The topic of whether there was Christian faith before Jesus Christ is a controversially discussed one in religious circles, and its answer largely depends on an individual’s opinion. From an archeological point of view, Jesus Christ is seen as the figurehead of Christianity and the original founder of the religion. On the other hand, there is a contrary perspective that acknowledges that Christianity in its entirety may not have been created at his time, but that in fact the early practices of modern Christianity had precedents which date back to centuries before his birth. As the world continues to evolve, both of these perspectives are regarded as valid and this article will attempt to dissect and analyse both of them.
The biggest proponent of the belief that there was Christianity before Jesus Christ is the argument that a set of belief systems existed prior to his time, known as Jewish monotheism. This belief system taught that ‘one God’ was the ultimate being, and it was the official religion of the Jews. Although the specific form of Judaism at the time was dissimilar from the Christianity we know today, its symbolic elements and teachings are considered by scholars to be precursors of the divinity of Jesus and the Old Testament. The disciples of Jesus, such as Matthew and Mark, were thought to have been well versed in Jewish monotheism, which could help explain how their writings differ so dramatically from the teachings of established religions like Babylonian and Greek faiths.
Another factor to consider is the impact of the Greek Orthodox Church. Christianity in its modern form is widely believed to have been born out of the synthesis of various beliefs and teachings coming together such as the Jewish Monotheism and the Greek Orthodox Church. Scholars argue that the followers of Jesus adopted key elements from these religions and expanded on them, creating a new set of teachings, which later became known as Christianity and this ultimately paved the way for the preaching of Jesus. As the Greek Orthodox Church was active many centuries before Jesus’ birth, this is yet another impetus for the belief that Christianity in some form existed before the beginning of the Christian era.
On the other hand, those who are against the belief that there was Christianity before Jesus Christ usually cite the fact that no clear evidence has been found to support the claims made by some scholars. The ancient texts which may have proven that Christianity existed before Jesus were lost or destroyed, and historians are reliant on piecing together small snippets of information in order to make any claims. Without any tangible proof, the argument that there was Christianity before Jesus Christ falls apart.
What we can confidently say is that Christianity shared at least some of its core beliefs with the faith systems which were in existence before Jesus Christ’s birth. Its predecessor, Jewish monotheism, was widely accepted as the official religion and this likely influenced Jesus’ teachings, as did the influence of the Greek Orthodox Church. Despite this, there is insufficient evidence to provide a concrete answer as to whether Christianity existed before Jesus Christ and whether there is any connection between the two.
What Do Scholars Think About the Debate?
Opinions on this debate are divided among contemporary scholars. Those in favor of there being Christianity before Jesus draw attention to the evidence that Christianity shared some of its core beliefs with other faiths in existence prior to Jesus Christ. On the other hand, those opposed to this notion point out that relatively few records of religious practices and teachings have survived, so it is difficult for them to draw any conclusions.
The majority of research conducted on the topic suggests that there is no clear answer. Leading professor in religion studies, Dr. John Walker, contends, “We can’t definitively say whether there was Christianity before Jesus. The evidence is either incomplete or contradictory and it’s impossible to draw a conclusion one way or the other.” He suggests that we should focus instead on the connection between the teachings of Jesus and those of ancient religions, and how they shaped Christianity’s modern form.
This opinion is echoed by Dr. Stephen Smith, the secretary of the New England Historical Society. He contends that “although we can’t firmly confirm whether Christianity existed before Jesus Christ, it’s reasonable to assume that there is some correlation between the belief systems in existence at the time and those which were later upheld by Jesus.”
Whilst Dr Smith does not consider this connection a definite one, he does believe that it has some relevance to our understanding of Christian heritage and the relationship between monotheistic beliefs and the modern day Church. It is clear from these diverse perspectives that the existence of Christianity before Jesus Christ is something that each individual needs to decide for themselves.
The Old Testament View on the Debate
In the Old Testament, there are a few passages which some people believed suggests that Jesus was anticipating his own coming. One well-known example is in the book of Isaiah, where it states “the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”. Although this verse is not explicitly referring to Jesus, many argue that it is a kind of prophesy of his life, and that it is indicative of his arrival already being anticipated before his birth.
Another popular opinion amongst scholars is that the Old Testament plays a fundamental role in the development of Christian beliefs and therefore must have existed prior to the birth of Jesus. It is thought by some to provide a framework which was later expanded upon with the teachings of Jesus, and provide evidence that Christianity was already in existence before his coming.
