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| − | [[Facts, figures, demographics and trends in Christianity]]
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| − | '''Christianity''' is an [[Abrahamic religion]] based on the life and death by [[crucifixion]] and [[resurrection]] of [[Jesus|Jesus of Nazareth]] as described in the [[New Testament]]. Although [[Christians]] generally characterize themselves as [[monotheism|monotheistic]], the one [[God]] is most commonly, but not universally, thought to exist in three persons (Gr. [[Hypostasis]]), called the [[Trinity]]. Christians believe that Jesus is the [[Messiah]] of the [[Jews]] as [[prophet|prophesied]] in the [[Old Testament]]. Christianity encompasses numerous religious traditions that widely vary by culture, as well as thousands of diverse beliefs and sects; over the past two [[Millennium|millennia]], Christianity has been grouped into three main branches: [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], and [[Protestantism]]. Collectively, it is the world's largest single [[religion]], with over two billion followers.
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| − | The term "Christ" is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] noun Χριστός ''Khristós'' which means "anointed one," and is a translation of the Hebrew word [[Moshiach]] (Hebrew: משיח , also written "[[Messiah]]"). ''Christian'' means "belonging to Christ" or "of Christ".
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| − | ==History==
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| − | ''Main article: [[History of Christianity]]''
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| − | ===Origins===
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| − | ''Main article: [[Jesus]]''
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| − | {{Jesus}}
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| − | Christianity originated in the [[First century]] [[A.D.]] According to [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 11:19 and 11:26 in the Christian New Testament, Jesus' followers were first called Christians by non-Christians in the city of [[Antioch]], where they had fled and settled after early persecutions in [[Judea]]. After Jesus' death, early Christian doctrine was taught by [[Paul of Tarsus]] and the other [[apostle]]s.
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| − | Jesus, a descendant of [[Judah]], is reported to have declared himself to be the long awaited Messiah ([[Gospel of John|John]] 8:23-24, John 14:11), but was rejected as an [[apostate]] by the people generally considered to be the Jewish authorities ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 26:63-64). He was condemned for [[blasphemy]] and executed by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] around A.D. [[30]]. The formal charge cited in his execution was leading a rebellion ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 23:1-5): he was called the "King of the Jews" by [[Pontius Pilate]] (John 19:19-22, see Luke 16:8) on the ''titulus crucis'' or statement of the charge hung over the condemned on the cross.
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| − | The Gospels indicate that the Roman charge was actually an attempt to appease the Jewish authorities, although some scholars argue that it was an ordinary Roman trial of a rebel. According to Christians, the [[Old Testament]] predicted the death and humiliation of Jesus as recorded in the [[New Testament]]. Examples include the book of [[Isaiah]] that alludes to the slapping (Matthew 26:67-68, Isaiah 52:14-15, Isaiah 50:6, [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:65, Luke 23:63-64), whipping (Isaiah 53:5, John 19:1, Matthew 27:26) and general humiliation that is centred around the given references.
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| − | Jesus' apostles were the main witnesses of his life, teaching and resurrection from the dead, although some of the early traditions of the church name numerous disciples (as many as 70 including James Adelphos, Mark, Luke, Mary Magdalene, etc) who also followed Jesus in his travels and witnessed his miracles and teachings. After his crucifixion, his apostles and other followers claimed that Jesus rose from the dead, and set out to [[preach]] the new message. The original apostles are believed by some Christians to have written some of the New Testament's [[Gospels]] and [[Epistles]].
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| − | Many of the New Testament's twenty-seven books were written by [[Paul of Tarsus]]. Twelve Epistles name him as writer, and some traditions also credit him as the writer of the book of [[Hebrews]]. The [[Gospel of Luke]] and the [[Acts of the Apostles]] are stated as having been written by Luke, whom many believe to have been under Paul's direct influence. Acts cites Paul as a student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a leading figure amongst the Jewish Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34-40) and a noteworthy authority in his own right (Acts 28:16-22) considering that the Jews of Rome sought his opinion on Christianity. Paul was the principal missionary of the Christian message to the [[Gentile]] world.
