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[[Image:HH wave.jpg|right|thumb|260px|His Holiness the [[14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]], Tenzin Gyatso (born 1935)]]
{{Christianity}}
'''His Holiness''' is the official [[style (manner of address)|style]] or manner of address in reference to the leaders of certain religious groups. In the [[Catholicism|Catholic Church]] and its [[Eastern Rite]], the style is used when referring to the [[Pope]]. It is also used in reference to some [[patriarch]]s of [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], the [[Dalai Lama]] is also addressed in the same manner in [[English language|English]], as are other Buddhist leaders such as [[Sakya Trizin]], the Patriarch of [[Sakyapa]]. In the [[Hinduism|Hinduist]] tradition, [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]], leader of the [[Transcendental Meditation]] movement, is also styled "His Holiness" by his followers
'''Christianity''' is a [[monotheistic]] [[religion]] based on the life and teachings of [[Jesus of Nazareth]] as presented in the [[New Testament]] writings of his early followers. It is the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.1 billion followers, or about one-third of the world's population. It shares with [[Judaism]] the books of the [[Hebrew Bible]] (all of which are incorporated in the [[Old Testament]]), and for this reason is sometimes called an [[Abrahamic religion]].
== Usage ==
Christianity encompasses numerous religious traditions that widely vary by culture, as well as many diverse beliefs and sects. It is usually represented as having divided into three main branches, over the past two millennia:
In Catholicism, the style derives from the [[Latin]] ''Sanctitas''. It was originally used for all bishops, but from the 7th century on, it was only used for patriarchs and some secular rulers, and from the 14th century on its use has been restricted to the Pope.
The title is used officially in international [[diplomacy]] and in formal contexts without regard for its [[doctrine|doctrinal]], [[philosophy|philosophical]] and [[theology|theological]] origins.
#[[Roman Catholicism]] (the largest coherent group, representing over one billion baptized members),
#[[Orthodox Christianity]] (including [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] and [[Oriental Orthodoxy]]),
#[[Protestantism]] (Many denominations and schools of thought, including [[Anglicanism]], [[Reformed]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]], [[Evangelicalism]], and [[Pentecostalism]])
== See also ==
These three broad divisions do not represent equally uniform branches. On the contrary, in some cases they disguise vast disagreements, and in other cases minimize sympathies that exist. But this is the convenient standard overview of distinctions, especially as Christianity has been viewed in the [[Western world]].
[[Use of courtesy titles and honorifics in professional writing]]
A more comprehensive overview would categorize [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] and the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] as branches distinct from the [[Council of Chalcedon|Chalcedonian]] Christianity of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, and [[Restorationism]] as a tradition separate from Protestantism, with which it has often been included. In addition, since the emergence of Protestantism, [[Old Catholic]], [[Old calendarists|Old Calendarist]] Orthodox, [[Continuing Anglican]], and [[Independent Catholic Churches]] have separated from their parent bodies over various issues.
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==Beliefs ==
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In accordance with the portrayal of him in the canonical Gospel accounts, most Christians believe Jesus of Nazareth to be ''God [[incarnate]]'' (that is, "God in the flesh") and the [[Messiah]] [[prophet|prophesied]] (see [[Bible prophecy]]) in the [[Old Testament]] (or [[Hebrew Bible]]). This is reflected in their use of the term "Christ" to describe Jesus, which is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] translation for "Messiah". The word ''[[Christian]]'' means "belonging to Christ", "little Christ", or "of Christ".
[[Category:Ecclesiastical Titles]]
[[Category:Papal Titles]]
Christianity is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] religion. Christians believe in one [[God]], and most, but not all, self-identified Christians believe that God is a unity in [[Trinity]], that is to say that God is one being "subsisting" in three divine persons, namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son (sometimes called the "Logos"), who pre-existed eternally with the Father, but became man at one point of time. The vast majority of Christian denominations (including Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and most forms of Protestantism) hold to the statements of the [[Apostles Creed]] and the [[Nicene Creed]] (in the form of the Creed of Constantinople, [[381]]) as summaries of the essentials of the faith.
In addition to the belief in "one God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth ..." and in "the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver, Who proceeds from the Father ...", the latter Creed confesses the belief in "one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten" (literally "generated," so also "born" as in the Latin version) "from the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things came into existence, Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man, and was crucified for us under [[Pontius Pilate]], and suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father, and will come again with glory to judge living and dead, of Whose kingdom there will be no end".
Christians believe that, for individuals who have reached an age of accountability, personal faith in [[Jesus]] Christ is essential for salvation from sin, leading to eternal life in God's presence, and that salvation is a gift given by the grace of God. Some churches also allow for the possible salvation of those who through no fault of their own have not heard the [[gospel]] of Jesus. However, Christianity encompasses numerous religious traditions that widely vary by culture, as well as many diverse beliefs and sects.
Historically Christianity has been a evangelistic faith. Christianity has supported much [[missionary]] work, in addition to producing many [[Christian apologetics]] (works defending Christianity).
==History==
{{see details|History of Christianity}}
===Origins===
{{see details|Jesus}}
According to [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 11:19 and 11:26 in the [[New Testament]], Jesus's followers were first called Christians by non-Christians in the city of [[Antioch]], where they had fled and settled after early persecutions in [[Judea]]. After Jesus' death, early Christian doctrine was taught by [[Peter|Simon Peter]], [[Paul of Tarsus]], and the other [[apostle]]s.
According to the [[New Testament]] Jesus of Nazareth was a descendant of [[Judah]], declared himself to be the long awaited [[Messiah]] ([[Gospel of John|John]] 8:23–24, 14:11)that was predicted in [[Bible prophecy]], but was rejected as an [[apostate]] by the [[Jew]]ish authorities ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matt.]] 26:63–64). Around the year [[30]] he was accused of [[blasphemy]] in a meeting by leading Jews and hours later accused before the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] procurator Pontius Pilate and then [[crucifixion|crucified]]. Although Pontius Pilate tried to set Jesus free he was pressured by the crowd who shouted "...If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar" ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%2019&version=31 John 20-12]. The charge cited in his execution was then subverting Roman authority ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 23:1–5): ordered a sign with the words "King of the Jews" (John 19:19–22; see Luke 16:8) on the [[INRI|''titulus crucis'']] or statement of the charge hung over the condemned on the cross.
