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{{Christianity}}
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'''Christianity''' is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] [[religion]] centered on the life and teachings of [[Jesus|Jesus of Nazareth]], known by [[Christians]] as Jesus [[Christ]], as recounted in the [[New Testament]].


The article as it currently stands is poorly written. Besides occasional spelling and grammar errors, the article presents itself as a high school essay-esque study in opposites, complete with gems such as, "An army that can trust the commands of their leader's with convinction in its success invariably has a higher morale than an army that doubts its every move." I suggest a lengthy overhaul. [[User:Radishes|Radishes]] 19:05, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
With an estimated 2.1 billion adherents in [[2001]], Christianity is the world's largest [[major world religions|religion]].<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html Religions by Adherents] ''Adherents.com''.</ref>


Why is this article dominated by western battles only? There doesn't seem to be any eastern battle mentioned at all. --[[User:80.227.100.62|80.227.100.62]] 11:02, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
Christianity began in the [[first century]] as a Jewish [[sect]]<ref>[[Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|3:1|31}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|5:27-42|31}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|21:18-26|31}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|24:5|31}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|24:14|31}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|28:22|31}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Chambers | first = Mortimer | coauthors = Crew, Herlihy, Rabb, Woloch | title = The Western Experience Volume II:The Early Modern Period | edition = 1st | year = 1974 | publisher = Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. | id = ISBN 0394317343 | chapter = 5}}</ref>. Hence it shares much [[Religious text|Sacred scripture]] and early history with [[Judaism]]; specifically, the [[Tanakh|Hebrew Bible]], known in the Christian context as the [[Old Testament]] (''see [[Judeo-Christian]]'').<ref>While sharing the Hebrew Scriptures or "Old Testament", Christianity nonetheless disagrees with many points of the Jewish understanding of these texts, or their significance for practice, based on the understandings found in the "New Testament".</ref> Christianity is considered an [[Abrahamic religion]], along with [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]].


Somebody (IP: 208.183.144.155) Vandalized the page.
In the Christian scriptures, the term "Christian" is first attested in [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 11:26: "And in Antioch Jesus' [[disciple]]s were first called '''Christians'''" (Gr. χριστιανους, from ''[[Christ]]'' Gr. Χριστός, which means "the anointed one").
==Denominations of Christianity==
Within Christianity numerous distinct [[Christian denomination|groups]] have developed with beliefs that vary widely by culture and place. Since the [[Reformation]] Christianity is usually represented as being [[Schism|divided]] into three main branches:
*[[Roman Catholic|Roman Catholicism]]: The [[Roman Catholic Church]], the largest single body &mdash; which includes several [[Eastern Catholic]] communities &mdash; as well as certain smaller communities (e.g., the [[Old Catholic Church|Old-Catholics]]), with more than 1.085 billion baptized members.
*[[Eastern Christianity]]: [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox Churches]], the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]es (including [[Western Orthodoxy|Western Orthodox]] churches which preserve Latin practices while accepting Orthodox theology), with a combined membership of more than 240 million baptized members.
*[[Protestantism]]: Numerous denominations and groups such as [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Reformed]], [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]], [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]], [[Presbyterian]]s, [[Baptist]]s, [[Methodist]]s, [[Anabaptist]]s, and [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]]. The oldest of these separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th-century [[Protestant Reformation]], followed in many cases by further divisions. Some Protestants identify themselves simply as ''Christian,'' or ''born-again Christian''. Others, particularly among Anglicans and in [[Neo-Lutheranism]], identify themselves as being "''both'' Catholic ''and'' Protestant". Worldwide total ranges from 592 to 600 million.


Restored the previous article.
Other denominations and churches which self-identify as Christian but which distance themselves from the above classifications together claim around 275 million members. These include [[:Category:Religion in Africa|African indigenous churches]] with up to 110 million members (estimates vary widely), [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (also called [[Mormons]]) with more than 12 million members<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity Christianity (2005)] ''Adherents.com''.</ref>, [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] with approximately 6.6 million members<ref>[http://www.jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm#Jehovah Witness Membership 2005].</ref>, and other groups<ref>Many Christians identify themselves as such not by the adherence to a set of religious rules or rites but instead by their personal relationship to Jesus Christ.</ref>. Most of these groups were founded by Protestants.

