CHRISTANITY
The cross is a symbol reminding Christians of Jesus Christ’s
redemptive suffering for the world. The word cross comes ultimately
from Latin crux, a Roman torture device used for crucifixion, via Old
Irish cros. The word was introduced to English in the 10th century
ORIGINS
Christianity is major world religion, based on the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth who lived in the 1st century
B.C.E.
Christianity takes its name from “Christ,”
a Greek word meaning “Anointed One,”
the title given to Jesus of Nazareth, Lord
and Savior.
Jesus lived and died a Jew in occupied
Palestine. At age 30, he began his mission of
preaching, teaching, and healing. Jesus’
teachings, his execution on a cross by the
Romans, and his resurrection are the core
doctrines of Christian faith.
He had a following of 12 primary disciples
and countless multitudes who, were attracted
by his miracles and words of wisdom. Jesus
spiritual lessons were shared by telling
parables and focused on forgiveness, the
Kingdom of God, Greatest commandment,
Golden Rule, and the Our Father or “Lord’s
Prayer.”
There are various branches in the Christian
Church throughout the world. The Catholic
Church split into two groups in 1054 CE.
The Eastern Church is known as Orthodox
Christianity, includes Greek, Russian,
Coptic, and other national churches of
Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The
Western Church includes the Roman
Catholic unified under the Pope (bishop of
Rome) and is found throughout Western
Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.
The Protestants broke from the Catholic
Church beginning in 16th century. They also
represent diverse church bodies,
denominations, sects, and independent
churches of European background:
Lutheran (early 16th century); Church of
England (Anglican, Episcopal) (16th
century); “Reformed” churches:
Presbyterian, Congregational, etc. (16th
century, based on teachings of John Calvin)
The Anabaptist and other sectarian churches
break away from these original (“mainline”)
churches: Baptist, Methodist, Brethren
(Puritan), Mennonite, Amish, Quaker, etc.
Christian Churches in the 19th and 20th
century developments include: Mormons
(1830’s) Seventh-Day Adventist (1840’s);
Christian Science and Unity (1880’s);
Jehovah’s Witness (20th century);
Evangelicals and Pentecostals (20th
century); Unification Church (20th century,
Korean origin). These and other newer
sectarian churches are independent, nondenominational churches (generally
modeled after Protestant belief and practice).
BELIEFS
Christians believe that God’s Revelation,
which begins with God guiding Israel, is
now fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Revelation
occurs in several ways: through events in
history, through messages given through
specific people, and through God's influence
guiding his people in their choices
Christians believe that human beings are
created in the image and likeness of God
(Genesis 1: 27-28). They were separated
from God through the sin of Adam and Eve
(original sin) but are now restored to
fullness of life because Jesus, the Christ,
who was without sin, paid the price
(atonement) for sins of humanity.
Christians believe that God’s forgiveness
and promises of everlasting life unfold in the
historical events of Jesus' life: the
miraculous birth to Mary and Joseph, his
teachings, his execution by being nailed to a
wooden cross and being was raised from the
dead and forty days later ascended into
heaven. Through Jesus’s life, death, and
resurrection, human beings are saved from
sin and death. Jesus, the Christ will return at
the end of this age to judge both the living
and the dead. As Mysteries, these key events
humans can never fully grasp the meaning
of the Incarnation (Jesus Christ being fully
God and fully human) Resurrection and
Return on the Last Day.
Christians believe in the Trinity: God,
Father and Creator; God the Son, Jesus, the
Christ—who is the Logos, Word of God;
and God, the Holy Spirit.
The life of a Christian seeks to deepen
communion with God, through the Son, and
by the power of the Holy Spirit. The
profession of faith expresses these beliefs,
i.e., the Nicene Creed and Apostles Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen (Ecumenical Language Version)
WRITINGS
The Bible is the holy scripture (writings) of
Christians. It contains two parts: Jewish
scriptures (known as the “Old Testament”),
and the “New Testament,” which includes
four Gospels (books about Jesus’ life and
teachings), and various letters and books
written by early Christian leaders, especially
the Apostle Paul. The Catholic, Orthodox,
and Episcopal churches include some books
written in the period between the Old and
New Testaments, sometimes known as the
“Apocrypha,” or the “Deuterocanonical”
books.
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew,
Aramaic, and Greek, but has been translated
into over 2,000 languages worldwide.
Translations are considered as authoritative
as the original texts; no copies of the
original texts exist. However, differences
exist in what translations different Christians
will use. Some, especially fundamentalists,
prefer the Authorized or King James version
[1611], while others will prefer more
modern translations such as the New
American Bible (Catholic), the Revised
Standard Version (mainline Protestant), or
the New International Bible (evangelical).