{{Jesus}}
The [[Gospel]] accounts suggest that the Roman charge was an attempt to appease the Jewish authorities, although some scholars argue that it was merely an ordinary Roman trial of a rebel. According to Christians, the [[Old Testament]] prophecies considered to be Messianic by first century Jewish rabbis who predicted the death and humiliation of Jesus as recorded in the [[New Testament]]. Examples include parallels between the crucifixion accounts (Matt. 27, [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 15:34, Luke 23 and John 19) and David and Isaiah’s writings about death and the suffering servant ([[Psalm]] 22, [[Isaiah]] 53). The authors of Matthew and Mark record Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 when he is experiencing the situation described in the Psalm. There are also other comparisons including more from the book of [[Isaiah]] that alludes to the slapping (Matthew 26:67–68; Isaiah 50:6, 52:14–15; [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:65; Luke 23:63–64), whipping (Isaiah 53:5; John 19:1; Matthew 27:26), as well as being "pierced because of our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53,4-5) and general humiliation that is centered on the given references.
According to the writings of the New Testament (Luke 24:48) Jesus' apostles were the witnesses (Grk: ''martures'') of his life, teaching and resurrection from the dead; and they mention numerous disciples (as many as [[Seventy Apostles|70]], including [[James the Just]], Mark, Luke, [[Mary Magdalene]], etc.) who also followed Jesus in his travels and therefore were eye-witnesses (Grk: ''autoptai'', ''epoptai'') of his miracles and teachings. After his crucifixion, his apostles and other followers, convinced that Jesus rose from the dead, set out to [[proclaim]] (Grk: ''kērussō'', cf. Luke 24:47) this "good news." ''Evangelizing'', spreading the "Gospel", is derived from the Greek word for "good message" or "good news" [http://www.truthfactor.com/salvation/salvation0008.html].
It is disputed whether or not the New Testament's [[Gospels]] are eponymous writings by their respective namesakes. Early church tradition, however, is unanimous in naming the authors as Matthew, John Mark, Luke and John. Some modern scholars suggest that the original apostles may simply have written some portions of the New Testament's [[Gospels]] and [[Epistles]] but not the entire text. Scholars have debated the origins of the canonical Gospels. The term the [[Synoptic Problem]] concerns the literary relationship between and among the first three [[canonical gospel]]s (the [[Gospel]]s of [[Gospel according to Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel according to Matthew|Matthew]], and [[Gospel according to Luke|Luke]]), known as the [[Synoptic Gospels]].
Many of the New Testament's twenty-seven books were written by [[Paul of Tarsus]]. Twelve Epistles name him as writer, and some traditions also credit him as the writer of the book of [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]]. The [[Gospel according to Luke]] and the [[Acts of the Apostles]] are stated as having been written by Luke, whom many believe to have been under Paul's direct influence. Acts cites Paul as a student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a leading figure amongst the Jewish Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34–40) and a noteworthy authority in his own right (Acts 28:16–22) considering that the Jews of Rome sought his opinion on Christianity. Paul was the principal missionary of the Christian message to the [[Gentile]] world.
===Early Church===
[[Image:Ichthus.png|thumb|The story goes that an early Christian, upon meeting another person, might draw an arc in the earth, and if the other person shared the faith, he would draw another arc completing this [[ichthys]], a symbol of Christianity.]] Christianity spread rapidly over the first three centuries aided by the relative internal peace and good roads of the [[Roman Empire]]:
* via [[Egypt]] into [[North Africa]], [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]]
* via [[Assyria]] to [[Persian Empire|Persia]], Inner [[Asia]] and [[India]]
* via [[Greece]] and [[Rome]] to [[Europe]]
Within a generation after Jesus' death, several notable movements in Christianity emerged. These are the [[Jewish Christians]], the [[Pauline]]/[[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] Christians and [[Gnosticism|Gnostic Christians]].
Jewish Christians were those Jews and [[Gentile]] converts who maintained the Old Testament [[Law of Moses]] (including [[circumcision]], animal sacrifices, dietary restrictions and the concept of purity, [[sabbath]], and [[quartodecimanism]]) pejoratively called [[judaize|judaizers]].
Hellenistic Christians were those who were more influenced by the Greek-speaking world and believed that the central message of Christianity could be re-presented in ways more appropriate for [[Gentiles]]. These converts were largely Hellenistic Jews and Gentiles from the early churches founded by the apostle Paul outside of [[Judea]].
The Gnostic forms of Christianity, which embraced mystical theories of the true nature of Jesus or the Christ, emerged early and continued in some forms into the 3rd century.
This early diversity tended to solidify as the [[Biblical canon|Canon]] of Scripture was developed and early church councils formulated consensus regarding such doctrines as the deity of Christ and the Trinity in response to what were deemed heretical views. Most Christians view the developing orthodoxy (especially the development of the Canon) as superintended by God.
One of the first great writers of Christianity, [[Tertullian]], gives an indication of the early rapid growth of Christianity in a rhetorical address to a Roman governor. Writing from [[Carthage]], he says that just yesterday Christians were few in number, now they "have filled every place among you—cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palaces, senate, forum; we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods." (Apologeticus written at Carthage, ca. [[197]])
Over the course of the first few centuries, classically trained theologians and philosophers such as [[Origen]] and [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] developed [[Christian theology]] and [[Christian philosophy]], which some argue was a [[Influence of Hellenic Philosophy on Christianity|synthesis of Hellenic and Early Christian thought]].
During this period of first organization the Christian church had to deal mainly with occasional, but sometimes severe persecutions under Roman emperors such as [[Nero]], [[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]], [[Diocletian]], and [[Galerius]]. The life of the [[martyr]], who would rather die than renounce his faith, became the highest virtue. The [[canonical]] books of the [[New Testament]] were agreed, early translations appeared, and a church hierarchy emerged: the [[Bishop|Bishops]] of [[Alexandria]], Antioch and Rome assumed the title [[Patriarch|Patriarch]].
Galerius, on his death bed, signed the Edict of Galerius, allowing Christians freedom to practice their religion without hindrance (although early Christian writers like Lactantius consider Galerius the author of the last great persecution of Christians). Then, Roman Emperor [[Constantine I (emperor)|Constantine I]] was converted in [[312]] and with his [[Edict of Milan]] ([[313]]) made the state neutral with regard to religion, mostly ending its official support of paganism. However, on occasion official paganism was revived, especially in the military. Some theorize that Constantine I himself surreptitiously conflated the Jesus of the Christians with [[Mithras]] the sun god, in an attempt to unite the empire under one religion by inserting a pagan influence into the Christian church. Persecution was briefly revived during the reign of [[Julian the Apostate]] ([[361]]–[[363]]) who tried to restore [[paganism]] to the empire; Christianity was later made the officially favored religion in about [[382]] by Emperor Theodotius. Similar events took place in neighbouring [[Georgia (Caucasus)|Georgia]] and [[Armenia]]. But in [[Persian Empire|Persia]], which was at constant war with Rome, the Christians struggled under the oppressive [[Sassanid|Sassanids]], who were trying to revive the [[Zoroastrian]] religion.