In addition to official denominations, break-away sects, orthodox movements within denominations and sects, heretical movements, there are also a wide variety of extra-church groups associated with Christianity.

[[Image:Christian-lineage.png|600px|thumb|center||The historical development of major church branches from their roots.]]

==Beliefs==
[[Image:Cristo Velázquez lou2.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Jesus' [[crucifixion]] as portrayed by [[Diego Velázquez]]. Jesus' life, especially his crucifixion and resurrection, is the basis of Christianity.]]
Enormous diversity of belief exists among Christians. Nevertheless, certain doctrines have come to characterize the mainstream of Christian theology.

=== Messiah ===
Most Christians identify Jesus as the [[Messiah]] (Greek ''Christos'', hence ''Christ'') whose coming was [[Bible prophecy|prophesied]] in the [[Old Testament]].

===Jesus as God and Man===
Most Christians believe that Jesus is "true God and true man" (or fully divine and fully human). Jesus is believed to have become fully human in all respects, including [[mortality]], to have suffered the pains and temptations of mortal man, yet without having sinned. The [[Chalcedonian Creed]] (which is not accepted by the Oriental Orthodox Churches) defined this as Christ having "two natures in one person", a doctrine known to theologians as [[hypostatic union]] (see [[Christology]]).

===[[Holy Trinity]]===
{{main|Trinity}}
Most Christians believe that God is one single eternal being who exists as three distinct, eternal, and indivisible persons: [[God the Father]], God the Son ([[Jesus]]), and God the [[Holy Spirit]] (or ''[[Holy Ghost]]'').

===Salvation===
Most Christians believe that [[salvation]] from "[[sin]] and [[death]]" is available through the person and work of Jesus. It is generally believed that Jesus made an atoning sacrifice, completed with his death on the cross, and thereby paid for the sins of mankind. Christian denominations have arrived at several explanations as to exactly how this salvation occurs. (See [[soteriology]].)

===Crucifixion and Resurrection===
Most Christians believe that [[Jesus]] [[crucifixion|died on the Cross]], [[resurrection|rose from the dead]], and [[ascension|ascended]] into Heaven after appearing to his [[Twelve Apostles|disciples]].

===Second Coming===
{{main|Second Coming}}
Most Christians believe in the [[Resurrection of the dead|General Resurrection]], in which all people who have ever lived will rise from the dead at the [[end of time]], to be [[Last Judgement|judged]] by Christ when He returns to fulfill the rest of [[Messianic prophecy]].

===The Afterlife===
Christian views of the [[afterlife]] generally involve [[heaven]] and [[hell]], with Catholicism adding an intermediate realm of [[purgatory]]. Except for purgatory, whose denizens will ultimately enter heaven, these realms are commonly thought to be eternal. There is, however, some debate on this point within [[Eastern Christianity]].{{fact}}

Orthodox Christian theology teaches there will be a General Resurrection, with the [[soul]] continuing consciousness after death until the resurrection of the physical body and the Last Judgement. <ref name="res"> See, e.g., Aquinas, the ''[http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5.htm Summa Theologicum, Suplementum Tertiae Partis]'', questions 69 through 99; and Calvin, the ''[http://www.reformed.org/books/institutes/books/book3/bk3ch25.html Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book Three, Ch. 25]''.</ref>

Some maintain that only the righteous will be resurrected.{{fact}}

{{Christian theology}}

==Differences in beliefs==
===Nicene Creed===
{{main|Nicene Creed}}
The [[Nicene Creed]], originally formulated at the Councils of [[First Council of Nicaea|Nicaea]] and [[First Council of Constantinople|Constantinople]], was ratified as the universal creed of Christendom by the [[Council of Ephesus]] in [[431|431 AD]]. Eastern Orthodox Christians do not include the [[Filioque clause|''Filioque'' clause]], which the Roman Catholic church added later.

Central Christian beliefs which are affirmed in the Nicene Creed include:
* The [[Trinity]]
* [[Jesus]] is both [[Hypostatic union|God and man]].
* [[Salvation]] is available through the person, life and death of [[Jesus]] Christ.
* The [[virgin birth]], [[crucifixion]], [[resurrection]], [[ascension]], and [[Second Coming]] of [[Jesus]].
* The resurrection of the dead, in which all people who have ever lived will rise from the dead at the [[end of time]], to be [[Last Judgement|judged]] by Christ.