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| − | ===Early Church===
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| − | The story goes that an early Christian, upon meeting another person, might draw an arc in the earth, and if the other person shared the faith, he would draw another arc completing this [[ichthys]], a symbol of Christianity.]] Christianity spread rapidly over the first three centuries aided by the relative internal peace and good roads of the [[Roman Empire]]:
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| − | * via [[Egypt]] into [[North Africa]], [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]]
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| − | * via [[Mesopotamia]] to [[Persia]], Inner [[Asia]] and [[India]]
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| − | * via [[Greece]] and [[Rome]] to [[Europe]]
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| − | There were two main communities of Christians, the Jewish Christians and the [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] Christians. Jewish Christians were those Jews and [[Gentile]] converts who stuck closely to the [[Judaism|Judaic]] beliefs including [[male circumcision]], dietry restrictions and the concept of purity. Hellenistic Christians were those who were more influenced by the Greek-speaking world and believed that the central message of Christianity could be re-presented in ways more appropriate for Gentiles. Both these groups contributed to the New Testament and both contained within them a wide spectrum of beliefs (see J. Dunn 1977 ''Unity and Diversity in the New Testament'').
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| − | The first great writer of Christianity, [[Tertullian]], sums this up in a rhetorical address to a Roman governor with the fact that, as for the Christians of [[Carthage]] that just yesterday were few in number, now they "have filled every place among you— cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palaces, senate, forum; we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods" (Apologeticus written at Carthage, ca [[197]])
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| − | Over the course of the first few centuries after Christ, Classically trained theologians and philosophers such as [[Origen]] and [[Augustine]] developed [[Christian Theology]], which some argue was a [[Influence of Hellenic Philosophy on Christianity|synthesis of Hellenic and Early Christian thought.]]
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| − | During this period of first organization the Christian church had to deal mainly with occasional, but sometimes severe persecutions. The life of the [[martyr]], who would rather die than renounce his faith, became the highest virtue. The [[canonical]] books of the [[New Testament]] were agreed, early translations appeared, and a church hierarchy emerged: the [[Bishop|Bishops]] of [[Alexandria]], Antioch and Rome assumed the title [[Patriarch|Patriarch]].
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| − | The Roman Emperor [[Constantine I (emperor)|Constantine I]] was converted in [[312]] and with his [[Edict of Milan]] ([[313]]) he ended the persecution of Christians. Persecution was briefly revived during the reign of [[Julian the Apostate]] ([[361]]-[[363]]) who tried to restore paganism to the empire; Christianity was later made the officially favored religion in about [[382]] by Emperor Theodotius. Similar events took place in neighbouring Georgia and Armenia. But in [[Persia]], which was at constant war with Rome, the Christians struggled under the oppresive [[Sassanid|Sassanids]], who tried to revive the [[Zoroastrian]] religion.
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| − | In the Persian empire, at the synod of [[Seleucia]] in [[410]], the bishop of Seleucia was pronounced [[Catholic]] and replaced the Patriarch of [[Antioch]] as the highest authority of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]]. Soon after, during the [[Nestorian Schism]], this church broke all ties with the West. It would be the dominant church of Asia for more than a millennium, with bishopries as far away as [[India]], [[Java (island)|Java]], and [[China]].
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| − | ===Emergence of national Churches===
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| − | The question of Jesus's divinity was central to early Christians. A wide range of early writers, including [[Justin Martyr]] and [[Tertullian]] testify to belief that Jesus was God. At the same time, various groups arose that denied this teaching. The situation came to a head with the teaching of [[Arius]], who brought large numbers of bishops and faithful to his belief that Jesus was a created being. The issue was settled by vote at the [[First Council of Nicaea]], convened by Emperor Constantine I, where the teaching later championed by [[Athanasius]] was enshrined as dogma. Arianism continued to exist and thrive in the empire for several decades, and among the Germanic tribes for almost two centuries, after the decision of the council.