In the Persian empire, at the synod of [[Seleucia]] in [[410]], the bishop of Seleucia was pronounced [[Catholicos]] and replaced the Patriarch of [[Antioch]] as the highest authority in the [[Assyrian Church of the East]]. Soon after, during the [[Nestorian Schism]], this church broke all ties with the West. It would be the dominant church of Asia for more than a millennium, with bishoprics as far away as [[India]], [[Java (island)|Java]], and [[China]].
===Emergence of national Churches===
The question of Jesus' divinity was central to early Christians. A wide range of early writers, including [[Justin Martyr]] and [[Tertullian]] testify to belief that Jesus is God. At the same time, various Christian groups did not share that belief. The situation came to a head with the teaching of [[Arius]], who brought large numbers of bishops and faithful to his belief that Jesus was a created being. The issue was settled by vote at the [[First Council of Nicaea]], convened by Emperor [[Constantine I]], where the teaching championed by [[Athanasius]], [[trinitarianism]], was enshrined as dogma (See [[Nicene Creed]], [[Athanasian Creed]]). Although Constantine ordered all Arian books burned and Arius exiled, Arianism continued to exist and thrive in the empire for several decades, and among the Germanic tribes for almost two centuries, after the decision of the council.
This was only the first of several [[ecumenical council|ecumenical councils]] for resolving doctrinal issues. These councils sought to unify Christianity, and were supported by the Byzantine Emperors in order to promote political stability. Some of the theological terminology of these councils may have been misunderstood by those Orthodox whose main language was [[Syriac]], [[Armenian language|Armenian]], or [[Coptic language|Coptic]]. As a result differences in later theological constructs led these national branches of the church to break away from the rest, forming the [[Oriental Orthodox]] Churches, sometimes called the [[monophysites]], but perhaps more accurately, known to themselves as [[miaphysite]] or, simply, [[orthodox]].
By the second millennium, Christianity had spread to most of the [[Western world]], [[Russia]] and [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Middle East]], parts of [[Africa]], and had made some small inroads into the [[Far East]] as well. For the most part it had remained fairly unified in its fundamental beliefs with major theological disagreements being resolved in council. But as the millennium approached, certain major differences in theology and practice became increasingly troublesome. The [[East-West Schism|Great Schism]] of [[1054]] split the Church into Western and Eastern churches: the Western church gradually consolidated under the central authority of Rome (''see'' [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]]), while the Eastern church adopted the name "Orthodox" to emphasize their commitment to preserving the traditions of the church and resistance to change. This Eastern Church refused to be consolidated under a single bishop, as this was completely alien to the structure the church had hitherto enjoyed. The Eastern Church recognized the [[Patriarch]] of [[Constantinople]] as the "[[First among equals]]" of the numerous bishops in charge of its [[Autocephaly|autocephalous]] churches (''see'' [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]).
In the European [[Reformation]] of the [[1500s]], [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and numerous similar churches renounced allegiance to Rome in objection to perceived abuses of growing [[Papal]] authority and to perceived doctrinal error and novelty in Rome. Some key concerns in the Reformation controversy were summed up in the famous ''[[five solas|five solas]]''. The Reformation sparked a vigorous struggle for the hearts and minds of Europeans. Disputes between Roman Catholics and Protestants sparked persecution in different countries and caused various wars, both civil and foreign.
Roman Catholicism and Protestantism arrived in [[North America]] (and later [[Australasia]]) with European settlement. Lacking any central authority in either Rome or national governments, Protestants worshipped in hundreds, and later thousands, of independent denominations. Protestantism was taken to [[South America]] and [[Africa]] by European colonists, especially in the [[16th century|16th]] to [[19th century|19th]] centuries. Orthodoxy first arrived in North America via Russian settlers in the Alaska in the 18th century; they came to North America from Europe in much greater numbers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
In the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|20th centuries]] many Christian nations, especially in [[Western Europe]], became more secular. Most [[communist]] states were governed by avowed [[atheism|atheist]]s, though only [[Albania]] was officially atheist. Adherents to [[Fundamentalist Christianity]], particularly in the [[United States]], also perceived threats from new scientific estimates about the [[age of the Earth]] and the development of the concept of [[evolution]].
[[Image:Christian-lineage.png|framed|center|Differing interpretations of the [[Bible]] and other forces led to schisms in Christianity over the millennia, but all branches trace their roots to early Christianity.]]
''For more, see:''
* [[History of Christianity]]
* [[Mission (Christian)|Mission]]s
* [[History of Christian Missions]]
==Christianity today==
[[Image:Wooden_cross.jpg|right|thumb|140px|The [[Christian cross]] and its many variations are traditional Christian [[symbol]]s.]]
According to Adherents.com [http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html], Christianity is the world's most widely practiced [[religion]], with 2.1 [[billion]] adherents, including 1.1 billion [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]], 510 million [[Protestantism|Protestants]] in a number of traditions, 216 million [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]], 158 million Independents (unaffiliated with the major streams of Christianity), and 31.7 million belonging to other groups ([[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]], [[Mormon]]s, etc.). These last [[religous denomination|denomination]]s describe themselves as Christian but are not usually recognized as such by other denominations, because of their unorthodox teachings.
<!--Nonsense , where did the supporting information come from? Although Christianity is the largest religion in the world and there are massive missionary efforts under way, its overall rate of growth is slower than that of some other faiths and of the world population as a whole. While the population of the world grows at roughly 1.25% per year, the number of Christians is growing at only 1.12% per year.-->
Not all people identified as Christians accept all, or even most, of the theological positions held by their particular churches. Like the Jews, Christians in the [[Western world|West]] were greatly affected by [[The Age of Enlightenment]] in the late [[17th century|17th]] and early [[18th century|18th]] centuries. Perhaps the most significant change for them was total or effective [[separation of church and state]], thus ending the [[state religion|state-sponsored]] Christianity that had existed in European countries. Now one could be a free member of society and disagree with one's church on various issues, and one could even be free to leave the church altogether. Many did leave, developing belief systems such as [[Deism]], [[Unitarianism]], and [[Universalism]], or becoming [[Atheism|atheists]], [[Agnosticism|agnostics]], or [[Humanism|humanists]].