The Nicene Creed directly addresses beliefs the council deemed as heretical, primarily [[Arianism]], which denied that the Father and the Son were "of one being" ([[Ousia|ὁμοὐσιος]]), but also earlier heresies like [[Gnosticism]].

Most Protestant churches follow the Roman Catholic church in accepting Nicene doctrine.

===Scriptures===
{{main|Biblical canon}}
====Authority and different parts of the Bible====
Virtually all Christian churches accept the authority of the [[Bible]], including the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]]. Differences exist in the [[Biblical canon|canons]] of the Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches &mdash; primarily their treatment of the [[Apocrypha#Majority Christian usage|Deuterocanonical books]] used by Catholic and Orthodox Churches but rejected by Protestants as [[Apocrypha]]. This issue affects doctrines only indirectly.

The [[New Church]] or Swedenborgian view of which scripture is to be included in canon is distinctly different from every other Christian institution. The belief held is that some of the books of the Bible have a continuous internal sense or [[correspondence]], while others do not. Those which are seen to have direct correspondence with spiritual truth are viewed as the Word of God, the remaining are then seen as useful books for the Church, some of which are flawed in their understanding, such as the epistles of Paul.

Most Christians regard the [[Gospels]], which tell of the life and teachings of Jesus, as central. Ornamental books of the four gospels are sometimes used in church liturgies. The "gospel" means the "good news" of the Christian message, which Christians regularly disseminate to others. This may include [[missionary]] work as well as the translation and distribution of Bibles, as practiced by [[Gideons International]], [[Wycliffe Bible Translators]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and others.

====Interpretation====
Though Christians largely agree on the content of the Bible, no such consensus exists on the crucial matter of its interpretation, or [[exegesis]], an issue which dates to ancient times.

The earliest schools of Biblical interpretation were the Alexandrine, and the Antiochene. Alexandrine interpretation, exemplified by [[Origen]], tended to read Scripture allegorically, while Antiochene interpretation insisted on the literal sense, holding that other meanings (called theoria) could only accepted if based on the literal meaning.

Traditional Catholic interpretation admits four senses of Scripture. The literal sense is the plain meaning (which would still take account of figures of speech), so that a reference to [[David]] means the historical figure. The allegorical or typological sense teaches Christian doctrine, so that a reference to David may mean Christ. The tropological or moral sense contains ethical teaching, and the anagogical or eschatological sense teaches about the Last Things. The meanings derived from the three non-literal senses may also be stated literally elsewhere.

Protestantism rejects the elevation of other senses to the same level as the literal, although typology remains fairly common in Protestant interpretation.



==Worship and practices==
Orthodox and Catholic believers describe Christian worship in terms of the seven [[sacrament]]s. These include [[baptism]], [[Confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]] or [[Chrismation]], the [[Eucharist]] ([[Eucharist|communion]]), [[Confession#Roman Catholicism|penance and reconciliation]], [[Anointing of the Sick]], [[Holy Orders]], and [[Catholic marriage|matrimony]].

Many Protestant groups, following [[Martin Luther]], recognize the sacramental nature of baptism and communion, but not usually the other five in the same way. [[Anabaptist]] and [[Brethren]] groups would add [[feet washing]]. [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]], and [[Holiness Churches]] emphasize "[[gifts of the Spirit]]" such as [[spiritual healing]], [[prophecy]], [[exorcism]], and [[glossalalia|speaking in tongues]]. These emphases are used not as "sacraments" but as means of worship and ministry. The [[Quakers]] deny the entire concept of sacraments. Nevertheless, their "testimonies" affirming peace, integrity, equality, and simplicity are affirmed as integral parts of the Quaker belief structure.

In general, Protestants tend to view Christian rituals in terms of commemoration apart from mystery. Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Old-Catholic and many Anglican and Lutheran Christians hold the commemoration and mystery of rituals together, seeing no contradiction between them.

