dome or other large vaulted space in the interior to represent or draw attention to the heavens.<br /> <br /> ===History of church buildings===<br /> <br /> The first Christians were, like Jesus, Jews resident in Israel who worshiped on occasion in the Temple in Jerusalem and weekly in local synagogues. <br /> <br /> Following the inclusion of non-Jews (Gentiles) into the church and later the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in [[AD 70]], Christianity and Judaism increasingly parted ways. <br /> <br /> Many of these early Christians met in homes, sometimes called house-churches. <br /> <br /> As the number of Christians grew during, numbers became too large to meet in houses, and congregations began to build or acquire buildings that were specifically for Christian worship. A number of pagan temples were converted into churches, especially following the adoption of Christianity as the state religion by the Roman Empire in the fourth century. A famous example of this is the [[Pantheon]] in [[Rome]], once used for a temple to pagan gods, it was later used as a church (it is now only a tourist attraction).<br /> <br /> ===Famous church buildings===<br /> <br /> ===Architecture types===<br /> <br /> ===Photos of churches===<br /> <br /> &lt;center&gt;&lt;gallery&gt;<br /> Image:DCP 4427.jpg|The main church in [[Echmiadzin]], the physical centre of the [[Armenian Orthodox Church]]<br /> Image:Wittenburg church door gg.jpg|The door of the famous church in [[Wittenburg]] where [[Martin Luther]] is thought to have nailed his [[95 Theses]] to the door<br /> Image:Olney church.jpg|The church in [[Olney]] where [[John Newton]], author of the hymn [[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]] worked<br /> Image:Stanfordmemorialchurch.jpg|Stanford Memorial Church in [[California]]<br /> Image:Trinity baptist colonel light gardens.jpg|A small local church, [[Trinity Baptist Church (Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia)|Trinity Baptist Church]] in [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]], once known as the &quot;City of Churches&quot;<br /> Image:Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe (Tarascon).jpg|The Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe in [[Tarascon]], [[France]]<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/center&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Church]]<br /> <br /> {{stub}}</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Easton%27s_Bible_Dictionary&diff=645893 Easton's Bible Dictionary 2008-09-21T05:53:59Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = Easton's Bible Dictionary |<br /> subtopics = [[Easton's Bible Dictionary Index]]<br /> * [[Matthew George Easton]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> {{ebd_box}}<br /> <br /> '''Easton's Bible Dictionary''' refers to the Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, by [[Matthew George Easton]] M.A., D.D. (1823-1894), published three years after Easton's death in 1897 by Thomas Nelson. Using the most recent information in that day, Easton presented a concise volume that has aided both layman and scholar in their study of God's word.<br /> <br /> Because of its age, it is now a public domain resource. Easton's Bible Dictionary contains an extensive set of entries used in the Bible, albeit from a 19th century Christian viewpoint. <br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/easton/ebd2.toc.html Easton's Bible Dictionary] full text on [[Christian_Classics_Ethereal_Library|CCEL]].<br /> * [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/easton/ebd2.html Easton's Bible Dictionary] Book Information including format types on [[Christian_Classics_Ethereal_Library|CCEL]].<br /> <br /> {{Returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Bible]] -&gt; [[Bible Dictionaries Index]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Bible dictionaries]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Faith&diff=645892 Faith 2008-09-21T05:53:32Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by RyanCross</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = Faith |<br /> subtopics = [[Assurance]] <br /> * [[Becoming a Christian]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }} <br /> <br /> '''Faith''' means to believe in the truth of an idea that cannot be proven. [[Hebrews 11:1]] in the Bible describes faith as being sure of something that is unseen. <br /> <br /> The term &quot;the faith&quot; is sometimes used to refer to [[Christianity]] in general.<br /> <br /> Faith in [[Jesus]] as God's son who brings eternal life is central to being a Christian. [[John 3:16]] describes this truth:<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> In the Christian philosophical tradition which originated in the Middle Ages, especially through the work of [[Thomas Aquinas]], faith is defined as one of the three so-called &quot;theological virtues&quot;&lt;ref&gt;For an introduction to the theological virtues cf. Josef Pieper: Faith, Hope, Love, Ignatius Press 1997, ISBN 0898706238&lt;/ref&gt; that were described by the [[apostle Paul]] in [[1 Corinthians 13:13]] in the [[Bible]]:<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|13|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> <br /> &lt;references /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith Wikipedia - Faith]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Essence of Christianity]] -&gt; [[Living as a Christian]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Christian&diff=645891 Christian 2008-09-21T05:53:08Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by RyanCross</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Christian |<br /> subtopics = [[God]], [[Jesus]]<br /> * [[Becoming a Christian]], [[Grace]]<br /> * [[Living as a Christian]], [[Love]]<br /> * [[Nominalism]], [[Evangelicalism]], [[Charismatic]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> A '''Christian''' is a person who follows [[Jesus]] and has a personal and living relationship with him. Followers of Jesus were first called Christians in [[Antioch]] in the first century AD. Today, there are around 2 billion people who call themselves Christians world-wide.<br /> <br /> Some simplistic terms, many Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Christians consider a person to be a Christian once [[baptism]] has taken place. Since infants are baptized in these churches, this often means that a young child can be called a Christian. Alternatively, many Protestants consider that a personal belief in Jesus as saviour defines a person as Christian. In countries where Christianity is historically the majority religion, the term is often used to describe anyone who has a vague belief in God.<br /> <br /> ===Terms===<br /> <br /> There are a number of other terms that are often synonymous with the word &quot;Christian&quot;. Terms such as '''believer''' and '''born again''' are sometimes used to denote a Christian, particularly used to distinguish people who are active followers of Jesus who have a personal relationship him as opposed to people who are nominal Christians (see below).<br /> <br /> ====Nominalism====<br /> <br /> ====Evangelicalism====<br /> <br /> ====Charismatic Christianity====<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> [[Billy Graham]]<br /> : Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ. <br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian Wikipedia - Christian]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Essence of Christianity]]<br /> <br /> {{stub}}</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=WikiChristian:Bible&diff=645890 WikiChristian:Bible 2008-09-21T05:52:44Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Graham grove</p> <hr /> <div>A total revamp of WikiChristian's system of referencing the Bible is underway which includes uploading the entire Bible verse-by-verse in the following versions: World English Bible, King James, Greek, Hebrew and Latin.<br /> <br /> The discussion page [[WikiChristian talk:Bible]] is the page that details the discussion that has been occurring regarding this. The process is being performed by the bot [[User:BotUm|BotUm]] and is currently in its early stages.<br /> <br /> For an example of the new system see [[Bible:John 1:1|John 1:1]]. <br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -&gt; [[Christianity and the internet]] -&gt; [[Christian wikis]] -&gt; [[Project:About|WikiChristian]] -&gt; [[WikiChristian:Community Portal|Community Portal]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Papacy&diff=645889 Papacy 2008-09-21T05:51:58Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by RyanCross</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = The Papacy |<br /> subtopics = [[Popes Index]]<br /> * [[Peter and the Papacy]]<br /> * Titles - [[Holy Father]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }} <br /> <br /> The [[Pope]] is the head of [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches]]. In addition to this spiritual role, the Pope is also head of the independent, sovereign [[Vatican City|State of the Vatican City]], a city-state entirely surrounded by the city of Rome. Prior to 1870, the Pope's temporal authority extended over a large area of central [[Italy]], a territory formally known as the &quot;Patrimony of St Peter&quot; under the terms of the [[Donation of Constantine]], but more familiar as the [[Papal States]]. The office of the Pope is informally called the [[Papacy]] and formally called the Pontificate; his ecclesiastical jurisdiction is called the [[Holy See]] (''Sancta Sedes''). Catholics worldwide consider each pope to be [[Jesus]]' representative on [[Earth]]. The current Pope is Benedict XVI.<br /> <br /> ===Other Popes===<br /> <br /> An antipope is a person who claims the Pontificate without being canonically and properly elected to it. The existence of an antipope is usually due either to doctrinal controversy within the Church, or to confusion as to who is the legitimate Pope at the time.<br /> <br /> The heads of the [[Coptic Church]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria]] are also called &quot;Popes&quot; for historical reasons, with the former being called &quot;'''Coptic Pope'''&quot; or &quot;'''Pope of Alexandria'''&quot; and the latter called &quot;'''Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa'''&quot;; the parallel construction &quot;'''Pope of Rome'''&quot; is uncommon but occasionally used.<br /> <br /> ===Word origins===<br /> <br /> The word &quot;Pope&quot; is derived from the Greek word ''pappas'' (&quot;father&quot;) and was originally used in an affectionate sense of any priest or bishop (in the exact same way that modern priests are addressed as &quot;Father&quot;). In the 4th and 5th centuries, ''pappas'' (Latinized as ''papa'', a form still preserved in Spanish and Portuguese was still frequently used of any bishop in the West, although it gradually came to be increasingly restricted to its modern, exclusive use by the Bishop of Rome. In the East, especially in Greece and Russia, priests are still referred to as ''pappas''.<br /> <br /> As early as the third century, the Bishop of Alexandria exercised a high degree of central control of suffragan Egyptian bishops, in a manner consciously similar to the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome; the Alexandrian archbishop was given precedence immediately after the Roman pontiff by the [[Council of Nicea]], and adopted the title &quot;Pope of Alexandria,&quot; which still forms an integral part of the titles of the Greek Orthodox &quot;Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa&quot; and of the Coptic &quot;Pope of Alexandria and of the See of Saint Mark the Apostle.&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Office and nature===<br /> <br /> The title &quot;Pope&quot; is an informal one; the formal title of the Pope is &quot;Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, [[Apostolic Succession|Successor]] of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God,&quot; although this is rarely seen or used in full (by comparison, the formal title of the Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria is &quot;Successor of Saint Mark the Apostle, Shepherd of Shepherds, Father of Fathers, Supreme Pontiff of All Metropolitans and Bishops, Judge of the World, and Beloved of Christ&quot;, often called the &quot;Ecumenical Judge&quot;; the Coptic Pope is styled &quot;Pope and Patriarch of the See of Alexandria and of All the Predication of the Evangelist St. Mark&quot;). In canon law he is referred to as the &quot;Roman Pontiff&quot; (''Pontifex Romanus''). The Pope is styled &quot;Your Holiness&quot; (''Sanctitas Vostra'') and is frequently referred to as &quot;the Holy Father.&quot;<br /> <br /> The Pope's signature is usually in the format &quot;''NN. PP. x''&quot; (''e.g.'', [[Pope Paul VI]] signed his name as &quot;Paulus PP. VI&quot;), and his name is frequently accompanied in inscriptions by the abbreviation &quot;Pont. Max.&quot; or &quot;P.M.&quot; (abbreviation of the ancient title ''Pontifex Maximus'', literally &quot;Greatest Bridge-maker&quot;, but usually translated &quot;Supreme Pontiff&quot;). The signature of Papal bulls is customarily ''NN. Episcopus Ecclesia Catholicae'' (&quot;NN. Bishop of the Catholic Church&quot;), while the heading is ''NN. Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei'' (&quot;NN. Bishop and Servant of the Servants of God&quot;), the latter title dating to the time of [[Pope Gregory I]] ''the Great''. Other titles used in some official capacity include ''Summus Pontifex'' (&quot;Highest Pontiff&quot;), ''Sanctissimus Pater'' and ''Beatissimus Pater'' (&quot;Most Holy Father&quot; and &quot;Most Blessed Father&quot;), ''Sanctissimus Dominus Noster'' (&quot;Our Most Holy Lord&quot;), and, in the [[Middle Ages|Mediaeval period]], ''Dominus Apostolicus'' (&quot;Apostolic Lord&quot;).<br /> <br /> The Pope's official residence is the Palace of the Vatican, and he also possesses a summer palace at Castel Gandolfo (believed to be situated on the site of the ancient city-state Alba Longa). Historically the official residence of the Pope was the Lateran Palace, donated by the Roman Emperor Constantinus I. The former Papal summer palace, the Quirinal Palace, has subsequently been the official residence of the Kings of Italy and Presidents of the Italian Republic.<br /> <br /> Contrary to popular belief, it is the Pope's ecclesiastical jurisdiction (the Holy See) and not his secular jurisdiction (Vatican City) which conducts international relations; for hundreds of years, the Pope's court (the Roman Curia) has functioned as the government of the Catholic Church. The name &quot;Holy See&quot; (also &quot;Apostolic See&quot;) is in ecclesiastical terminology the ordinary jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome (including the Roman Curia); the Pope's various honours, powers, and privileges within the Catholic Church and the international community derive from his Episcopate of Rome in lineal succession from the Apostle St. Peter (see Apostolic Succession). Consequently Rome has traditionally occupied a central position in the Catholic Church, although this is not necessarily so. The Pope derives his Pontificate from being Bishop of Rome but is not obligated to reside in Rome; according to the Latin formula ubi Papa, ibi Curia, wherever the Pope resides is the central government of the Church, provided that the Pope is Bishop of Rome. As such, between 1309 and 1378 the Popes resided not in Rome but in Avignon, a period often called the Babylonian Captivity in allusion to the Biblical exile of Israel (see Avignon Papacy).