Others created liberal wings of Protestant Christian theology. [[Modernist Christianity|Modernism]] in the late [[19th century]] encouraged new forms of thought and expression that did not follow traditional lines.
Reaction to the Enlightenment and Modernism triggered the development of literally thousands of Christian Protestant denominations, Roman [[Catholic traditionalism|traditionalist]] splinter groups of the Roman Catholic Church that do not recognize the legitimacy of many reforms the Roman Catholic Church has undertaken, and the growth of hundreds of [[fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] groups that interpret the entire Bible in a literal fashion.
In [[Europe]], and to a lesser extent the [[United States]], liberalism has also led to increased [[secularism]]. Some Christians have long since stopped participating in traditional religious duties, attending churches only on a few particular holy days per year or not at all. Many of them recall having highly religious grandparents, but grew up in homes where Christian theology was no longer a priority. They have developed ambivalent feelings towards their religious duties. On the one hand they cling to their traditions for identity reasons; on the other hand, the influence of the secular Western mentality, the demands of daily life, and peer pressure tear them away from traditional Christianity. [[Marriage]] between Christians of different denominations, or between a Christian and a non-Christian, was once taboo, but has become commonplace. Some traditionally Roman Catholic countries have largely become agnostic.
[[Liberal Christianity]] grew rapidly during the early [[20th century]] in Europe and North America, by the [[1960s]] gaining the leadership of many of the larger U.S. and Canadian ''[[Mainline|mainline]]'' denominations. However, this trend has reversed. At the turn of the [[21st century]], though secular society tends to consider the more accommodating liberals as the representatives and spokesmen of Christianity, the mainline churches are shrinking. This is partly due to a loss of [[evangelism|evangelistic]] zeal, partly due to drift of their membership to Christian churches which are associated with a more [[conservative Christianity]], and partly due to the failure of one generation to pass on Christianity to the next. Among the larger Protestant denominations in the United States, only the conservative [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] is growing. In addition, many other conservative denominational churches are growing along with many conservative [[non-denominational]] churches.
[[:Category:Evangelical parachurch organisations|Evangelical parachurch organizations]] have grown rapidly in the last half of the 20th century. The liberal ''[[Christian Century]]'' magazine has shrunk, while being replaced by its challenger, the rapidly growing evangelical ''[[Christianity Today]]''.
The Enlightenment had much less impact on the Eastern Churches of Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy. Having to face a much more hostile secular society, especially during the rise of [[Communism]], the church clung to ancient beliefs, even as its membership eroded.
Today in [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Russia]], a renewing trend is taking place. After decades of communist-instated atheism, there is widespread interest in Christianity, as well as religion in general. Many Orthodox churches and monasteries are being rebuilt and restored; Protestants of many denominations are pouring in to evangelize and build churches; and the Roman Catholic Church is revealing once secret dioceses and undertaking other steps to support Roman Catholic churches more openly.
In [[South America]] and [[Africa]], [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] and [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] Christianity form rapidly growing movements that are increasingly sending [[missionary|missionaries]] to Europe and North America. This is also true of [[Asia]] where many of the underground "house churches" intend to send hundreds of thousands of missionaries out over the next decade.
During the second half of the [[20th century]] the [[Megachurch]] phenomenon developed, featuring media rich presentations and ministries targeted by careful demographics. These and other modern approaches have been reproached from some quarters as crass [[consumerism]], a dead-end result of [[Modernism]]. "Seeker sensitive" presentations, such as the [[Alpha Course]], which cater to those who are skeptical of the Christian message or have no personal familiarity with it, are occasionally the subject of such charges.
Since the development of [[Postmodernism]] with its rejection of universally accepted belief structures in favour of more personalized and experiential truth, organized Christianity has increasingly found itself at odds with the desire many people have to express faith and spirituality in a way that is authentic to them. What has thus far been known as the [[Emerging Church]] is a by-product of this trend, as many people who broadly accept Christianity seek to practice that faith while avoiding established Church institutions.
Another reaction of some Christians to [[Postmodernism]] is the advent of what might be called [[Postmodern Christianity]].
A large and growing movement within the Christian church, especially in the West and most visible in the United States, is the Evangelical movement. Most mainstream [[Protestant]] denominations have a significantly active [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] minority and, in some cases, a dominant majority (see [[Confessing Movement]]). Evangelicals are "trans-denominational" and are more willing to have formal and informal relationships with Evangelicals from outside their denomination than to have the same sort of relationship with non-Evangelicals within their denomination.
Some Evangelicals have been [[schism|schismatic]] within various church organisations, leaving to form their own denominations. More often they are forced out. It was only by dint of sheer determination that [[John Wesley]], founder of [[Methodism]], was able to remain an Anglican priest against intense opposition. His followers separated in America and in England after his death. Some Evangelicals claim that their beliefs are no less than true Christianity itself and that those within the church who differ from them may not be true believers. This attitude has led to much disunity amongst churches, especially those with a large modernist influence. Evangelicals cannot be easily categorized, but almost all believe in the necessity of a personal conversion and acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord, the eventual literal [[Parousia|return of Christ]], a more conservative understanding of the Bible and a belief in the miraculous. There are many different types of Evangelicals including [[Dispensationalism|Dispensationists]], [[Pentacostalism|Pentecostals]], [[Charismatic|Charismatics]] and [[Fundamentalist Christianity|Fundamentalists]].
==Doctrine==
Christians often view Christianity as the fulfillment and successor of Judaism, and Christianity carried forward much of the doctrine and many of the practices from the [[Judaism|Hebrew]] faith, including [[monotheism]], the belief in a [[Messiah]] (or Christ from the Greek ''Christós'', which means "anointed one"), certain forms of worship (such as [[prayer]], and reading from religious texts), a [[priesthood]] (although most Protestants assert the "priesthood of all believers" is the only valid priesthood today), and the idea that worship on Earth is modeled on worship in [[Heaven]].
The central belief of Christianity is that by faith in the sacrificial death and [[resurrection of Jesus]], individuals are saved from [[death]]—both [[spirituality|spiritual]] and physical—by [[redemption]] from their [[sin]]s (i.e., faults, misdeeds, disobedience, rebellion against God). Through God's [[grace]], by [[faith]] and [[repentance]], men and women are reconciled to God through forgiveness and by [[sanctification]] or [[theosis]] to return to their place with God in [[Heaven]].
Crucial beliefs in Christian teaching are Jesus' [[incarnation]], [[atonement]], [[crucifixion]], and [[resurrection of Christ|resurrection]] from the dead to redeem humankind from sin and death; and the belief that the [[New Testament]] is a part of the [[Bible]]. Many Christians today (and traditionally even more) also hold to [[supersessionism]], the belief that Christianity is the fulfillment of Biblical Judaism.