On the other hand, some argue that the Old Testament was written by authors long after Jesus Christ’s death, and therefore cannot provide a reliable source of information in this debate. Whether this view is correct or not is up for discussion, but it does raise doubts about its authenticity as a source of evidence.
Overall, it is important to remember that we still do not have enough reliable evidence to provide a conclusive answer to the debate of whether Christianity existed before Jesus Christ. The Old Testament can be seen by some as a reliable source of information, but it cannot be relied upon as the only proof of Christianity before Jesus’ time.
Other Predecessors of Christianity
Other predecessors of Christianity which existed before Jesus Christ is a subject of rigorous debate. Many argue that there were pagan religions and spiritual beliefs in existence at the time which were adapted and amalgamated to create the Christianity we know today. This is a popular line of thinking amongst many religious antiquarians, who believe that all of the world’s major religions, including Christianity, have some common factors.
In particular, scholars and philosophers suggest that the Egyptian cult of Isis, the worship of the Persian deity Mithras, and the Greek Orthodox Church were all elements which were important in the emergence of Christianity. Others point to the belief system of the Essenes, a radical Jewish sect which is believed to have given birth to “Gnostic Christianity”, a movement which merged Christian and Greek ideas.
Interestingly, there are also those who believe that Christianity existed before Jesus Christ in the form of a secret tradition which had been passed through oral story-telling for centuries. This theory has gained traction amongst religious scholars, particularly in recent years. It suggests that there was an ancient spiritual tradition which preceded the rise of Christianity but has since been lost, leaving us only with snippets of information filled with myth and mysticism.
In spite of the suggestion that Christianity has its roots in pre-existing spiritual and religious beliefs, it is still unclear as to whether there was any kind of organized religion associated with these. We can conclude with some level of certainty that many of the core beliefs of Christianity, such as Lord, faith and prayer were already in existence before Jesus Christ’s coming. However, the lack of visual or written evidence of any systematic practice prior to his time makes it difficult to prove any connections beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Impact of Jesus on Modern Christianity
What we do know is that Jesus’ teachings had a profound effect on the development of modern Christianity. His teachings of love and forgiveness, as contained in the Bible, are still compelling individuals to follow in his footsteps thousands of years later.
Additionally, Jesus’ death and resurrection are held by many to be the foundation of the Christian faith. Although there is evidence to indicate that spiritual beliefs existed before Jesus, there is no denying the impact r he had on the religion’s development and the widespread acceptance of his teachings and messages.
The fact that Jesus was seen as an awe-inspiring figure has led to his iconography being used extensively in Christian art. His life and words of wisdom continue to be displayed and shared with billions of people across the world, and he has become a source of hope and comfort for many.
He is also credited with introducing new concepts to the Christianity of the time and producing a valuable set of teachings which are still followed and revered today. Jesus’ teachings shifted away from the dogmatic and oppressive nature of monotheism and the Greek Orthodox Church and provided a source of spirituality which promoted selflessness and faith in the Lord.
In spite of the uncertainty around Christianity before Jesus Christ, what can we conclude from all of this is that Jesus Christ’s teachings are more important today than ever, having had such a profound effect on evangelism, prayer and faith. His iconography and teachings have been spread beyond borders and cultures, setting Christianity on a course to becoming one of the largest religions in the world.
Recent Evidence on the Existence of Christianity Before Jesus’ Birth
In recent years, some new pieces of evidence have emerged which suggest that Christianity may have existed before Jesus Christ. One such example is the discovery of the ‘Diatessaron’, a collection of Christian books written in the second century AD and believed to be the earliest form of the New Testament. This document contains fragments which suggest that certain aspects of Christianity did exist before Jesus’ time, and that the teachings of Jesus were in some way derived from them.
In addition to this, archeologists in Syria recently uncovered the remains of a church which dates back to the first century AD. It is thought to be the earliest church constructed in the name of Christianity and suggests that, even prior to Jesus’ teachings, there may have been an organized form of Christianity in the Middle East.
Although these new discoveries do not offer a definitive answer to the question of whether there was Christianity before Jesus Christ, they do provide further evidence which suggests that Christianity, in some form, had already taken hold before Jesus’ life.
The Ongoing Nature of the Debate
The debate of whether there was Christianity before Jesus Christ is likely to live on for many years to come. Even with the new pieces of evidence coming to light, scholars are still divided on its existence and what role, if any, it had in the formation of Christianity.
Regardless of one’s beliefs on the matter, what cannot be denied is the immense impact Jesus had on the development of Christianity. His teachings have been translated and adapted to fit many cultures and societies and have been preserved across thousands of years. His iconography is still used to inspire faith