Virtually all Christian traditions affirm that Christian practice should include acts of personal piety such as [[prayer]], Bible reading, and attempting to live a moral lifestyle. This lifestyle includes not only obedience to the [[Ten Commandments]], as interpreted by Christ (as in the [[Sermon on the Mount]]), but also love for one's neighbor in both attitude and action &mdash; whether friend or enemy, Christian or non-Christian. This love is commanded by Christ and, according to him, is next only in importance to love toward God; it includes obedience to such injunctions as "feed the hungry" and "shelter the homeless", both informally and formally. Christianity teaches that it is impossible for people to completely reform themselves, but that moral and spiritual progress can only occur with God's help through the gift of the [[Holy Spirit]] who dwells within all faithful believers. Christians believe that by sharing in Christ's life, death, and resurrection, they die with him to sin and can be resurrected with him to new life.

===Weekly worship services===
[[Justin Martyr]] (''First Apology'', chapter LXVII) describes a second-century church service thus:
<blockquote>
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.
</blockquote>
Justin's description, which applies to some extent to most church services today, alludes to the following components:

:*Scripture readings drawn from the Old Testament, one of the Gospels, or an Epistle. Often these are arranged systematically around an annual cycle, using a book called a [[lectionary]].

:*A [[sermon]]. In ancient times this followed the scripture readings; today this may occur later in the service, although in liturgical churches the sermon still often follows the readings.

:* Congregational [[prayer]] and thanksgiving. These will probably occur regularly throughout the service. Justin does not mention this, but some of these are likely to be sung in the form of [[hymns]]. The [[Lord's Prayer]] is especially likely to be recited.

:*The [[Eucharist]] (also called [[Holy Communion]], or the [[Lord's Supper]])&mdash;a ritual in which small amounts of bread and wine are consecrated and then consumed. Some Christians say these ''represent'' the body and blood of Christ, whereas Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans and most Anglicans say that they ''become'' or ''are'' the body and blood of Christ (the doctrine of the [[Real Presence]]). Churches in the "liturgical" family (Orthodox, Catholic, and some Anglican) see this as the main part of the service, while some Protestants may celebrate it less frequently. In many cases there are restrictions on who may partake, concerning which visitors should apprise themselves. For example, only Catholics free from unconfessed [[mortal sin]] may receive Communion in a Catholic church, though in practice it is rare for the Eucharist to be denied to anyone.

:*A "collection" or "offering" in which the people are asked to contribute money. One common method is to pass around a [[collection plate]]. Christians traditionally use these monies not only for upkeep for the church, but also for charitable work of various types.

Several variations or exceptions exist. Sometimes these are due to special events, such as baptisms or weddings which are incorporated into the service. In many churches today, children and youth will be excused from the main service in order to attend [[Sunday school]]. Many denominations depart from this general pattern in a more fundamental way. For example, the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]] meet on Saturday (the biblical [[Sabbath]]), not Sunday, the day of Christ's [[resurrection]]. [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]] or [[Pentecostal]] congregations may be spontaneously moved by the Holy Spirit rather than follow a formal order of service. At a Quaker meeting, participants sit quietly until moved by the Holy Spirit to speak.

In some denominations (mainly liturgical ones) the service is led by a [[priest]]. In others (mainly among Protestants) there is a [[minister of religion|minister]], [[preacher]], or [[pastor]]. Still others may lack formal leaders, either in principle or by local necessity. In addition, there are "high" church services, characterized by greater solemnity and ritual, and "low" services, at which a more casual atmosphere prevails even if the service in question is liturgical in nature.

In Orthodox churches the congregation traditionally stands throughout the liturgy (although allowances are made for human weakness). Many Protestant churches follow a pattern in which participants stand to sing, kneel to pray, and sit to listen (to the sermon). Roman Catholics tend to do the same, though standing for formal prayer is more common. Others services are less programmed and may be quite lively and spontaneous. Music is usually incorporated and often involves a [[choir]] and/or [[organ (music)|organ]]. Some churches use only [[a cappella]] music, either on principle (many [[Churches of Christ]] object to the use of musical instruments in worship) or by tradition (as in Orthodoxy).

In many [[nondenominational]] Christian churches, as well as some Protestant denominations, there is usually a [[worship music]] portion of the service that precedes the sermon or message. This usually consists of the singing of [[hymns]], [[praise and worship music]] or [[psalms]]. Many churches believe that worship is important to usher in the Presence of God for the rest of the service.