The emphasis on God the Father giving his son, or the Son (who is God) becoming incarnate for the sake of humanity, is an essential difference between Christianity and most other religions, where the emphasis is instead placed solely on humans working for [[salvation]].
The most uniform and broadly accepted tradition of doctrine, with the longest continuous representation, repeatedly reaffirmed by official Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant definitions (although not without dissent, as noted below) asserts that specific beliefs are essential to Christianity, including but not limited to:
* God is a [[Trinity]], a single eternal being existing as three persons: Father, Son (Divine [[Logos]], incarnated as Jesus Christ), and [[Holy Spirit]].
* Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human, two "natures" in one person.
* [[Salvation]] from spiritual death, a separation from God due to mankind's [[sin]], is available to individual believers only through the person and work of Jesus Christ and by the grace of God. Most generally maintain that personal [[faith]] in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation, and many view faith without associated "good works" as a "dead" (illegitimate) faith.
* [[Virgin Mary|Mary]], the virgin mother of Jesus, bore in her womb and gave birth to the Son of God, who although eternally existent as God was humanly formed in her womb by the Spirit of God. From her humanity he received in his person a human intellect and will, and all else that a child would naturally receive from its mother.
* Jesus is the Messiah hoped for by the Jews, the heir to the throne of [[David]]. He reigns at the right hand of the Father with all authority and power forevermore. He is the hope of all mankind, their [[advocate]] and judge. Until he returns at the end of the world, the Church has the authority and obligation to preach the [[Gospel]] and to gather new disciples.
* Jesus was innocent of any sin. Through the death and [[resurrection of Jesus]], believers are forgiven of sins and reconciled to God. Although virtually all Christians agree on this, there are a variety of views on the significance of Jesus' resurrection. Christians are [[baptism|baptized]] into the death, resurrection and new life of Christ. Through faith, they live by the promise of resurrection from death to everlasting life through Christ. The Holy Spirit is sent to them by Christ to bring hope, to lead mankind into true knowledge of God and His purposes, and to help them grow in '''holiness'''.
* Jesus will return personally, and bodily, to judge all mankind and receive the faithful to himself, so they will [[eternal life|live forever]] in the intimate presence of God.
* The Bible is an authoritative book, [[Biblical inspiration|inspired]] by God but written by men. Some, particularly in the West, refer to the Bible as the "word of God." Other Christians, particularly in the [[Eastern Christianity|East]], reserve to Jesus alone the title, [[Logos|Word of God]]. Christians disagree in various ways about the authority of the Bible (especially in relation to the authority of [[tradition]]) and how the Scriptures are best interpreted.
These beliefs are stated in a number of [[creed]]s, of which the most important and widely used are probably the [[Apostles Creed|Apostles' Creed]] and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, commonly known as the [[Nicene Creed]]. These statements of belief were written in the first few centuries after Christ to reject certain [[heresy|heresies]]. Although there are arguments about specific parts of these creeds, they are still used by mainstream Christians to state their basic beliefs. ''(See also: [[Athanasian Creed]])''
[[Christian Love]] is basic to many forms of Christianity, based in part on Christ's answer to the question, "Which is the greatest commandment?" To which he answered, "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." (Matt. 22:36–39 NASB).
Many persons and groups throughout history have had varying ideas about the basic tenets of the Christian faith, from ancient sects such as [[Arianism|Arians]] and [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]] to modern groups who have different understandings of fundamental Christian ideas. Some of these groups are the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], who have a different theological understanding of Jesus, God and the Bible; [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], who believe that in 1829 God restored the apostolic priesthood to their leader [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]], making possible continuing revelation (including additional teachings and scripture); and the [[Unification Church]]. While various groups may differ in their approach to the specifics of Christ's role, ministry, and nature (some calling him a god or Gods, and others a man), Christ is generally assumed to be of cosmic importance. Some of these groups number themselves among the Christian churches, or believe themselves to be the only true Christian church. Furthermore, many present-day liberal Christians do not define essential Christian belief necessarily including belief in the deity of Jesus, the [[Virgin Birth|virgin birth]], the [[Trinity]], [[miracle]]s, the resurrection, the ascension of Christ, or the personality or deity of the Holy Spirit. Liberals may or may not recommend belief in such things, but differentiate themselves from conservative Christians by defining as included within genuine Christianity anyone who explains their views or teachings principally by appeal to Jesus; for example, [[John 3:16]]. It is common for those who hold the more traditional tenets of faith described in the paragraph above to assert that some or all of these groups are not true Christians, principally because they feel that by denying fundamental teachings about the nature, actions and teachings of Jesus, such persons are following a different religion. Conversely, liberals are often feel that "traditional" Christians have been misled by political organizations spanning thousands of years, and follow dogma designed to assign power to certain institutions.
''See also [[Apostasy]], [[Heresy]], [[Heterodoxy]], [[Orthodoxy]].''
==Excommunication==
[[Excommunication]] is the formal act of a Church in recognizing that a person has removed him or herself from the practice of orthodox faith. It is important to note that people are said to excommunicate themselves by their own actions; the Church claims that it merely affirms that fact formally with a declaration of excommunication. It effectively banishes a member of the Church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the Church. Excommunication is generally reserved for the most serious sins, including serious crimes, [[adultery]], in most denominations [[polygamy]] and/or [[homosexuality|homosexual]] conduct, [[apostasy]], and the alleged teaching false doctrines. In the case of apostasy and false teaching, excommunication is often a last resort after repeated warnings.
In some denominations it may be a final action, while in others it may be rescinded if certain conditions are met, such as the repentance of the excommunicated member.
== Christianity's relationship with other faiths ==
{{see details|Christianity and world religions}}
<!--Added: Text was needed regarding Christianity's relationship with non-Abrahamic faiths.-->
Christianity's relationship with other faiths is at times rather complicated. Historically Christianity was often used to subjugate and oppress members of other faiths, particularly faiths considered "[[pagan]]" in nature. Due to its diverse history and its numerous denominations and branches it is difficult to give an accurate account of Christianity's current relationship with the many non-Abrahamic faiths. The relationship of Christianity with faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and the many so called "[[pagan]]" faiths of the world can vary from region to region and denomination to denomination. As such this segment will focus on Christianity's relationship with Abrahamic faiths.
