What is Christianity?

What is Christianity? Christianity is known as a religion. For general people, Christian is everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as his/her savior and God, be baptized in the name of God Father, Son, and Spirit, read Holy Bible, has religious services in Christian church, etc. Those descriptions are definitely true. But really, what is Christianity?

As we know, even though Jesus Christ did not come to the earth to bring new religion, Christianity is based on the resurrection of Him. In history of Judaism, men sailed close to the wind and lost their connection with God. They did mean things and were punished. But God is full of love and He wanted to reconcile with men. He made a testament with the Israel that He would not leave them and He sent prophets and priests as the emissary between Him and His men. But Israel kept doing mean things and no one could do the reconciliation. Then He promised a savior from above who could do the redemption. Jesus came subsequently. Christian believes that Jesus was the savior who was promised by God. They believe that Jesus was sent from above to do the redemption and reconciliation between God and men. He is the incarnation of God alone.

After the death of Jesus Christ, He rised and went to heaven. He promised the apostles that after those things happened, He would send His Holy Spirit as their partner so they did not have to be afraid anymore. At the day of Pentacost, the apostles reported about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and more than 3000 people believed. They then gave themselves to be baptized and became the early Christian. Question of what is Christianity can be answered historically by the explanation above.

Christianity has been developing until today. We can see it’s dynamics backward. And because of that reason, Christianity has been complicated. So, what is Christianity today? It is a difficult question to answer. Christianity now has so many different groups with so many different theologies as their foundations. A few of them even known as sects.

Question of what is Christianity can also be answered personally. Some consider Christianity as their identity. Some even dedicate their lives to learn about Christianity. Some people believe that salvation is only possessed in Christianity. Meanwhile, the other say Christianity is non sense. There are also a few people who say that Christianity is just a fantasy. Several Jews maybe still consider Christianity as heresy. What is Christianity for you?

History of Christianity

People usually think that Jesus Christ came to the earth to bring new religion, Christianity. But actually He did not. Jesus Christ was a Jews and follower of Judaism. His purpose was to fulfill the prophets’ prophecies about the savior of Israel and of the world.

Christianity was born after the death of Jesus Christ. The History of Christianity began when the apostles rechieved power from Holy Spirit to inform the people about resurrection of Jesus Christ at the day of Pentacost. Since then, so many people believed and gave themselves to be baptized. Those people then became the followers of Jesus Christ and were called Christians. 

The History of Christianity was developed since the number of Christians was increased day by day. And so many resistance from people around them emerged. The Jews considered them as heretics because they recognized Jesus Christ as Son of God. Jews’ aversion to the Christians was normal for they used to be punished because they were unfaithful. And they thought that they were under the power of Roman Empire because of that reason too. So, they would not let part of them adored another God except YHWH (read: adonai). The Roman Empire considered Christian as deviant because they did not worship their Gods and the caesar. Furthermore, Christians were not afraid of the empire. It made the empire did not like them. The History of Christianity after told about the torture and martyrdom of Christians caused by The Roman Empire.

After those sufferings, The History of Christianity told about Apologist and their writings. A few of these writings still can be read today. The Apologist wrote about their faith of Christ and clarified the claims which were appeared around them. Several apologies were accepted at the era of Constantine. Even after that, the caesar was baptized by Eusebius and became Christian. Then, in the fourth century, Constantine advocated the council of Nicea. The History of Christianity showed more and more development then. Not only the number of the followers, but also the doctrines were developed.

Beside those stories, The History of Christianity also told another story about Christian heretics: Gnostic, Marcion, etc. Those heresies made the heads of the churches arranged three bases of Christian doctrines. Those bases are canonic bible, credo, and relics of apostles.

On the middle ages, The History of Christianity showed awful stories. That’s why those times called The Dark Ages. At those times, the heads of churches used their power to make new doctrines of their own pleasant. They proclaimed wars and used the Christian barbarians to take over several areas.

Facts About Christianity: Proof Texting

One day, a beggar came to a house of rich person. He wanted to ask the owner of the house to give him food or money. Then the rich person said, “ Holy Bible told me that people should work if they want to eat.” “But, Holy Bible told me to ask so that what I need will be given to me.” the beggar argued. “But Holy Bible told me that sluggards have to accept the consequence of their laziness...” he replied. “Now I understand why Jesus said that it is hard for rich people to get in the kingdom of the father.” said the beggar before he went away. Had the beggar and the rich person read different kind of Holy Bible? It is definitely the same kind. But this is one of the facts about Christianity.

Proof texting is one of the facts about Christianity. When a Christian use part of biblical text for his/her interest without considering the real context of the related text, they are proof texting. Even several facts about Christianity show that this kind of case still happens in a few churches.

Before the time for church collection, the liturgist of the service may read verse of Malachi 3:10. If we examine this verse, it is an allusive words from God to Israel because they did not obey His rule to make peace, love each other, and did justice to their fellows. This verse subsequently builds incorrect understanding that God will bless us more if we collect more. This understanding also make new bad facts of Christianity.

Another case, when teenagers are told not to consume any kind of drugs, they might be given verse from Corinthians which says that our body is temple of God. It sounds like it is connected, but it is actually not. That verse talked about salacity. We can see that if we read the whole chapter. But gratefully, for this case, biblical verse is not used for getting somebody’s interest.

Holy Bible is rich and complicated. So many stories are written there. It makes several verses can be contradicted to anothers. If we do not know the context of those verses, we might fall into acts of proof texting. We use our Holy Bible to fool other people. So, it is one of bad facts about Christianity. To minimalize the case of proof texting, theologians today use critic-historical method in biblical studies.