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| − | This was only the first of several [[ecumenical council|ecumenical councils]] for resolving doctrinal issues. These councils sought to unify Christianity by agreeing on the tradition they had inherited, and was supported by the Byzantine Emperors in order to promote unity in the Byzantine Empire. Some of the theological terminology of these councils may have been misunderstood by those Orthodox whose main language was [[Syriac]], [[Armenian language|Armenian]], or [[Coptic]]. As a result differences in later theological constructs lead these national branches of the church to break away from the rest forming [[Oriental Churches]] sometimes called the Monophysites.
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| − | By the second millennium, Christianity had spread to most of the [[Western world]], the [[Middle East]], parts of [[Africa]], and had made some small inroads into the [[Far East]] as well. For the most part it had remained fairly unified in its fundamental beliefs with major theological differences being hashed out in council. But as the millennium approached, certain major differences in theology and practice became increasingly troublesome. The [[East-West Schism|Great Schism]] of [[1054]] split the Church into Western and Eastern churches: the Western church gradually consolidated into the Roman Catholic Church under the central authority of Rome (''see'' [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]]), while the Eastern church adopted the name "Orthodox" to emphasize their commitment to preserving the traditions of the church and resistance to change. This Eastern Church refused to be consolidated under a single bishop, as this was completely alien to the structure the church had hitherto enjoyed. The Eastern Church recognized the [[Patriarch]] of [[Constantinople]] as the "[[First among equals]]" of the numerous bishops in charge of its [[Autocephaly|autocephalous]] churches (''see'' [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]).
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| − | In the European [[Reformation]] of the [[1500s]], [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and numerous similar churches arose in objection to perceived abuses of growing [[Papal]] authority and to perceived doctrinal error and novelty in Rome. Key questions in the Reformation controversy are summed up in five famous 'solas': [[Sola Scriptura]] (Scripture alone - does the church's authority derive solely from correctly interpreting the Scriptures, or does it have a separate authority?), [[Sola Fide]] (Faith alone - is a man saved through faith in Christ alone, or do the Church, good works and the sacraments contribute?), [[Sola Gratia]] (Grace alone - is a man's salvation purely and exclusively due to God's unmerited grace, or do individual works make a contribution?), [[Solus Christus]] (Christ alone - is Jesus the only mediator between man and God, or does the Church and its priests play a part?) and [[Soli Deo Gloria]] (To the glory of God alone - does 100% of the glory for man's salvation belong to God, or are the Church and its priests eligible for a part?). The Reformation sparked a vigorous struggle for the hearts and minds of Europeans. Disputes between Catholics and Protestants sparked persecution and were caught up in various wars, both civil and foreign.
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| − | Catholicism and Protestantism arrived in [[North America]] (and later [[Australasia]]) with European settlement. Lacking any central authority in either Rome or national governments, Protestants worshipped in hundreds, and later thousands, of independent denominations. Protestantism was taken to [[South America]] and [[Africa]] by European colonists, especially in the [[16th century|16th]] to [[19th century|19th]] centuries. Orthodoxy first arrived in North America via Russian settlers in the Alaskan region in the 18th century; they came to North America from Europe in much greater numbers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (see also [[Restorationism]])
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| − | In the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|20th centuries]] many Christian-oriented nations, especially in [[Western Europe]], became more secular as science and technology captured the imagination of the people. Most [[communist]] states were governed by avowed [[atheism|atheist]]s, though only [[Albania]] was officially atheistic. Adherents to [[Fundamentalist Christianity]], particularly in the [[United States]], also perceived threats from new theories about the [[age of the Earth]] and the [[evolution]] of life.
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| − | [[Image:Christian-lineage.png|framed|none|Differing interpretations of the [[Bible]] and other forces led to schisms in Christianity over the millennia, but all branches trace their roots to early Christianity.]]
