Christianity began more than 2,000 years ago in Judea in what is now occupied West Bank territory. The Jewish religion, from which Christianity emerged, was a largely oral tradition that was first written down in the second century. Christianity began as a small sect within Judaism, followers of Jesus of Nazareth. These followers were known as ‘Christians’ originally, a reference to those who believed that Jesus was the Christ – the chosen one of God. Christianity was a radical movement from Judaism, because it preached that Jesus was divine and that He was the one and only son of God, whereas Judaism saw God as one, omnipotent being.
Christianity espoused an idea of love as the heart of religious belief. Jesus was known to have taught that the love of God is the greatest commandment, which set Christianity apart from other faiths of the time, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, which focused on personal enlightenment. Christianity’s core dogma was and is still to this day a basic ‘Golden Rule’ : treating others as you would like to be treated.
Jesus was passionate about the idea of loving one another and setting an example of humility and love and demonstrating how to forgive. The early Christian movement’s teachings were spread rapidly by word of mouth and through the new technology of writing and printing. The faith also had an uncompromising and challenging belief in equality of people, leading to a focus on what is now termed ‘social justice’.
One of the hallmarks of Christianity is that it is an evangelistic faith- it is said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Christianity spread rapidly, spreading beyond the bounds of the Roman Empire and becoming a major influence in the world community. Missionary work was at the heart of Christian mission, with incredible endurance and resilience being shown by its followers through the ages.
The story of Christianity continues to inspire and shape contemporary social thought, policy and debate around the world. As a religion, Christianity has also evolved and changed over time, particularly through the advances made in scientific and philosophical thought, as well as changes in the interpretation of scripture.
Catholicism
The Catholic tradition has been the mainstay of an organized Christian church for over two thousand years. Its traditions, theology, rites and rules have deeply influenced much of western culture and include many of the primary beliefs and practices familiar to those of the Christian faith today. Catholic teachings emphasize that the human conscience is equipped to determine right from wrong and that all people should strive to do good. The Catholic Church is distinguished by the practice of seven traditional sacraments, including Baptism, Confession, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick.
Doctrines of the Catholic faith are based on teachings and writings of the church fathers, including St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas and have been developed or clarified over two millennia of church history. Catholic practices typically draw from the Old and New Testaments, as well as Catholic canonical law and church tradition.
Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor to St. Peter and is believed to have authority from God to teach in matters of faith and morals. The Catholic faith is also known for its elaborate devotional practices, rituals, and ceremonies that are designed to encourage personal holiness and bring followers closer to Christ.
Protestantism
Protestantism is a religious tradition which emerged in the 16th century in an effort to reform and reformulate the Catholic Church. Led by Martin Luther, various groups of reformers argued that the Catholic Church was teaching and practicing doctrines that were directly in conflict with scripture and the original teachings of Jesus. Protestantism began as an attempt to return to a simpler, more Scripture-focused faith and it is still an influential and dynamic movement in modern Christianity.
The main theological points of Protestantism are: the Bible is the only source of religious teaching; all people are equal before God and do not need an intermediary to gain access to God’s grace; and humans are saved from their sinful nature by the grace of God alone. These points of doctrine would go on to form the foundation of Protestantism, which eventually splintered into hundreds of denominations with different corollaries of belief.
Leaders of the Protestant Reformation sought to draw on the original practices of the early church and reject traditions that had been added over the course of history. One of the main points of Protestantism is that it provides an opportunity for individuals to be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves, rather than relying on an individual priest or an external authority to interpret the Bible’s teachings.
Evangelical Christianity
Evangelical Christianity is a form of Protestantism which emphasizes personal faith, holiness, and a high moral standard. Evangelicals stress the need to live a life devoted to Jesus and sharing His good news with others. The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word for “gospel” and refers to any Christian who puts a strong emphasis on evangelism, or the sharing of the gospel.
Evangelical Christians tend to believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible, and some fundamentalist groups take this belief even further. They usually believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and emphasize a literal interpretation of the scriptural stories in the Bible. Evangelicals may also have their own particular beliefs about the end times and the second coming of Christ.
Evangelicals are also known for their vibrant faith, which is often characterized by spontaneous expressions of joy and intense prayer. Another important element of evangelical Christianity is its focus on social justice. Many evangelicals are actively engaged in charitable work and political activism, seeking to improve the lives of those in need both spiritually and materially.
Pentecostal Christianity
Pentecostal Christianity is a form of Protestantism that emphasizes a personal experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal Christians, also known as Charismatics, believe in the possibility of an experience of spiritual renewal and renewal that includes the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”. Pentecostal Christians believe in the power of prayer and the ability of the Holy Spirit to transform lives and bring healing and wholeness to believers.
Pentecostals emphasize the need for discipleship and communal worship, both of which involve a close relationship with God and a commitment to daily prayer and Bible study. They often hold to a dualistic understanding of salvation, believing both in a spiritual salvation through belief in Jesus and a physical salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecostal Christians are often known for their energetic worship and spontaneous expression of emotion and they may also embrace other forms of charismatic worship, such as speaking in tongues or the exercise of spiritual gifts. In terms of their doctrine, Pentecostals tend to emphasize a literal interpretation of the Bible and a personal relationship with Christ.
Restorationism
Restorationism is a belief system which seeks to restore the early Church back to its primitive roots. The movement began in the late 1700s, when a group of Protestant Christians sought to recover the essence of the original Church of the New Testament. They believed that this could be accomplished by rejecting the many changes and additions which had been made over the two millennia since the death of Christ.
The Restorationists sought to return to the simplicity of the early church and its practices, seeking to restore not only the teachings, but also the community life, worship and ministry of the early church. In reaching back to the roots of the primitive Church, Restorationists sought to maintain the unity and harmony of the Church, while engaging in a vital mission to take the message of salvation to the world.
Restorationism sometimes overlaps with Pentecostalism, although it is distinct in the sense that it seeks to strip away the complexities and additions which have occurred over time, rather than emphasize a personal experience of the Holy Spirit. It is a distinct branch of Protestant Christianity which centers on a return to the faith as it was practiced in the New Testament.