[[Comparative religion]] scholars attempt to find commonality between religions; and, the description of Christianity as an [[Abrahamic religion]] arises from this effort, using the term to point out supposed commonalities especially in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which each refer to [[Abraham]] as important to their faith. The [[Jew]]s see Abraham as the progenitor of the [[Israelites|people of Israel]], through his descendants [[Isaac]] and [[Jacob]], and Muslims admire Abraham (whom they call [[Ibrahim]]) as a great prophet and as the father of [[Ishmael]], whom they believe to be the progenitor of [[Muhammad]] and whom they believe Abraham was to sacrifice rather than Isaac.
For their part, Christians point to Abraham as a spiritual ancestor and an exemplar of justifying faith. (This relationship is not to be confused with Abraham's role as a ''blood'' ancestor of Jesus, as described in the genealogies of Matthew chapter 1 and Luke chapter 3.) They see Jesus as Abraham's spiritual descendant, in whom God promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Gen+12:3;22:18 Gen. 12:3; 22:18]), and thus they consider themselves heirs of that promise ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Gal+3 Gal. 3], especially [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Gal+3:7,14,29 vv. 7,14,29]; [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Rom+9:6-8 Rom. 9:6–8]). Unlike Judaism and Islam, Christians see Abraham's willingness to offer his son, Isaac, to God, as [[foreshadowing]] God's giving of his son, Jesus, for the salvation of men ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Gen+22:1-14;Heb+11:17-19 Gen. 22:1–14; Heb. 11:17–19]).
Thus, some members of each faith see Abraham as a basis for understanding between Christians, Jews, and Muslims, but when Christians use the "Abrahamic roots" language, they do not mean that true Christianity is found in some kind of average of religions with overlapping traditions, but merely that, the Christian faith has elements in common, which may provide a helpful basis for constructive relationships between peoples of the divergent traditions. Two representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, for instance, have recently referenced the Abrahamic roots of the Christian faith publicly: In a statement to the [[United Nations]] in [[2001]], [[Apostolic Nuncio]] [[Renato Cardinal Martino]], spoke of "the peoples of the Holy Land" as "cousins in the Abrahamic faith." [[Cardinal Ratzinger]] (now [[Pope Benedict XVI]]) struck the same theme in his statement in [[2000]] in an effort to repair damaged Jewish-Roman Catholic relations during the time of [[Pope Pius XII]] and [[Adolph Hitler]]: "Even if the most recent, loathsome experience of the Shoah [the [[Holocaust]]] was perpetrated in the name of an anti-Christian ideology, which tried to strike the Christian faith at its Abrahamic roots in the people of Israel, it cannot be denied that a certain insufficient resistance to this atrocity on the part of Christians can be explained by an inherited anti-Judaism present in the hearts of not a few Christians". <!--need link sources for these 2 statements-->
=== Christianity and Judaism ===
There have long been some sentiments of [[anti-semitism]] in Christianity (see [[Christianity and anti-Semitism]]), but especially since the [[Holocaust]], there has been much dialogue between Christians groups and Jews aimed at [[Christian-Jewish reconciliation]] and Christian attitudes toward Jews have greatly improved. Many conservative evangelicals support [[Christian Zionism]], which is tied to the common belief that the Jewish people are "the apple of God's eye". Many are [[dispensationalist]]s, who believe that the ingathering of Jews to the modern state of [[Israel]] is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. They await the rebuilding of the [[Temple in Jerusalem]], which they believe to be one of the final signs that Jesus is returning soon to rescue the Church from the [[Great Tribulation]], and to save the Jews from the [[Antichrist]], after which Jesus is expected to reign over the earth from Jerusalem, during the [[Millennialism|Millennium]].
====Jewish criticism====
A common Jewish criticism of Christianity is that Jesus did not fulfill prophecy. Christians by and large believe that Jesus did fulfill prophecy, but Jewish scholars and religious leaders often argue that many of the prophecies remain unfulfilled. Some such prophecies include the following: The Hebrew people were expecting a descendant of [[King David]], anointed by God, who would restore the Nation of Israel and the Davidic Kingdom, ushering in an everlasting age of peace on earth. The Messiah was also to end all earthly bondage and servitude (Particularly to the [[Roman]]s). Many Jews today believe that were Jesus the true Messiah (or anointed one) it would be in the power of none to deny him. Christians, by and large, believe in an eventual [[Second Coming]] in which Jesus will fulfill all prophecy.
====Messianic Judaism====
[[Messianic Judaism]] refers to a loose religious movement, self-identified as Jewish, holding that [[Jesus]] is or was the [[Messiah]].<!--Text Removed: The previous statement was misleading. While some Messianic Jews are Trinitarians many believe that Jesus was simply the Anointed One, and not "God Incarnate."--> Messianic Jews may hold a wide range of religious beliefs and practices, ranging from Evangelical Christian Judaism to Christian Orthodox Judaism. Messianic Jews vary in their adherence Jewish religious law and worship practices, such as keeping of Kosher and observing the Sabbath. Even though Messianic Jews are typically of a Jewish ethnicity, some Messianic temples may be composed entirely of gentiles. Messianic Jews are not considered part of the Jewish religion by mainstream Jewish groups. There are also Jewish members of Christian churches that are not affiliated with Messianic Judaism.<!--Edit: Numerous Grammatical errors corrected. Additional information added.-->
<!--Added: It's important to note a mainstream Jewish Response to Messianic Judaism, and to note how Messianic Jews reconcile it.-->Many Jews argue that since Jesus failed to fulfill numerous prophecies he could not have been the true Messiah. Because of this argument some religious Jews have dismissed Messianic Judaism as little more than Christianity with Jewish undertones. However Messianic Jews believe in the [[Second Coming]] of Jesus and that those prophecies which Jesus supposedly failed to fulfill will be fulfilled upon his eventual return.
====See also====
* [[Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity]]
* [[Judeo-Christian]]
=== Christianity and Islam ===
[[Muslim]]s refer to themselves, Jews, and Christians (among other religious adherents) as [[People of the Book]] since they all base their religion on books that are considered to have a divine origin. Christians accept the Old Testament as part of their [[Biblical canon]], but they neither consider the Qur'an to be a book of divine revelation or a part of their faith nor agree with Islam's view that Jesus was a prophet, on par with [[Muhammad]], much in the same way as Jews do not consider the New Testament a divine revelation or Jesus of divine being.
Muslims, unlike Christians and Jews, do not believe in Messianic Prophecy. Instead, in Islam Messiah means Anointed Prophet, thus Muslims believe in more than one Messiah. In Islam any Prophet anointed by God could be considered a Messiah, and therefore Muslims believe that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were all Messiah.