A recent trend is the growth of "convergence worship", which combines liturgy with spontaneity. This sort of worship is often a result of the influence of [[Charismatic movement|charismatic renewal]] within Churches which are traditionally liturgical. Convergence worship has spawned at least one new denomination, the [[Charismatic Episcopal Church]].

===Holidays===
Catholics, Eastern Christians, and about half of the Protestants follow a [[liturgical calendar]] with various holidays (from "holy day"). These calendars include feast days (where special worship services are held, to mark a special anniversary) as well as days of [[fasting]]. Typically, a feast will be found preceded by a traditional fast. The best-known fasting period is [[Lent]].

Even Christians who do not follow a liturgical tradition can generally be found celebrating [[Christmas]] and [[Easter]], despite some disagreement as to dates. A few churches object to the recognition of special holidays and may object to the apparent pagan origins of Christmas and Easter.

===Symbols===
The best-known Christian symbol is the [[cross]], of which many varieties exist. For convenience of recognition, several denominations tend to favor distinctive crosses: the [[crucifix]] for Catholics, the [[crux orthodoxa]] for Orthodox, and the unadorned cross for Protestants. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Other Christian symbols include the [[ichthys]] ("fish") symbol or, in ancient times, an [[anchor]], as well as the [[Labarum|chi-rho]]. In a modern Roman alphabet, the Chi-Rho appears like a large ''P'' with an ''X'' overlaid on the lower stem. They are the Greek initials of Jesus' name, and the symbol is the one that is said to have appeared to [[Constantine I and Christianity|Constantine]] prior to converting to Christianity (see History and origins section below).

==History and origins==
{{main|History of Christianity}}
{{seealso|Timeline of Christianity}}

Christianity began within the Jewish religion among the followers of [[Jesus|Jesus of Nazareth]]. Under the leadership of the Apostles [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], it welcomed [[Gentiles]], and gradually separated from [[Pharisees|Pharisaic Judaism]]. Some [[Jewish Christians]] rejected this approach and developed into various sects of their own, while others were joined with Gentile Christians in the development of the church; within both groups there existed great diversity of belief. Professor [[Bentley Layton]] writes, "the lack of uniformity in ancient Christian scripture in the early period is very striking, and it points to the substantial diversity within the Christian religion." A church hierarchy seems to have developed by the time of the [[Pastoral Epistles]] ([[First Epistle to Timothy|1 Tim]] 3, [[Epistle to Titus|Titus]] 1) and was certainly formalized by the 4th century <ref>See [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3801.htm the canons of the Council of Nicaea], especially canon 6.</ref>.

Christianity spread across the [[Mediterranean Basin]], enduring [[Persecution of Christians|persecution]] by the Roman Emperors. As Christianity expanded beyond Palestine, it also came into increased contact with [[Hellenistic]] culture; [[Greek philosophy]], especially [[Platonism]], became a significant influence on Christian thought through theologians such as [[Origen]]. Elements of [[mystery religion]]s such as [[Mithraism]] may have been incorporated into Christianity, although scholars differ on the extent to which the developing Christian faith adopted identifiably [[pagan]] beliefs. [http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/history/context.htm]

Theological disputes about the correct interpretation of Christian teaching led to internal conflicts; Church authorities condemned some theologians as [[heresy|heretics]], the most notable being [[Gnosticism|Christian Gnostics]], and defined orthodoxy in contrast to heresy. Other early [[sects]] deemed heretical included [[Simon Magus|Simonianism]], [[Marcionism]], [[Ebionite|Ebionitism]] and [[Montanism]]. Such disputes, especially in the field of [[Christology]], intensified after the religion's [[Edict of Milan|legalization]], leading to internal strife and to clearer dogmatic definitions through [[ecumenical council]]s, beginning with the [[First Council of Nicaea|Council of Nicaea]] in 325.