<br /> <br /> Catholic tradition maintains that the institution of the Pontificate can be found in the [[Bible]], and cites certain key passages in support of this contention. Chief among these passages is [[Matthew 16]]:18-19, wherein Jesus Christ says to [[Apostle Peter|Peter]]:<br /> <br /> &lt;blockquote&gt;<br /> ''&quot;Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter ''(&quot;The Rock&quot; derived from Greek)'', and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven&quot;.''<br /> &lt;/blockquote&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Status and authority===<br /> <br /> The status and authority of the Pope in the Catholic Church was dogmatically defined by the First Vatican Council in its Dogmatic Constitution of the Church of Christ (July 18, 1870). The first chapter of this document is entitled &quot;On the institution of the apostolic primacy in blessed Peter&quot;, and states that (s.1) &quot;according to the Gospel evidence, a primacy of jurisdiction over the whole church of God was immediately and directly promised to the blessed apostle Peter and conferred on him by Christ the lord&quot; and that (s.6) &quot;if anyone says that blessed Peter the apostle was not appointed by Christ the lord as prince of all the apostles and visible head of the whole church militant; or that it was a primacy of honour only and not one of true and proper jurisdiction that he directly and immediately received from our lord Jesus Christ Himself: let him be anathema.&quot;<br /> <br /> The Dogmatic Constitution's second chapter, &quot;On the permanence of the primacy of blessed Peter in the Roman pontiffs&quot;, states that (s.1) &quot;that which our lord Jesus Christ [...] established in the blessed apostle Peter [...] must of necessity remain forever, by Christ's authority, in the church which, founded as it is upon a rock, will stand firm until the end of time,&quot; that (s.3) &quot;whoever succeeds to the chair of Peter obtains by the institution of Christ Himself, the primacy of Peter over the whole church&quot;, and that (s.5) &quot;if anyone says that it is not by the institution of Christ the lord Himself (that is to say, by divine law) that blessed Peter should have perpetual successors in the primacy over the whole church; or that the Roman pontiff is not the successor of blessed Peter in this primacy: let him be anathema.&quot;<br /> <br /> The Dogmatic Constitution's third chapter, &quot;On the power and character of the primacy of the Roman pontiff,&quot; states that (s.1) &quot;the definition of the ecumenical council of Florence, which must be believed by all faithful Christians, namely that the apostolic see and the Roman pontiff hold a world-wide primacy, and that the Roman pontiff is the successor of blessed Peter, the prince of the apostles, true vicar of Christ, head of the whole church and father and teacher of all Christian people,&quot; that (s.2) &quot;by divine ordinance, the Roman church possesses a pre-eminence of ordinary power over every other church, and that the jurisdictional power of the Roman pontiff is both episcopal and immediate&quot; and that &quot;clergy and faithful, of whatever rite and dignity, both singly and collectively, are bound to submit to this power by the duty of hierarchical subordination and true obedience, and this not only in matters concerning faith and morals, but also in those which regard the discipline and government of the church throughout the world.&quot;<br /> <br /> The powers of the Pope are defined by the Dogmatic Constitution (ch.3, s.8) such that &quot;he is the supreme judge of the faithful, and that in all cases which fall under ecclesiastical jurisdiction recourse may be had to his judgement&quot; and that &quot;the sentence of the apostolic see (than which there is no higher authority) is not subject to revision by anyone, nor may anyone lawfully pass judgement thereupon&quot; (can. 331 defines the power of the Pope as &quot;supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in the Church, and he can always freely exercise this power&quot;). It also dogmatically defined (ch.4, s.9) the doctrine of Papal infallibility, sc. such that<br /> <br /> :when the Roman Pontiff speaks ''ex cathedra'', that is, when in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole church, he possesses, by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed His church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals. Therefore, such definitions of the Roman pontiff are of themselves, and not by the consent of the church, irreformable.<br /> <br /> ===Political role===<br /> <br /> Though the progressive Christianisation of the Roman Empire in the Fourth century did not confer upon bishops civil authority within the state, the gradual withdrawal of imperial authority during the 5th century left the Pope the senior Imperial civilian official in Rome, as bishops were increasingly directing civil affairs in other cities of the Western Empire. This status as a secular and civil leader was vividly displayed by Pope Leo I's confrontation with Attila in 452 and was substantially increased in 754, when the Frankish ruler Pepin the Short donated to the Pope a strip of territory which formed the core of the so-called Papal States (properly the Patrimony of St. Peter). In 800, Pope Leo III crowned the Frankish ruler Charlemagne as Roman Emperor, a major step toward establishing what later became known as the Holy Roman Empire; from that date it became the Pope's prerogative to crown the Emperor, a tradition which continued until Emperor Charles V, the last Holy Roman Emperor to be crowned by the Pope (subsequent Emperors never received coronation), and which was partially revived by Napoléon Bonaparte. As has been hitherto mentioned, the Pope's sovereignty over the Papal States ended in 1870 with their annexation by Italy.<br /> <br /> In addition to the Pope's position as a territorial ruler and foremost prince bishop of Christendom (especially prominent with the Renaissance Popes like Pope Alexander VI an ambitious if spectacularly corrupt politico, and Pope Julius II, a formidable general and statesman) and as the spiritual head of the Holy Roman Empire (especially prominent during periods of contention with the Emperors, such as during the Pontificates of Pope Gregory VII and Pope Alexander III), the Pope also possessed a degree of political and temporal authority in his capacity as Supreme Pontiff. Some of the most striking examples of Papal political authority are the Bull Laudabiliter in 1155 (authorising Henry II of England to invade Ireland), the Bull Inter Caeteras in 1493 (leading to the Treaty of Torsedillas in 1494, which divided the world into areas of Spanish and Portuguese rule) the Bull Regnans in Excelsis in 1570 (excommunicating Elizabeth I of England and purporting to release all her subjects from their allegiance to her), the Bull Inter Gravissimas in 1582 (establishing the Gregorian Calendar). <br /> <br /> ===Death or Resignation, and election===<br /> <br /> ====Death====<br /> <br /> The current regulations regarding a Papal interregnum -- i.e., a Sede Vacante &quot;vacant see&quot; -- were promulgated by John Paul II in his 1996 document Universi Dominici Gregis. During the Sede Vacante, the Sacred College of Cardinals, composed of the Pope's principal advisors and assistants, is collectively responsible for the government of the Church and of the Vatican itself, under the direction of the Cardinal Chamberlain; however, canon law specifically forbids the Cardinals from introducing any innovation in the government of the Church during the vacancy of the Holy See. Any decision that needs the assent of the Pope has to wait until a new Pope has been elected and takes office.<br /> <br /> The Pope's death is officially determined by the Cardinal Chamberlain by gently tapping the late Pope's head thrice with a golden hammer and calling his birth name three times. A doctor may or may not have already determined that the Pope had passed away. The Cardinal Chamberlain then retrieves the Fisherman's Ring. Usually the ring is on the Pope's right hand. But with Paul VI, he had stopped wearing the ring during the last years of his reign, and left it in his desk. In other cases the ring might have been removed for medical reasons. The Chamberlin cuts the ring in two in the presence of the Cardinals. The deceased Pope's seals are defaced, to keep the Pope's seal from ever being used again, and his personal apartment is sealed.<br /> <br /> The body then lies in state for a number of days before being interred in the crypt of a leading church or cathedral; the Popes of the Twentieth century have all been interred in St. Peter's Basilica, but it is expected that the reigning Pope, Pope John Paul II, will be interred in his native Poland. A nine-day period of mourning (novem dialis) follows after the interment of the late Pope. <br /> <br /> ====Resignation====<br /> <br /> The Code of Canon Law [http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P16.HTM 332 §2] states, ''If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone.'' <br /> <br /> It was widely reported in June and July 2002 that the Pope John Paul II firmly refuted the speculation of his resignation using Canon 332, in a letter to the Milan daily newspaper ''Corriere della Sera''.<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, 332 §2 has given rise to speculation that either:<br /> <br /> * The current Pope will resign as his health fails, or<br /> * A properly manifested legal instrument has already been drawn up that puts into effect his resignation in the event of his incapacity to perform his duties.<br /> <br /> ====Election====<br /> <br /> The Pope was originally chosen by those senior clergymen resident in and near Rome. In 1059, the electorate was restricted to the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and the individual votes of all Cardinal Electors were made equal in 1179. The Pope is usually a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals, but theoretically any male Catholic (including a layman) may be elected; Pope Urban VI was the last Pope who was not already a cardinal at the time of his election. Canon law requires that if a layman or non-bishop is elected, he receives episcopal consecration from the Dean of the College of Cardinals before assuming the Pontificate. Under present canon law, the Pope is elected by the cardinal electors, comprising those cardinals who are under the age of 80.<br /> <br /> The Second Council of Lyons was convened on May 7, 1274, to regulate the election of the Pope. This Council decreed that the cardinal electors must meet within ten days of the Pope's death, and that they must remain in seclusion until a Pope has been elected; this was prompted by the three-year Sede Vacante following the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268. By the mid-Sixteenth century, the electoral process had more or less evolved into its present form, allowing for alteration in the time between the death of the Pope and the meeting of the cardinal electors.<br /> <br /> Traditionally the vote was conducted by acclamation, by selection by committee, or by plenary vote. Acclamation was the simplest procedure, consisting entirely of a voice vote, and was last used in 1621. The reigning Pope, Pope John Paul II, has abolished vote by acclamation and by selection by committee, and henceforth all Popes will be elected by full vote of the Sacred College of Cardinals by ballot.<br /> <br /> The election of the Pope almost always takes place in the Sistine Chapel, in a meeting called a &quot;conclave&quot; (so called because twenty days after the Pope's death, the present cardinal electors are theoretically locked in, cum clavi, until they elect a new Pope). Three cardinals are chosen by lot to collect the votes of absent cardinal electors (by reason of illness), three are chosen by lot to count the votes, and three are chosen by lot to review the count of the votes. The ballots are distributed and each cardinal elector writes the name of his choice on it and pledges aloud that he is voting for &quot;one whom under God I think ought to be elected&quot; before depositing his vote in a large chalice placed on the altar. Each ballot is read aloud by the presiding Cardinal, who then pierces the ballot with a needle and thread, stringing all the ballots together and tying the ends of the thread to ensure accuracy and honesty. Balloting continues until a Pope is elected by a two-thirds majority (since the promulgation of Universi Dominici Gregis the rules allow for a simple majority after a deadlock of twelve days).<br /> <br /> One of the most famous parts of the conclave is the means by which the results of a ballot are announced to the world. Once the ballots are counted and bound together, they are burned in a special oven erected in the Sistine Chapel, with the smoke escaping through a small chimney visible from St Peter's Square. The ballots from an unsuccessful vote are burned along with a chemical compound in order to produce black smoke, or &quot;fumata nera.&quot; (Traditionally wet straw was used to help create the black smoke, but a number of &quot;false alarms&quot; in past conclaves have brought about this concession to modern chemistry.) When a vote is successful, the ballots are burned alone, sending white smoke (&quot;fumata bianca&quot;) through the chimney and announcing to the world the election of a new Pope.<br /> <br /> The Dean of the College of Cardinals then asks the successfully elected Cardinal two solemn questions. First he asks, &quot;Do you freely accept your election?&quot; If he replies with the word &quot;Accepto,&quot; his reign as Pope begins at that instant, not at the coronation ceremony several days afterward. The Dean then asks, &quot;By what name shall you be called?&quot; The new Pope then announces the name he has chosen for himself (starting in 535, the Pope has customarily chosen a new name for himself during his Pontificate; the names are not based on any system other than general honorifics, and have been based on immediate predecessors, mentors, and political similarity).<br /> <br /> The new Pope is led through the &quot;Door of Tears&quot; to a dressing room in which three sets of white Papal vestments (&quot;immantatio&quot;) await: literally small, medium, and large. Donning the appropriate vestments and re-emerging into the Sistine Chapel, the new Pope is given the &quot;Fisherman's Ring&quot; by the Cardinal Camerlegno, whom he either reconfirms or reappoints. The Pope then assumes a place of honor as the rest of the Cardinals wait in turn to offer their first &quot;obedience&quot; (&quot;adoratio&quot;), and to receive his blessing.<br /> <br /> The senior cardinal deacon then announces from a balcony over St. Peter's Square the following proclamation: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum! Habemus Papam! (&quot;I announce to you a great joy! We have a Pope!&quot;)<br /> <br /> Until 1978, the Pope's election was followed in a few days by a procession in great pomp and circumstance from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica, with the newly-elected Pope borne in the sedia gestatoria. There the Pope was crowned with the triregnum and he gave his first blessing as Pope, the famous Urbi et Orbi (&quot;to the City [Rome] and to the World&quot;). Another famed part of the coronation was the lighting of a torch which would flare brightly and promptly extinguish, with the admonition Sic transit gloria mundi (&quot;Thus fades worldly glory&quot;). Traditionally, the pope-elect takes the Papal oath (the so called &quot;Oath against modernism&quot;) at his coronation, but John Paul I and later John Paul II have refused to do so.