Portal:Christianity/Intro: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg|right|240px|Sermon on the Mount]] |
[[Image:Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg|right|240px|Sermon on the Mount]] |
||
'''[[Christianity]]''' (from the Greek word ''Khristos'' {{lang|el|Xριστός}} "[[Christ]]") is a [[Monotheistic religion #Christian view|monotheistic]] [[religion]] centered on the life and teachings of [[Jesus]] as [[New Testament view on Jesus' life|presented in the New Testament]]. Adherents of Christianity, known as [[Christian (word)|Christian]]s, believe that Jesus is the [[Son of God]] and the [[Messiah]] [[Bible prophecy|prophesied]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] (the part of [[scripture]] common to Christianity, Islam (although differences are seen in the Islamic Pentateuch and the Judeo-Christian Pentateuch) and [[Judaism]]). The majority of |
'''[[Christianity]]''' (from the Greek word ''Khristos'' {{lang|el|Xριστός}} "[[Christ]]") is a [[Monotheistic religion #Christian view|monotheistic]] [[religion]] centered on the life and teachings of [[Jesus]] as [[New Testament view on Jesus' life|presented in the New Testament]]. Adherents of Christianity, known as [[Christian (word)|Christian]]s, believe that Jesus is the [[Son of God]] and the [[Messiah]] [[Bible prophecy|prophesied]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] (the part of [[scripture]] common to Christianity, Islam (although differences are seen in the Islamic Pentateuch and the Judeo-Christian Pentateuch) and [[Judaism]]). The majority of Western Christian theology claims that Jesus suffered, died, and was [[resurrection|resurrected]] to bring about [[salvation]] from [[Sin#Christian views of sin|sin]]. The Eastern Orthodox claim that Jesus was incarnated, killed, and was resurrected to bring about a remedy for death and sin, but not as a substitute victim; he did not receive punishment. They both further maintain that Jesus [[Ascension of Jesus|ascended]] into [[heaven]], and most [[Christian denomination|denominations]] teach that Jesus will [[Second Coming|return]] to [[Last judgement|judge]] all humans, living and dead, and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the [[role model|model]] of a [[virtue|virtuous]] life, and both the [[revelation|revealer]] and physical [[incarnation (Christianity)|incarnation]] of [[God in Christianity|God]]. Christians call the message of Jesus Christ [[Good news (Christianity)|the Gospel]] ("good news") and hence refer to the earliest written accounts of his ministry as [[gospel]]s. Like [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]], Christianity is classified as an [[Abrahamic religion]] (''see also [[Judeo-Christian]]''). [[Jewish Christianity#Jewish origin of Christianity|Christianity began as a Jewish sect]] in the eastern [[History of the Mediterranean region|Mediterranean]], quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the [[Roman Empire]]. During the [[Middle Ages]], most of the remainder of Europe was [[Christianization|Christianized]], with Christians also being a (sometimes large) religious minority in the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]], and parts of [[Thomas Christians|India]]. Following the [[Age of Discovery]], through [[Missionary|missionary work]] and colonization, Christianity spread to the [[Americas]] and the rest of the world. Christianity has played a prominent role in the [[history of Western civilization|shaping of Western civilization]] since at least the 4th century. As of the early 21st century, Christianity has between 1.5 billion and 2.1 billion adherents, representing about a quarter to a third of the world's population and is the [[Major religious groups|world's largest religion]]. |
||
Revision as of 21:55, 12 May 2010
Christianity (from the Greek word Khristos Xριστός "Christ") is a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Adherents of Christianity, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (the part of scripture common to Christianity, Islam (although differences are seen in the Islamic Pentateuch and the Judeo-Christian Pentateuch) and Judaism). The majority of Western Christian theology claims that Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected to bring about salvation from sin. The Eastern Orthodox claim that Jesus was incarnated, killed, and was resurrected to bring about a remedy for death and sin, but not as a substitute victim; he did not receive punishment. They both further maintain that Jesus ascended into heaven, and most denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead, and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the model of a virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God. Christians call the message of Jesus Christ the Gospel ("good news") and hence refer to the earliest written accounts of his ministry as gospels. Like Judaism and Islam, Christianity is classified as an Abrahamic religion (see also Judeo-Christian). Christianity began as a Jewish sect in the eastern Mediterranean, quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, most of the remainder of Europe was Christianized, with Christians also being a (sometimes large) religious minority in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of India. Following the Age of Discovery, through missionary work and colonization, Christianity spread to the Americas and the rest of the world. Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western civilization since at least the 4th century. As of the early 21st century, Christianity has between 1.5 billion and 2.1 billion adherents, representing about a quarter to a third of the world's population and is the world's largest religion.