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| − | ''For more, see:''
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| − | * [[History of Christianity]]
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| − | * [[Missionary|Mission]]s
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| − | * [[History of Christian Missions]]
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| − | ==Christianity today==
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| − | As of 2004, Christianity is the world's most widely practiced [[religion]], with 2 [[billion]] adherents (followed by [[Islam]] with 1.3 billion, [[Hinduism]] with 841 million, and the nonreligious with 774 million). Christianity has many branches, including 1.1 billion [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholics]], 367 million [[Protestantism|Protestants]] in a number of traditions, 216 million [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox]], 84 million [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], 414 million Independents (unaffiliated with the major streams of Christianity), and 31.7 million "marginals" ([[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Latter Day Saint]]s ([[Mormon]]s), etc.), these last being denominations which describe themselves as Christian but are not standardly recognized as such by other denominations.
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| − | Although Christianity is the largest religion in the world and there are massive missionary efforts under way, as a whole it is declining in terms of the overall population. While the population of the world grows at roughly 1.25% per year, Christianity is growing at about 1.12% per year. By contrast, Islam is growing at 1.76% per year. The slow growth can be attributed to most of the Christian population residing in affluent nations where the [[birth rate]] is quite low. By contrast, Islamic nations have a higher birth rate and by effect have a larger growth percentage.
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| − | Not all people identified as Christians accept all, or even most, of the theological positions held by their particular churches. Like the Jews, Christians in the West were greatly affected by [[The Age of Enlightenment]] in the late [[17th century|17th]] and early [[18th century|18th]] centuries. Perhaps the most significant change for them was total or effective [[separation of church and state]], thus ending the [[state religion|state-sponsored]] Christianity that existed in so many European countries. Now one could be a free member of society and disagree with one's church on various issues, and one could even be free to leave the church altogether. Many did leave, developing belief systems such as [[Deism]], [[Unitarianism]], and [[Universalism]], or becoming [[Atheism|atheists]], [[Agnosticism|agnostics]], or [[Humanism|humanists]].
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| − | Others created liberal wings of Protestant Christian theology. [[Modernist Christianity|Modernism]] in the late [[19th century]] encouraged new forms of thought and expression that did not follow traditional lines.
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| − | Reaction to the Enlightenment and Modernism triggered the development of literally thousands of Christian Protestant denominations, [[Catholic traditionalism|traditionalist]] splinter groups of the Catholic Church that do not recognize the legitimacy of many reforms the Catholic Church has undertaken, and the growth of hundreds of [[fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] groups that interpret the entire Bible in a characteristically literal fashion.
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| − | In the [[United States]] and [[Europe]], liberalism also led to [[secularism]]. Some Christians have long since stopped participating in traditional religious duties, attending churches only on a few particular holy days per year or not at all. Many of them recall having highly religious grandparents, but grew up in homes where Christian theology was no longer a priority. They have developed ambivalent feelings towards their religious duties. On the one hand they cling to their traditions for identity reasons; on the other hand, the influence of the secular Western mentality, the demands of daily life, and peer pressure tear them away from traditional Christianity. [[Marriage]] between Christians of different denominations, or between a Christian and a non-Christian, was once taboo, but has become commonplace. Traditionally Catholic countries such as France have largely become agnostic, also with a large number of followers of [[Islam]], which is growing rapidly, and similar trends are reflected in various degrees in Western Europe.
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| − | Liberal Christianity grew rapidly during the early [[20th century]] in Europe and North America, by the [[1960s]] gaining the leadership of many of the larger US and Canadian denominations. However, this trend has reversed. At the turn of the [[21st century]], though secular society tends to consider the more accommodating liberals as the representatives and spokesmen of Christianity, the "mainline" liberal churches are shrinking. This is partly due to a loss of evangelistic zeal, partly due to drift of their membership to conservative denominations, and partly due to the failure of one generation to pass on Christianity to the next. Among the larger Protestant denominations in the USA, only the conservative [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] is growing. Evangelical para-church organizations have grown rapidly in the last half of the 20th century. The liberal [[Christian Century]] magazine has shrunk, while being replaced by its challenger, the rapidly growing evangelical [[Christianity Today]].
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| − | The Enlightenment had much less impact on the Eastern Churches of Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy. Having to face a much more hostile secular society, especially during the rise of [[Communism]], the church clung to ancient beliefs, even as its membership eroded.
