Message-report on Christianity: the emergence and essence of religion. Christianity: briefly about religion Christianity what religion

About a third of the world's inhabitants profess Christianity in all its varieties.

Christianity arose in the 1st century. AD on the territory of the Roman Empire. There is no consensus among researchers about the exact place of origin of Christianity. Some believe that this happened in Palestine, which was at that time part of the Roman Empire; others suggest that it happened in the Jewish diaspora in Greece.

Palestinian Jews were under foreign dominion for many centuries. However, in the 2nd century. BC. they achieved political independence, during which they expanded their territory and did a lot to develop political and economic relations. In 63 BC. roman general Gney Poltey brought troops into Judea, as a result of which it became part of the Roman Empire. By the beginning of our era, other territories of Palestine had lost their independence; administration began to be carried out by a Roman governor.

The loss of political independence was perceived by part of the population as a tragedy. Political events were seen to have a religious meaning. The idea of ​​divine retribution for violations of the covenants of the fathers, religious customs and prohibitions spread. This led to a strengthening of the position of Jewish religious nationalist groups:

• Hasidim- devout Jews;
• Sadducees, who represented conciliatory sentiments, they came from the upper strata of Jewish society;
• Pharisees- fighters for the purity of Judaism, against contacts with foreigners. The Pharisees advocated compliance with external standards of behavior, for which they were accused of hypocrisy.

In terms of social composition, the Pharisees were representatives of the middle strata of the urban population. At the end of the 1st century. BC. appear zealots - people from the lower strata of the population - artisans and lumpen proletarians. They expressed the most radical ideas. Standing out from their midst sicari - terrorists. Their favorite weapon was a curved dagger, which they hid under their cloak - in Latin "sika". All these groups fought the Roman conquerors with more or less persistence. It was obvious that the struggle was not going in favor of the rebels, so aspirations for the coming of the Savior, the Messiah, intensified. The oldest book of the New Testament dates back to the first century AD. Apocalypse, in which the idea of ​​retribution to enemies for unfair treatment and oppression of Jews was so strongly manifested.

The sect is of greatest interest Essenes or Essen, since their teaching had features inherent in early Christianity. This is evidenced by the findings found in 1947 in the Dead Sea area in Qumran caves scrolls. Christians and Essenes had common ideas messianism - waiting for the soon coming of the Savior, eschatological ideas about the coming end of the world, interpretation of the idea of ​​human sinfulness, rituals, organization of communities, attitude towards property.

The processes that took place in Palestine were similar to the processes that took place in other parts of the Roman Empire: everywhere the Romans plundered and mercilessly exploited the local population, enriching themselves at their expense. The crisis of the ancient order and the formation of new socio-political relations were experienced painfully by people, caused a feeling of helplessness, defenselessness in front of the state machine and contributed to the search for new ways of salvation. Mystical sentiments increased. Eastern cults are spreading: Mithra, Isis, Osiris, etc. Many different associations, partnerships, so-called colleges are appearing. People united based on professions, social status, neighborhood, etc. All this created favorable conditions for the spread of Christianity.

Origins of Christianity

The emergence of Christianity was prepared not only by the prevailing historical conditions, it had a good ideological basis. The main ideological source of Christianity is Judaism. The new religion rethought the ideas of Judaism about monotheism, messianism, eschatology, chiliasma - faith in the second coming of Jesus Christ and his thousand-year reign on earth. The Old Testament tradition has not lost its meaning; it has received a new interpretation.

The ancient philosophical tradition had a significant influence on the formation of the Christian worldview. In philosophical systems Stoics, Neopythagoreans, Plato and Neoplatonists mental constructs, concepts and even terms were developed, reinterpreted in New Testament texts and the works of theologians. Neoplatonism had a particularly great influence on the foundations of Christian doctrine. Philo of Alexandria(25 BC - c. 50 AD) and the moral teaching of the Roman Stoic Seneca(c. 4 BC - 65 AD). Philo formulated the concept Logos as a sacred law that allows one to contemplate existence, the doctrine of the innate sinfulness of all people, of repentance, of Being as the beginning of the world, of ecstasy as a means of approaching God, of logoi, among which the Son of God is the highest Logos, and other logoi are angels.

Seneca considered the main thing for every person to achieve freedom of spirit through awareness of divine necessity. If freedom does not flow from divine necessity, it will turn out to be slavery. Only obedience to fate gives rise to equanimity and peace of mind, conscience, moral standards, and universal human values. Seneca recognized the golden rule of morality as a moral imperative, which sounded as follows: “ Treat those below you the way you would like to be treated by those above you.” We can find a similar formulation in the Gospels.