Christian beliefs about the nature of the
Bible range from believing it to be the literal
Word of God to reading it as a human
document that points to God and offers
guidance in seeking to do God’s will. The
authority of the Bible for the church ranges
from the Protestant declaration that the Bible
is the only source for Christian teaching and
practice to Catholic understandings that
church teaching and tradition play a
significant role alongside the Bible, to
groups that include additional authoritative
texts along with the Bible, such as
Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, and
Christian Scientists, who possess
significantly different doctrines than
mainstream Christianity
PRACTICE
The early names that identified Christians,
also pointed to their witness of faith and
their practice. As they preaching about
Jesus in places like Antioch, they were
called Christians (Acts 11:26). They were
also known as people of the Way (Acts 9:2).
Each of these titles illustrate the Christians
belief that Jesus Christ is, as he declared,
“The Way, Truth, and Life,” promising
fullness of life to his followers (Gospel of
John 14:6).
Entering into intimate friendship with God
helps Christians follow the Way more
completely and prayer and social action are
critical to this commitment. There are
specific forms of personal and communal
prayer. These prayers take place either in
public places of worship or in private
settings.
Sunday or the Sabbath, is the central form of
public worship. In consists of singing
hymns, a sermon or lesson from the
pastor/minister/priest, recitation of creedal
statement, confession of sins, communion
(format varies from church to church).
Christians also practice other forms of
prayer such as: daily morning-prayer and
evening-prayer, rosary, and mediation.
Different Churches celebrate varying rites,
festivals and sacraments. Each of these
special times, rituals represent stages and
key aspects of a Christian’s faith journey.
Baptism: Entrance into the Church. The new
member is washed clean of original sin so that they
may enter into fullness of life in Christ.
Communion (Eucharist, Mass, the Lord’s Supper):
Sharing of bread and wine commemorating Jesus’
last supper—which for some communities makes
Christ truly present in the signs.
Confirmation: Celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans,
and Lutherans in which persons complete their
entrance into the Christian community.
Reconciliation (confession of sins/ penance)
Healing (anointing of the sick and near death,
“Holy Unction” or “Last rites”)
Marriage (“Holy Matrimony”)
Ordination (of deacons and priests)
Jesus taught that the two great
commandments are to love God with all
your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to
love your neighbor as you do yourself.
Christians engage in various social actions
as individuals and churches, to promote
justice and love for all. In some traditions,
the Saints are role models of this call to
living Gospel values—so well expressed in
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes)
Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for
righteousness: for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:1-10)
ORGANIZATION
The word church, is the translation of a
Greek word “ecclesia” meaning “gathered
ones.” This is the root of the word
“ecclesiastical.” Our English word “church”
is more closely related to another Greek
word that means “belonging to the Lord” is
the community of believers who usually
gather together for prayer, teaching, and
service. Churches can be organized very
hierarchically (like the Roman Catholic
Church), with a worldwide head (Pope,
Archbishop) and appointed Bishops and
Dioceses. These groups possess a more
complex organizational structure than other
Christian traditions.
In other traditions, the local church may be
entirely independent, with the members of
the congregation deciding how to operate.
There may be other groups in which the
local church makes some decisions and yet
subject to the oversight of another body, like
the Presbyterian Presbytery, the Lutheran
Synod, or the Methodist Annual Conference.
Leadership roles in the church also vary--a
church might have priests who are
consecrated and preside over specific rituals,
ordained ministers whose role is to teach,
preach and lead in worship or no designated
clergy at all.
SOCIAL ACTION
Christians are committed to upholding the
human dignity of all people. They have
developed community resources like schools
and hospitals, and continue to provide food
for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and
support for those in crisis. Christians also
often devote themselves to evangelism and
missions, which ministers to the needs of the
world and shares their faith with others.
Organizations such as Catholic Charities,
Lutheran Church Charities, Baptist
Community Services, Episcopal Relief and
Development provide these outreach
services.
HOLIDAYS
There are two major seasons in the Christian
calendar: Christmas (celebrating the birth of
Jesus) and Easter (commemorating the
resurrection of Christ).
There are various holy days connected to the
commemoration of these two seasons.
Advent (four weeks leading up to Christmas
day) Christmas Day (December 25th)
Epiphany (the “twelfth day of Christmas”)
Easter: (early spring, date varies)
Ash Wednesday and Lent: (40 days of
special prayer and sacrifice to prepare for
Easter). In this time Christians observe a
special Holy Week that includes Palm
Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry into
Jerusalem) Munday Thursday (inauguration
of the communion meal), Good Friday
(Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion) Easter
Sunday (celebrating the resurrection)
Pentecost: is celebrated the 50th day (seven
weeks) after Easter and commemorates the
coming of the Holy Spirit upon the
apostles).
In Christian communities that reverence
special leaders and teachers as saints, there
are special days that honor their memory.
These days are known as Feast Days
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Spiritual Sanctuary Christianity
http://www.thespiritualsanctuary.org/
Protestantism: http://protestant.christianityinview.com/
Orthodox Christianity:
http://www.kosovo.com/orthodoxy.html
Catholic Online: http://www.catholic.org
Borg, Marcus, The Heart of Christianity, San Francisco,
Harper Collis, 2003