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| − | Today in [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Russia]], a renewing trend is taking place. After decades of Communism and [[atheism]], there is widespread interest in Christianity, as well as religion in general. Many Orthodox churches and monasteries are being rebuilt and restored, filled beyond capacity; Protestants of many denominations are pouring in to evangelize and plant churches; and the Catholic church is revealing once secret dioceses and undertaking other steps to support Catholic churches more openly.
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| − | In [[South America]] and [[Africa]], Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity form rapidly growing movements that are increasingly sending [[missionary|missionaries]] to Europe and North America. This is also true of [[Asia]] where many of the underground house churches intend to send hundreds of thousands of missionaries out over the next decade.
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| − | As Modernism developed into [[Consumerism]] during the second half of the [[20th century]] the [[Megachurch]] phenomenon developed – catering for skeptical non-Christians by providing "seeker sensitive" presentations of Christian belief. The [[Alpha Course]] can be viewed as an example one such presentation of Christianity.
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| − | Since the development of [[Postmodernism]] with its rejection of universally accepted belief structures in favour of more personalized and experiential truth, organized Christianity has increasingly found itself at odds with the desire many people have to express faith and spirituality in a way that is authentic to them. What has thus far been known as the [[Emerging Church]] is a by-product of this trend, as many people who broadly accept Christianity seek to practice that faith while avoiding established Church institutions.
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| − | Another reaction of some Christians to [[Postmodernism]] is the advent of what might be called [[Postmodern Christianity]].
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| − | A large and growing movement within the Christian church, especially in the West and most visible in the United States, is the [[evangelical]] movement. Most mainstream [[protestant]] denominations have a significantly active [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] minority, and, in some cases, a dominant majority (see [[Confessing Movement]]). Evangelicals are "trans-denominational" and are more willing to have formal and informal relationships with evangelicals from outside their denomination than to have the same sort of relationship with non-evangelicals within their denomination.
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| − | Some evangelicals have been [[schism|schismatic]] within various church organisations, leaving to form their own denominations. More often they are forced out. It was only by dint of sheer determination that [[John Wesley]], founder of [[Methodism]], was able to remain an Anglican priest against intense opposition. His followers separated in America, and in England after his death. Some Evangelicals claim that their beliefs are no less than true Christianity itself and that those within the church who differ from them may not be true believers. This attitude has led to much disunity amongst churches, especially those with a large modernist influence. Evangelicals cannot be easily categorised, but almost all will believe in the necessity of a personal conversion and acceptance of Jesus as saviour and Lord, the eventual literal [[Parousia|return of Christ]], a more conservative understanding of the Bible and a belief in the miraculous. There are many different types of Evangelicals including [[Dispensationalism|Dispensationists]], [[Reformed theology|Reformed Christians]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]], [[Charismatic|Charismatics]] and [[Fundamentalist Christians|Fundamentalists]].
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| − | ''For more, see:''
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| − | * [[List of Christian denominations]]
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| − | * [[Denominations]]
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| − | ==Doctrine==
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| − | Christians often view Christianity as the fulfilment and successor of Judaism, and Christianity carried forward much of the doctrine and many of the practices from the [[Judaism|Hebrew]] faith, including [[monotheism]], the belief in a [[Messiah]] (or Christ from the Greek Χριστός ''Christós'', which means "anointed one"), certain forms of worship (such as [[prayer]], and reading from religious texts), a [[priesthood]] (although most Protestants assert the Universal Priesthood of All Believers), and the idea that worship on Earth is modelled on worship in [[Heaven]].
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| − | The central belief of Christianity is that by faith in the sacrificial death and [[resurrection]] of [[Jesus]], individuals are saved from [[death]] - both [[spirituality|spiritual]] and physical - by [[redemption]] from their [[sin]]s (i.e. faults, misdeeds, disobedience, rebellion against God). Through God's [[grace]], by [[faith]] and [[repentance]], men and women are reconciled to God through forgiveness and by [[sanctification]] or [[theosis]] to return to their place with God in [[Heaven]].
