Jesus and Judaism
Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish teacher who lived in the early 1st century AD. He was born in the town of Bethlehem around 4 BCE and likely grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. Jesus’ birth was predicted in the Hebrew Bible and seen as a new beginning by many Jews of the period. Throughout his life, Jesus studied and practiced the traditions of Judaism, going so far as to start his own movement and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. He held the law of Moses in high regard and seemed to be advocating for a spiritualizing of the Law and its fulfillment. Jesus argued for the importance of faith, love, forgiveness, honesty, and kindness were the key tenets of his teachings.
Jesus’s Disciples and Followers
Jesus’s greatest success was gaining the attention of and forming a circle of followers around him. These individuals, known as the Twelve Apostles, were hand-selected by Jesus and spent the remaining years of his life closely studying and recording his words. After Jesus’ death and ascension into Heaven, the remaining disciples spread his message to the area of Judea and the surrounding areas. In a short amount of time, Jesus’s following rapidly swelled.
The rise of Christianity
Though Jesus’ teaching were similar to the pre-existing Jewish religion, the major difference between the two is the focus on Jesus as the figurehead for salvation. In Christianity, the followers of Jesus strive to emulate and become like their leader, instead of just following religious customs and laws. As Christianity continued to grow, so too did popular stories of miracles attributed to Jesus. Additionally, Christianity separated itself from Judaism by rejecting many of the rules, traditions, and rituals of Hebrew law.
Influence of Paul of Tarsus and the Gentiles
Despite Jesus’ success among the Jewish people of Judea, the spread of Christianity beyond the reach of Judea was due to the teachings of Paul of Tarsus, a former persecutor of Christian believers. Paul preached a message of grace and love instead of those based on the Law of Moses. Paul’s interpretation of the teachings of Jesus removed the requirement of circumcision, dietary restrictions and other Jewish rituals in order for one to become a Christian believer. Paul’s words were so powerful that Christian believers were seen as a threat by Jewish religious leaders and were eventually expelled from the area.
Christianity in Rome and the Age of Roman Emperors
Paul was not successful in preaching Christianity in Jerusalem, but his teachings were welcomed in Rome, where Christians were welcomed as an alternative to the polytheistic religious beliefs. It was in the Roman Empire where Christian teachings spread the furthest, with Emperor Constantine converting to Christianity in 312 AD. Under the leadership of Constantine, Christianity was blended with polytheistic beliefs in the form of a new religion known as the Catholic Church. This Catholic Church was the foundation of the modern practice of Christianity and is still one of the largest religions in the world today.
Mission to Non-Believers
The Catholic Church used its resources and power to expand Christianity throughout the world. Missionaries were sent to non-believing regions to spread the teachings of Christianity. Missionary efforts were often seen as oppressive and exploitative, with Christianity being forced on the people instead of invited in.
The Spread of Christianity
Despite its often violent introduction, Christianity was a relatively peaceful religion and quickly began to spread across the globe. The 1700s saw the splintering of Christianity into denominations such as Anglicanism, Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Catholicism. Additionally, there has been a resurgence of Evangelical Christianity in the United States, with the faith becoming a major political force. Today, Christianity is one of the largest religions in the world, with over two billion adherents worldwide.
Modern Resurgence of Upcoming Disciples
In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of individuals claiming to have renewed spiritual connections to Christ and his teachings. Through prayer, discourse, and study, many of these disciples believe they have found a new way to experience a personal relationship with Jesus and his teachings. Through sharing stories, insights, and teachings, these individuals are encouraging other believers to also seek out a more personal connection with Christianity and its teachings.
The Divinity of Jesus
One of the most debated aspects of Christianity is the divinity of Jesus. While most Christians believe in Jesus as the Son of God, some denominations have strayed away from this traditional belief. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the idea of Jesus as God, instead believing in a lesser form of divinity. Others completely reject the divinity of Jesus, believing him to be purely human.
Modern Interpretation of Jesus’ Teachings
Jesus’ teachings have been subject to a variety of interpretations in the 2000 years since his death. For many believers, Jesus is the exemplar for how life should be lived, and his teachings should be followed in order to achieve salvation. Others reject a literal interpretation of Jesus’ words, instead focusing on the overall message of his teachings, such as spreading love and peace.
The Power of Jesus’ Teachings
Despite centuries of debate surrounding the divinity of Jesus and the merits of his teachings, his influence on Western culture and religion cannot be overlooked. Jesus’ teachings have inspired faith, charity, love, and forgiveness for centuries, and these ideals seem to persevere even in the modern world.
