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What is Christianity?
Christianity, born out of the Jewish tradition and the culture of the Roman Empire, began in the first century A.D. and became a religion with its religious beliefs and teachings centered on Jesus Christ. The central belief of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of mankind, and Christians believe that they obtain salvation from sin through His death and resurrection.
Christian doctrine is based on a scripture called the Bible. The Bible consists of the Old Testament, the Jewish scriptures written by the ancient Hebrews, and the New Testament, written by Jesus Christ and the first Christians. There are also a number of various non-biblical books written by clergy (e.g., Augustine’s “Confessions”).
Christianity has many sects and denominations, the most widely known of which would be the three main denominations: the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, and the Orthodox Church. Each denomination has different characteristics in terms of beliefs, styles of worship, and church organization.
About the Old Testament
The Old Testament is both Christian scripture and Jewish scripture. This scripture was written by the Hebrews and compiled during the period from the 6th century BC to the 2nd century BC. The Old Testament consists of several books, including the Pentateuch of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the historical books (Joshua, Samuel, and Kings), Psalms, Proverbs, the prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others), and other books.
The Old Testament is also an important scripture for Christians, describing the Jewish faith and history, the relationship between God and man, and moral teachings that are the basis for the faith of Jesus Christ and the first Christians. It contains a variety of teachings and stories, including the covenant between God and man, the Ten Commandments of Moses, the Psalms of King David, and the revelations of the prophets, and these stories and teachings are important for Christians to understand God’s plan and salvation history.
In Christianity, the teachings of the Old Testament are interpreted in conjunction with the New Testament, and Jesus Christ is positioned as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and his teachings and works are integrated with the Old Testament.
About the New Testament
The New Testament differs from the Old Testament in that it was written in the first century A.D. and is a group of documents concerning the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is the foundational document of Christian faith and doctrine, an important guide for Christians, and together with the Old Testament, it is the book that serves to support Christian teaching and religious practice.
The New Testament includes four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and are the central teachings of Christianity.
The Gospel of Matthew is part of the New Testament and contains a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which is traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle Matthew (Matthaeus).
Matthew’s Gospel describes the birth, baptism, preaching, miracles, parables, Last Supper, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as his teachings and revelations, references to the Law of Moses, and religious teachings, including the coming of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew’s Gospel places particular emphasis on the teachings of Jesus, which are detailed in a series of sermons known as the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). This includes the famous section known as the “Sermon on the Mount,” which includes Jesus’ declaration of happiness (also known as the “Gospel on the Mount”), as well as teachings on the law of love, love of enemies, and prayer.
Matthew’s Gospel also concludes with the resurrection of Jesus, and depicts the scene in which Jesus gives an ambassadorial commission to his disciples (Matthew 28).
Mark’s Gospel is part of the New Testament and will contain a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is traditionally believed to have been written by Mark, a disciple of the apostle Peter.
Mark’s Gospel focuses on the events of Jesus’ public life, including his baptism, preaching, miracles, parables, interaction with his disciples, the Last Supper, arrest, Passion, and resurrection. Mark’s Gospel is written in a very animated style, with special emphasis on Jesus’ actions and miracles. It also presents a concise yet powerful portrayal of Jesus’ teachings and other events.
It follows Jesus’ earthly ministry and Passion in detail, emphasizing his humanity and divinity, as well as the disciples’ growth in faith and understanding. Mark’s Gospel is relatively short and is characterized by a more direct and rapid narrative development than the other Gospels, focusing on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus in his service and Passion, and containing a message of faith and encouragement to the disciples.
The Gospel of Luke is part of the New Testament and contains a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which is traditionally attributed to a physician by the name of Luke.
Luke’s Gospel was supposed to be an exhaustive portrait of the events of Jesus from his birth to his resurrection. It includes Jesus’ birth, childhood, baptism, preaching, miracles, parables, interaction with his disciples, the Last Supper, arrest, passion, and resurrection.
Luke’s Gospel is written in a more detailed and literary style than the other Gospels, with a focus on humanity, compassion, and concern for social justice, especially Jesus’ love and compassion for the weak and sinners.