== Christianity and persecution ==
<!--{{POV-section}} has been removed because no reason was given for the objection-->
Historically Christians have been both the victims and perpetrators of persecution. Some forms of persecution continue to the present day.<!--If you have any objections to this voice them on the Discussion page.-->
Christian [[martyr]]s in the first three centuries were [[crucified]], torn apart by [[chariot]]s, cut down, or impaled on pikes in much the same manner as [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] [[political prisoners]] and [[rebel]]s. Many were forced to fight in Roman [[coliseum]]s as fodder for famous [[gladiator]]s, or forced to fight each other for entertainment and as punishment. When early christians refused to fight each other wild beast or gladiators would often be set loose to slaughter them, providing sinister entertainment for betting Roman citizens. Bets were often cast on which Christian would die first, whether or not one would raise arms against another, and how long one would last before having his or her torso ripped apart. They are recognized as martyrs because they chose to die rather than renounce their Christian faith.
In the [[Middle East]] and [[Africa]], Christians face a great deal of persecution, including arrests for "blasphemy" in the Middle East and even being targeted for [[assassination]] and acts of [[terrorism]]. Though such violence against Christians is extremely uncommon in [[China]], Christians in [[China]] are treated as second class citizens, and are often the victims of public insults and persecution by government officials. In [[China]] there are also laws against proselytizing, so while it's not illegal to convert to Christianity, one can be fined or imprisoned for attempting to convert others, especially publicly. Predominantly Christian regions (such as [[East Timor]]) have chosen independence partly for this reason. Because of this, many Christian converts from these parts of the world have left for [[Europe]], the [[United States]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]].
Christians have not always only been the victims of persecution however. As early as year 323 AD. [[Constantine]] became the sole [[Roman Emperor]] and declared Christianity the Roman religion. Subsequently all pagan practices and worship were made illegal, through perhaps not by Constantine himself. Those who continued to worship the ancient [[Paganism|pagan]] gods of [[Rome]] were imprisoned, tortured, and killed. The [[Paganism|pagan]] temples of Rome were also desecrated, torn apart, and sacked, or converted to Christian sites. This sent shockwaves throughout the ancient world, and the subsequent [[Christianization]] of [[Greece]] and other regions touched by Rome was by and large a very violent process, including forced conversions, public executions, and [[ethnic cleansing]]. Since the rise of Constantine as emperor of Rome Christianity has developed a long history of persecution, particularly against [[Paganism|pagan]]s and other non-Christians.<!--Incorrect markups have been corrected, do not revert again without voicing a reason on the Talk page.-->
In spite of the widely held belief that violence is antithetical to Christ's teachings, some Christian adherents have at times persecuted, [[tortured]], and killed others over doctrinal and ethnic differences. Few would deny the role of Christianity in the [[Crusades]], the [[Inquisition]], and the [[Witch hunts]] that acted as a means to exterminate nonchristians between the [[Dark Ages]] and the early settlement of the USA. [[Anti-Semitism]], which remains in some denominations today, has also been a powerful force at various times in Christian history, sometimes resulting in great violence.
Christians in Western countries are sometimes accused of [[Persecution|persecution]] and [[Discrimination|discrimination]] today, although alleged offences are minor compared with the torture and death as forms of persecution elsewhere. The campaigns of some Christians against allowing homosexuals equal legal rights, and rare individual instances of religiously motivated [[violence]] and [[vandalism]] sometimes fuel these allegations. Christian disagreements with other religions are also sometimes seen as persecution by those disagreed with, particularly when the [[rhetoric]] reaches what some perceive as threatening. Campaigns by a small minority of Christians for the setting up of Christian states are sometimes seen as a dangerous form of [[separatism]], particularly by those of different faiths. Some Christians see alleged restrictions placed on some forms religious activity in the [[public sphere]] as a form of discrimination. In the [[United States]] many [[Secularism|secular]] organizations may receive government funding, but not [[Tax exemption|tax exempt status]], while religious organizations may not receive government funding but do receive tax exemption.<!--Many spelling errors corrected, information added, minor trimming done, correct markups added.-->
Conflicts within Christianity itself have led to the persecutions of one Christian group by another. [[Protestantism|Protestants]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] and other Christians have at times persecuted each other, sometimes violently. In the second half of the [[20th century]] the violent conflict between armed political groups among the [[Unionists (Ireland)|unionist]] and [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] communities in [[Northern Ireland]] carried a strong element of [[sectarianism]] between Protestants and Roman Catholics.
For more information, see [[Persecution of Christians]] and [[Historical persecution by Christians]].
== Criticisms of Christianity ==
Critics of Christianity have included philosophers, journalists, scientists and other people from all walks of life. Some have argued that Christianity can be an intolerant religion. Bertrand Russell argued that "The puritanism of Christianity has played havoc with the moderation that an enlightened and tolerant critical spirit would have produced." Voltaire said that "Of all religions, Christianity is without a doubt the one that should inspire tolerance most, although, up to now, the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men." <!--Grammatical errors corrected-->
Some critics, such as [[Richard Dawkins]] argue that Christianity has sought to suppress rational enquiry and hence the quest for truth. He cites the story of Doubting Thomas from the Bible and argues that the Bible actively discourages believers from making rational enquiries about their faith. Dawkins has said that he is against the religion "because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world."
Some critics have argued that the Bible's insistence on absolute right and wrong have led misguided people to fight wars such as the Crusades, to commit terrorism such as the bombings of abortion clinics, to murder, and to commit countless atrocities such as the Inquisitions, the Witch Trials, and the Purgings all on the basis of that religion. [[George Monbiot]] has also argued that Christian fundamentalists are driving the United States's current foreign policy, to the detriment of all concerned.[http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1195568,00.html]
==Christian responses to critics==
While admitting that some Christians have acted towards its critics inappropriately, Christians argue that the charge that Christianity has been too intolerant lacks historical perspective. Christians point out that Voltaire, Bertrand Russell, and other vehement secular critics of Christianity were never martyred and there appears to be no evidence that they were threatened to the degree that [[Salmon Rushdie]] was. In modern times, Christians point out that prosecutions for [[blasphemy]] have been rare in nations such as the United States which is a fairly religious country with many Christians.[http://www.crf-usa.org/terror/rushdie.htm] In addition, when critics cite Voltaire in order to criticize Christianity, Christians see this as being very ineffective. Voltaire was not a reliable expert on Christianity or religion. Voltaire wrote, "I will go through the forest of the Scriptures and girdle all the trees, so that in a hundred years Christianity will be but a vanishing memory." However, [[Norman Geisler|Geisler]] and Nix have pointed out that in "only 50 years after his death the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of Bibles." (Geisler and Nix, General Introduction to the Bible, Chicago, Moody Press, 1963). In additon, according the Guiness World Records "The world's best-selling and most widely distributed book is the Bible, with an estimated 2.5 billion copies sold since 1815." [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=48276]
In regards to the charge that Christianity sets out to limit rational inquiry, Christians point out that the [[Scientific Revolution]] occured in Christianized Europe and that many of the great scientists in history were Christians. [http://www.ldolphin.org/bumbulis/] In addition, in regards to [[Richard Dawkins]] allegation that Christianity sets out to limit rational inquiry it should be pointed out that Richard Dawkins is a biologist and not a historian of science.