<br /> <br /> As has been hitherto noted, the Latin term Sede Vacante (&quot;vacant seat&quot;) refers to a Papal interregnum, or the period between the death of the Pope and the election of his successor. From this term is derived the name Sedevacantist, which designates a category of dissident, schismatic Catholics who maintain that there is no canonically and legitimately elected Pope, and that there is therefore a Sede Vacante; one of the most common reasons for holding this belief is the idea that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and especially the replacement of the Tridentine Mass with the Novus Ordo Missae are heretical, and that, per the dogma of Papal infallibility (see above), it is impossible for a valid Pope to have done these things. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===Objections to the Papacy===<br /> <br /> The Pope's position as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church is dogmatic and therefore not open to debate or dispute within the Catholic Church; the First Vatican Council anathematised all who dispute the Pope's primacy of honour and of jurisdiction (it is lawful to discuss the precise nature of that primacy, provided that such discussion does not violate the terms of the Council's Dogmatic Constitution). However, the Pope's authority is not undisputed outside the Catholic Church; these objections differ from denomination to denomination, but can roughly be outlined as (1.) objections to the extent of the primacy of the Pope; and (2.) objections to the institution of the Papacy itself.<br /> <br /> Some non-Catholic Christian denominations, such as the Assyrian Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion, accept the doctrine of Apostolic Succession, and therefore accept (to varying extents) the claim that the Pope as successor to St. Peter is heir to Petrine primacy of honour. These churches deny, however, the claim that the Pope is also heir to Petrine primacy of jurisdiction. Because none of these denominations recognise the First Vatican Council as ecumenical, they regard its definitions of Papal jurisdiction and infallibility (and anathematisation of those who do not accept them) as non-binding.<br /> <br /> Other non-Catholic Christian denominations do not accept the doctrine of Apostolic Succession, or do not understand it in hierarchical terms, and therefore do not accept the claim that the Pope is heir either to Petrine primacy of honour or to Petrine primacy of jurisdiction. The Papacy's complex relationship with the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and other secular states, and the Papacy's territorial claims in Italy, are another focal point of these objections; as is the monarchical character of the office of Pope. In Western Christianity, these objections — and the vehement rhetoric they have at times been cast in — are products of the Protestant Reformation. These denominations vary from simply not accepting the Pope's authority as legitimate and valid, to believing that the Pope is the Antichrist or one of the beasts spoken of in the Book of Revelation. These denominations tend to be more heterogeneous amongst themselves than the aforementioned hierarchical churches, and their views regarding the Papacy and its institutional legitimacy (or lack thereof) vary considerably.<br /> <br /> Some objectors to the papacy use empirical arguments, pointing to the corrupt characters of some of the holders of that office. For instance, some argue that claimed successors to St. Peter, like Popes Alexander VI and Callixtus III from the Borgia family, were so corrupt as to be unfit to wield power to bind and loose on Earth or in Heaven. An omniscient and omnibenevolent God, some argue, would not have given those people the powers claimed for them by the Catholic Church. Defenders of the papacy argue that the Bible shows God as willingly giving privileges even to corrupt men (citing examples like some of the kings of Israel, the apostle Judas Iscariot, and even St. Peter after he denied Jesus). They also argue that not even the worst of the corrupt popes used the office to try to rip the doctrine of the Church from its apostolic roots, and that this is evidence that the office is divinely protected. <br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://www.papalencyclicals.net/ Papal Encyclicals Online]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Roman Catholicism]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Help:Contents&diff=645888 Help:Contents 2008-09-21T05:50:27Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Graham grove</p> <hr /> <div>There are a number of help pages in WikiChristian. Which are you looking for?<br /> * [[Project:About|About WikiChristian]] - To learn a little about WikiChristian.<br /> * [[Project:Page Layout|Writing Guide and Page Layout]] - To read a guide about the writing style and lay-out of pages at WikiChristian, please read the article.<br /> * [[Project:Statement of Faith|Statement of Faith]] - To read the underlying beliefs behind general articles in WikiChristian<br /> * [[Project:Sandbox|Sandbox]] - The best way to familiarize yourself with WikiChristian is to explore the site and practice in the sandbox.<br /> * [[Project:Tutorial|Tutorial]] - To read a guide about the basics of page editing such as using italics, headings and pictures.<br /> * [[Project:Village pump|Village pump]] - To read and contribute to discussions about WikiChristian itself<br /> * [[Project:Community Portal|Community Portal]] - To find out what is currently happening at WikiChristian<br /> * [[Project:Priority Pages|Priority pages]] - To see a list of pages that need more content added and are considered of primary importance<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Video embedding|Video Embedding]] - To learn how to insert YouTube videos into WikiChristian<br /> * [[Project:Site support|Site support and Donations]] - To read out about how to donate to WikiChristian<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Privacy policy|Privay Policy]] - To read about privacy on WikiChristian<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Copyrights|Copyrights]] and [[WikiChristian:Open source|Open source]] - To read about copyright issues at WikiChristian<br /> * [[WikiChristian:General disclaimer|General Disclaimer]]<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions]]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -&gt; [[Christianity and the internet]] -&gt; [[Christian wikis]] -&gt; [[Project:About|WikiChristian]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:WikiChristian tutorial]]<br /> [[Category:Guidelines]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Christian_radio&diff=645887 Christian radio 2008-09-21T05:50:03Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Kathleen.wright5</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = Christian Radio |<br /> subtopics = [[Christian radio stations index]]<br /> * [[Christian radio shows index]]<br /> * [[Christian radio presenters index]]<br /> * Miscellaneous: [[Boyer Lectures]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }} <br /> <br /> <br /> Christian radio stations are relatively common in &quot;Christian countries&quot;, especially the United States. They often play a wide range of [[Contemporary Christian Music]] and sermons.<br /> <br /> Mainstream secular radio often also talk about Christian themes. In 2005, the famous [[Boyer Lectures]] on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) were presented by [[Peter Jensen]], a well known [[evangelical]] [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] spoke on the topic of [[Jesus]].<br /> <br /> [[Jeremy Shum]] is probably one of the most popular &quot;Christian pop culture&quot; radio icon.<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> ===Christian Broadcasting Associations===<br /> <br /> Christian Media Australia<br /> * [http://christianmedia.org.au Christian Media Australia]<br /> * Includes - Capital city and regional centre radio station listings.<br /> <br /> ===Web Radio===<br /> <br /> * [http://www.christianradio.com/ Christianaradio.com - 2025 Christian radio stations, and 1150 Christian radio station web site links]<br /> * [http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=christian 76+ Christian Radio Stations]<br /> * [http://www.jesusfreak.com/radio.asp Dozens of online Christian radio stations, all genres]<br /> * [http://www.oneplace.com/ Oneplace.com - Online Ministries/Radio Programs]<br /> <br /> ===Programs===<br /> * [http://www.thewordforlife.org The Word For Life]<br /> * [http://www.leadingtheway.org Leading The Way]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christian literature, art, music and media]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Christian_TV&diff=645886 Christian TV 2008-09-21T05:49:40Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Prab</p> <hr /> <div>==Christian Television Channels Online==<br /> <br /> This is a partial list of Christian Television Channels Online. Please join us in adding all the Christian television channels in all languages from different parts of the world. <br /> <br /> ===English Channels===<br /> <br /> ===TBN===<br /> #[http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/tbn/8031/500_tbn-tbn_050222.asx Watch TBN (wmp - broadband 500k)] <br /> #[http://www.streamingfaith.com/faithpass/index.aspx?nsn=TBN Watch TBN]<br /> #[http://www.tbn.org/watch/tbnlive/tbn56.ram Watch TBN (real - modem)] <br /> #[http://www.tbn.org/watch/tbnlive/tbn100.ram Watch TBN (real - broadband 100k)] <br /> #[http://www.tbn.org/watch/tbnlive/tbn300.ram Watch TBN (real - broadband 300k)] <br /> #[http://www.tbn.org/watch/tbnlive/tbn500.ram Watch TBN (real - broadband 500k)] <br /> #[http://www.tbn.org/ TBN Trinity Broadcasting] teaching/talk <br /> #*[http://www.tbn.org/watch/broadcastschedule/ program schedule]<br /> <br /> ===CBN===<br /> #[http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=700club The 700 Club]<br /> <br /> ===The Church Channel===<br /> #[http://www.churchchannel.tv/watch/cc100.asx Watch The Church Channel (wmp - broadband 100k)] <br /> #[http://www.churchchannel.tv/watch/cc300.asx Watch The Church Channel (wmp - broadband 300k)]<br /> #[http://www.churchchannel.tv/watch/cc56.asx Watch The Church Channel (wmp - modem)]<br /> #[http://www.streamingfaith.com/faithpass/index.aspx?nsn=TCC Watch The Church Channel]<br /> #[http://www.churchchannel.tv/ The Church Channel] preaching <br /> #*[http://www.churchchannel.tv/schedule/ program schedule] <br /> <br /> ===COrner Stone TV===<br /> #[http://www.ctvn.org/ Cornerstone TeleVision] Satelitte teaching / dramas <br /> #[http://www.ctvn.org/schedule/schedule.html program schedule] <br /> #[http://www.ctnonline.com/webcast.asx Watch CTN (dsl)] <br /> #[http://c1.liquidviewer.com/ctnbroadband Watch CTN (broadband)] <br /> #[http://ctnonline.com/ CTN Christian Television] Tampa Bay, FL teaching/talk <br /> #[http://ctnonline.com/webcast/p-guide.htm program schedule] <br /> #[http://www.ctni.org/ CTNi Christian Television International] satellite tv <br /> #*[http://www.ctni.org/english/index-programming.html program schedule] <br /> <br /> ===Daystar===<br /> #[http://www.streamingfaith.com/faithpass/index.aspx?nsn=DayStarLive Watch Daystar] <br /> #[http://daystar.tv/ Daystar Television] teaching/talk <br /> #*[http://www.skyangel.com/Programming/GuideChannelPopup.asp?Id=31 program schedule] <br /> <br /> ===Digital Bible Study===<br /> #[http://www.digitalbiblestudy.com/ Digital Bible Study] Internet Only bible study / teaching <br /> #*[http://www.digitalbiblestudy.com/schedule.asp program schedule] <br /> <br /> ===Friends Forever===<br /> #[http://www.christiannetcast.com/watch/player.asp?station=atwr-tv Watch Friends Forever] <br /> #[http://aroundtheworldradio.org/friendsforevertv.htm Friends Forever TV] Internet Only <br /> <br /> ===God TV===<br /> #[http://www.god.tv/Media/GODTV-High.asx Watch God TV] <br /> #[http://www.god.tv The God Channel] 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#[http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/tabn/7868/300_tabn-latino_050207.asx Watch 3ABN Latino (wmp)] <br /> #[http://www.3abn.org/latino.cfm 3ABN Latino Satelitte spanish and portuguese tv]<br /> #*[http://www.3abn.org/latino_tv_schedule.cfm program schedule]<br /> <br /> ==External Links==</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Mission&diff=645885 Mission 2008-09-21T05:49:19Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text={{Bible verse|matthew|28|19|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|matthew|28|20|lang=WEB}} [[Matthew 28]]:19-20}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Mission |<br /> subtopics = [[Great Commission]], [[Gospel]], [[Evangelism]], [[Testimonies]]<br /> * [[Persecution]], [[10/40 Window]], [[Operation World]]<br /> * [[Places]], [[World-wide church directory]], [[Christian Education]]<br /> * [[Poverty]]<br /> * Important figures in history: [[William Carey]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * ''Testimonies'' - [[Story of Gebre, a Me'en evangelist (November 2006)]] |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> The [[Bible]] tells us that it is only by [[Christ]] that we can come to [[the Father]]. There is a mass of people who have not heard the good news of [[Jesus]]. Christians around the world are involved in missionary work to bring men and women to Christ as commanded by Jesus in the [[Great Commission]].<br /> <br /> In the book of [[Romans]], the [[apostle Paul]] reminds how people cannot be saved if they do not hear, and that people will not hear if Christians are not sent out to preach - he tells us, &quot;How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.&quot; Christians around the world are involved in missionary work to bring men and women to Christ as commanded by Jesus in the [[Great Commission]].<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://www.thebiblesite.org Donate bibles to persecuted Christians worldwide]<br /> * [http://www.sim.org/ Serving in Missions]<br /> * [http://www.christianmissions.net/ christianmissions.net]<br /> * [http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/ Christian missions: A Church for every people and the Gospel for every person]<br /> * [http://www.missionresources.com/ www.missionresources.com]<br /> * [http://www.missionaries.org/ 3095 resource links]<br /> * [http://www.mrd.org/ Mission Resource Directory]<br /> * [http://www.praize.com/engine/Conferences_and_Events/Mission_Events/ PRAIZE Christian Mission Events]<br /> * [http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Conferences_and_Events/Mission_Events Google Directory Mission Events] <br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Grace&diff=645884 Grace 2008-09-21T05:48:55Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text={{Bible verse|2 Corinthians|12|9|lang=WEB}} [[2 Corinthians 12:9]]}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Grace |<br /> subtopics = [[Sin]], [[Repentance]], [[Mercy]], [[Forgiveness]], [[Justification]], [[Salvation]], [[Atonement]]<br /> * [[Irresistible grace]], [[Common grace]], [[Prevenient grace]]<br /> * {{songs}} - [[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]], [[When I Survey the Wonderous Cross (song)|When I Survey the Wonderous Cross]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * [[Justification by faith alone (G.G.)]]<br /> * {{ebd}}<br /> * [[Bible Study: Grace (G.G.)]] |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> Grace, in Christianity, refers to [[God]]'s [[love]] and [[salvation]] being poured out on people even though they don't deserve this love and salvation.<br /> <br /> ===Biblical concepts about grace===<br /> <br /> The theme of grace permeates through the Bble. The whole Bible tells the story of humanity turning its back on its creator but despite this God lovingly forgiving us and drawing us back to himself through [[Jesus]].