What Is Christianity? This is a question pondered by many across the globe. Christianity, a faith centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, offers a unique perspective on God, humanity, and salvation. At WHAT.EDU.VN, we provide clear, accessible explanations of complex topics, offering a free resource for anyone seeking knowledge and understanding. Explore the essence of Christian belief, its historical roots, and its profound impact on the world, along with concepts like Christian doctrine and Christian living.
1. The Founder: Jesus Of Nazareth
Christianity distinguishes itself by having a historical founder, Jesus of Nazareth, whose existence is supported by external sources. One notable source is Josephus, a Jewish historian from the first century who later became a Roman citizen. In his work, Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus makes brief references to Jesus as both the Messiah and a wise teacher. He also documents Jesus’ crucifixion and his followers’ belief in his resurrection. While historical records provide limited details, the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John offer extensive accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry.
It’s important to note that these gospels were written to persuade others that Jesus was the Son of God and the Savior of the world. They portray his life and ministry as the embodiment of God in human form. Therefore, these books present Jesus the Christ—the “anointed one” or “chosen one”—rather than a purely historical account of Jesus the man from Nazareth.
1.1. Core Christian Beliefs About Jesus
Christians believe that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, a concept expressed as “one person, two natures.” This means that Jesus was not simply an enlightened teacher or a divine being in disguise. Instead, he was fully and completely divine while also being a real, embodied human being.
This concept is known as “incarnation,” which means that God became “in-fleshed” in Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary and Joseph. In Jesus, Christians believe they find the clearest expression of God’s nature and how God desires to relate to humanity and the world. Jesus’ life, ministry, friends, and disciples are all crucial to understanding the Christian concept of God. Christians believe that God’s fundamental disposition toward creation is love, and everything God does is meant to manifest that love. Jesus embodies that love in his person and in every act of his human life.
1.2. Jesus’ Transgressive Nature
Jesus frequently violated social norms and challenged traditional notions of power and social status. He did not align himself with the Pharisees, the Jewish authorities of the time, and often criticized them for prioritizing rules over people. Instead, Jesus associated with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other marginalized members of society. He welcomed children, healed lepers, and conversed with women. Jesus consistently aligned himself with outsiders: the poor, the underprivileged, and the unwanted.
2. The Bible: Christianity’s Sacred Text
The Bible is Christianity’s sacred text, a compilation of many smaller texts written by numerous authors, some of whom remain unknown. Christians often describe the Bible as “inspired,” though this term has various interpretations. Some Christians interpret the Bible literally, even regarding matters of science and history. However, many mainline Christians believe that the Bible was not written as a science textbook, biography, or historical account. Instead, it serves as a witness to the one God who revealed himself in history through a covenantal relationship, first with the Jewish people and then, through Jesus Christ, to the whole world. This allows for the integration of the Christian story with new discoveries in fields like geology, anthropology, history, and astronomy.
2.1. Old Testament And New Testament
The Christian Bible is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The number of books in the Bible varies among different Christian denominations, with the Catholic Bible containing seventy-three books and the Protestant Bible containing sixty-six books.
3. The Christian Community: The Church
The Christian community, or “the church,” is typically associated with the event recounted in the book of Acts of the Apostles. This event describes the baptism of 3,000 people in Jerusalem after Jesus’ disciples spoke in various foreign languages after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3.1. Early Christian Communities
Discussions about the church often begin with Paul and the letters he wrote to the early Christian communities around the Mediterranean. These letters, which now form a significant part of the New Testament, address the challenges these communities faced, including disagreements among Christians, questions about sexual morality, issues of discrimination during worship, and the role of the law in a Christian’s life. These early communities foreshadowed the Christian church as it exists today: united in faith in Jesus Christ but also divided by different interpretations of doctrines and practices, and shaped by their specific geographic and cultural contexts. Today, these different church bodies are called “denominations,” and dialogue and partnership between them is called “ecumenical.”
3.2. Word And Sacrament
The Christian community has two components that are found in almost every Christian denomination around the globe: “word” and “sacrament.” “Word” refers to the Bible, including Bible readings and preaching. Any community that identifies as “church” gathers around the Bible, reading and meditating on scripture.
The second feature of most churches is “sacrament.” Augustine defined a sacrament as “visible signs of an invisible grace.”[^1] Sacraments, such as baptism and communion, are believed to be tangible experiences of God’s love and mercy that both individuals and the community receive in faith, in their physical bodies, and in the collective body of the gathered people.
3.3. Church Doctrine
It took the church several centuries to establish what Christians consider “orthodox” church doctrine. Although official church teachings have been established for millennia, debates about these same questions continue today.
