The Birth and Spread of Christianity
Introduction
Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with billions of adherents across every continent. Over 2.3 billion people, or 33% of the world’s population are believed to be Christian. How did this religion spread so quickly, and where did it all start?
Jesus and the Origins of Christianity
Christianity is founded on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish rabbi who lived during the first century A.D. in Judea, a region of the Roman Empire. Jesus began preaching in his late twenties and quickly gained attention and followers. He shared his teachings throughout the towns and villages of Judea and along the banks of the River Jordan.
Jesus preached messages of love, acceptance and forgiveness and these teachings were soon seen as revolutionary. Jesus was eventually arrested and crucified by the Roman authorities, but his followers believed he rose from the dead three days later.
After his Resurrection, Jesus’ followers believed that he had been sent from God and that his teachings were a continuation of the Mosaic covenant (the Jewish law). They called themselves “The Way,” and travelled to other regions and countries to spread their message.
The Early Church
Christianity continued to grow over the next few decades and by the year A.D. 100, communities of believers had been established throughout the Roman Empire. Christianity had spread to Greek-speaking lands, Asia Minor and other provinces of the Roman Empire by the second century A.D.
Early Christian communities were centered around house churches (or “ekklesia”). They often held meetings on the Sabbath and celebrated communion during the Agape Feasts. They also evangelized and baptised converts to the faith.
By the third century A.D., Christianity had become popular enough to be recognised by the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine I declared Christianity a legal religion in A.D. 313 and within a few decades, it had become the official religion of the Roman Empire.
The Spread of Christianity
By the fourth and fifth centuries, Christianity had spread beyond the confines of the Roman Empire and was becoming popular in distant parts of the world. Missionaries and traders had helped to spread the faith, particularly in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.
During the next one thousand years Christianity continued to spread until it was firmly established in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Missionaries were sent out by churches and governments in Europe to spread Christianity throughout the world in what is often referred to as the Christianization of the world.
Today, Christianity is one of the largest and most influential religions in the world. It is estimated that around 2.3 billion people, or one third of the world’s population are Christian. Christianity is now the dominant religion in Europe, the Americas, Australasia and much of Africa.
The Development of Christianity
From its humble beginnings among an obscure Jewish sect in the Middle East, Christianity has grown to become one of the world’s largest religions. The development of Christianity has seen the religion go through a number of changes over the centuries, particularly in terms of doctrine, liturgy and institutional structure.
At first, Christianity was focused on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. As it spread throughout the Roman Empire, new doctrines and traditions were adopted by Christians, and the religion began to evolve. By the 4th and 5th centuries, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire, and churches had been established throughout the Mediterranean region.
During the Middle Ages, Christianity began to spread further afield, with churches and monasteries established in Europe and beyond. The emergence of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century saw Christianity divided into Catholic and Protestant branches, each with their own distinct doctrines and practices. The growth of Christian movements in the 19th and 20th centuries has seen the religion become increasingly diverse and complex.
Theology and Doctrine of Christianity
Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish rabbi who lived in the Roman Empire during the 1st century A.D. Jesus shared his message of love, acceptance and forgiveness and this, combined with his miraculous works, made him an object of admiration and devotion.
Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was sent from God and that his teachings are encapsulated in the Bible, the collection of books which form the foundation of Christian theology and doctrine. Through examining and interpreting these books, particularly the books of the New Testament, Christian communities have developed various doctrines, beliefs and practices.
Theology is the branch of religious knowledge that deals with the nature, origin and meaning of the Bible and other religious texts. It is based on exegesis – the interpretation and analysis of these texts – and is built upon philosophical, historical and sociological foundations.
Christian theology can be divided into two main branches: faith and reason. Faith-based theology is a type of ‘revealed’ theology, which is based on the idea that God has revealed himself through the Bible and other sacred texts. Reason-based theology is a type of ‘natural’ theology, which is based on the application of philosophy and science.
Christianity and Culture
Christianity has had an immense impact on the development of western culture. From the Middle Ages to the present day, Christian values and beliefs have shaped the way people think and live, from the church’s control over education and culture to the Christian principles of justice and charity.
Religious stories, symbols, festivals and traditions from the Christian faith have become ingrained in Western society. Examples include the celebration of Christmas and Easter, the adoption of the cross as a symbol of the Christian faith, and the use of the Bible in literature, art, and music.
The Christian faith has also influenced government, politics, and law. For example, many western states were founded on Christian principles and many of their laws are based on Christian moral values. Even today, the Christian faith has a major influence on the political decisions of western governments.
The Place of Christianity in the Modern World
Today, Christianity is firmly established in many parts of the world. Despite the challenges it faces in the form of secularism and religious diversity, it remains the world’s largest and most influential religion.
The religion continues to evolve, with new forms and expressions of Christianity emerging in various parts of the world. In practice, Christianity has become increasingly diverse and complex, with much of the world embracing an increasing variety of interpretations of the faith.
At the same time, Christianity has come under increased criticism from other religions and from secularist movements. In recent years, many governments have moved away from Christian-based legislation in favour of more inclusive, secular laws.
Despite these challenges, Christianity remains an influential force in the world today. With more than two billion followers, it continues to shape and influence global culture, politics, and law.
