"The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, Christian countries, and the Christians with their various denominations, from the 1st century to the present. Christianity originated with the ministry of Jesus, a Jewish teacher and healer who proclaimed the imminent Kingdom of God."
In-depth examination of the historical development of Christianity, including the New Testament, early Christian communities, and the Eastern and Western Churches.
Bible: The sacred text of Christianity that contains the Old and New Testaments.
Jesus Christ: The central figure of Christianity, considered the Son of God and the savior of humanity, believed to have been born of the Virgin Mary, performed miracles, and was crucified and resurrected.
The Trinity: The traditional Christian doctrine that God exists in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
Church history: The study of the growth and development of Christianity, including its foundations in Judaism, the early church, and the Protestant Reformation.
Christian beliefs and practices: The major tenets of Christianity, including salvation, baptism, communion, and prayer.
Christian theology: The study of God and the nature of religious belief, including issues such as the problem of evil, the nature of faith, and the relationship between religion and science.
Christian denominations: The various branches of Christianity, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodox Christianity, with their differing beliefs, practices, and traditions.
Christianity and culture: The relationship between Christianity and the arts, literature, music, and other aspects of human culture.
Christian ethics: The principles governing Christian behavior and moral decision-making, including issues such as forgiveness, social justice, and the sanctity of life.
Christian apologetics: The defense of the Christian faith against objections and criticisms from non-believers, including arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the reliability of the Bible.
Catholicism: The largest sect of Christianity, Catholicism adheres to the authority of the Vatican and the Pope as the supreme leader of the church. They believe in sacraments, the priesthood, and the doctrine of transubstantiation.
Protestantism: A religious movement first started in Europe in the 16th century, which challenged the Catholic church's authority. The Protestant movement is characterized by its rejection of the central beliefs and practices of Catholicism, including the authority of the Pope and the sacraments.
Eastern Orthodoxy: Eastern Orthodoxy is the second-largest form of Christianity and has its roots in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It adheres to ancient traditions and practices and upholds the authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Anglicanism: A branch of Protestantism that emerged in England in the 16th century, which is characterized by its belief in one God, the authority of the Bible, and the sacraments.
Pentecostalism: A renewal movement within Protestantism characterized by a belief in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about divine healing, prophecy, and other miraculous works.
Evangelicalism: A branch of Protestantism that emphasizes the importance of personal faith and conversion, the Bible as the ultimate authority, and spreading the Christian message.
Methodism: A branch of Christianity that emerged in England in the 18th century and emphasizes the importance of religious experience, emotional expression, and faith as a journey.
Adventism: A Protestant denomination that emerged in the United States in the 19th century. It emphasizes the belief in prophetic revelation and the return of Christ.
Mormonism: A religion that emerged in the United States in the 19th century and is characterized by its belief in the Book of Mormon, divine revelation, and the concept of eternal families.
Jehovah's Witnesses: A sect of Christianity that emerged in the United States in the late 19th century and emphasizes the importance of evangelism and the authority of the Bible. They reject the Trinity, the doctrine of eternal hellfire, and political involvement.
Unitarianism: A branch of Christianity that emphasizes the importance of individual spiritual experience, religious freedom, and the belief in God as a single entity.
Non-denominational Christianity: Refers to churches that do not affiliate with any particular denomination or sect and may have a more informal or contemporary approach to worship and practice.
"His followers believe that, according to the Gospels, he was the Son of God and that he died for the forgiveness of sins and was raised from the dead and exalted by God."
"Jesus... was crucified c. AD 30–33 in Jerusalem in the Roman province of Judea."
"Christianity remained a Jewish sect for centuries, diverging gradually from Judaism over doctrinal, social and historical differences."
"The Roman Emperor Constantine I became the first Christian emperor and in 313, issued the Edict of Milan expressing tolerance for all religions thereby legalizing Christian worship."
"Christianity played a prominent role in the development of Western civilization in Europe after the Fall of Rome. In the Early Middle Ages, missionary activities spread Christianity towards the west and the north."
"During the High Middle Ages, Eastern and Western Christianity grew apart, leading to the East–West Schism of 1054."
"Growing criticism of the Roman Catholic church and its corruption in the Late Middle Ages (from the 14th to 15th centuries) led to the Protestant Reformation and its related reform movements."
"In the twenty-first century, Christianity has expanded throughout the world. Today, there are more than two billion Christians worldwide."
"Within the last century, the center of growth has shifted from West to East and from North to the global South."
"Various Christological debates about the human and divine nature of Jesus occupied the Christian Church for three centuries, and seven ecumenical councils were called to resolve them."
"Christianity spread as a grassroots movement that became established by the third century."
"Christianity played a prominent role in the development of Western civilization in Europe after the Fall of Rome."
"The earliest followers of Jesus were apocalyptic Jewish Christians."
"The Roman Emperor Constantine I... issued the Edict of Milan expressing tolerance for all religions, thereby legalizing Christian worship."
"The Protestant Reformation and its related reform movements [concluded] with the European wars of religion."
"Today, there are more than two billion Christians worldwide, and Christianity has become the world's largest religion."
"In the Early Middle Ages, missionary activities spread Christianity towards the west and the north."
"During the High Middle Ages, Eastern and Western Christianity grew apart, leading to the East–West Schism of 1054."
"Growing criticism of the Roman Catholic church and its corruption in the Late Middle Ages... led to the Protestant Reformation and its related reform movements."