4. Core Christian Teachings
Christianity is built upon a foundation of core teachings that guide its followers.
4.1. The Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian belief and understanding. It states that the One God exists in three “persons”: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These “persons” are not separate individuals, as Christianity does not profess belief in three gods. Instead, the three persons share the same essence and make God known to humanity in different ways.
4.2. Salvation
Salvation is another key Christian doctrine. The core Christian claim is that “Jesus Saves.” However, the exact meaning of this statement is still debated. A central aspect of the Christian understanding of salvation is its relationship to how Christians view other religious traditions. Traditionally, the Christian view has been that there is no salvation outside the Christian church. This belief drove the missionary practices of the church for centuries and continues to drive many churches today, as there was a strong motivation to convert people to Christianity so that they would go to heaven after death.
4.3. Universal Salvation
In the 21st century, this understanding of salvation has been increasingly challenged, and the possibility of other options has been raised, particularly the possibility of universal salvation. Although many assume this is a modern idea influenced by a more liberal, secular society, the doctrine of universal salvation has a long history in the Christian tradition.
5. Lived Christian Identity
Living as a Christian involves both “sanctification” (growing in holiness) and “justification” (being made righteous before God). These concepts highlight two important aspects of Christian life: first, being saved; and second, being transformed in light of that salvation. Different denominations use different language to describe these two concepts, and not all of them emphasize both equally.
6. Exploring Christianity: Frequently Asked Questions
To further clarify your understanding of Christianity, here are some frequently asked questions:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the main branches of Christianity? | The main branches are Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, each with distinct traditions and practices. |
| What is the role of the Holy Spirit? | The Holy Spirit is believed to be the third person of the Trinity, empowering believers and guiding the church. |
| What is the significance of baptism? | Baptism is a sacrament symbolizing purification and initiation into the Christian community. |
| What is the importance of prayer? | Prayer is a means of communicating with God, expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, and building a personal relationship with the divine. |
| What are the ethical teachings of Jesus? | Jesus taught love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice, emphasizing the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized. |
| How do Christians view the afterlife? | Christians believe in eternal life after death, either in heaven with God or in a state of separation from God, depending on their faith and actions. |
| What is the purpose of the church? | The church serves as a community of believers, providing worship, fellowship, teaching, and service to others. |
| What is the meaning of the cross? | The cross symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity’s sins, representing redemption, forgiveness, and the hope of eternal life. |
| How do Christians practice their faith? | Christians practice their faith through prayer, Bible study, worship, acts of service, and living according to Christian values in their daily lives. |
| What is the Christian view of other religions? | Views vary among Christians, with some holding that Christianity is the only true religion, while others embrace a more inclusive perspective, recognizing elements of truth in other faiths. However, most Christians believe that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ |
7. Further Resources To Deepen Your Understanding
Here are some recommended books for further reading:
- Confessions by Augustine
- Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith by Marcus Borg
- A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament by Michael Coogan
- Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church edited by F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone
- The Story of Christianity by Justo Gonzalez
- Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought by Alister McGrath
- Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by Daniel Migliore
- Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey by Mark Allan Powell
8. Do You Have Questions About Christianity?
We understand that exploring topics like Christianity can bring up many questions. Do you find yourself struggling to understand specific aspects of Christian belief or history? Are you looking for clarification on certain doctrines or practices?
At WHAT.EDU.VN, we offer a free platform where you can ask any question and receive answers from knowledgeable individuals. We understand the challenges of finding reliable and accessible information, and we’re here to help.
8.1. How WHAT.EDU.VN Can Help
- Free Question Answering: Our platform is completely free to use. You can ask any question about Christianity, big or small, and receive thoughtful answers.
- Quick and Accurate Responses: We strive to provide prompt and accurate answers to your questions.
- Easy-to-Understand Information: We present information in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to everyone.
- Community Support: Connect with others who are also seeking knowledge and understanding.
- Free Consultation Services: Get free consultation services for simple questions
8.2. Don’t Hesitate To Reach Out
Don’t let your curiosity go unanswered. Visit WHAT.EDU.VN today and ask your questions about Christianity. Our team is ready to provide you with the information and support you need. We’re committed to making learning easy, accessible, and free for everyone.
Address: 888 Question City Plaza, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
WhatsApp: +1 (206) 555-7890
Website: what.edu.vn
We look forward to helping you on your journey of discovery.
[^1]: As quoted in Daniel Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding: an Introduction to Christian Theology, 3rd edition, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014), 291.
