Christianity

Glossary of Terms: Christianity and World Religions:

- Religion: The belief in a God or gods, and an organized system for worship.
- Christianity: A religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, using the Bible as sacred
scripture.
- Doctrine: A principle, position, or set of beliefs within a religion.
- Sacred: Holy, dedicated to God, worthy of religious veneration.
- Trinity: The unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead.
- Bible: The sacred scriptures of Christians, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
- Old Testament: The first part of the Christian Bible, containing Jewish scriptures.
- New Testament: The second part of the Christian Bible, including Gospels, Epistles, Acts,
and Revelation.
- Creeds: Brief, authoritative statements of religious belief.
- Gospel: The teachings of the Christian religion.
- Resurrection: The rising of Christ from the dead, and the rising again to life of all the dead
before final judgment.
- Sect: A smaller religious group within a larger one, sharing similar beliefs.
- Roman Catholic: A Christian church with a hierarchy under the Pope, specific liturgy, and
doctrines including transubstantiation and papal infallibility.
- Eastern Orthodox: Eastern Catholic churches adhering to the Byzantine rite and the
authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
- Protestantism: A branch of Christianity stemming from the Reformation.
- Ecumenism: Principles and practices promoting unity among religious groups.
- Scripture: The books of the Bible.
- Advent: The coming of Christ at the Incarnation.
- Monotheistic: The belief in only one God.

What is Christianity?

Christianity as an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of

Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), whose coming was
prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The New Testament chronicles Jesus' life,
death, and resurrection. Christianity's goal is universal, as evidenced by Jesus' command to
his disciples to "Go and teach all nations." A key distinction between Christianity and
Judaism is that Christians accept Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, while Judaism awaits
the yet-to-come Messiah.

Essential Christian Beliefs:

The core beliefs are recorded in creeds. A common element is the acknowledgement of the
Holy Trinity: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is considered
the only Son of God, sent to save the world from sin. The Holy Spirit's role is to guide
believers and spread Christianity. While there's agreement on the Holy Spirit as one entity,
the majority of Christians believe in the Trinitarian God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Christian Conviction and Life:

The essence of Christian conviction is summarized in Jesus' two great commandments:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind" and
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Christian life centers on praise and thanksgiving
for God, and acts of love toward humanity.

Life After Death:

Christians believe in life after death, with judgment leading to Heaven (dwelling with God) or
Hell (separation from God). The concept of Purgatory (temporary punishment) is also
mentioned. There's agreement that all souls will be reunited with their bodies at the end of
time, followed by final judgment.

Mary, the Mother of God:

Catholics, Orthodox, and some Protestants hold Mary, the Mother of God, in high regard,
viewing her as their mother and a helper of those who suffer.

Origins of Christianity:

Christianity began with Jesus' ministry in 1st-century Roman Judea. The Gospels portray
Jesus as a Jewish teacher and healer who proclaimed the imminent Kingdom of God. He
was crucified around AD 30-33. While the core tenets originated with Jesus, his 12 disciples
(and later apostles) institutionalized and established the religion's bureaucratic structures, as
detailed in the Book of Acts.

The Holy Spirit and the Early Church:

Fifty days after Jesus' ascension to heaven, the Holy Spirit (the Third Person of God)
descended upon his followers, inspiring them to spread his teachings. This event, Pentecost,
is considered the birth of the Christian Church. The early church in Jerusalem comprised
many Jews. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Jewish Christians spread
through the Roman Empire, largely through the missionary work of Paul.

Jesus of Nazareth:

The Gospels describe Jesus' birth to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph of
Nazareth, a carpenter. Due to a Roman census, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem,
where Jesus was born in a manger. His birth is celebrated annually on December 25th as
Christmas. Little is known of his childhood except for one instance when he was found at
age 12 speaking with teachers in the Temple of Jerusalem. He began his public ministry
around age 30.

Jesus' Teachings and Death:

Raised as a Jew, Jesus followed Jewish law but also independently questioned injustice and
the lack of love. He emphasized universal, unconditional love and forgiveness. He was
condemned to death due to his unorthodox teachings, which challenged the chief priests and
Pharisees. His death is commemorated during Holy Week, culminating in Easter, when he
supposedly rose from the dead.

