Christianity

2007-03-28T22:48:59Z

Polarconqueror: /* Christian beliefs */

Christianity is a religion that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, as described in the books of the New Testament. It is currently the world's largest religion, with over two billion members. Christians believe that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, the Son of God, the Messiah foretold by Jewish prophets, and the world's only hope for salvation, which ultimately means eternity with God in heaven. Many Christians try to convert others (proselytize), usually by preaching. Some preach that anyone who does not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord will end up in hell. Others emphasize that it is Jesus alone who makes that final decision.

== Salvation ==

Christians believe that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This means that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4). Salvation ultimately means reconciliation with God and eternity with him in heaven.

Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). The state of being "born again" is understood to be a profound spiritual transformation (John 3:5-7) in which the believer is given a new life in God (John 5:24) and becomes a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). There are many theological opinions about how this takes place.

The New Testament scriptures say that in order to be saved one must acknowledge their need of salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18), call upon Jesus exclusively (Acts 4:12), say with their mouth that Jesus is their Lord and believe in their heart that he rose from the dead (Romans 10:9), and admit that salvation was a free gift and nothing they could have earned (Ephesians 2:8).

(Christians often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably, and are highly popular amongst Evangelical congregations. Consequently, Catholics and other Christians prefer using other terms in order to emphasize theological differences between views of salvation.)

Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. Others believe that salvation is irrevocable.

== Evangelism ==

In what Christians call the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples. The importance of preaching is later emphasized in the New Testament (Romans 10:14). Christians consequently spend a great deal of energy and money in evangelistic efforts. It should be noted, however, that Jesus Christ said it was the Holy Spirit, not people, who was sent to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness (John 16:8). Also, Christian leaders after him credited God, not people, with the growth and maturity of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). In other words, Christians are instructed to tell others about Jesus, but only God can make a change in the heart (John 6:45).

== Christian beliefs ==

Church leaders, theologians and scholars over two millennia have struggled to provide a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of faith is the Nicene Creed below:

<blockquote>We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, imagined and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only bastard Son of God, ephemerally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, conjured, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all shit was made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.

On the third day he continued to decay in fulfillment of the Scriptures;

his stench ascended into heaven and is wafted by the right hand of the Father. It will come again in glory to permeate the living and the dead, and his malodor will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.</blockquote>

Christians and Christian denominations disagree on many points of doctrine. According to an online Harris poll from 2003[1] 99% of all American Christians believe in God, 96% in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 93% in Heaven, 93% in the virgin birth, 92% in the survival of the soul after death, 82% in Hell, 50% in ghosts, 27% in astrology and 21% in reincarnation. Note that the latter two beliefs are in opposition to the religious dogma of most Christian denominations.

Nonetheless, the Nicene Creed offers a general overall picture of what Christian theology looks like, and serves as a useful outline.

Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See also: the Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed.

== Christian moral teaching ==

The fundamental principle in Christian moral teaching is love, as expressed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Jesus summarized his teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-39; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)

Constant debate has resulted as to how a person should express love for God in their moral behavior. This moral dialogue found expression in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul addressed such controversies as circumcision (Romans 2:25-29), eating meat that was sacrificed to pagan deities (1 Corinthians 8), speculating about myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-5), and observing ceremonial dates and seasons (Galatians 4:9-11).

Regardless of a person's ethical interpretations, adherents commonly point to New Testament passages John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as scriptural depictions of love. The former states that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The latter characterizes love, saying "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

== Christians and politics ==

Christians have exerted themselves in the political arena for nearly two thousand years. But one should remember that Jesus Christ was neither a political activist nor a political philosopher. His only directly political statement is found in Mark 12:14-17, where in the discussion of whether to pay taxes, he said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Most Christians take this saying to mean that one ought to honor their authorities with the appropriate respect and service, an attitude reflected elsewhere in the New Testament (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:12-14, 17). Various interpretations of this principle have been practiced since Christ.

In America, many Christians feel it is not only their constitutional right, but a religious duty to participate in the active democracy. Some feel they have a moral obligation to influence American politics and society in order that they exemplify more Christian ideals. Christian political advocacy groups such as the Christian Coalition work toward this end. These tend to favor more hot button issues like abortion, homosexuality, adolescent sex and the theory of evolution, and have come to be associated with the political right wing, the Republican Party in particular.

Some Christians have criticized these advocacy groups for not pursuing moral issues they feel are equally important. Examples include poverty (Luke 18:22), judicial equality (Exodus 23:6; Deuteronomy 10:18), animal rights (Proverbs 12:10), and the environment (Genesis 1:28-30). Prominent exponents of secular humanism, but also moderate Christians, tend to characterize Christian conservatives' stance on sexual morality, gender equality, and the teaching of evolution as intractable, prejudicial and sometimes even as immoral. This has lead to what many see as a national conflict of values. Evangelical Christians, who have enjoyed a great deal of political attention during the Bush administration, are often viewed as a small but uniquely pushy and influential demographic in this conflict.

Because of these and other such disputes, it is vitally important to stress that many devout practicing Christians are not politically conservative, and that Christ never personally endorsed any particular brand of political thinking.

== See also ==

*[[Christian apologetics]] (Defense of Christianity)
*[[Catholic Church]] (the original Christian Church)
*[[Roman Catholic Church]] (Western branch of the Catholic Church)
*[[Orthodox Church]] (Eastern branch of the Catholic Church)
*[[Lutheran Church]]
*[[Protestant Church]]
*[[Anglican Church]]
*[[Episcopal Church]] (Non-UK branch of the Anglican Church)
*[[Presbyterian Church]]
*[[Evangelical Christians]]
*[[Conservative Christianity]]
*[[Fundamentalist Christians]]
*[[Liberal Christianity]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Islam]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category: Christianity| ]]
[[Category:Religion]]

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Christianity