<br /> <br /> [[Romans 3:23]], for example, explains that each person has [[sin]]ned, failing to completely love God and each other and fallen short of the glory of God. Later in Romans, in [[Romans 6:23|chapter 6, verse 23]], the [[apostle Paul]] explains that sin brings about death.<br /> <br /> Despite our imperfections and failings that separate humans from a perfect and [[God is holy|holy God ]] and bring us death, Scripture reveals that God loves us. Although nothing we do can restore us to a right relationship with God, God himself restores that relationship to those who call out to [[Jesus Christ]] trusting in his death and resurrection. Passages such as [[Romans 5:8]], [[John 3:16]] and [[Romans 3:24]] attest to this<br /> * ''{{Bible verse|romans|5|8|lang=WEB}}'' - (Romans 5:8)<br /> * ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}'' - (John 3:16)<br /> * ''{{Bible verse|romans|3|24|lang=WEB}}'' - (Romans 3:24)<br /> <br /> This concept of God showing humanity his good favour as a gift is what grace is, although the word &quot;grace&quot; itself is never specifically defined in the [[Bible]].<br /> <br /> The word &quot;grace&quot; appears in the English [[Old Testament]] a dozen or so times, most commonly translated from the [[Hebrew]] word &quot;[[chesed]]&quot;. This has also been translated as &quot;loving-kindness&quot;. <br /> <br /> In contrast, the word grace is found hundreds of times in the [[New Testament]], translated from the [[Koine Greek]] word &quot;[[charis]]&quot; which also means gift. [[John 1:17]] states that &quot;{{Bible verse|John|1|17|lang=WEB}}&quot; Although the word is not used into the [[gospels]] many times, the concept of grace is seen in Jesus' teaching, parables, miracles and death and resurrection. The parable of the [[The Prodigal Son|Prodigal Son]] is a wonderful example of grace.<br /> <br /> Peter tells us to &quot;set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed&quot; ([[1 Peter 1:13]]) and that we [[worship]] the &quot;[[God]] of all grace&quot; ([[1 Peter 5:10]]). In Hebrews we are told that we may approach &quot;the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need&quot; ([[Hebrews 4:16]]). <br /> <br /> ===Further developments in theological understandings of grace===<br /> <br /> Teachings regarding how a person receives grace from God varies slightly between different denominations.<br /> <br /> In Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy this grace comes through faith in Jesus Christ but also is dispensed by Priests and Bishops within the church. For example, baptism itself is understood to bring about forgiveness and grace to the recipient in these denominations.<br /> <br /> In Protestant churches grace is understood to come only through faith in Jesus alone, although again, there are a variety of understandings of the nature of grace, in particular, between those who hold Arminian views versus those who hold Calvinist views.<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> U2<br /> : Grace makes beauty out of ugly things<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Christian doctrine and debates]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Places&diff=645883 Places 2008-09-21T05:48:32Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = The World<br /> [[Image:World.jpg|thumb|center|A map of the world.]] |<br /> subtopics = Regions: [[Africa]], [[Americas]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[Pacific]]<br /> * [[Biblical Places Index]]<br /> * [[Church History Places]]<br /> * The [[Persecuted Church]]: {{world_watch_list}}<br /> * [[Denominations]]<br /> * [[World-wide church directory]]<br /> * The [[World]] <br /> * [[Languages Index]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> The world's 5 inhabited continents contain almost 7 billion people. The population is increasing rapidly, and it doubled between 1960 and 2000. There are 237 independent states. 66 of these have significant restrictions on religious belief. About 30% of the world's population call themselves [[Christian]] (2 billion people), 20% call themselves [[Muslim]] (1.3 billion people), 15% are [[non-religious]] (1 billion) and 13% call themselves [[Hindu]]. Although [[Europe]] is rapidly becoming secular and non-religious, the majority of Christians live in areas where European settlement or missionary work has been significant. [[Asia]] is the least evangelised continent. Of Christians, there are about 1 billion [[Roman Catholic]], 700 million [[Protestant]] and 550 million [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christians.<br /> <br /> ===[[Africa]]===<br /> <br /> Almost 1 billion people of 3,500 different ethnic groups live in Africa, which has had huge population growth in recent years. However this is slowing because of the devastating effects of [[AIDS]] which is at epidemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa also is the poorest contintent with many countries with huge debts involved in terrible (usually civil) wars. Religious freedom is typical of most of the southern countries where [[Christianity]] is the predominant religion and experiencing great growth. Indeed, the focus of evangelical Christianity is moving from the Western World to Africa. However in the northern countries where [[Islam]] is the majority religion there is sigificant persecution of Christians.<br /> <br /> ===[[Americas]]===<br /> <br /> The Americas cover 2 continents and about 50 countries with about a billion inhabitants. [[North America]] includes the wealthy and English speaking predominantly [[Protestant]] countries of the [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]] and the poorer, predominant countries from [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]]. [[South America]] countains the developing [[Spanish]]-speaking predominantly [[Roman Catholic]] countries like [[Argentina]] and [[Chile]] and the larger [[Portugese]]-speaking predominant [[Roman Catholic]] country of [[Brazil]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Asia]]===<br /> <br /> The continent of Asia contains over half of the world's people and spans from [[Japan]] in the east to [[Turkey]] in the west. It contains the rapidly developing, predominantly [[Buddhist]] countries of [[South East Asia]] and [[China]], [[Hindu]] [[India]] and the predominant [[Muslim]] nations of the [[Middle East]]. Asia is the least evangelised continent.<br /> <br /> ===[[Europe]]===<br /> <br /> Europe is an ethnically diverse continent with around 700 million inhabitants. It is mostly economically wealthy, containing the large and influential [[European Union]]. It has traditionally been the home of Christianity being the centres of [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]. There is widespread freedom of religion, however Europe is rapidly become predominantly secular with [[atheism]] as the major belief system.<br /> <br /> ===[[Pacific]]===<br /> <br /> The Pacific region includes 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean and includes [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Papua New Guinea]] and 26 smaller island states and territories. The total population is about 35 million, and two-thirds of these people live in Australia. The majority of people are of European descent, however there are significant numbers of Melanesian, Polynesian and Asian people. The majority of people throughout the Pacific region are Christians, predominantly [[Protestant]] or [[Roman Catholic]], although there is an increasing number of non-religious people in the wealthy countries of Australia and New Zealand.<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/links/church.html Alphabetical listing of church and ecumenical organizations from the world directory of churches]<br /> * [http://www.fishthe.net/churches.html Directory of Churches]<br /> * [http://netministries.org/churches.htm Netministries directory of churches]<br /> * [http://www.biblebelievers.com/churches/ Bible Believers Church Directory]<br /> * [http://worshipquest.org/?src=overture Search for one of over 70,000 churches]<br /> * [http://www.masstimes.org/dotnet/default.aspx Worldwide Directory of Churches]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Christian_doctrine_and_debates&diff=645882 Christian doctrine and debates 2008-09-21T05:48:06Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Doctrine and Debate |<br /> subtopics = [[Creeds and catechisms]]<br /> * [[Christian Doctrine and Debates Index]]<br /> * [[Essence of Christianity]]<br /> * Major doctrines<br /> ** [[Trinity]], [[Nature of Christ]]<br /> ** [[Sin]], [[Justification]], [[Grace]], [[Love]], [[Afterlife|Heaven and hell]]<br /> * [[Theology]], [[Apologetics]], [[Polemics]], [[Heresies]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> Doctrine means a set of beliefs or teaching. [[Theology]] in the Christian context refers to the study of different doctrines in the attempt to know God's nature more fully.<br /> <br /> Although there is a great deal of common ground in beliefs between different Christians, since the [[church]] formed, major events and conflicts over matters of doctrine have resulted in significant rifts in the church. Various Creeds and catechisms have been written as statements of the beliefs of different Christians. Today, although Christians agree that there is a loving tri-une God and that Jesus, the Son of God, died for the sins of humanity and rose again to new life, there are still considerable differences in understanding on major themes including [[justification]], [[salvation]] and [[grace]].<br /> <br /> ===Etymology===<br /> <br /> The [[Greek]] word in the [[New Testament]] is ''didaskalia'', and it is variously translated as teaching, instruction, or doctrine.<br /> <br /> ===Conflict and debate===<br /> <br /> Since the [[church]] formed, major events and conflict, often over matters of doctrine has resulted in significant rifts in the church. Various Creeds and catechisms have been written as statements of the beliefs of different Christians. Today there are still considerable differences in understanding on major themes in [[Christianity]] like [[justification]], [[salvation]] and [[grace]].<br /> <br /> Doctrine is important. Scripture stresses the importance of sound doctrine. In the pastoral epistles there are 28 specific references to the importance of doctrine or the content of our teaching. For example,<br /> * Give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and ''teaching'' ([[1 Timothy 4:13]]).<br /> * Preach the word . . . with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure ''sound doctrine''; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. ([[2 Timothy 4]]:2-3).<br /> * Pay close attention to yourself and to your ''teaching'' (doctrine); persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. ([[2 Timothy 4:16]]).<br /> * Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ''sound doctrine'' and to refute those who contradict. ([[Titus 1:9]]).<br /> <br /> ===Major doctrine===<br /> <br /> The key teachings of Christian relate to the nature of God as three yet one, the person of Jesus as both a man and as God who died for the sins of humanity and has risen again to new life, and the purpose of humanity to live in a relationship of love to God.<br /> <br /> Some of the key doctrines of Christianity were outlined by the early church in various creeds such as the [[Nicene Creed]]/<br /> <br /> ====[[Trinity]]====<br /> <br /> The Trinity is the Christian teaching that there is only one God but that he exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although this teaching is never specifically defined within the Bible the concept of the Trinity permeates throughout Scripture. <br /> <br /> ====Deity of Christ====<br /> <br /> Jesus, as part of the Trinity, is shown to be God in the Bible. This teaching is distinct to Christianity. At the same time, Scripture also teaches that Jesus was fully human. This teaching that Jesus is both God and human is sometimes referred to as the hypostatic union.<br /> <br /> ===Death and Resurrection of Jesus===<br /> <br /> Another essential Christian teaching is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. These events are remembered each Easter. The death of Jesus is seen by Christians as God's solution to human sin and shows God's love.<br /> <br /> ====Sin====<br /> <br /> Sin is understood by Christians to be any actions, words or thoughts that are contrary to God's will and are seen to cause a separation between people and God. There are a variety of opinions regarding the nature and types of sins. For example, the Roman Catholic Church divides sins into two general types, [[venial sins]] and [[mortal sins]].<br /> <br /> ====Love====<br /> <br /> A God of love is at the centre of Christianity who calls Christians to love him and each other. Although all Christians agree on this point, history has shown that not all Christians have lived in this manner.<br /> <br /> ====[[Justification]]====<br /> <br /> Justification refers to the sinner being declared by God as righteous. In other words, justification is the term that describes the removal of sins from a person. In the [[Book of Isaiah]] the concept of justification is stated beautifully - [[Isaiah 1:18]]<br /> : &quot;Come now, let us reason together,&quot; says the LORD. &quot;Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.&quot;<br /> <br /> There are significant differing views on justification among Christians. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] teach that justification and cleansing from sin requires both faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross as well as obedience and good works. This is known as [[justification by faith plus works]]. [[Protestant]] churches teach that justification and cleansing from sin requires only faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross, and does not require any good works on the part of the sinner. This is known as [[justification by faith alone]], and was one of the core reasons for the Protestant break-away from the Roman Catholic Church in the [[Reformation]].<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://www.theopedia.com/Doctrine Theopedia - Doctrine]<br /> * [http://www.biola.edu/admin/connections/articles/06summer/d_word.cfm Has Doctrine Become the New Dirty Word?], by Holly Pivec (''Biola Connections'')<br /> * [http://www.concentric.net/~Cosmas/christian_theology.htm A big collection of sites on Christian Theology]<br /> * [http://www.iclnet.org/ Internet Christian Library]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Denominations&diff=645881 Denominations 2008-09-21T05:47:41Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Graham grove</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text=The 'outsider' who knows nothing of the mixture of tradition, conviction, honest difference, and hidden resentment, that lies behind the divisions of the Christian Church sees clearly the advantage of a united Christian front and cannot see why the Churches cannot 'get together'. The problem is doubtless complicated, for there are many honest differences held with equal sincerity, but it is only made insoluble because the different denominations are (possibly unconsciously) imagining God to be Roman or Anglican or Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or what have you. ([[J.B. Phillips]])}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Denominations | <br /> subtopics = [[Denominations Index]]<br /> * [[Assyrian Church of the East]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Eastern Oriental Church]], [[Roman Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]], [[Protestant Church]], [[Pentecostal Church]]<br /> * [[Church]], [[Church history]]<br /> * [[Evangelicalism]], [[Liberalism]], [[Charismatic]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * [[Church History (G.G.)]] |<br /> }}<br /> {{YouTube Video|youtube=oAnGPGd9NyM|title=Mark Driscoll on Denominations}}<br /> [[Image:Christian denominations.png|thumb|A flow chart showing the major denominations]]<br /> <br /> Although there is only one universal Christian [[Church]], there are tens of thousands of [[Christian]] branches of Christianity. These branches of Christianity are referred to as denominations. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of [[Christ]], because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Some of the main groups include [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and the [[Protestant churches]] and [[Pentecostal churches]]. <br /> <br /> ===[[Roman Catholicism]]===<br /> <br /> The Roman Catholic Church is a major Christian [[denomination]]. It's head-quarters are in Rome but it has congregations throughout the world. It claims to have an unbroken leadership first from [[Jesus Christ]], through the [[apostle Peter]] to the [[pope]] by [[Apostolic Succession]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Eastern Orthodoxy]]===<br /> <br /> The Eastern Orthodox Church is a body of Christians that claims origins extending directly back to [[Jesus]] and his [[Apostles]] through unbroken [[Apostolic Succession]]. Its doctrines were formalized through a series of church councils in the following centuries. Toward the end of its first thousand years of existence differences developed between the Church in the Eastern and Western Roman Empire that ultimately led to the [[Great Schism]] in 1054 dividing Christianity into [[Roman Catholicism]] and Eastern Orthodoxy. Today the Eastern Orthodox Church includes the the various national churches of Eastern Europe such as the [[Greek Orthodox]] and [[Russian Orthodox]] churches, and maintains a strong presence in these ethnic communities in countries such as the United States and Australia.<br /> <br /> ===[[Oriental Orthodoxy]]===<br /> <br /> The Oriental Orthodox Communion refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three [[ecumenical councils]] and reject the the [[Council of Chalcedon]]. Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively refer to themselves as [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a parting of the ways with the remainder of Christianity in the 5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the view that [[Nature of Christ|Jesus has two natures]] — one divine and one human. The Oriental Churches include the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], [[Coptic Orthodox Church]] and the [[Syrian Orthodox Church]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Assyrian Church of the East]]===<br /> <br /> The Holy Apostolic and Catholic Assyrian Church of the East is a church that traces its origins to the See of Babylon, said to be founded by the [[apostle Thomas]]. It is also called the Assyrian Orthodox Church, but should not be confused with the distinct [[Syriac Orthodox Church]], which belongs to [[Oriental Orthodoxy]]. Its geographical origins lie in [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] and it onced stretched to [[Xian]] in [[China]] and [[Kerala]] in [[India]]. It officially divided from the other Christian churches in 431 AD following the [[Council of Ephesus]] which repudiated [[Nestorianism]] and as such it is often known as the Nestorian Church, however its theology is not strictly Nestorian. Today there are about 5 million members of the church, of which most live in [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Protestantism]]===<br /> <br /> Protestantism is a movement within [[Christianity]], representing a split from the [[Roman Catholic Church]] that occurred during the sixteenth century in Europe — a period known as the Protestant [[Reformation]]. The split occurred primarily over issues of doctrine, especially the issue of [[Justification by faith]] versus [[Justification by faith plus works]]. Some of the main Protestant church denominations today include the [[Lutheran Church]], [[Anglican Communion]] and the [[Baptist Church]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Pentecostalism]]===<br /> <br /> The Pentecostal movement within [[Christianity]] places special emphasis on the gifts of the [[Holy Spirit]], especially talking in [[tongues]]. Some Pentecostals believe that belief in Christ and salvation is always accompanied initially by the outward evidence of speaking in tongues. Some of the main Pentecostal denominations today include the [[Assemblies of God]], the [[Church of God in Christ]] and the [[Pentecostal Assemblies of the World]].<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> [[J.B. Philips]]<br /> : The 'outsider' who knows nothing of the mixture of tradition, conviction, honest difference, and hidden resentment, that lies behind the divisions of the Christian Church sees clearly the advantage of a united Christian front and cannot see why the Churches cannot 'get together'. The problem is doubtless complicated, for there are many honest differences held with equal sincerity, but it is only made insoluble because the different denominations are (possibly unconsciously) imagining God to be Roman or Anglican or Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or what have you. If they could see beyond their little inadequate god, and glimpse the reality of God, they might even laugh a little and perhaps weep a little. The result would be a unity that actually does transcend differences, instead of ignoring them with public politeness and private contempt. <br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://youtube.com/watch?v=oAnGPGd9NyM&amp;rel=1&amp;feature=related Related YouTube Videos]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Church]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Denominations]]<br /> [[Category:Videos]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Church_history&diff=645880 Church history 2008-09-21T05:47:31Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Theologian</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Church history<br /> [[Image:Spread of Christianity in Europe to AD 600.jpg|thumb|center|Spread of [[Christianity]] to 325 AD (dark blue) and 600 AD (light blue).]] |<br /> subtopics = [[Timeline of church history]]<br /> * [[Major events and movements in church history]] - [[Councils]], [[Great Schism]], [[Crusades]], [[Inquisition]], [[Reformation]], [[Vatican I]], [[Revivalism]], [[Vatican II]]<br /> * [[Denominations]]<br /> * [[Church]]<br /> * [[Famous Christians]]<br /> * [[Ancient Israel and Judah]], [[Biblical Places Index]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * [[Church History (G.G.)]] |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> The [[church]] is the body of believers of Jesus Christ. Its history is full of periods of struggle and renewal. Initially, the early Christians spread the good news of [[Jesus]] throughout the Roman empire and small congregations of Christians sprang up in many towns. [[Rome]] soon became the geographical centre of the church. In the early centuries, debates about the nature of [[God]] caused great debates, however the church mostly stayed unified until a major rift finally occurred between the Church in Greece and the one in Rome (it had slowly developed over centuries) culminating in a schism in [[1054 AD]]. In the Middle Ages, people in Christian lands formed armies to &quot;defend&quot; the Holy Lands of Israel from Islamic control. In the mid second millenium, there was a renewal of awareness of the Bible spawning the Reformation, with Christians in northern Europe splitting from the Roman church. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, missionary activity has spread the [[gospel]] around the world. Today there seems to be a bewildering array of [[denominations]]. Some of the larger ones include [[Roman Catholicism]], the [[Greek]] and Russian [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox]] churches and the wide variety of [[Protestant]] churches.<br /> <br /> ===The Early Church To AD 325===<br /> <br /> Christianity began among a relatively small number of Jews who knew and followed [[Jesus]].<br /> <br /> ====The Chuch expands: Jerusalem to Rome====<br /> <br /> [[Acts 2]] tells the story of [[Pentecost]] where 3,000 Jews converted to Christianity on one day. Later in [[Acts 10]], the conversion of the [[Gentile]] Roman Centurion [[Cornelius]] and his family is told. Following the acceptance of Gentiles by the church, Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. <br /> <br /> ====[[Persecution of the early church]]====<br /> <br /> For about 250 years Christians suffered from persecutions for various reasons, including their refusal to worship the Roman emperor, considered treasonous and punishable by execution. There were persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan and the other Antonines, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius. <br /> <br /> Many Christians were willing to die for their faith. The first martyr known of was the [[apostle Stephen]] who was stoned by the Jewish religious leaders - the story is told in [[Acts 7]]. <br /> <br /> ===Acceptance and Conquestion: 325 to 600===<br /> <br /> In February of 313 a joint proclamation was made by the Western emperor [[Constantine I]] and the Eastern emperor Licinius. The proclamation - called the [[edict of Milan]] - established religious toleration for Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.<br /> <br /> ====Constantine and the Christian empire====<br /> <br /> By 391, under the reign of Theodosius I, Christianity had become the state religion of the Eastern Roman empire.<br /> <br /> Christianity was not restricted to the Mediterranean basin and its hinterlands however. The [[Apostle Thomas]] tradionally is believed to have taken Christianity to [[Kerala]] in southern [[India]], and today many southern Indians are [[Saint Thomas Christians]]. Christianity also spread to other regions like [[Ethiopia]] and [[Armenia]].<br /> <br /> ====Heresies and Councils and Creeds====<br /> <br /> Disputes of [[doctrine]] began early on. The newly organized church organized councils to sort matters out. Councils representing the entire church were called [[ecumenical councils]]. These councils especially discussed various Christological controversies, examing questions like, &quot;was Christ divine?&quot;<br /> <br /> ====Fall of the Roman Empire====<br /> <br /> ====Christian ascetics and monks====<br /> <br /> ===Christianity in the Dark and Middle Ages: 600 - 1500===<br /> <br /> ====The Western Church====<br /> <br /> ====The Eastern Church====<br /> <br /> ====[[Great Schism]]====<br /> <br /> In AD 1054 the formal split (called the Great Schism) between the church of Rome (the Roman Catholic Church) and the eastern churches (the Greek and other Orthodox churches) occurred. A number of issues led to the split, where the Roman [[pope]] excommunicated the Orthodox patriarch, and vice-versa. The main issue causing the split was opposing views to the question Did the [[Holy Spirit]] proceed from the Father and the Son, or from the Father alone? Other issues included [[marriage]] of bishops, the requirement of bishop to have beards, the correct time to observe [[Easter]], and the requirement of the bishop of Constantinople to recognize the pope as the highest authority.<br /> <br /> ====[[Crusades]]====<br /> <br /> Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Christian Europe was involved in a number of military campaigns against the [[Muslim]]s in the Holy Lands.<br /> <br /> ===Reform: 1500 to 1650===<br /> <br /> ====[[Reformation]]====<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the practice of buying indulgences for the [[forgiveness]] of [[sin]]s became prominent in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. A number of prominent Christians questioned the teaching of [[purgatory]] and [[indulgences]], culminating in [[1517 AD]] with the German [[Martin Luther]] circulating his [[95 Theses]] disputing indulgences. This marked the start of the [[Reformation]] and the [[Protestantism|Protestant Church]]. The ideas in [[Germany]] were taken up in other northern [[Europe|European countries]], [[England]] and [[Switzerland]]. The Protestant Churches taught that the [[Bible]] had sole absolute authority, that every believer could come to [[God the Father]] through [[Christ]] without the need for a [[priest]], and that [[justification by faith|justification was through faith alone]].<br /> <br /> ====Counter-reformation====<br /> <br /> The Roman Catholic response to The Protestant Reformation is known as The [[Counter Reformation]].<br /> <br /> ===Revival and revolution: 1650 to 1800===<br /> <br /> ====Methodists====<br /> <br /> ====Expansion world-wide and mission====<br /> <br /> Christianity came to America with its European colonization. Where the Spanish and Portuguese invaded and settled in South and central America, Roman Catholicism became predominant. A mixture of local superstitions blended into Catholic teaching producing a unique South American style of Catholicism with the veneration of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and [[saint]]s particularly noticeable today. In North America, the British brought the [[Anglican]] and [[Baptist]] churches. Other Protestant Christians journeyed to Northern Europe forming [[Lutheran]] and Mennonite [[Anabaptist]] congregations.<br /> <br /> In the nineteenth century, with this new religious freedom in northern Europe and North America, many new Christian movements developed. William Booth founded the Salvation Army in England, a Protestant denomination with an emphasis on social justice. The Gideon's were founded in 1899 and became a world-wide organization to distribute free [[Bible]]s.<br /> <br /> Along with the development of these Christian organizations came a growing belief, especially in evangelical Christians in Britain, that it was their duty to call sinners throughout the world to Christ. A few generations previously, Christians had been calling for an end to slavery of Africans. Now they were calling for missionaries to go to the homes of those people who had been made slaves and to preach the Gospel. Missionaries went throughout the the colonies of the European powers and Christianity was adopted by large numbers of people in [[Africa]], and smaller numbers of people in [[India]] and South East Asia. <br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Church]]<br /> [[Category:Church history]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Talk:Bible&diff=645879 Talk:Bible 2008-09-21T05:47:24Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Graham grove</p> <hr /> <div>==Format==<br /> <br /> Let me know what you all think of the format I used on this page. I was trying to get it to look a bit more organized. [[User:Cpark|Cpark]] 18:08, 5 Feb 2005 (PST)<br /> <br /> : The new format looks good. Graham<br /> <br /> ==Picture==<br /> <br /> Don't be shy about changing the pictures I put on the page. If you can find something better, feel free to change it. --[[User:Mustaphile|Mustaphile]] 04:14, 9 May 2005 (PDT)<br /> <br /> ==Apocrypha naming convention==<br /> <br /> The Roman Catholic term for the books it retains is &quot;dueterocanonical&quot;, not apocrypha. The former term is more appropriate because (1) it is the terminology used by the Church and (2) apocrypha has negative connotations as it relates to the debate between the Hebrew and Greek traditions. V/r AmericanCatholic<br /> <br /> ==Sub-topics==<br /> <br /> I think it would be good to simplify the sub-topics in the contents box on the side. I'm thinking that these might be some good sub-topics<br /> * [[Books of the Bible]] &lt;small&gt;''(this would include the formation of the canon)''&lt;/small&gt; - [[New Testament]], [[Old Testament]]<br /> * [[Translating the Bible]] &lt;small&gt;''(this would include information about Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew and looking at the history of translations and modern translations and distributing the Bible throughout the world and to different cultures and langauges)''&lt;/small&gt;<br /> * [[Interpreting the Bible]] &lt;small&gt;''(this would include exegesis, hermeneutics and various views of the Bible including Historical accuracy of the Bible, Biblical innerancy and infallibility, sola scriptura etc.)''