Early in the 4th century, the Emperor [[Constantine the Great]] legalized Christianity, giving the church a privileged place in society, and in 391 [[Theodosius I]] established [[Nicene]] Christianity as the official and, except for [[Judaism]], the only legal religion of the [[Roman Empire]]. From Constantine onwards, the history of Christianity becomes difficult to untangle from the history of Europe (see also [[Christendom]]). The Church took over many of the political and cultural roles of the pagan Roman institutions, especially in Europe. The Imperial authorities, seeking unity through the new state religion, acted to suppress the old [[Paganism|pagan cults]] and groups deemed [[heresy|heretical]] by the Church, most notably, Christians who held to [[Arianism]]. The [[Catholic Encyclopedia]] notes that "various penal laws were enacted by the Christian emperors against heretics as being guilty of crime against the State. In both the [[Codex Theodosianus|Theodosian]] and [[Corpus Juris Civilis|Justinian codes]] they were styled infamous persons . . . In some particularly aggravated cases sentence of [[death penalty|death]] was pronounced upon heretics, though seldom executed in the time of the Christian emperors of Rome." [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm]

Various forms of Christian [[monasticism]] developed, with the organization of the first monastic communities being attributed to the hermit [[Anthony the Great|St Anthony of Egypt]] around 300. The monastic life spread to many parts of the Christian empire during the 4th and 5th centuries, as many felt{{fact}} that the Christian moral and spiritual life was compromised by the change from a persecuted minority cult to an established majority religion, and sought to regain the purity of early faith by fleeing society.

The Christian Church of the Roman Empire divided into the Latin-speaking west, centered in [[Rome]], and the Greek-speaking east, centered in [[Constantinople]]. (There were also significant communities in [[Coptic Christianity|Egypt]] and [[Syriac Christianity|Syria]].) Outside the Empire, Christianity was adopted in [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenia]], [[Caucasian Iberia]] (now [[Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church|Georgia]]), [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopia]], [[Christians in Iran|Persia]], [[Saint Thomas Christians|India]], and among the [[Celtic Christianity|Celtic]] tribes. During the [[Migration Period]], various Germanic peoples adopted Christianity; at first [[Arianism]] was widespread (as among [[Goths]] and [[Vandals]]), but later [[Roman Catholicism]] prevailed, beginning with the [[Franks]]. The Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe generally adopted [[Orthodox Christianity]], as in the [[Baptism of Kievan Rus']] ([[988]]) in Rus' Ukraine (present-day Russia and Ukraine). Cultural differences and disciplinary disputes finally resulted in the [[Great Schism]] (conventionally dated to [[1054]]), which formally divided [[Christendom]] into the Catholic west and the Orthodox east.

From the 7th century, Christianity was challenged by [[Islam]], which quickly conquered the Middle East and Northern Africa. Numerous military struggles followed, including the [[Crusades]], the Spanish [[Reconquista]] and the eventual [[Fall of Constantinople|conquest of the Byzantine Empire]] and southeastern Europe by the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]].

Western Christianity in the [[Middle Ages]] was characterized by cooperation and conflict between the secular rulers and the Church under the [[Pope]], and by the development of [[Scholasticism|scholastic theology and philosophy]]. Later, increasing discontent with corruption and immorality among the clergy resulted in attempts to reform Church and society. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] managed to [[Counter-Reformation|renew itself]] at the [[Council of Trent]] ([[1545]]–[[1563]]), but only after [[Martin Luther]] published his [[95 theses]] in [[1517]]. This was one of the key events of the [[Protestant Reformation]] which led to the emergence of [[Christian denominations]]. During the following centuries, competition between Catholicism and Protestantism became deeply entangled with political struggles among European states, while many Orthodox Christians found themselves living under Muslim rulers.

Partly from missionary zeal, but also under the impetus of colonial expansion by the European powers, Christianity spread to the Americas, Oceania, East Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. As the European [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] took hold, Christianity was confronted with the discoveries of science (including the [[heliocentric]] model and the theory of [[evolution]]), and with the development of [[biblical criticism]] (linked to the development of [[Fundamentalist Christianity|Christian Fundamentalism]]) and modern political ideologies such as [[Liberalism]], [[Nationalism]] and [[Socialism]]. In the 19th and 20th centuries, important developments have included the rise of [[Christian ecumenism|Ecumenism]] and the [[Charismatic Movement]].

(For the contributions of Christianity to the humanities and culture, see [[Christian philosophy]], [[Christian art]], [[Christian literature]], [[Christian music]], [[Christian architecture]].)

