A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY

About Yeshua (Jesus):

Christians follow the teachings of and about Yeshua of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ. (Jesus is the Greek form of  Yeshua; Christ is Greek for "the Messiah" or the "anointed one.") Yeshua was a Jewish itinerant preacher who was born circa 4 to 7 BCE. He was executed by the Roman occupying authorities in Palestine, perhaps on Friday,  30-APR-7 CE (i.e. in the spring of the year 30). Most Christians regard him as the son of God. They further believe that he is God, the second person in the Trinity. (The Trinity consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three separate persons, all eternal, all omnipresent, who form a single, unified deity.) Most Christians believe that Jesus  co-existed with God before the creation of the world, was born of a virgin, was resurrected three days after his death, and later ascended to Heaven.

Church history:

The followers of Yeshua formed the Jewish Christian movement, centered in Jerusalem, after his death. They regarded themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; they continued to sacrifice at the temple, circumcise their male children, follow Jewish kosher food laws, etc. Saul of Tarsus, originally a persecutor of the Jewish Christians, reported having a vision of the risen Christ. Adopting the new name of Paul, he became the greatest theologian of the early Christian movement. His writings, along with those of the author(s) of the Gospel of John, provided much of the theological foundation for Christianity as we know it. Paul's ministry was directed to Gentiles -- non-Jews in the Mediterranean basin. After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman Army in 70 CE, the Jewish Christian movement was largely dissipated, leaving Pauline Christianity among the Gentiles as the dominant group. 

The Roman Empire recognized Pauline Christianity as a valid religion in 313 CE. Later in that century, it became the official religion of the Empire. Church authority became concentrated among the five bishops or patriarchs located in Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem and Rome. With the expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East during the seventh century CE, power became concentrated in Constantinople and Rome. These two Christian centers gradually grew apart in belief, and practice. In 1054 CE, a split was formalized between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches; it remains in effect today. 

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within the western church. The Protestant movement further fragmented into what is now thousands of individual denominations and groups of denominations. 

A prime belief: life after death:

Christian beliefs about one's destination after death vary greatly:

	Many conservative Protestant Christians believe that people are born and remain sinful; they will end up being eternally punished in Hell unless they are "saved" by trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
	Roman Catholics believe that salvation comes from God, and is channeled church sacraments to sinful, repentant persons. Most people, at death, go to Purgatory, which is a type of temporary Hell; a few go directly to Heaven; others go permanently to Hell.
	Religious liberals generally interpret hell symbolically, not as an actual place. They reject the concept of a loving God creating a place of eternal torment.

	The sudden increase in non-theists, such as Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists, etc.
	An increase in the numbers of followers of minority religions, largely caused by immigration.
	The emergence of new spiritual/religious movements like New Age, Wicca and other Neopagan religions.

	Many Fundamentalist and other Evangelical Christians regard saved individuals as the only true Christians. They maintain separate religious denominations, radio stations, publishing houses, local ministerial associations, etc -- even exercise videos. They tend to look upon Christianity as a living relationship with their Savior.
	Mainline Christians tend to be much more inclusive. They accept as Christian anyone who follows the teachings of and about Jesus Christ.
	Liberal Christians agree with mainline Christians, and are even more inclusive. Some liberal theologians, particularly those who are members of the Jesus Seminar, have abandoned or completely reinterpreted most traditional Christian beliefs.