&lt;/small&gt;<br /> * [[Timeline of Biblical History]], [[Characters of the Bible]], [[Biblical Places Index]]<br /> * [[Bible Commentary Index]], [[Bible Terms Index]], [[Bible Dictionaries Index]]<br /> * [[Ancient Languages Index]], [[Ancient Texts Index]] - [[Apocrypha]]<br /> <br /> What do others think? What would you have as the main sub-topics? --[[User:Graham grove|Graham grove]] 14:38, 21 August 2008 (PDT)<br /> <br /> : Well, since no one has strong opinions, I've started re-arranging. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham grove]] 08:02, 30 August 2008 (PDT)</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Trinity&diff=645878 Trinity 2008-09-21T05:47:17Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Theologian</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Trinity |<br /> subtopics = [[God the Father]], [[Jesus]], [[Holy Spirit]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} <br /> * [[Trinity (carm)]] <br /> * {{ebd}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> The Trinity is the unique teaching of Christianity about the three-yet-one nature of God. It is one of teachings that makes Christianity unique among other religions, and although impossible to fully comprehend, the doctrine can be summarised by the following:<br /> * There is one and only one God<br /> * The one God eternally exists in three distinct persons<br /> * The Father is God, [[Jesus]], the Son is God, and the [[Holy Spirit]] is God<br /> <br /> The word &quot;Trinity&quot; is not found in the [[Bible]]. It was first used in writing by [[Theophilus of Antioch]] around 180 A.D. as a way of expressing the triune (three-yet-one) nature of the one God that is revealed in the Bible, which does use the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br /> <br /> ==='''Scriptural References To The Trinity'''===<br /> <br /> A number of passages in the [[Bible]] refer directly to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<br /> <br /> * [[Matthew 28:19]] - {{Bible verse|Matthew|28|19|lang=WEB}} <br /> * [[Luke 1:35]] - {{Bible verse|Luke|1|35|lang=WEB}}<br /> <br /> A number of verses also show that Jesus was God.<br /> <br /> * [[John 1:1]] and [[John 1:14]] - {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|John|1|14|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[John 5:21]] - {{Bible verse|John|5|21|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[John 8]]:23-24 - {{Bible verse|John|8|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|John|8|24|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[John 8:58]] - {{Bible verse|John|8|58|lang=WEB}} ''([[Jesus]] is speaking in reference to when [[God]] told [[Moses]] to tell the Hebrews &quot;I am has sent you&quot; in [[Exodus 3:14]])<br /> * [[John 10:30]] - {{Bible verse|John|10|30|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[John 10:38]] - {{Bible verse|John|10|38|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[1 John 5:20]] - {{Bible verse|1 John|5|20|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[Titus 2:13]] - {{Bible verse|titus|2|13|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[Colossians 2:9]] - {{Bible verse|colossians|2|9|lang=WEB}}<br /> * [[Philippians 2]]:5-6 - {{Bible verse|philippians|2|5|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|philippians|2|6|lang=WEB}} <br /> <br /> ===Etymology===<br /> <br /> The word trinity is derived from the [[Latin]] ''tri-unitas'' which literal means &quot;three unity&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===Difficulties in Understanding===<br /> <br /> Throughout the history of the church objections have been raised to the teaching of the Trinity, but the doctrine has stood as a central feature of orthodox Christianity despite this.<br /> <br /> The following folk story illustrates the difficulties in understanding the Trinity.<br /> : ''It has been said that when the church father [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] wrote a treatise about the Trinity he encountered a little boy walking along the seaside. The boy appeared to be scooping water from the sea in a little basin at the beach and Augustine asked him what he was doing. The boy answered: &quot;I want to sccop the sea in my pond,&quot; to whicch Augustine responded: &quot;You will never succeed.&quot; But the boy replied: &quot;I'm doing the same thing as you: You want to understand the mystery of the triune God with your human mind.&quot;''<br /> <br /> The teaching of the Trinity was clearly articulated in the [[Nicene Creed]] of [[325 AD]]. <br /> <br /> Historically many religions have been critical of the doctrine of the Trinity. The [[Quran]] has numerous quotations questioning and denying the Trinity and it is an issue that many Muslims exploring Christianity find to be barrier.<br /> <br /> Recently numerous off-shoot religions related to Christianity have formed that deny the Trinity. These includes religions such as the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. <br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> '''[[Justin Martyr]]'''<br /> : &quot;We will prove that we worship him reasonably; for we have learned that he is the Son of the true God himself, that he holds a second place, and the Spirit of prophecy a third. For this they accuse us of madness, saying that we attribute to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all things; but they are ignorant of the mystery which lies therein&quot; ([[First Apology]] 13:5–6 [A.D. 151]).<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://trinities.org/blog trinities] A blog by a Christian philosophy professor devoted to recent and past theories about the Trinity<br /> *[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Trinity Holy Trinity] by OrthodoxWiki<br /> *[http://www.contenderministries.org/biblestudy/trinity.php A Comprensive Defense of the Trinity]<br /> * [http://www.catholic.com/library/Trinity.asp Early Church Fathers on the Holy Trinity]<br /> * [http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar107.htm One God in Three Persons], by Dr. Bill Weinrich<br /> * [http://www.aomin.org/trinitydef.html A Brief Definition of the Trinity], by James White<br /> * [http://www.ucg.org/booklets/WG/ Who Is God?]<br /> * [http://biggergod.com/trinity.html Understanding The Trinity], by Matt Perman<br /> * [http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/god_trinity.html The Doctrine of the Trinity]<br /> * [http://www.jude3.net/trinitylinkindex.htm Articles On The Trinity]<br /> * [http://homepage.mac.com/byfarthersteps/Trinity.html An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity], by [[Jonathan Edwards]]<br /> * [http://web.archive.org/web/20031229035144/www.modernreformation.org/mr99/septoct/mr9905threeinone.html The Splendor of the Three-in-One God: The Necessity and Mystery of the Trinity], by R.S. Clark<br /> * [http://www.gospelpedlar.com/trinity.html The Bible's Teaching About The Trinity], by James Montgomery Boice<br /> * [http://www.alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID307086|CHID581342|CIID1654148,00.html God in Three Persons], Blessed Trinity, by Michael Horton<br /> * [http://www.tmch.net/theo4.htm The Being of God, The Character of God, The Trinity], by Paul D. Adams<br /> * [http://reformedperspectives.org/newfiles/joh_frame/TH.Frame.Trinitarian_Analogies.html Trinitarian Analogies], by [[John Frame]]<br /> * [http://home.earthlink.net/~calltoreformation/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/revivedtotrinitarianism.pdf Revived to Trinitarianism: The Need for Evangelicals to Believe In and Live On God] (PDF), by Jim Hamilton<br /> * [http://www.heaven.net.nz/writings/trinity.htm The Trinity Doctrine] Heaven Net<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[God]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Essence_of_Christianity&diff=645877 Essence of Christianity 2008-09-21T05:47:10Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text={{Bible verse|1 John|4|10|lang=WEB}} [[1 John 4:10]]}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Essence of Christianity<br /> [[Image:Cross sunrise.jpg|thumb|center|The [[cross]] representing a [[God]] who has redeemed us is central to [[Christianity]].]] |<br /> subtopics = [[God]], [[Jesus]]<br /> * [[Christian]]<br /> * [[Becoming a Christian]], [[Grace]]<br /> * [[Living as a Christian]], [[Love]], [[Worship]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * [[Salvation (justforcatholics.org)]]<br /> * [[How to be saved (Compass)]]<br /> * [[Essential Christian doctrines (anon)]] |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> [[Christianity]] is about [[God]] reaching out his hand in friendship to mankind. [[Christian]]s believe that the everything within the universe was [[creation|created]] by God. God is a personal being, and by some mystery that we cannot understand, he is three, yet one: [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus|Son]] and [[Holy Spirit|Spirit]]. He created people in his image, to [[love]] him. Yet every person has rebelled against God. But instead of turning his back on us, God the Son, became a man, Jesus, and lived among us, dying because of us - the death that we should have died. [[Death of Jesus|Jesus was crucified]] on a cross, but [[Resurrection of Jesus|he rose from the dead]], and now calls us to trust him, to love him and to [[repent]] of our rebellion. If we do this, then our relationship with God becomes restored, and God the Spirit lives within us, assuring us of the promise of everlasting life.<br /> <br /> The good news of Jesus, or the [[gospel]], is summarized in [[1 Corinthians 15]]. This passage is a simple statement that gives a portrait of what the essence of Christianity is - forgiveness through Jesus Christ.<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|15|3|lang=WEB}}''<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|15|4|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> ===[[Jesus]]===<br /> <br /> Jesus Christ is the central figure that separates [[Christianity]] from other religions. Christians believe that he is both [[God]] and a man; that he created the world and mankind, and that he is alive today. He was born around the 4 BC and grew up in Judea (current day Palestine) where he taught about God's [[love]] and the [[repentance]] of [[sin]]. <br /> <br /> ===[[Becoming a Christian]]===<br /> <br /> To become a [[Christian]], a person must believe in his heart and confesses that [[Jesus Christ]] is [[Lord]]. When he accepts the fact that he has disobeyed [[God]], but also accepts Jesus' death on the cross as punishment for his [[sin]]s, that person has become a Christian. [[Ephesians 1:7]] in the [[New Testament]] shows that forgiveness of sins are through Jesus<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|Ephesians|1|7|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> There are many biblical passages that show that belief, or faith, in Jesus Christ is what brings life to people. Faith in Jesus is ultimately what makes a person a Christian. Perhaps the most famous of these verses is [[John 3:16]]<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> ===[[Living as a Christian]]===<br /> <br /> When we become a [[Christian]], we are called to live for [[God]] in every aspect of our lives. He brings us into a relationship of [[love]] with him and with other Christians and calls us to live for him fully, obeying him and trusting in him completely.<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=WikiChristian:About&diff=645875 WikiChristian:About 2008-09-21T05:46:47Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by RyanCross</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = WikiChristian <br /> [[Image:WikiChristian logo.jpg|thumb|center|Website: WikiChristian]] |<br /> subtopics = [[Help:Contents|Main Help Page]]<br /> * [[Wikichristian:Page Layout|Page Layout and Writing Guide]]<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Statement of Faith|Statement of Faith]]<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Community Portal|Community Portal]] <br /> * [[WikiChristian:Active users|Active Users]] <br /> * [[WikiChristian:Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = [[Wikichristian:Village pump|Village Pump]] ||<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''WikiChristian''' is free encyclopedia and discussion forum of [[Bible|Biblical]] [[Christianity]] that anyone can contribute to. It was started in May 2004 and now contains [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}]] articles and {{NUMBEROFUSERS}} users, {{NUMBEROFADMINS}} of them being [[WikiChristian:Administrators|administrators]].<br /> <br /> ===Vision and Policies of WikiChristian===<br /> <br /> WikiChristian is both an ''encyclopedia'' and a ''wiki'' community. WikiChristian is set up with the belief that every Christian, regardless of age, race, education, and gender has something of value to offer! With time we hope to see it become a useful reference on any topic related to [[Christianity]]. Its policy is that believers or non-believers can write articles. These articles do ''not'' need to be neutral point of view (personal opinions can be voiced), as long as the author of the article makes it clear what his or her background is. As a practical line in the sand, see our [[Wikichristian.org:Page Layout|Page Layout and Writing Guide]] and [[Statement of Faith]] pages.<br /> <br /> WikiChristian also intends to be a reference point for factual information, original text, Bible versions, Bible dictionaries, song lyrics and personal testimonies of Christians. We intend to create a wiki community of Christians from around the globe that can voice their views, share their ideas and help others understand Christianity and its principles! Simply - WikiChristian wants to represent, document and link everything related to Christianity!<br /> <br /> ===Who started WikiChristian?===<br /> <br /> WikiChristian was started by two Christian Believers who happen to be medical doctors by profession, Dr. [[User:Prab|Prab R Tumpati]] in USA and Dr. [[User:Graham grove|Graham L Grove]] in Australia. While the secular world has so many wiki projects going on, we felt a need for a wiki forum for all Christians so that we can share what we believe, who Jesus Christ is and how God loves this world. Their own philosophies about WikiChristian can be found in the following links<br /> * [[User:Prab/About WikiChristian|A note from Prab]]<br /> * [[User:Graham grove/About WikiChristian|A note from Graham]]<br /> <br /> ===Questions and Answers===<br /> <br /> ;What Commercial Interest Do you have?<br /> :We have absolutely no commercial interest what so ever.<br /> <br /> ;What is your mission?<br /> :Our mission is to provide a [[Christian]] encyclopedia and be a wiki based forum for all Christian writings, serve as a repository for all Christian Classic works expanding the usefulness of the content by wiki internlinking the key words, provide a contemporary free Bible Dictionary created by users and last but not least build an open source Wiki Amplified Translation of the Bible.