==Persecution==
:''Main articles: [[Persecution of Christians]], [[Historical persecution by Christians]]''

Christians have frequently suffered from persecution. During the first three centuries of its existence, Christianity was regarded with suspicion and frequently persecuted in the [[Roman Empire]]. Adherence to Christianity was declared illegal, and, especially in the 3rd century, the government demanded that their subjects (the Jews only excepted) sacrifice to the Emperor as a divinity &mdash; a practice that Christianity (along with Judaism) rejected. Persecution in the Roman Empire ended with the [[Edict of Milan]], but it persisted or even intensified in other places, such as [[Sassanides|Sassanid Persia]], and under [[Islam]].

Christians have also been perpetrators of persecution, which has been directed against members of other religions and also against other Christians. Christian mobs, sometimes with the government support, have destroyed [[Paganism|pagan]] temples and oppressed adherents of paganism (such as the philosopher [[Hypatia of Alexandria]], who was murdered by a Christian mob). Jewish communities have periodically suffered violence at Christian hands. Christian governments have suppressed or persecuted dissenting Christian denominations, and denominational strife has sometimes escalated into [[religious wars]] and [[inquisition]]s. [[Witch hunts]], carried out by secular authorities or popular mobs, were a frequent phenomenon in parts of early modern Europe and, to a lesser degree, North America.

There was some persecution of Christians after the [[French Revolution]] during the attempted [[Dechristianisation of France during the French Revolution|Dechristianisation of France]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Chambers | first = Mortimer | coauthors = Crew, Herlihy, Rabb, Woloch | title = The Western Experience Volume II:The Early Modern Period | edition = 1st | year = 1974 | publisher = Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. | id = ISBN 0394317343 | chapter = 21}}</ref> State restrictions on Christian practices today are generally associated with those authoritarian governments which either support a majority religion other than Christianity (as in [[Muslim]] states), or tolerate only churches under government supervision, sometimes while officially promoting state [[atheism]] (as in [[North Korea]]). For example, the [[People's Republic of China]] allows only government-regulated churches and has regularly suppressed [[house churches]] or underground Catholics. The public practice of Christianity is outlawed in [[Status of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]]. On a smaller scale, Greek and Russian governmental restrictions on non-Orthodox religious activity occur today.

Some people cite anti-abortion violence in the United States and the ongoing "troubles" in [[Northern Ireland]] as examples of "persecution by Christians", despite the frequent condemnation of such activities by the vast majority of Christians. Complaints of [[discrimination]] have also been made of and by Christians in various other contexts.

== Controversies ==

There are many controversies surrounding Christianity as to its influences and history.

* Some claim that Jesus of Nazareth may not ever have existed, arguing a lack of sources outside the New Testament. This view has not found general acceptance among historians or Bible scholars (see the [[Historicity of Jesus]]).
* Some argue that because the role of Jesus is similar to that of various mythological figures said to have died and risen again, these may have been the inspiration for Christianity. In particular, [[E. A. Wallis Budge]] compared Christianity to the cult of [[Osiris]], who he said was born mortal, murdered, and reborn as an underworld god equal to [[Ra]] (whom Budge considered the monotheistic God of Egypt). Budge also drew analogies between the Ancient Egyptian belief in Resurrection (which gave rise to the practice of [[mummification]]) and the Christian belief. Budge argued that the [[Egypt]]ians may have been the best prepared for Christianity by such beliefs <ref>{{cite book|last = Budge|first = E. A. Wallis|authorlink = E. A. Wallis Budge|year = 1900|title = Egyptian Religion|publisher = Kessinger}}</ref>. In opposition to this, the [[Coptic Church]] claims that the tale of Osiris, and similar parallels, was given by God to the pharoahs to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. <ref>{{Cite video | People= Joshua Alper | ReleaseYear= 2002 | Title= http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=72604 Egypt: Land Of The Gods] | edium= DVD | DistributorsLocation= United States | DistributorsName= A&E Television etworks}}</ref>

*Some [[Islam|Muslims]] argue that Christianity is a form of [[polytheism]] known as [[tritheism]] rather than [[monotheism]]. In their view, the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a polytheistic [[pantheon]]. Christians counter that their belief is in one God in three persons.

