Christianity is a major monotheistic religion that originated from Judaism and the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in the 1st century CE.
It is the world’s largest religion, with approximately 2.8 billion adherents, and is characterized by the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible – the Tanakh, that forms the basis for Old Testament of the Christian Bible.
Christianity: Faith in the Christ
Christianity centers on the belief that Jesus is the Christ (Greek for “Messiah”), the divine Son of God, and the savior of the world. Its sacred text the Bible is composed of the Old Testament (includes the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible – the Tanakh) and the New Testament, which chronicles Jesus’ life and the early Christian community.
Jesus of Nazareth: The Bridge and the Divide
Jesus was a Jewish teacher and healer in 1st-century Judea who preached about the Kingdom of God. Christians believe he is the promised Messiah of Judaism, and the Son of God, whose life, death, and resurrection offer salvation to humanity. His teachings form the foundation of Christianity, which emerged as a distinct faith in the decades following his crucifixion.
While early followers of Jesus were Jewish, and the Twelve Disciples founded the first Christian Church, the movement gradually opened to Gentiles (non-Jews), leading to theological and cultural shifts that eventually separated Christianity from its Jewish roots.
Judaism: The Root of the Tree
Judaism is the ancient monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, grounded in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and enriched by centuries of rabbinic teachings found in the Talmud. It emphasizes a covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people, expressed through commandments (mitzvot), prayer, and ethical living.
Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Instead, it awaits a future messianic age of peace and divine justice. The Jewish faith centers on *practice* (orthopraxy) more than belief, with a strong focus on community, tradition, and the sanctification of daily life.
Core Christian Doctrines
The core Christian doctrines include:
- The Trinity: One God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Incarnation: Jesus as fully divine and fully human.
- Salvation: Through faith in Jesus, believers are reconciled with God.
Christianity has a rich history and has significantly influenced various aspects of culture, law, and ethics throughout the world.
In exploring the many paths of spiritual healing, few are as historically rich and spiritually influential as Christianity and Judaism. These two Abrahamic faiths are deeply intertwined, yet distinct in belief, practice, and tradition.
Let’s take a closer look at their roots, their relationship, and the major branches of Christianity that have shaped spiritual life across the globe, and in the West the phrase Judeo-Christian culture is often used.
The Christian Bible
The Christian Bible is one of the most remarkable spiritual documents in human history — a vast library of texts gathered into a single volume, spanning thousands of years of humanity’s ongoing conversation with the Divine. It is a book of extraordinary range: poetry and prophecy, law and wisdom, letters and visions, history and parable. Whatever one’s tradition or background, the Bible has a way of meeting the reader where they are, offering something essential at every stage of the spiritual journey.
The Old Testament
The Old Testament is derived from the Hebrew Bible – the Tanakh — and forms the deep root system from which Christianity grew. It contains the Torah, the foundational five books of Moses; the historical writings of the Hebrew people; the Psalms, perhaps the most universally beloved collection of sacred poetry ever written; and the prophets, whose voices still carry a startling urgency across the centuries.
For the Christian, the Old Testament is not merely background or prologue — it is living Scripture, rich with covenant, longing, and the persistent presence of a God who enters human history.
The New Testament
The New Testament opens with the four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — each offering a distinct portrait of Jesus of Nazareth: his teachings, his healings, his death, and his resurrection. The Acts of the Apostles carries the story forward into the early Christian communities, while the Letters of Paul and other apostles address the practical and spiritual challenges of living the faith in the world. The New Testament closes with the Book of Revelation, a visionary and symbolic work that has captivated and challenged readers for two millennia.
The Foundation of Western Spiritual Life
The Bible has been the foundation of Western spiritual life for centuries, and its influence on art, music, literature, and the inner lives of countless seekers remains immeasurable. For those drawn to the Christian path, or simply curious about one of humanity’s great spiritual inheritances, it remains an inexhaustible well.
Taken together, the Old and New Testaments form a coherent — if beautifully complex — spiritual narrative: creation, covenant, fall, longing, incarnation, redemption, and the ongoing transformation of the human heart.
The Main Christian Churches
Over the centuries, Christianity has branched into several major traditions, each with its own theology, liturgy, and spiritual emphasis:
Roman Catholic Church
The largest Christian denomination, led by the Pope. It emphasizes tradition, sacraments, and the authority of the Church alongside Scripture.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church. It was founded directly by the 12 Desciples of Jesus and is rooted in the early Christian traditions of the Eastern Roman Empire. Known for its mystical theology, icons, and emphasis on theosis (union with God).
Protestant Churches
Emerging from the Reformation in the 16th century, Protestants emphasize Scripture alone (*sola scriptura*) and salvation by faith alone (*sola fide*). Major branches include:
- Lutheran
- Presbyterian
- Methodist
- Baptist
- Pentecostal/Charismatic
New Thought Churches and Christianity: Mind, Spirit, and the Power of Belief
The New Thought movement emerged in the 19th century as a spiritual philosophy emphasizing the power of the mind, positive thinking, and the divine presence within each person.
It draws from metaphysical traditions, Christian mysticism, and transcendentalism, offering a practical spirituality focused on healing, prosperity, and personal transformation.
New Thought churches teach that our thoughts shape our reality, and that aligning with divine principles can bring about healing and fulfillment. These communities often blend prayer, affirmations, meditation, and spiritual study in their practices.
Major New Thought Organizations
- Unity Church: Founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, Unity emphasizes affirmative prayer, spiritual healing, and the divinity of all people. It’s known for its inclusive theology and daily devotional, *The Daily Word*.
- Centers for Spiritual Living: Rooted in the teachings of Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind, and Religious Science, this tradition focuses on spiritual principles, creative thought, and the law of attraction.
- Divine Science: One of the earliest New Thought denominations, it teaches that God is all-present and that understanding this truth leads to healing and harmony.
- Universal Foundation for Better Living: Founded by Rev. Johnnie Colemon, this organization promotes practical Christianity and spiritual empowerment, especially within African-American communities.
These New Thought churches usually operate independently or through networks like:
- Affiliated New Thought Network https://antn.org/ and
- International New Thought Alliance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Thought_denominations_and_independent_centers
Christianity and My Life
Christianity has been an influence on my life since birth and probably before as I was born into a Christian family, was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada. I went on to study Theology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in the Faculty of Religious Studies. I was thinking of becoming an Anglican priest.
It was particularly interesting to begin to learn to read the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek.
Loyola Communications Arts – Jesuits
When I studied at the Loyola Department of Communications Arts, in Montreal, I was also deeply exposed to the philosophy of the Jesuits who founded the school and college, namely “Understanding why you do what you do is very much in the Jesuit tradition.” I was fortunate to have Father Jack O’Brien S.J., the founder of the department, as a teacher and mentor.
For a time in my life, I was very active in the Anglican Church of Canada in Montreal, Halifax, and Toronto, but that is no longer the case as I am no longer a practicing Anglican.
The inspirational teachings of Jesus the Christ, and Christian thought, continues to weave its way through my life, thoughts, feelings and spirit although my life is also enriched spirituality with Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Judaism, Kabbalah, and Shamanism.
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"Be practical and expect miracles when you just take the first step forward every day." -Richard Edward Ward