Luke’s Gospel also emphasizes the presence and role of women, children, and the poor in particular, emphasizing their status and dignity. Luke’s emphasis is on showing that Jesus’ teachings are inclusive to all people and that God’s love and salvation reach all mankind. In addition, Luke’s Gospel contains unique material and stories not found in the other Gospels, such as the Parable of Joy for the Lost and the story of Zacchaeus.
The Gospel of John is part of the New Testament and contains a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which is traditionally attributed to the Apostle John.
John’s Gospel differs from the other Gospels in its use of philosophical and religious themes and abstractions. John places particular emphasis on the divinity and humanity of Jesus, showing him to be the Word of God and the bringer of eternal life.
Rather than detailing the events of Jesus’ public life, John’s Gospel focuses on his teachings and dialogues. In particular, Jesus’ words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” and his promise of salvation, “He who believes in me has eternal life,” appear frequently. John’s Gospel also focuses on Jesus’ miracles and symbolic events, with well-known miracles including the wedding miracle of turning water into wine and the miracle of Lazarus raising the dead.
John’s Gospel uses symbolism and deep contemplation to convey a strong message of God’s love and salvation. They also emphasize the importance of seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus by focusing on faith and constant communion.
In addition to these Gospels, the New Testament also includes the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and Revelation. The Acts of the Apostles is the book that records the history of the establishment and expansion of the early Christian community after the death of Jesus, and it will be the one that details the work of the apostles and the activities of the early church. The epistles contain teachings and exhortations to the early Christian community, as well as instructions on church organization and worship, and were written by the apostles and church leaders such as Paul, Peter, and John. Famous epistles include Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians. The book of Revelation, written by John, describes end-time events and the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Augustine’s (Augustine Aurelius) “Confessions”
Augustine’s (Augustine Aurelius) Confessions (Confessiones) will be an autobiographical work, a retrospective account of his own faith experience and religious journey. Augustine was an early Christian philosopher and theologian active in the 4th and 5th centuries who became an important influence on Western Christian thought.
The Confessions describes Augustine’s journey from his own youth to the point of reaching a mature faith, revealing the process by which he openly confessed his sins, errors, doubts, and anguish and found a way to transcend himself through the grace and saving work of God.
The work describes Augustine’s commitment to different philosophies and religions, such as Platonism and Manichaeism, and his inner search and inner struggle to turn to God. The book also contains his philosophical insights, biblical interpretations, and theological thoughts, including insights into Christian doctrine and the existence of God.
The Confessions is a classic work of Christian literature, depicting the journey of the human heart in pursuit of God’s grace and saving power through personal confession and faith experience, and Augustine’s insights and philosophical thoughts have influenced medieval Christian thought and Renaissance humanism.
The Confessions are a valuable resource for readers interested in Augustine’s faith and theology to learn about his internal struggles and the process of deepening his faith. It is also an enlightening work for those contemplating their personal faith and spiritual journey.
As such a classic memoir, it may be worthwhile to contrast it with the “Reflections of Marcus Aurelius” which I mentioned earlier.
About Christian denominations
Christianity is divided into various denominations, which have different characteristics in terms of religious beliefs, doctrines, forms of worship, and organizational structures. Some of the major Christian denominations are described below.
- Roman Catholic Church: The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world and is based in Rome. It is led by the Pope and has parishes and churches throughout the world. The liturgy is solemn and the Eucharist (Mass) plays a central role.
- Eastern Orthodox Church: The Eastern Orthodox Church is the generic name for the Christian denominations spread throughout the East. Centered in Constantinople (now Istanbul), it has its own ecclesiastical system, characterized by beautiful and austere liturgies, traditional rituals, and the use of icons.
- Protestantism: Protestantism is a general term that includes many denominations that diverged from the Reformation movement of the 16th century. Among them are the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and Reformed churches. Diversity is the hallmark of Protestantism, and doctrines and forms of worship may vary from denomination to denomination.
- Orthodox Churches: The Orthodox Churches will be the Christian denominations that have spread primarily in Eastern Europe and the East. They include the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church, which are similar in some respects to the Eastern Orthodox Churches, but differ in their organizational structure and some doctrines.
Books on Christianity
As for books related to Christianity, “Reading the Core of Christianity: Three Major Monotheistic Religions, the Old Testament, and Abraham” etc., “Reading the Core of Christianity: NHK Publishing Gakubi no Kihon”
A History of Christianity without Honor
is also worth reading.
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