Some critics of Christianity argue that Christian morality has been detrimental to mankind. Christians argue that Christianity and Christian morals have greatly benefited mankind and history shows this matter.
[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/themistocles_triumph_love.htm]
[http://faithfacts.gospelcom.net/cul_christmas.html] Christians argue that while some Christians have acted badly, one must use the principle of total evidence and not merely dwell on the bad acts of certain Christians without taking due consideration of the good acts done by Christians.
Lastly, Christians see some critics attacks on Christianity as being a attack on a characterture of Christianity and not Christianity. Christians believe that some critics of Christianity are not familiar enough with Christianity or Christian scholarship to give valid critiques. Many Christians believe there is compelling evidence for the [[resurrection of Jesus]] and that noted historians, legal experts, and scholars have commented on this matter. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ]. Many Christians believe that some critics of Christianity would do well to read the works of scholars and authors who cite the evidence for the validity of Christianity such as [[Gary Habermas]], [[FF Bruce]], [[Kenneth Kitchen]], [[Norman Geisler]], [[Edwin M. Yamauchi]], [[Bruce Metzger]], [[John Warwick Montgomery]], [[Michael Grant (author)|Michael Grant]], [[A. N. Sherwin-White]], [[Josh McDowell]], [[Lee Strobel]], and [[Bryant G. Wood]].
== See also == {{Commons|Jesus Christ}}
* [[Assyrian Church of the East]]
* [[Catholicism in China]]
* [[Charismatic]]
* [[Christian anarchism]]
* [[Christian apologetics]]
* [[Christian Arab]]
* [[Christian art]]
* [[Christian calendar]]
* [[Christian Century]]
* [[Christian emigration]]
* [[Christian eschatology]]
* [[Christian existential humanism]]
* [[Christian materialism]]
* [[Christian music]]
* [[Christian mythology]]
* [[Christianity and anti-Semitism]]
* [[The stories of Christianity|Christian stories]]
* [[Christian theological controversy]]
* [[Christian views of women]]
* [[Christian Symbolism]]
* [[Christianity in China]]
* [[Christianity Today]]
* [[Religion and the internet]]
* [[Crusade|Crusades]]
** [[Wikipedia:Wikiportal/Eastern_Christianity|Eastern Christianity portal]]
* [[Great Schism]]
* [[History of Christianity|Christian history]]
* [[Homosexuality and Christianity]]
* [[John 3:16]]
* [[List of Christians]]
* [[List of Christian denominations]]
* [[Palestinian Christian|Christians of Palestine]]
* [[Predestination]]
* [[Dominion Theology]]
* [[The Rise of Christianity (book)|''The Rise of Christianity'']] by Rodney Stark
* [[Timeline of unfulfilled Christian Prophecy]]
* [[Christian mysticism]]
* [[Esoteric Christianity]]
==References and Select Bibliography==
* [http://www.ditext.com/robertson/christianity.html Archibald Robertson, ''The Origins of Christianity'' (1954, rev. ed. 1962).]
* ''The Story of Christianity'' by Justo L. Gonzalez (1984, 1985, 1999, ISBN 1565635221)
* ''Christian Theology: An Introduction'' by [[Alister McGrath]] (ISBN 0631225285)
* ''Christian Theology Reader'' by [[Alister McGrath]] (ISBN 063120637X)
* ''Mere Christianity''. [[C.S. Lewis]]
* ''Systematic Theology'', an [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical]] trilogy by [[Thomas Oden]]
** Volume 1: ''The Living God'' (1992, ISBN 0060663634)
** Volume 2: ''The Word of Life'' (1992, ISBN 0060663642)
** Volume 3: ''Life in the Spirit'' (1994, ISBN 0060663626)
* ''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine''. [[Jaroslav Pelikan]]. 5 Volumes, published between 1971-1989.
* ''[[The Kingdom of God is Within You]]'' [http://www.kingdomnow.org/withinyou.html] by [[Leo Tolstoy]] (1894, ISBN 0803294042)
== External links ==
<!--
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===General on-line sources===
* [http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/index.htm ReligionFacts.com: Christianity] Fast facts, glossary, timeline, history, beliefs, texts, holidays, symbols, people, etc.
* [http://www.ccel.org The Christian Classics Ethereal Library], containing the works of a wide spectrum of authors in doctrine, history, devotion, and Bible commentary
* [http://www.wikichristian.org WikiChristian], a wiki book on Christianity, church history and doctrine, and Christian art and music
* [http://www.reformed.org Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics], containing information on the Reformed faith
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/ ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''], containing detailed information on Catholic beliefs and history and the Catholic view of other churches and beliefs
* [http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc13/htm/TOC.htm ''The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge''] from a Protestant perspective
* [http://www.vatican.va The Vatican] contains much official information related to the Roman Catholic Church in many languages
* [http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html Catechism of the Catholic Church] Comprehensive, official teaching of the Rome Catholic Church
* [http://www.cired.org Assyrian Church of the East]
* [http://www.sor.cua.edu Syriac Orthodox Resources] Large compedium of information and links relating to Oriental Orthodoxy.
* [http://aggreen.net/orth_links/orthlink.html Home Page of Orthodox Church and Bible Study Links] While this site manifestly exhibits a certain point of view or editorial bias, it does provide some good information and links regarding Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly as it relates to the more mainstream Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions.
===Criticisms===
* [http://www.xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/_p2/why_not_christian.html Why I am not a Christian] by [[Nobel Prize]] laureate [[Bertrand Russell]].
=== Directories ===
*[http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/ Dmoz.org Open Directory Project: Christianity] (a list of links with information about Christianity)
*[http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Opposing_Views/Christianity/ Dmoz.org Open Directory Project: Contra Christianity] (a list of links critical of Christianity)
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