|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Christianity has a history. This seems like such a simple and straightforward declaration - and it isn't something which anyone can plausibly deny. Yet, despite this, most Christians appear to forget the fact that their faith has a long and diverse history.
They take on the attitude that what they believe, right here and right now, encompasses all that Christianity is, was, and ever need be. It is a peculiar trait of many Christians that they assert for themselves such an extreme exclusivity that they deny the validity of any dissent. I cannot begin to count the times I have seen Christians assert that those who have even small differences of belief are not "really" Christians themselves.
Christianity cannot be fully understood without some knowledge of Christian history - how churches have responded to reform movements, how churches have responded to other churches, and how churches have responded to the challenges posed by political leaders.
Historically, there have been a variety of Christian sects who diverged from what was at the time "orthodox" teachings - Arians, Manicheans, Donatists and Gnostics to name just a few. Then there are the more recent Christian sects, who generally feel that they are in possession of the correct doctrine: Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Christadelphians, etc.
All of these groups completely ignore the profound differences which have existed among Christians since the very beginning. Even in the epistles of Paul we can see that early Christians disagreed on many matters. The Church Fathers held beliefs which were considered heretical by medieval standards, and people today hold beliefs which would have bewildered Paul and made them quite eligible for burning in Rome or Calvin's Geneva. There may, in fact, be a greater variety of beliefs in the history of Christianity than in any other large religion.
Articles
Pelagian Heresy
Are we capable of choosing to do good on our own, or are we born hopelessly corrupt? A debate as old as Christianity, it is still relevant today.Papal Infallibility
Why and how is the pope supposed to be infallible? Learn about some of the odd dealings behind this Catholic dogma.Christian Relics
Why is it that, throughout history, Christians have venerated bones and various other odd bits of other dead Christians?Christian History: A few Questions
Exploration of the diverse beliefs which Christians have held throughout history. There are enough conflicts and contradictions to throw doubt on any attempt to argue that there is a single, true Christian faith.Crime, Christianity & Early America
Some people argue that crime in contemporary America has increased due to a people not having enough religion - especially Christianity - in their lives. But what was it like when Christianity was closely involved with American criminal justice?
Early Centuries
Middle Ages
Renaissance & Reformation
Modern Era
-->