Seneca’s teachings about the transience and deceitfulness of sensual pleasures, caring for other people, self-restraint in the use of material goods, preventing rampant passions, the need for modesty and moderation in everyday life, self-improvement, and the acquisition of divine mercy had a certain influence on Christianity.

Another source of Christianity was the eastern cults that flourished at that time in various parts of the Roman Empire.

The most controversial issue in the study of Christianity is the question of the historicity of Jesus Christ. In solving it, two directions can be distinguished: mythological and historical. Mythological direction claims that science does not have reliable data about Jesus Christ as a historical figure. The Gospel stories were written many years after the events described; they have no real historical basis. Historical direction claims that Jesus Christ was a real person, a preacher of a new religion, which is confirmed by a number of sources. In 1971, a text was found in Egypt "Antiquities" by Josephus, which gives reason to believe that it describes one of the real preachers named Jesus, although the miracles he performed were spoken of as one of the many stories on this topic, i.e. Josephus himself did not observe them.

Stages of the formation of Christianity as a state religion

The history of the formation of Christianity covers the period from the middle of the 1st century. AD until the 5th century inclusive. During this period, Christianity went through a number of stages of its development, which can be summarized as follows:

1 - stage current eschatology(second half of the 1st century);

2 - stage devices(II century);

3 - stage struggle for dominance in the empire (III-V centuries).

During each of these stages, the composition of believers changed, various new formations emerged and disintegrated within Christianity as a whole, and internal clashes constantly raged, which expressed the struggle for the realization of vital public interests.

Stage of actual eschatology

At the first stage, Christianity had not yet completely separated from Judaism, so it can be called Judeo-Christian. The name “current eschatology” means that the defining mood of the new religion at that time was the expectation of the coming of the Savior in the near future, literally from day to day. The social basis of Christianity became enslaved, dispossessed people suffering from national and social oppression. The hatred of the enslaved for their oppressors and the thirst for revenge found their expression and release not in revolutionary actions, but in the impatient anticipation of the reprisal that would be inflicted by the coming Messiah on the Antichrist.

In early Christianity there was no single centralized organization, there were no priests. Communities were led by believers who were able to accept charisma(grace, the descent of the Holy Spirit). Charismatics united groups of believers around themselves. People were singled out who were engaged in explaining the doctrine. They were called didaskals- teachers. Special people were appointed to organize the economic life of the community. Originally appeared deacons who performed simple technical duties. Later appear bishops- observers, guards, and elders- elders. Over time, bishops occupy a dominant position, and presbyters become their assistants.

Adjustment stage

At the second stage, in the 2nd century, the situation changes. The end of the world does not occur; on the contrary, there is some stabilization of Roman society. The tension of expectation in the mood of Christians is replaced by a more vital attitude of existing in the real world and adapting to its orders. The place of general eschatology in this world is taken by individual eschatology in the other world, and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is being actively developed.

The social and national composition of communities is changing. Representatives of the wealthy and educated segments of the population of various nations inhabiting the Roman Empire began to convert to Christianity. Accordingly, the doctrine of Christianity changes, it becomes more tolerant of wealth. The attitude of the authorities towards the new religion depended on the political situation. One emperor carried out persecution, the other showed humanity if the internal political situation allowed it.

Development of Christianity in the 2nd century. led to a complete break from Judaism. There were fewer and fewer Jews among Christians in comparison with other nationalities. It was necessary to solve problems of practical cult significance: food prohibitions, the celebration of the Sabbath, circumcision. As a result, circumcision was replaced by water baptism, the weekly celebration of Saturday was moved to Sunday, the Easter holiday was converted to Christianity under the same name, but was filled with a different mythological content, just like the Pentecost holiday.

The influence of other peoples on the formation of the cult in Christianity was manifested in the borrowing of rituals or their elements: baptism, communion as a symbol of sacrifice, prayer and some others.

During the 3rd century. The formation of large Christian centers took place in Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, in a number of cities in Asia Minor and other areas. However, the church itself was not internally unified: there were differences among Christian teachers and preachers regarding the correct understanding of Christian truths. Christianity was torn apart from within by the most complex theological disputes. Many trends emerged that interpreted the provisions of the new religion in different ways.