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| − | Crucial beliefs in Christian teaching are Jesus' [[incarnation]], [[atonement]], [[crucifixion]], and resurrection from the dead to redeem humankind from sin and death; and the belief that the [[New Testament]] is a part of the [[Bible]]. Many Christians today (and traditionally even more) also hold to [[supersessionism]]. Supersessionism is the belief that the Jews' chosenness found its ultimate fulfillment through the message of Jesus: Jews who remain non-Christian are no longer considered to be chosen, since they reject Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. This position has been softened or even completely abrogated by some churches where Jews are recognized to have a special status due to their covenant with God, so that this continues to be an area of on-going dispute among Christians.
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| − | The emphasis on God giving his son, or the Son (who is God) coming down to earth for the sake of humanity, is an essential difference between Christianity and most other religions, where the emphasis is instead placed solely on humans working for [[salvation]].
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| − | The most uniform and broadly accepted tradition of doctrine, with the longest continuous representation, repeatedly reaffirmed by official Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant definitions (although not without dissent, as noted below) asserts that specific beliefs are essential to Christianity, including but not limited to:
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| − | * God is a [[Trinity]], the single eternal being existing in three persons: Father, Son (Divine Logos, incarnated as Jesus Christ), and [[Holy Spirit]].
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| − | * Jesus is both fully God and fully human, two "natures" in one person.
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| − | * [[Mary, the mother of Jesus]], bore in her womb and gave birth to the Son of God (who is, himself, likewise God), who although eternally existent was formed in her womb by the Spirit of God. From her humanity he received in his person a human intellect and will, and all else that a child would naturally receive from its mother.
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| − | * Jesus is the Messiah hoped for by the Jews, the heir to the throne of [[David]]. He reigns at the right hand of the Father with all authority and power forevermore. He is the hope of all mankind, their [[advocate]] and judge. Until he returns at the end of the world, the Church has the authority and obligation to preach the [[Gospel]] and to gather new disciples.
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| − | * Jesus was innocent of any sin. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, believers are forgiven of sins and reconciled to God. Although virually all Christians agree on this, there are a variety of views on the [[Significance of Jesus' resurrection]]. Believers are baptized into the resurrection and new life (or death in some groups) of Christ. Through faith, they live by the promise of resurrection from death to everlasting life through Christ. The Holy Spirit is sent to them by Christ, to bring hope and lead mankind into true knowledge of God and His purposes, and help them grow in holiness.
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| − | * Jesus will return personally, and bodily, to judge all mankind and receive the faithful to himself, so they will live forever in the intimate presence of God.
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| − | * Some Christians, particularly in the West, refer to the Bible as the "Word of [[God]]." Other Christians, particularly in the [[Eastern Christianity|East]], believe that [[Jesus]] alone is the [[Logos|Word of God]], and see Scripture as an authoritative book, inspired by God but written by men. As a result of these differing views, many Christians disagree to varying degrees about how accurate the Bible is and how it should be interpreted.
