Christianity: A Brief Summary

by Nate

Christianity is a very well-known religion, but unbiased explanations of it are still difficult to find. I hope this brief overview will clear up some confusion.

Christianity is considered an Abrahamic religion, along with Judaism and Islam. It has its roots in Judaism, and despite the many differences and disagreements between these two faiths, there are also many common themes and beliefs. Many people believe that Jesus was a Jew; however, many followers of Judaism reject Jesus as the messiah, while most Christians view Jesus as God incarnate, the savior of the world – the appointed one, the son of God, the bringer of salvation.

Accordingly, the teachings of Jesus are the foundation of Christianity. Christians believe that he was a real person, brought into the world by an immaculate conception, and executed by crucifixion for the sins of humanity. In the Bible it was prophesied that upon his coming, “The deaf shall hear; the blind shall see (Isaiah 29:18); the eyes of the blind opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame man shall leap like a rabbit, the tongue of a dumb man shall leap for joy (Isaiah 35:5, 8).” In Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:18-23, Jesus fulfilled these prophesies. During his lifetime, he gathered many disciples, and preached to people, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40) To prove that he was truly the son of God, he performed many miracles, including walking on water and changing water to wine.

After Jesus spent years traveling and preaching, it was decided that he was a threat to the Roman Empire, and when he was about 33 his crucifixion was ordered by Pontius Pilate, then a governor. However, the Bible relates his resurrection and thereafter, the continuing of his teachings by his disciples, whom he instructed, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) These teachings are described in the Bible’s New Testament, which continues and expands on the Old Testament, and relates events after the coming of Jesus.

Christianity plays a role in the lives of an extraordinary number of people all over the world. In fact, about one third of the world's population, or 2.2 billion people, are Christian – making Christianity the most widely adhered-to religion there is, followed by Judaism & Islam. However, it is strictly regulated or even illegal in 51 countries, including those which are Communist (Cuba), fundamental Islamic (Nigeria) or Hindu. It is not a unified religion, having 22 major denominations and 38,000 minor ones, which differ in regard to apostolic succession, papal authority, and the nature of Jesus. Of Christianity, C.S. Lewis once said, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

Works Cited
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"Fast Facts on Christianity." Religion Facts. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/fastfacts.htm

Hedrick, Charles. "What Is Christianity?" Geneva.rutgers.edu. Web. 25 Nov. 2010. http://geneva.rutgers.edu/src/christianity/

Oakes, John. "Where Did Christianity Originate?" Evidence for Christianity. EFC. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content&task=view&id=4002

Paradigm, Shattered. "Christianity - The Most Persecuted Religion In The Entire World." The Final Hour. End Times, 06 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://thefinalhour.blogspot.com/2009/02/christianity-most-persecuted-religion.html

Persecuted Countries." Persecution News of Churches Persecuted & Christian Sufferings. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.persecution.org/

Robinson, B.A. "Religions of the World: Numbers of Adherents; Growth Rates." Religions of the World. 20 Dec. 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm

"Teachings of Jesus." Gospel Mysteries. Gospel-mystries.net. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.gospel-mysteries.net/teachings-jesus.html

"When Did Jesus Live?" TheologyWeb News - The Front Page. VBulletin Solutions, 22 Apr. 2003. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/archive/index.php/t-3476.html