<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WikiChristian Wikipedia article on WikiChristian]<br /> * [http://siteanalytics.compete.com/wikichristian.org/?metric=uv# SnapShot of WikiChristian at Compete]<br /> * [http://www.quantcast.com/profile/traffic-compare?domain0=wikichristian.org&amp;domain1=&amp;domain2=&amp;domain3=&amp;domain4= Traffic to WikiChristian at Quantcast.com]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -&gt; [[Christianity and the internet]] -&gt; [[Christian wikis]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Christian wikis]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Hermeneutics&diff=645873 Hermeneutics 2008-09-21T05:46:32Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Theologian</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text={{Bible verse|2 Timothy|2|15|lang=WEB}} [[2 Timothy 2:15]]}}<br /> <br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Hermeneutics |<br /> subtopics = [[Exegesis]]<br /> * [[Genre]]<br /> * History of Hermeneutics - [[Apostolic Hermeneutics]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> Hermeneutics is the study of interpretation. In the Christian context hermeneutics tends to refer to interpreting and understanding the [[Bible]]. <br /> <br /> Hermeneutics involves establishing important principles for understanding the Bible, and then interpreting it so its message is made clear to the reader or listener. It involves [[exegesis]], which is the process of examining what the actual biblical text meant to the author and its original intended audience. It also involves interpretation or application of the original meaning in a contemporary context. <br /> <br /> The goal in applying the principles of hermeneutics is to &quot;rightly handle the word of truth&quot; ([[2 Timothy 2:15]]) striving to accurately discern the meaning of the text. <br /> <br /> ===Important Considerations===<br /> <br /> There are a number of factors that need to be considered when interpreting the Bible. Understanding how these factors combine with accepting the Bible as God's word is an important challenge for each Christian.<br /> <br /> ====Yourself - The Interpreter====<br /> <br /> No person interprets in a vacuum. It is important for the interpreter to consider how his culture and up-bringing influences his interpretation. Although it is impossible to completely remove personal bias and cultural understanding, recognizing it as a factor in interpretation is extremely helpful.<br /> <br /> ====The Author's Purpose and His Original Audience====<br /> <br /> Understanding that the author wrote the text for certain purposes is very helpful. For example, realising that one rason the [[apostle Matthew]] wrote the [[Gospel of Matthew]] was to show his Jewish audience that [[Jesus]] is the [[Messiah]] helps shed light on why Matthew so often makes reference to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.<br /> <br /> ====Time====<br /> <br /> Not only is there a gap of at least 1,900 years between the original author of a book and the person reading and interpreting the Bible today, but there was often a gap between when the author wrote the book and the events he described. For example, the [[apostle John]] wrote his account of Jesus' life decades after Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection. Other authors wrote about events they did not witness, such as Luke who wrote the [[Gospel of Luke]] and [[Acts]] after speaking to eye-witnesses. Much of the Old Testament authors wrote about events that happened generations earlier.<br /> <br /> ====Culture====<br /> <br /> The Bible tells the history of a people over many centuries. Their culture changed and developed with time and in many ways is very different from the cultures of Christians today. Understanding the cultural contexts and meaning of customs can be very helpful in better interpreting the intended message.<br /> <br /> ====Language====<br /> <br /> The [[Old Testament]] was mostly written in [[Hebrew]] and partially in [[Aramaic]]. The [[New Testament]] was written in [[Koine Greek]]. Naturally it is a complex task to translate these ancient languages in modern day languages. This is especially the case with words that have ambigious or unclear meanings. <br /> <br /> Futhermore, when the gospels quote the words of Jesus, it must be remembered that Jesus likely spoke [[Aramaic]], yet the gospel writers wrote in Greek, and so these are translations of Jesus' words by men for whom Greek was not their mother tongue. <br /> <br /> ====Geography====<br /> <br /> ====Genre - Style====<br /> <br /> ===History of Hermeneuetics===<br /> <br /> ====Jewish Interpretation====<br /> <br /> ====[[Apostolic Hermeneutics]] - The Apostles Interpretation of the Old Testament====<br /> <br /> The way in which the apostles understood and interpreted the Old Testament showed many similarities to contemporary Jewish hermemeutics, but also marked differences. Examination of the apostles' usage of the Old Testament reveals a Christological approach to understanding it, that is, they saw the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus as the fulfilment of Scripture. <br /> <br /> ====Hermeneutics in the early church====<br /> <br /> ====Hermeneutics in the Middle Ages====<br /> <br /> ====Hermeneutics in the Reformation====<br /> <br /> ====Recent developments in Hermeneutics====<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> *[http://www.godward.org/archives/BS%20Notes/Basic%20rules%20for%20NT%20exegesis.htm Basic Rules for New Testament Exegesis] <br /> *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_hermeneutics Wikipedia - Biblical hermeneutics]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Bible]] -&gt; [[Interpreting the Bible]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Books_of_the_Bible&diff=645872 Books of the Bible 2008-09-21T05:46:23Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents |<br /> topic_name = Books of the Bible |<br /> subtopics = [[Books of the Bible Index]]<br /> * [[Old Testament]], [[New Testament]]<br /> * [[Apocrypha]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} <br /> * [[Luther's view on the canon of scripture (J.S.)]] |<br /> }} <br /> {{bible}}<br /> <br /> The Bible is composed of 66 books and is divided up into two main sections - the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]]. In Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity there are some additional books collectively known as the [[Apocrypha]], that are not considered to be part of the Bible in Protestantism.<br /> <br /> ===[[Old Testament]]===<br /> <br /> The Old Testament tells the story of the creation of the universe and God's intervention in early history and his guidance of the people of Israel. There are three main sections that make up the Old Testament - The Books of the Law, History and Poetry, and the Books of the Prophets. The Old Testament is a Christian term for the original Hebrew Bible which is known as the Tanak (which is an acronym for what the OT contains Law, Prophets, and Writings). The Old Testament sets the stage for what happens in the New Testament it provides the rules, the nature of God, the promise of GOD which are fulfilled further in the New Testament.<br /> <br /> ====[[Books of the Law]]====<br /> <br /> The first 5 books of the Bible [[Genesis]], [[Exodus]], [[Leviticus]], [[Numbers]], [[Deuteronomy]]. These five books tell us of [[Creation]], [[the Fall]], the emergence of the children of [[Israel]] and the legal codes that God gave them. <br /> <br /> Three law codes that are relevant to Christians are the [[Ten Commandments]], Shema (Love the LORD your God with all your heart), and Love thy neighbour.<br /> <br /> ====Prophets====<br /> <br /> The Prophets take up a large body of space. They range from the [[Book of Isaiah]] and the [[Book of Jeremiah]] who are classified as the major prophets to [[Book of Hosea|Hosea]], [[Book of Joel|Joel]], and [[Book of Jonah|Jonah]] who are minor prophets. Prophets were divinely appointed spokesman for God. The [[Hebrew]] word for prophet 'nabi' means spokesman. They preached about the corruption of Israel, God's judgement and His future restoration. One vital cornerstone that has bearing for us would be the coming of the [[Messiah]]. This is mentioned in [[Isaiah 53]] in the major prophets and last chapters of Zechariah in the minor.<br /> <br /> ====History and poetry====<br /> <br /> Writings range from the historical such as [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]], the Samuels, Chronicles, or Kings to poetry such as [[Song of Solomon]], or [[Psalms]] and wisdom such as [[Book of Job|Job]], [[Ecclesiastes]], and [[Proverbs]]. They describe the nature of God such as [[Psalm 23]], the wisdom of God and man's reaction such as in [[Job]], or the History of Israel and God's involvement such as establishing [[King David]] and his legacy which led to [[Jesus Christ]] his most famous descendant of all. <br /> <br /> ===[[New Testament]]===<br /> <br /> The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, his ministry and death and resurrection, and the formation of the early church. It contains a number of letters that circulated in the early church. It is sub-divided into a number of categories including the [[Gospels]], [[Epistles]], history and prophecy. <br /> <br /> ====Gospel====<br /> <br /> [[Gospel]] is the Old English word god-spiel (good speak) the original [[Greek]] word was [[Evangel]]. Gospel means Good News. The Good News was that [[Jesus]] had arrived and was the Messiah that would fulfill the Old Testament, as Jesus himself declared of his death and resurrection, &quot;As written in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms.&quot; There are Four Gospels - [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], and [[Gospel of John|John]]. Mark is the oldest Gospel and the most barebones of all the Gospels, he wrote in AD 60 and served as a secretary for Peter. After Peter's death he wrote the first account of Jesus' life and times. Matthew was written towards a Jewish audience, he constantly emphasised how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies laid out in the Old Testament and was therefore the Messiah. Luke is the only non-Jewish author in the Bible. He wrote for a [[Gentile]] audience. Luke tended to use historical context of his day such as the Census and who was in charge in [[Rome]] and [[Palestine]] during Jesus' day to back up his claims that Jesus was the Saviour. Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain similar stories and sayings they are known as the [[Synoptic Gospels]] (Gk for to-be-seen-together). John is slightly different. It contains Jesus' I AM statements in which [[Jesus]] testifies that He is the Saviour. These four books tell the story of Jesus and show why He came to Earth. To die on the Cross and to rise again so that our sins were taken away and we would be made right with GOD.<br /> <br /> ====[[Epistles]]====<br /> <br /> Epistles are letters to Christian communities. The major letter writers in the Early Church were Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude. Peter and Paul were the major missionaries in their day and they wrote letters to the communities they preached to. Paul wrote towards Gentile communities such as Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. He would talk about Jesus Christ, how Christians should act, and advise them on certain issues such as eating meat, dealing with others, and how to behave in worship. Peter and James also wrote likewise.<br /> <br /> ====History====<br /> <br /> This is seen in the [[Book of Acts]]. Acts was written by Luke and it tells of the persecutions, the work of Peter and Paul, and provides us with a great historical context of Mediterannean culture in the 1st century. It too shows God's hand in the founding of the Early Church with the Holy Spirit coming down upon the 12 disciples and gives us our mission that all peoples must hear the Gospel.<br /> <br /> ====Prophecy====<br /> <br /> Prophecy is a thread constant in the Gospels and the Epistles, but it also has it's own separate book in the form of [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]]. Revelation gives us a symbolic understanding of the Last Days with vivid descriptions of the End Times. It is advised that one read this book carefully and with [[prayer]]. The main message in Revelation is that [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] is coming back for us and that is what we must look forward to. <br /> <br /> ===Fomration of the Bible / Biblical Canon===<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> <br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Bible]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=God&diff=645871 God 2008-09-21T05:46:11Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=WEB}} [[Genesis 1:1]]}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = God |<br /> subtopics = [[Character of God]] - [[God is the creator]], [[God is love]], [[God is holy]], [[God is forgiving]]<br /> * [[Trinity]] - [[God the Father]], [[Jesus Christ]], [[Holy Spirit]]<br /> * [[Names of God]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * {{ebd}}<br /> * Sermon: [[Luke 15 - What is God like? (G.G.)]]<br /> }}<br /> <br /> God is the central being of all existence. He is eternal in that he has no beginning and no end. In the [[Genesis 1|first chapter of the first book]] of [[Bible]] an account is given of God creating the universe and the earth and creating people in his own image. The Bible also reveals that God is full of [[God is forgiving|mercy]] and [[God is love|love]] (for example [[1 John 4:8]]. Millions of people in the world trust in God as their master and Lord and also their saviour. He is a personal being, who is three in one - [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus Christ|Son]] and [[Holy Spirit]]. the Bible also reveals that God stands ready to come into any person's life when that person acknowledges him and repents of having not lived his way - this is when a person is [[born again]].<br /> <br /> ===[[Character of God]]===<br /> <br /> Although the mere existence of God can be deduced by natural reason his nature is beyond our understanding. He gives life to all and he is the author of love and forgiveness. [[John 1:4]] describes this beautifully:<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|John|1|4|lang=WEB}}''<br /> <br /> God is also completely holy and without any evil. <br /> <br /> ===[[Trinity]]===<br /> <br /> The Trinity is the Christian [[doctrine]] (or teaching) that describes the three-in-one (triune) nature of God. Although impossible to fully grasp, the Bible reveals that God is there is one and only one God, and also that the [[God the Father|Father]] is God, and yet [[Jesus]] the Son is God, and also the [[Holy Spirit]] is God. That is, there is one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons.<br /> <br /> {{stub}}<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> Sri Aurobindo, in ''Thoughts and Aphorisms''<br /> : A God who cannot smile could not have created this humorous universe.<br /> <br /> Robertson Davies in ''Conversations''<br /> : A man who recognizes no God is probably placing an inordinate value on himself. <br /> <br /> Albert Einstein <br /> : Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish<br /> <br /> Benjamin Franklin<br /> : God heals, and the doctor takes the fee. <br /> <br /> [[C.S. Lewis]]<br /> : God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.<br /> : God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love.<br /> : If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will...then we may take it it is worth paying. <br /> <br /> Galileo Galilei (1564 ~ 1642)<br /> : I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them. <br /> <br /> Yiddish proverb, <br /> : If God lived on earth, people would break his windows.