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| − | These beliefs are stated in a number of [[creed]]s, of which the most important and widely used are probably the [[Apostles Creed|Apostles' Creed]] and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, commonly known as the [[Nicene Creed]]. These statements of belief were written in the first few centuries after Christ to reject certain [[heresy|heresies]]. Although there are arguments about specific parts of these creeds, they are still used by mainstream Christians to state their basic beliefs. (See also: [[Athanasian Creed]])
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| − | Christianity is considered by mainstream Christians to be the continuation or fulfillment of the [[Judaism|Jewish faith]]. However, many self-proclaimed Christian organizations throughout history have had varying ideas about the basic tenets of the Christian faith, from ancient sects such as [[Arianism|Arians]] and [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]] to modern groups who have different understandings of fundamental Christian ideas. Some of these groups are the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] who have a different theological understanding of Jesus, God and the Bible; [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] who believe that in 1829 God restored the apostolic priesthood to their leader [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]], making possible continuing revelation (including additional teachings and scripture), and the [[Unification Church]]. While various groups may differ in their approach to the specifics of Christ's role, ministry, and nature (some calling him a god or Gods, and others calling him a man), Christ is generally assumed to have cosmic importance. Some of these groups number themselves among the Christian churches, or believe themselves to be the only true Christian church. Furthermore, present-day liberal Protestant Christians do not define Christianity as necessarily including belief in the deity of Jesus, the [[Virgin Birth|virgin birth]], the [[Trinity]], [[miracle]]s, the resurrection, the ascension of Christ, or the personality or deity of the Holy Spirit. Liberals may or may not recommend belief in such things, but differentiate themselves from conservative Christians by defining as included within genuine Christianity anyone who explains their views or teachings principally by appeal to Jesus. It is common for those who hold the more traditional tenets of faith described in the paragraph above to assert that some or all of these groups are not true Christians, principally because they feel that by denying fundamental teachings about the nature, actions and teachings of Jesus, such liberals are following a different person, or one of their own devising. Conversely, liberals are often feel that 'traditional' Christians have been misled by political organizations spanning thousands of years, and follow dogma designed to assign power to certain institutions.
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| − | Also see the [[Christian Worldview]].
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| − | == Orthodoxy and heresy in Christianity ==
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| − | Correct beliefs, or [[orthodoxy]], are of extreme importance in the larger branches of Christianity, and much time and energy has been dedicated to delineating what are called [[heresy|heresies]], or unacceptable deviations from orthodox thought. Sanctions against heresy have included rebuke, withdrawing mutual recognition as Christians, and sometimes even death for minority individuals or parties, as well as the destruction of all writings associated with those disagreeing parties.
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| − | The article on [[heresy]] gives a comprehensive discussion and list of what have been called heresies by the largest Christian branches. In modern times it is still common for minority Christian movements and individuals to hold beliefs that closely resemble these ancient heresies. But the majority Christian branches continue to view the ancient delineations as an important historical reference for orthodoxy. Heresy continues, though more peacefully than in the past, to be an important issue for many Christians.
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| − | == Christianity's relationship with other faiths ==
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| − | For more information on the relationship between Christianity and other world religions over the years, see '''[[Cults and other religions|Christianity and World Religions]]'''.
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| − | === Christianity and Judaism ===
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| − | Since the [[Holocaust]], there has been much to note in the way of dialogue between some Christians groups and Jews; the article on [[Christian-Jewish reconciliation]] studies this issue.
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| − | [[Messianic Judaism]] refers to a group of evangelical Christian religious movements, self-identified as Jewish, who believe that [[Jesus]] is the [[Messiah]]. Contrary to [[Judaism]], they are trinitarians, professing that Jesus is [[God]], incarnate. Even though many Messianic Jews are ethnically Jewish, they are not considered part of the Jewish community by mainstream Jewish groups. They are not to be confused with the many Christian believers of Jewish ethnic background who are not members of these religious movements, but rather of regular Christian churches.
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| − | ''For more, see:''
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| − | * [[Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity]]
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| − | * [[Judeo-Christian tradition]]
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| − | * [[Christianity and anti-Semitism]]
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| − | === Christianity and Mormonism ===
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| − | Mormonism traces its roots back to the teachings of Christ, and uses the same Old and New Testaments with some modifications and additional testaments and teachings. Its practices are very different from contemporary Protestant and Catholic Christianity. Many Protestant and Catholic Christians exclude it from Christianity entirely, and subjected Mormons to a great deal of persecution during the early years of the Church. For an extensive and detailed explanation see the following articles discussing differences and similarities.
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| − | *[[Mormonism and Christianity]]
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| − | *[[Mormonism and Judaism]]
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| − | == Christianity and persecution ==
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| − | ''Christians'' have been both the victims and the perpetrators of persecution (see '''[[Persecution of Christians]]''').
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| − | Christian martyrs in the first three centuries AD were crucified in the same manner as Roman political prisoners or eaten by lions as a circus spectacle. They are recognized as martyrs because they have preferred to die rather than renounce their Christian faith which often times included making a sacrifice to a pagan deity.
