CHRISTIANITY

Christianity is a global, scripture-centred faith grounded in devotion to Jesus the Christ, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and Saviour of the world. From modest beginnings in first-century Judea, it has become the world’s largest religious tradition, shaping civilisations, cultures, and consciences across two millennia.

Origins and Early History

Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 BCE–c. 30 CE), a Jewish teacher and wonder-worker active mainly in Galilee and Jerusalem, proclaimed the kingdom of God, taught through parables, and gathered a community of disciples. Executed by crucifixion under the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, he was soon confessed by his followers as risen from the dead.

The earliest Christian mission radiated through the Roman Empire, propelled by figures such as Paul of Tarsus, who preached that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Christ) and that forgiveness and new life are offered through his death and resurrection. Despite periods of persecution, the movement grew rapidly, forming assemblies (ekklesiai) that read scripture, celebrated ritual meals, and supported the poor.

With Constantine’s toleration of Christianity (early fourth century) and Theodosius I’s later establishment of Christianity as imperial religion, Christian doctrine and canon took formal shape. The ecumenical councils (325–787) articulated core dogmas: the Trinity (one God in three Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the Incarnation (Jesus Christ fully divine and fully human). The New Testament canon (27 books) was received across most churches.

Great Schisms and Reformations

Cultural and political divergence between the Greek-speaking East and Latin West culminated in the Great Schism (1054), dividing Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. In the sixteenth century, the Protestant Reformation fractured the Western Church, elevating scripture (sola scriptura) as supreme authority and encouraging vernacular worship. From that crucible emerged Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist, and later Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions.

Beliefs and Theological Themes

While diverse, most Christians confess:

• God as Trinity — one divine essence, three Persons.
• Jesus Christ — the eternal Son who became human; his death and resurrection reconcile humanity to God.
• Salvation by grace — God’s unmerited gift, variously understood in relation to faith, sacraments, and works of love.
• Scripture — the Bible as normative witness (with differing Old Testament canons).
• The Church — the Spirit-formed community, sometimes conceived sacramentally (Catholic/Orthodox), sometimes primarily as gathered believers (many Protestants).
• Last Things — resurrection of the dead, final judgement, and renewal of creation.

Distinct emphases include debates over predestination, the nature of justification, and the meaning of Eucharist (Real Presence/Transubstantiation in Catholic and Orthodox churches; various symbolic or spiritual-real views among Protestants).

Worship and Practice

Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, is the principal day of worship. Patterns vary:

• Catholic and Orthodox liturgies centre on the Eucharist (Mass/Divine Liturgy), with scripture, intercession, hymns, and sacramental rites.
• Protestant services typically emphasise preaching, congregational song, and periodic celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
• Sacraments/Rites: Catholics and Orthodox recognise seven (Baptism, Confirmation/Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony). Most Protestants observe two dominical sacraments (Baptism and Eucharist) and additional rites.
• The Year of Grace: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday), Easter, and Pentecost sacralise time.
• Devotions and Icons: Veneration of Mary and the saints (Catholic/Orthodox), use of icons in the East, and diverse prayer traditions (rosary, contemplative prayer, charismatic praise).

Organisation and Polity

• Episcopal structures (Catholic/Orthodox/Anglican) vest oversight in bishops; Catholics recognise the Pope as universal pastor.
• Presbyterian polities employ graded councils of elders.
• Congregational/Free-church models place authority primarily in the local assembly.
  Monastic, missionary, and charitable orders have long embodied Christian service, education, and care for the vulnerable.

Global Christianity in the Contemporary Era (to 2025)

Christianity remains the world’s largest faith, with a dynamic centre of gravity in the Global South. Key features:

• Demographic shift: Rapid growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia; relative decline or secularisation in many European contexts; steady plurality in North America amid religious realignment.
• Pentecostal and Charismatic expansion: A vibrant current across Catholic, Protestant, and independent churches, emphasising spiritual gifts, healing, and lively worship — now representing a substantial share of practising Christians worldwide.
• Ecumenism and Dialogue: Ongoing bilateral and multilateral conversations (Catholic–Orthodox, Catholic–Lutheran, Anglican–Methodist, etc.) alongside substantial interfaith engagement with Judaism, Islam, and other world religions.
• Public Witness: Christian communities address migration, poverty, ecological stewardship, and reconciliation, while internal debates persist over ministry, sexuality, and ethical bio-questions.
• Digital discipleship: Post-pandemic innovation has mainstreamed online liturgy, catechesis, and global theological exchange, even as churches re-emphasise embodied community.

Symbolism and Sacred Imagination

Christian art and ritual are saturated with sign and sacrament:

• The Cross/Crucifix — paradox of suffering transformed into hope.
• The Ichthys (Fish) — cryptic creed of the early Church.
• Chi-Rho — Christ’s monogram, victory through humility.
• Baptismal Water and Easter Fire — death to sin, new creation.
• Bread and Wine — mystical participation in Christ’s life.
  Eastern iconography reveals the transfigured world; Western art narrates salvation history from catacomb frescoes to Gothic cathedrals and contemporary sacred music.

Spirituality and Practice of Life

Christian spirituality ranges from desert monasticism and Benedictine stability to Ignatian discernment, Carmelite contemplative prayer, Wesleyan holiness, and charismatic renewal. Across traditions, the mark of maturity is caritas — love of God and neighbour — expressed in works of mercy, justice, and peacemaking.

Legacy and Significance

For two thousand years Christianity has shaped law, learning, literature, art, music, and the moral imagination of peoples across the globe. Its central confession — that God is love and has drawn near in Jesus Christ — continues to inspire service to the poor, reconciliation amid conflict, and hope beyond despair.

In an age of fracture and acceleration, Christianity offers an ancient yet living grammar of meaning, mercy, and community, summoning believers to worship, holiness, and the healing of the world.

FURTHER READING:

• David B. Barrett, George T. Kurian, and Todd M. Johnson, eds., World Christian Encyclopedia, 2d ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001);
• Harvey Cox, Fire from Heaven: The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and the Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-first Century (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1995);
• Robert S. Ellwood, and James B. Wiggins, Christianity: A Cultural Perspective (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1988);
• Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (New York: Oxford University Press, 2002);
• Daniel L. Migloire, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: W. B. Eerdmans, 2004);
• Ninian Smart, The Phenomenon of Christianity (London: Collins, 1979);
• Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church, Rev. Ed. (New York: Scribner, 1984)
• Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom (OUP).
• Rowan Williams, Tokens of Trust.
• N. T. Wright, Simply Christian.
• Frances Young, From Nicaea to Chalcedon.
• Andrew Louth, Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology.

SOURCE:

The Encyclopedia of World Religions – Revised Edition – written by DWJ BOOKS LLC.
General Editor: Robert S. Ellwood – Associate Editor: Gregory D. Alles – Copyright © 2007, 1998 by DWJ BOOKS LLC

Revised Edition — Occult World

This article was reviewed and refined by Occult World, blending verified historical insight with esoteric understanding. All texts follow British English spelling.
Updated: 3rd of October 2025