Basic Teachings:

Jesus used parables - short stories with hidden messages in his teachings.

Some of the main themes that Jesus taught, which Christians later embraced, include:
- Love God.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Forgive others who have wronged you.
- Love your enemies.
- Ask God for forgiveness of your sins.
- Jesus is the Messiah and was given the authority to forgive others.
- Repentance of sins is essential.
- Don't be hypocritical Don't judge others.
- The Kingdom of God is near. It's not the rich and powerful - but the weak and poor_who
willinherit this kingdom.

Timeline of Events in Christian History:

The timeline lists key dates and events, ranging from the life of Jesus to the Second Vatican
Council. Here are some highlights:

- Life of Jesus (c. 4 B.C.E. - c. 29 C.E.): The foundational event of Christianity.

- Life of Paul (c. 4-64 C.E.): A pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity.
- Issuance of the Edict of Toleration by Constantine (313 C.E.): A turning point in the Roman
Empire's acceptance of Christianity.
- Split between Eastern and Western Christianity (1054 C.E.): A major schism that created
the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
- Beginning of the Protestant Reformation (1517): Led to the emergence of various
Protestant denominations.
- Modernization of Catholicism by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965): Significant
changes in Catholic practices and theology.
Christian Practices:

This focuses on sacraments, which are believed to be signs of God's grace. Key
sacraments mentioned include:

- Baptism: A ritual of cleansing and repentance, signifying conversion to Christianity.

Practices vary across denominations.
- Eucharist (Communion): Commemorates Jesus' Last Supper, where bread and wine
represent his body and blood. Interpretation varies—literal or symbolic.
- Other Sacraments: The text mentions confirmation, confession, marriage, reconciliation,
ordination, and anointing of the sick as additional sacraments.

Varieties or Types of Christianity:

For approximately 300 years after the deaths of Peter and Paul, Christians faced
persecution. Christianity was declared illegal, and many Christians died for their faith.
However, when Constantine became the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire (both
East and West), Christianity gained acceptance, becoming the official religion of the Roman
Empire in 380 CE. Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium, which he
renamed Constantinople.

Eastern Orthodox:

With Constantinople as its capital, the Eastern Roman Empire flourished. However, the
Western Roman Empire's political and military power declined, falling in the 5th century
BCE. The Greek-speaking Eastern Church developed independently. By 1453, this Eastern
Church, known as the Orthodox Church, had established itself, retaining traditional beliefs
throughout its reign.

Protestant Reformation:

The successful spread and development of the Western Roman Church led to financial and
political support from the people. At one point, the papacy was selling indulgences (reducing
time spent in purgatory). Martin Luther, a German priest, opposed this practice, posting his
Ninety-Five Theses at the Castle church of Wittenberg. He was asked to retract his
statements but refused, rejecting papal authority and the binding force of decisions made by
ecumenical councils. Luther championed the right of individuals to question and reinterpret
Christian belief and practice (the Protestant Principle). Many types of Protestants emerged
as a result. Luther translated the Christian Bible into German to make it more accessible to
those who didn't understand Latin. Protestantism emphasizes individual ability to establish a
personal relationship with God, returning to simple Christianity, and focusing on faith, the
Bible, and individual judgment.
Roman Catholics and the Counter-Reformation:

In response to the Protestant Reformation, which began with Martin Luther's Ninety-Five
Theses in 1517, the Roman Catholic Church initiated its own reforms, starting with the
Council of Trent in 1545. These reforms aimed to address the challenges posed by the
Protestants. The Catholic Church reaffirmed the Bible's authority but emphasized that its
interpretation is entrusted to Church officials, not individuals. Salvation, according to the
Catholic Church, requires faith, hope, love, and good deeds. As a result of the Protestant
Reformation, Catholicism strengthened its emphasis on good works, the value of tradition,
guided Bible interpretation, hierarchical authority, the veneration of Mary and the saints, and
the seven sacraments.