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| − | In spite of the widely held belief that violence is antithetical to Christ's teachings, Christian adherents have at times persecuted, tortured, and killed others for refusing to believe in their type of Christianity. While most modern Christians would condemn such actions, they were carried out by people who were seen as mainstream Christians at the time. The European [[colonization]] movement was endorsed by the mainstream European Christian churches. This endorsement supposedly "legitimized" the exploitation of the colonized lands by the European powers. This colonization led to the destruction of many cultural [[artifacts]], particularly in South America related to the [[Tahuantinsuyu|Inca]] and [[Aztecs]].
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| − | Conflicts within Christianity itself have led to persecutions of one Christian group by another. [[Protestantism|Protestants]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] and other Christians have persecuted each other in the name of [[Jesus]]. In the second half of the [[20th century]] a battle in [[Northern Ireland]] continues between Roman Catholics and Protestants over the forced British occupation of Ireland.
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| − | The concept of ''religious tolerance'', that Christians in political authority should permit persons of differing faith to practice their own religions, has risen and fallen many times in history. At times, church leaders have considered tolerance itself to be a heresy. Modern Christianity appears, for the most part, to have adopted a position of tolerance. There are, however, exceptions such as American [[Christian Reconstructionism]] which calls for the persecution of dissenting faiths.
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| − | == Christian churches worldwide ==
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| − | There are [[List of Christian denominations|many types of Christianity]] practiced around the world today. For information about the various "super-bodies" of churches which many individual congregations or in some cases bishoprics of these churches associate under see [[full communion]]. The ancient Christian-Jewish [[nasrani]] tradition today survives in [[South India]].
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| − | == See also ==
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| − | * [[Assyrian Church of the East]]
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| − | * [[Christian Arab]]
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| − | * [[Christian art]]
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| − | * [[Christian calendar]]
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| − | * [[Christian eschatology]]
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| − | * [[Christian existential humanism]]
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| − | * [[History of Christianity|Christian history]]
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| − | * [[Palestinian Christian|Christians of Palestine]]
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| − | * [[Christian materialism]]
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| − | * [[The stories of Christianity|Christian stories]]
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| − | * [[Christian Symbolism]]
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| − | * [[Christian theological controversy]]
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| − | * [[Christian views of homosexuality]]
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| − | * [[Christian views of women]]
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| − | * [[Crusade|Crusades]]
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| − | * [[Great Schism]]
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| − | * [[John 3:16]]
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| − | * [[List of Christians]]
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| − | * [[Predestination]]
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| − | * [[The Rise of Christianity (book)|''The Rise of Christianity'']] by Rodney Stark
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| − | * [[List of Christian denominations]]
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | ===Christian sites===
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| − | *[http://www.believerscafe.com/ Believerscafe] A large Christian resource site with over 30K pages of Christian Classics, Bible Dictionary, Bible versions, article and downloads.
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| − | * [http://www.carm.org Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry] - Christianity, Cults, and Other Religions
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| − | * [http://www.ApologeticsCourses.Com Apologia] - Courses Christianity, Cults, and Other Religions
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| − | * [http://www.Bible4U.Info Christian Faith] - Exhaustive Information About Christian Faith
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| − | * [http://www.christiananswers.net ChristianAnswers.net] - In their words - "A site providing biblical answers to contemporary questions".
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| − | * [http://www.gotquestions.org/Christianity.html What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?]
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| − | * [http://ship-of-fools.com/ Ship of Fools] - ecumenical "magazine of Christian unrest". With large, lively [http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/ discussion boards.]
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| − | * [http://givemeananswer.org/ Televised Debates] - "Give Me An Answer" open air debates are recorded on college campus across the United States. Students ask questions, Christian Apologist and Pastor, Cliffe Knechtle gives answers with a biblical perspective. Discussion board at [http://www.givemeananswer.org/main/frames/answersframe.html discussion boards.]
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| − | Modified after Wikipedias article on Christianity licenced under GNU FDL.
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