==See also==
{|
| valign="top" |
* [[List of religions]]
* [[Jesus in the Christian Bible]]
* [[Christian apologetics]]
* [[Christian art]]
* [[Christian calendar]]
* [[Christian emigration]]
* [[Christian eschatology]]
* [[Christianity and Freemasonry]]
* [[Christian music]]/[[Christian rock]]
* [[Progressive Christianity]]
* [[Virtue]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Christian mythology]]
* [[Christian Meditation]]
* [[Christian Naturism]]
* [[Christian anarchism]]
* [[Christian communism]]
* [[Christianity and anti-Semitism]]
* [[Christianity by country]]
* [[The stories of Christianity|Christian stories]]
* [[Christian views of women]]
* [[Christian Symbolism]]
* [[Antinomianism]]
* [[Historicity of Jesus]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Homosexuality and Christianity]]
* [[John 3:16]]
* [[Christian wikis]]
* [[List of Christians]]
* [[Religious ministry (Christian)|Religious ministries]]
* [[Sermon on the Mount]]
* [[Sabbath]]
* [[Timeline of Christian missions]]
* [[Judaism and Christianity]]
* [[Emerging Church]]
* [[Criticism of Christianity]]
|}

===History and denominations===
* [[History of Christianity|Christian history]]
* [[Christian theological controversy]]
* [[Wikipedia:Wikiportal/Eastern Christianity|Eastern Christianity portal]]
* [[Great Schism]]
* [[List of Christian denominations]]
* [[Social Gospel]]

==Notes==
<references />

==References and select bibliography==
*''A World History of Christianity'' by Adrian Hastings (Editor) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802848753] (A through review of this book, in this ''Journal of Theology'':[http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/research/theology/ejournal/aejt_2/Greg_Munro.htm]
*Rubenstein, Richard ''When Jesus Became God'', p. 179. [http://biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=41]
*{{cite book | title=The Story of Christianity | author=Gonzalez, Justo L. | year=1984, 1985, 1999 | id=ISBN 1565635221}}
*{{cite book | title=Christian Theology: An Introduction | author=McGrath, Alister | id=ISBN 0631225285}}
*{{cite book | title=Christian Theology Reader | author=McGrath, Alister | id=ISBN 063120637X}}
*{{cite book | title=Mere Christianity | author=Lewis, C.S | id=ISBN 0060652926}}
*Oden, Thomas. ''Systematic Theology'' (an [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical]] trilogy)
** 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)
*Pelikan, Jaroslav (5 Volumes published between 1971-1989).''The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine''.
*Tolstoy, Leo (1894). [http://www.kingdomnow.org/withinyou.html ''The Kingdom of God is Within You'']. ISBN 0803294042.
*Tomkins, Stephen (2005). ''A Short History of Christianity'' (Lion).
*Ellegard, Alvar (1999). ''Jesus One Hundred Years Before Christ''.
*Burton Mack (2001) ''The Christian Myth: Origins, Logic, and Legacy. Social formation of myth making''.
*Vermes, Geza and Martin D. Goodman, eds. The Essenes according to the Classical Sources. Sheffield: Oxford Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies and JSOT Press, 1989.

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Christianity}}
{{Commonscat}}
* [http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/index.htm ReligionFacts.com: Christianity] Fast facts, glossary, timeline, history, beliefs, texts, holidays, symbols, people, etc.
* [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HC02Ae03.html Asia is becoming one of the largest Christian populations in the world in the next 30 years].
*{{cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/index.shtml | title = Christianity | work = Religion & Ethics | publisher = BBC | accessdate = 2006-04-12}}
*[http://www.bidstrup.com/bible.htm ''The Bible And Christianity - The Historical Origins'' - An essay by Scott Bidstrup].
*[http://christ.relately.com ChristWiki] - non-denominational Christian wiki that anyone can edit. A good source of general information on Christianity.

[[Category:Christianity|Christianity]]
[[Category:Religious faiths, traditions, and movements]]

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Revision as of 02:46, 4 May 2006

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The article as it currently stands is poorly written. Besides occasional spelling and grammar errors, the article presents itself as a high school essay-esque study in opposites, complete with gems such as, "An army that can trust the commands of their leader's with convinction in its success invariably has a higher morale than an army that doubts its every move." I suggest a lengthy overhaul. Radishes 19:05, 20 February 2006 (UTC) 

   Why is this article dominated by western battles only? There doesn't seem to be any eastern battle           mentioned at all. --80.227.100.62 11:02, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Somebody (IP: 208.183.144.155) Vandalized the page.

Restored the previous article.

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