<br /> <br /> J.R.R. Tolkien<br /> : If you do not believe in a personal God the question: `What is the purpose of life?' is unaskable and unanswerable.<br /> <br /> Thomas Jefferson <br /> : It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. <br /> <br /> Immanuel Kant<br /> : Reason can never prove the existence of God. <br /> <br /> Emily Dickinson <br /> : They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse. <br /> <br /> Catherine Doherty<br /> : With God, every moment is the moment of beginning again. <br /> <br /> Unknown source<br /> : You can live without God, but you better not die without him. <br /> <br /> [[Romans 5]]:7-8<br /> : {{Bible verse|Romans|5|7|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|5|8|lang=WEB}} <br /> <br /> [[1 John 4:16]]<br /> : God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. <br /> <br /> [[1 John 1:5]]<br /> : God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. <br /> <br /> [[Exodus 3:14]] (King James Version)<br /> : God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.<br /> <br /> [[Isaiah 45]]:5-7 (King James Version)<br /> : I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. <br /> <br /> Spike Milligan<br /> : And God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light, but the Electricity Board said he would have to wait until Thursday to be connected.<br /> <br /> Woody Allen<br /> : If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.<br /> : How can I believe in God when just last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of an electric typewriter?<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God Wikipedia - God]<br /> * [http://www.theopedia.com/God Theopedia - God]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Church&diff=645870 Church 2008-09-21T05:45:32Z <p>RyanCross: Reverted edits by Mksmothers (Talk); changed back to last version by Cleaner</p> <hr /> <div>{{quote | text=The church is not a building. Nor is it an organisation or human institution. The church is simply the people whose sins have been forgiven through their faith Jesus Christ... (An extract from the book [[Once a Catholic]] by [[Tony Coffey]])}}<br /> {{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = Church / Ecclesiology<br /> [[Image:Christians at lourdes.jpg|thumb|center|Christians at [[Lourdes]].]] |<br /> subtopics = [[Church building]]<br /> * [[Church history]]<br /> * [[Denominations]]<br /> * [[World-wide church directory]]<br /> * [[Church service]]<br /> * [[Church Terms Index]]<br /> * [[Megachurch]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}<br /> * {{ebd}}<br /> * [[What is the Church? (G.G.)]]<br /> * [[The Theology of the Church (AmericanCatholic)]]<br /> * [[The Church (justforcatholics.org)]] |<br /> }}<br /> <br /> The word '''church''' is used in many different ways. The '''church''' is the Christian community of believers, that is, it is the people. Sometimes the word '''church''' is also used to refer to a [[church building]] (the building used in [[Christian]] [[worship]]) or a [[church service]] (the weekly meeting of a group of Christians in a church building) or to a church [[denomination]]. <br /> <br /> '''Ecclesiology''' means the study of the doctrine of the church.<br /> <br /> ===Etymology===<br /> <br /> The Greek word ekklesia ([[Εκκλησια]]) is translated as &quot;church&quot; in English.<br /> <br /> This word ekklesia was used in ancient [[Koine Greek|Greek]] to mean &quot;gathering&quot; or &quot;assembly&quot; in a political sense. In the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the [[LXX]], the word ekklesia occurs over 200 times (usually as a translation from the Hebrew word qahal), most commonly to refer to the assembly of the covenant people of God. In the [[New Testament]] the word ekklesia occurs in the [[gospels]] only twice ([[Matthew 16:16]] and [[Matthew 18:20]]), but it occurs many times elsewhere in the [[New Testament]]. <br /> <br /> From the Greek root ekklesia, the English word Ecclesiology is derived, which is the study of the doctrine of the church. <br /> <br /> The English word &quot;church&quot; itself is actually derived from the Old English word &quot;cirice&quot; (which is related to the [[Greek]] word &quot;κυριακή&quot; which means &quot;of the Lord&quot;)<br /> <br /> ===Theology of the church===<br /> <br /> There are a variety of understandings about what the church actually is. There are also a variety of uses of the word &quot;church&quot; in common English.<br /> <br /> ====Uses of the word &quot;church&quot; in common English====<br /> <br /> In English, the word &quot;church&quot; means different things to different people in different contexts. It can be used in reference to a gathering of people for a religious meeting. It is also sometimes used to refer to a building or group of buildings, and occasionally it refers to an entire [[denomination]]. It can also be used in an institutional sense to refer to all churches, such as &quot;... the church today....&quot; <br /> <br /> ====The Church as the Community of Believers====<br /> <br /> The context in which the word [[ekklesia]] (church) is used in the Bible suggests that it was not originally intended to mean a building or an organization, but instead was intended to primarily mean a congregation or meeting of God's people. Thus the church, although consisting of the community of believers, is not simply the community of believers, but also includes activity.<br /> <br /> ====The Church as belonging to Jesus and his presence among it====<br /> <br /> The church, although consisting of people, Biblically speaking, is not simply an instution created by people. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus spoke about building '''his''' church and later, in [[Matthew 18:20]] he spoke about being present among the church<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|matthew|16|18|lang=WEB}}'' (Matthew 16:18)<br /> : ''{{Bible verse|matthew|18|20|lang=WEB}}'' (Matthew 18:20)<br /> <br /> ====The Church as both local and universal====<br /> <br /> The Bible uses the term church in both a local and universal nature. Mostly the word refers to local churches, for example, the church in Rome or Antioch. Quite often it is spoken about the plural. On a few occasions the New Testament uses the word in a general or universal sense.<br /> <br /> ====The Invisible versus the Visible Church====<br /> <br /> Sometimes the church is spoken about in terms of the &quot;invisible church&quot; and the &quot;visible church&quot;. The invisible church basically means the community or collection of true believers in Jesus regardless of denominational affiliation. The term visible church is used to refer to the physical countable members or leaders that make up a church or group of churches. <br /> <br /> Many Protestant churches tend to emphasize the invisible church, and view this as something quite distinct from the visible church. The Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that the invisible church and visible church are very closely connected, although there is recognition that some elements of the invisible church can be present outside the visible (i.e. Roman Catholic) church.&lt;ref&gt;[[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]: [http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church], 2007, second and third question.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> ===[[Church building]]===<br /> <br /> Christians worhsip in church buildings. Although the [[Church]] (the people that belong to [[Jesus]]) can meet anywhere, they have since early times built buildings specifically for worshipping [[God]] in. There are many well known church buildings around the world such as [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Rome]]. A common architecture for churches is a building in the shape of a cross, often with a dome or other large vaulted space in the interior to represent or draw attention to the heavens.<br /> <br /> ====Photos of church buildings====<br /> <br /> &lt;center&gt;&lt;gallery&gt;<br /> Image:DCP 4427.jpg|The main church in [[Echmiadzin]], the physical centre of the [[Armenian Orthodox Church]]<br /> Image:Wittenburg church door gg.jpg|The door of the famous church in [[Wittenburg]] where [[Martin Luther]] is thought to have nailed his [[95 Theses]] to the door<br /> Image:Olney church.jpg|The church in [[Olney]] where [[John Newton]], author of the hymn [[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]] worked<br /> Image:Stanfordmemorialchurch.jpg|Stanford Memorial Church in [[California]]<br /> Image:Trinity baptist colonel light gardens.jpg|A small local church, [[Trinity Baptist Church (Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia)|Trinity Baptist Church]] in [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]], once known as the &quot;City of Churches&quot;<br /> Image:Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe (Tarascon).jpg|The Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe in [[Tarascon]], [[France]]<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/center&gt;<br /> <br /> ===[[Church history]]===<br /> <br /> Since the church was formed after the resurrection of Jesus, major events and conflict, often over matters of [[doctrine]] have resulted in significant rifts. Initially the early Christians spread the good news of Jesus throughout the Roman empire and small congregations of Christians sprang up in many towns. Rome soon became the geographical centre of the church. However, there was a rift between the Church in Greece and the one in Rome that slowly developed over centuries culminating in a schism in 1054 AD. Later, in sixteenth century, Christians in northern Europe split from the Roman church, an event known as the [[Reformation]]. Today there seems to be a bewildering array of [[denominations]]. Some of the larger ones include [[Roman Catholicism]], the Greek and Russian [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox]] churches and the wide variety of [[Protestant]] churches.<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> [[Once a Catholic]] by [[Tony Coffey]]<br /> : The church is not a building. Nor is it an organisation or human institution. The church is simply the people whose sins have been forgiven through their faith Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> Lenny Bruce<br /> : Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.<br /> <br /> Charles de Lint<br /> : Why did men worship in churches, locking themselves away in the dark, when the world lay beyond its doors in all its real glory?<br /> <br /> Robert Short<br /> : The church is the great lost and found department. <br /> <br /> Ralph Waldo Emerson<br /> : I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching.<br /> <br /> George Mueller<br /> : An unvisited church will sooner or later become an unhealthy church.<br /> <br /> Ignatius of Antioch<br /> : Where the bishop, there the church (''Ubi episcopus, ibi ecclesia.'')<br /> <br /> Eugene de Mazenod<br /> : To love Jesus Christ means to love the church<br /> <br /> == References ==<br /> <br /> &lt;references /&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church Wikipedia - Church]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]]</div> RyanCross http://www.wikichristian.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=WikiChristian:About&diff=610107 WikiChristian:About 2008-09-12T15:53:41Z <p>RyanCross: Unprotected &quot;WikiChristian:About&quot;: protection that was issued two years ago and there isn't much vandalism here anymore anyway</p> <hr /> <div>{{Infobox_Contents | <br /> topic_name = WikiChristian <br /> [[Image:WikiChristian logo.jpg|thumb|center|Website: WikiChristian]] |<br /> subtopics = [[Help:Contents|Main Help Page]]<br /> * [[Wikichristian:Page Layout|Page Layout and Writing Guide]]<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Statement of Faith|Statement of Faith]]<br /> * [[WikiChristian:Community Portal|Community Portal]] <br /> * [[WikiChristian:Active users|Active Users]] <br /> * [[WikiChristian:Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions]] |<br /> opinion_pieces = [[Wikichristian:Village pump|Village Pump]] ||<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''WikiChristian''' is free encyclopedia and discussion forum of [[Bible|Biblical]] [[Christianity]] that anyone can contribute to. It was started in May 2004 and now contains [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}]] articles and {{NUMBEROFUSERS}} users, {{NUMBEROFADMINS}} of them being [[WikiChristian:Administrators|administrators]].<br /> <br /> ===Vision and Policies of WikiChristian===<br /> <br /> WikiChristian is both an ''encyclopedia'' and a ''wiki'' community. WikiChristian is set up with the belief that every Christian, regardless of age, race, education, and gender has something of value to offer! With time we hope to see it become a useful reference on any topic related to [[Christianity]]. Its policy is that believers or non-believers can write articles. These articles do ''not'' need to be neutral point of view (personal opinions can be voiced), as long as the author of the article makes it clear what his or her background is. As a practical line in the sand, see our [[Wikichristian.org:Page Layout|Page Layout and Writing Guide]] and [[Statement of Faith]] pages.<br /> <br /> WikiChristian also intends to be a reference point for factual information, original text, Bible versions, Bible dictionaries, song lyrics and personal testimonies of Christians. We intend to create a wiki community of Christians from around the globe that can voice their views, share their ideas and help others understand Christianity and its principles! Simply - WikiChristian wants to represent, document and link everything related to Christianity!<br /> <br /> ===Who started WikiChristian?===<br /> <br /> WikiChristian was started by two Christian Believers who happen to be medical doctors by profession, Dr. [[User:Prab|Prab R Tumpati]] in USA and Dr. [[User:Graham grove|Graham L Grove]] in Australia. While the secular world has so many wiki projects going on, we felt a need for a wiki forum for all Christians so that we can share what we believe, who Jesus Christ is and how God loves this world. Their own philosophies about WikiChristian can be found in the following links<br /> * [[User:Prab/About WikiChristian|A note from Prab]]<br /> * [[User:Graham grove/About WikiChristian|A note from Graham]]<br /> <br /> ===Questions and Answers===<br /> <br /> ;What Commercial Interest Do you have?<br /> :We have absolutely no commercial interest what so ever.<br /> <br /> ;What is your mission?<br /> :Our mission is to provide a [[Christian]] encyclopedia and be a wiki based forum for all Christian writings, serve as a repository for all Christian Classic works expanding the usefulness of the content by wiki internlinking the key words, provide a contemporary free Bible Dictionary created by users and last but not least build an open source Wiki Amplified Translation of the Bible.<br /> <br /> ==Quotes==<br /> <br /> ==Links==<br /> * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WikiChristian Wikipedia article on WikiChristian]<br /> * [http://siteanalytics.compete.com/wikichristian.org/?metric=uv# SnapShot of WikiChristian at Compete]<br /> * [http://www.quantcast.com/profile/traffic-compare?domain0=wikichristian.org&amp;domain1=&amp;domain2=&amp;domain3=&amp;domain4= Traffic to WikiChristian at Quantcast.com]<br /> <br /> {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -&gt; [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -&gt; [[Christianity and the internet]] -&gt; [[Christian wikis]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Christian wikis]]</div> RyanCross