Nazarenes(from Hebrew - “to refuse, to abstain”) - ascetic preachers of ancient Judea. An outward sign of belonging to the Nazirites was the refusal to cut hair and drink wine. Subsequently, the Nazirites merged with the Essenes.

Montanism arose in the 2nd century. Founder Montana on the eve of the end of the world, he preached asceticism, a ban on remarriage, and martyrdom in the name of faith. He regarded ordinary Christian communities as mentally ill; he considered only his adherents spiritual.

Gnosticism(from the Greek - “having knowledge”) eclectically connected ideas borrowed mainly from Platonism and Stoicism with Eastern ideas. The Gnostics recognized the existence of a perfect deity, between whom and the sinful material world there are intermediate links - zones. Jesus Christ was also included among them. The Gnostics were pessimistic about the sensory world, emphasized their chosenness of God, the advantage of intuitive knowledge over rational knowledge, did not accept the Old Testament, the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ (but recognized the saving one), and his bodily incarnation.

Docetism(from Greek - “to seem”) - a direction that separated from Gnosticism. Corporality was considered an evil, lower principle, and on this basis they rejected the Christian teaching about the bodily incarnation of Jesus Christ. They believed that Jesus only appeared to be clothed in flesh, but in reality his birth, earthly existence and death were ghostly phenomena.

Marcionism(named after the founder - Marcion) advocated a complete break with Judaism, did not recognize the human nature of Jesus Christ, and was close to the Gnostics in his basic ideas.

Novatians(named after the founders - Rome. Novatiana and carf. Novata) took a tough position towards the authorities and those Christians who could not resist the pressure of the authorities and compromised with them.

The stage of the struggle for dominance in the empire

At the third stage, the final establishment of Christianity as the state religion occurs. In 305, the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire intensified. This period in church history is known as "era of martyrs" Places of worship were closed, church property was confiscated, books and sacred utensils were confiscated and destroyed, plebeians recognized as Christians were enslaved, senior members of the clergy were arrested and executed, as well as those who did not obey the order to renounce and honor the Roman gods. Those who yielded were quickly released. For the first time, burial places belonging to communities became a temporary refuge for the persecuted, where they practiced their cult.

However, the measures taken by the authorities had no effect. Christianity has already strengthened sufficiently to provide worthy resistance. Already in 311 the emperor Galleries, and in 313 - emperor Konstantin adopt decrees on religious tolerance towards Christianity. The activities of Emperor Constantine I are especially important.

During the fierce struggle for power before the decisive battle with Macentius, Constantine saw in a dream the sign of Christ - a cross with the command to come out with this symbol against the enemy. Having accomplished this, he won a decisive victory in the battle in 312. The Emperor gave this vision a very special meaning - as a sign of his election by Christ to establish a connection between God and the world through his imperial service. This is exactly how his role was perceived by Christians of his time, which allowed the unbaptized emperor to take an active part in resolving intra-church, dogmatic issues.

In 313 Constantine issued Edict of Milan according to which Christians become under the protection of the state and receive equal rights with pagans. The Christian Church was no longer persecuted, even during the reign of the emperor Juliana(361-363), nicknamed Renegade for restricting the rights of the church and proclaiming tolerance for heresies and paganism. Under the Emperor Feodosia in 391, Christianity was finally consolidated as the state religion, and paganism was prohibited. The further development and strengthening of Christianity is associated with the holding of councils, at which church dogma was worked out and approved.

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Christianization of pagan tribes

By the end of the 4th century. Christianity established itself in almost all provinces of the Roman Empire. In the 340s. through the efforts of Bishop Wulfila, it penetrates to the tribes ready. The Goths adopted Christianity in the form of Arianism, which then dominated the east of the empire. As the Visigoths advanced westward, Arianism also spread. In the 5th century in Spain it was adopted by the tribes vandals And Suevi. in Galin - Burgundians and then Lombards. The Frankish king adopted Orthodox Christianity Clovis. Political reasons led to the fact that by the end of the 7th century. In most parts of Europe, the Nicene religion was established. In the 5th century The Irish were introduced to Christianity. The activities of the legendary Apostle of Ireland date back to this time. St. Patrick.

The Christianization of barbarian peoples was carried out mainly from above. Pagan ideas and images continued to live in the minds of the masses of the people. The Church assimilated these images and adapted them to Christianity. Pagan rituals and holidays were filled with new, Christian content.

