History of Christianity
Christianity has been around since shortly after the life and death of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Christianity began more than 2,000 years ago in Palestine when Jesus started preaching his message of peace and love. From there it spread quickly across Europe, and then the world, becoming one of the world’s most popular major religions. At first, there were only a few styles of Christianity, but as time passed, different sects and denominations developed, each having its own unique beliefs and practices.
Today, there are numerous forms of Christianity, including its original form, which arose shortly after Jesus’ life. This original form is known as the Sacred Tradition or Apostolic Christianity. These traditions have been passed down through the generations since Jesus’ time and are the basis of all forms of Christianity today.
Types of Christianity
Roughly speaking, there are three main types of Christianity: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. Catholic Christianity is based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is based on the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Protestant Christianity is based on the teachings of the Protestant Reformers and includes many different denominations and churches.
Within these three main branches, there are many distinct sub-categories such as Pentecostalism; Evangelicalism; Jehovah’s Witnesses; Latter Day Saints; Seventh-day Adventism; Anglicanism; Methodism; and so on. These sub-categories all have unique beliefs, worship traditions, and religious practices, and often disagree or diverge in their interpretations of scripture.
Catholic Christianity
Catholic Christianity is the largest Christian denomination and it accounts for more than half of all Christians in the world. Catholicism is a complex faith, with a long and profound theological tradition.
Catholics believe in the authority of the Bible, the seven sacraments, purgatory, the communion of saints, transubstantiation, the veneration of Mary and the saints, papal veneration and many other distinctive beliefs. Catholics celebrate the Mass, which is based on ancient Christian liturgy.
The main authority in Catholic Christianity is the Papacy and all Catholics are encouraged to obey the teachings of the Pope. Catholics also believe in the infallible nature of church teachings which has been a source of disagreement with other denominations and religions.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the second largest branch of Christianity and it comprises a number of churches in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Eastern Orthodoxy has strong roots in the early Christian Church, particularly the Eastern Roman Empire. The Eastern Orthodox Church believes in the traditional and ancient teachings of Christianity and has similarities with the Catholic Church in terms of beliefs, practices, and rituals.
The main differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church are their interpretations of scripture and their approach to administration. The Eastern Orthodox Church is a much more decentralized and non-hierarchical branch of Christianity than the Catholic Church.
Protestant Christianity
Protestant Christianity is the third largest branch of Christianity and includes a diversity of denominations, churches, and doctrines. Protestantism arose from the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, when some Christians rejected the teachings of the Catholic Church and sought to reform Christianity in light of the Bible alone.
Protestants believe in the Bible as the sole source of divine authority and the only infallible guide to religious truth. Protestantism is a decentralized movement, with no unified leadership, doctrine, or church. Each denomination or church within Protestantism has its own distinct beliefs and practices, but they are all united in their rejection of the Catholic Church’s teachings and authority.
Traditional Christianity
Traditional Christianity refers to the forms of Christianity that have been practiced since before the 16th century Reformation. This form of Christianity has various different branches, such as Coptic Christianity, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and so on.
These forms of Christianity have their own distinctive beliefs and practices, but they have many similarities with the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches in terms of belief in scripture, liturgical practice, doctrine, and ecclesiology.
Traditional Christians also adhere to the ancient teachings of the early Christian Church and consider the writings of the Church Fathers to be authoritative and binding.
Modern Christianity
Modern Christianity is a term used to describe the various forms of Christianity that have emerged since the 16th century Reformation. This includes non-denominational Churches, Charismatic Churches, Evangelical Churches, Pentecostal Churches, and so on.
Modern Christians incorporate many of the beliefs, practices, and teachings of Protestantism, but also look to the Bible alone as the source of divine authority and strive to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Modern Christianity can also refer to churches that have embraced more progressive approaches to Christianity, such as the emergent church movement, progressive Christianity, and modern movements like the LGBT-affirming Metropolitan Community Church.
Emerging Christianity
Emerging Christianity refers to the various forms of Christianity that have been developing since the turn of the 21st century. These forms of Christianity are known for their flexibility, creativity, and emphasis on personal experience.
Emerging Christianity is marked by a rejection of traditional Church hierarchies and denominations and an embrace of new technologies and social media to spread the Gospel. Emerging forms of Christianity also focus on social justice, environmentalism, and global solidarity.
Some of the main forms of Emerging Christianity are Queer Christianity, Radical Orthodoxy, Emergent Church, Fresh Expressions, and New Monasticism. These forms of Christianity are often seen as blending elements of traditional Church teaching with contemporary practices to create a faith that is accessible to all.
Technological Christianity
Technological Christianity is a term used to refer to the use of technology to spread and practice the Christian faith. It includes practices such as the use of social media, websites, and apps to spread the message of the Gospel and promote Christian beliefs and values.
Technological Christianity also includes live streaming of church services and other religious activities, video chat for members of Bible studies and other spiritual communities, and the use of virtual reality to explore sites such as the Holy Land.
Technological Christianity has revolutionized the way people experience faith, allowing them to connect with one another and spread the message of Christianity in new and innovative ways. This, in turn, has opened up new paths and opportunities for evangelism, education, and fellowship to reach those beyond traditional church walls.
