Difference between revisions of "Christianity"

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==Christianity and Paganism==
 
==Christianity and Paganism==
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There are many links between Christianity and paganism. For example, many of the holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, take place during pagan celebrations. Chrismas falls near the winter solstice, a time of great celebration, and Easter takes place around the beginning of spring, another important time of year.
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There are many links between Christianity and paganism. For example, many of the holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, take place during pagan celebrations. Chrismas falls near the winter solstice, a time of great celebration, and Easter takes place around the beginning of spring, the timing of fertility celebrations for over four millenia.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 15:42, April 11, 2007

Christianity is a religion that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, as described in the books of the New Testament. It is currently the world's largest religion, with over two billion members. Christians frequently hold that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, the Son of God, the Messiah foretold by Jewish prophets, and many also beleive that Jesus is the world's only hope for salvation. Many Christians try to convert others (proselytize), usually by preaching. It is widely held by christians that salvation is conditional on accepting jesus christ in some form, while others hold to a universal salvation. It is also widely accepted by christians that God exists as a trinity, while others hold to a unitarian belief.


Salvation

Many Christians believe that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4).

Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). There are many theological opinions about how this takes place. Christians often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably, and are highly popular amongst Evangelical congregations. Consequently, Catholics and other Christians prefer using other terms in order to emphasize theological differences between views of salvation.

Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. Others believe that salvation is irrevocable or even universal and unconditional.


Christian beliefs about God

As a monotheistic faith God is the centre of Christianity. There are many key attributes to God. Amoung them would be his strength. As it says in the Book of Numbers Chapter 23 Verse 22 "God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn." Or, depending on the translation a wild fox. "God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox"[1].

God is also omnipotent, and all knowing. God sees all, hears all, and knows all. Using his unicorn like strength God can destroy nations, as seen in Numbers 24 8 "God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows."[2]


Evangelism

In what Christians sometimes call the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples. The importance of preaching is later emphasized in the New Testament (Romans 10:14). Christians consequently spend a great deal of energy and money in evangelistic efforts. It should be noted, however, that Jesus Christ said it was the Holy Spirit, not people, who was sent to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness (John 16:8). Also, Christian leaders after him credited God, not people, with the growth and maturity of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). In other words, Christians are instructed to tell others about Jesus, but only God can make a change in the heart (John 6:45).


Christian beliefs

Church leaders, theologians and scholars over two millennia have struggled to provide a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of faith is the Nicene-constantinopolitan Creed below:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Christians and Christian denominations disagree on many points of doctrine. According to an online Harris poll from 2003[1] 99% of all American Christians believe in God, 96% in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 93% in Heaven, 93% in the virgin birth, 92% in the survival of the soul after death, 82% in Hell, 50% in ghosts, 27% in astrology and 21% in reincarnation. Note that the latter two beliefs are in opposition to the religious dogma of most Christian denominations.

Nonetheless, the Nicene-Cconstantinopolitan Creed offers a general overall picture of what Christian theology looks like, and serves as a useful outline.

Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See also: the Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed.

Christian moral teaching

The fundamental principle in Christian moral teaching is love, as expressed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Jesus summarized his teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-39; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)

Constant debate has resulted as to how a person should express love for God in their moral behavior. This moral dialogue found expression in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul addressed such controversies as circumcision (Romans 2:25-29), eating meat that was sacrificed to pagan deities (1 Corinthians 8), speculating about myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-5), and observing ceremonial dates and seasons (Galatians 4:9-11).

Regardless of a person's ethical interpretations, adherents commonly point to New Testament passages John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as scriptural depictions of love. The former states that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The latter characterizes love, saying "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)


Christians and politics

Christians have exerted themselves in the political arena for nearly two thousand years. But one should remember that Jesus Christ was neither a political activist nor a political philosopher. His only directly political statement is found in Mark 12:14-17, where in the discussion of whether to pay taxes, he said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Most Christians take this saying to mean that one ought to honor their authorities with the appropriate respect and service, an attitude reflected elsewhere in the New Testament (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:12-14, 17). Various interpretations of this principle have been practiced since Christ.

In America, many Christians feel it is not only their constitutional right, but a religious duty to participate in the active democracy. Some feel they have a moral obligation to influence American politics and society in order that they exemplify more Christian ideals. Christian political advocacy groups such as the Christian Coalition work toward this end. These tend to favor more hot button issues like abortion, homosexuality, adolescent sex and the theory of evolution, and have come to be associated with the political right wing, the Republican Party in particular.

Some Christians have criticized these advocacy groups for not pursuing moral issues they feel are equally important. Examples include poverty (Luke 18:22), judicial equality (Exodus 23:6; Deuteronomy 10:18), animal rights (Proverbs 12:10), and the environment (Genesis 1:28-30). Prominent exponents of secular humanism, but also moderate Christians, tend to characterize Christian conservatives' stance on sexual morality, gender equality, and the teaching of evolution as intractable, prejudicial and sometimes, with the exception of evolution, even as immoral. This has lead to what many see as a national conflict of values.

Because of these and other such disputes, it is vitally important to stress that many devout practicing Christians are not politically conservative, and that Christ never personally endorsed any particular brand of political thinking.


Christianity and Paganism

There are many links between Christianity and paganism. For example, many of the holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, take place during pagan celebrations. Chrismas falls near the winter solstice, a time of great celebration, and Easter takes place around the beginning of spring, the timing of fertility celebrations for over four millenia.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2023%20;&version=9;
  2. ↑ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2024%20;&version=9;
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