From the end of the 5th to the beginning of the 7th century. The power of the Pope was limited only to the Roman ecclesiastical province in Central and Southern Italy. However, in 597 an event occurred that marked the beginning of the strengthening of the Roman Church throughout the kingdom. Dad Gregory I the Great sent Christian preachers led by a monk to the pagan Anglo-Saxons Augustine. According to legend, the pope saw English slaves at the market and was surprised at the similarity of their name with the word “angels,” which he considered a sign from above. The Anglo-Saxon Church became the first church north of the Alps to be subject directly to Rome. The symbol of this dependence became pallium(a scarf worn on the shoulders), which was sent from Rome to the primate of the church, now called archbishop, i.e. the highest bishop, to whom powers were delegated directly from the pope - the vicar of St. Petra. Subsequently, the Anglo-Saxons made a great contribution to the strengthening of the Roman Church on the continent, to the alliance of the Pope with the Carolingians. Played a significant role in this St. Boniface, a native of Wessex. He developed a program of profound reforms of the Frankish church with the goal of establishing uniformity and subordination to Rome. Boniface's reforms created the overall Roman Church in Western Europe. Only the Christians of Arab Spain preserved the special traditions of the Visigothic church.

In all centuries, humanity has had different religions and accepted different beliefs. The science of religious studies divides faiths into religions, sects, denominations, movements and simply personal beliefs. Faith is not scientifically provable. In fact, every person has faith in something Higher, even atheists who are convinced that there is no God cannot prove this.

World religions - Christianity, Islam, Buddhism - these are the four religions that are most widespread on Earth, while Christianity is historically inherent in the Slavic lands of Rus'. However, it is also divided into confessions - movements within the religion. Orthodoxy and Catholicism are widespread in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova; many families historically profess different faiths, so today we will talk about their differences.

Christianity - briefly about religion

The most important dogma of Christianity is that Jesus Christ, the Almighty Son of God, became incarnate from the Virgin Mary and voluntarily accepted death to save people from the power of sin. He Himself showed people the meaning of the death, burial and Resurrection of Christ. His words and actions remain in the Gospel.

After being condemned to death, the Lord Jesus was Crucified on the Cross like the last thief, with ordinary thieves nearby. The apostles left Him, afraid of death, and only the Most Holy Theotokos with the Apostle John the Theologian remained at the Cross.

When the Lord gave up the ghost, the disciples - not the apostles, but simply the disciples of Christ Joseph and Nicodemus - asked to give them the Body of the Lord for burial. They left it in the garden, where Nicodemus himself had bought a place for his future burial. However, Christ rose again a day later, appearing to the holy myrrh-bearing women.

Only after the Resurrection did the Apostles believe in the Divine will about the Crucifixion, death and the Kingdom of the Lord and understood this to the end.

On the 40th day after the Resurrection, Christ called the apostles to the Mount of Olives, blessed them and ascended to heaven on a cloud, that is, he began to rise higher and higher until he disappeared from view. At the Ascension, the apostles received a blessing from the Lord to go and teach the Gospel to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Trinity.

Christ is one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit - is the One and Only God, Whom Christians all over the world worship. The dogma of His Unity in Three Persons is the most important for Christians, regardless of denomination.

The dogma of the Trinity is most fully and clearly expressed by its icon in the form of three angels. Only in the Orthodox Church does this image exist: among Catholics and Protestants this plot is called “The Hospitality of Abraham” and is only an illustration of an episode from the Old Testament.

Christianity, Orthodoxy and Catholicism

Traditionally, Christianity is divided into three movements:

• • Catholicism, that is, the United Roman Catholic Church with a single head - the Pope (at the same time, there is a special doctrinal dogma about the infallibility of the Pope, that is, he cannot do anything wrong and has absolute power). The Church is divided into "rites", that is, regional traditions, but they are all under one leadership.

• • Orthodoxy, which is divided into independent, separate Patriarchate Churches (for example, Moscow, Constantinople) and within them - Exarchates and Autonomous Churches (Serbian, Greek, Georgian, Ukrainian - by region) with varying degrees of independence. At the same time, both Patriarchs and bishops of Churches can be removed from governance if they seriously sin. There is no single head of the Orthodox Church, although the Patriarch of Constantinople bears the historical title of Ecumenical. Orthodox Churches have commonality in prayers, the possibility of jointly celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion) and others.

• • Protestantism is the most difficult, moving and falling apart confession. The churches here are also divided by region, there are bishops, but there are many sects - that is, those who consider themselves or are classified by religious scholars as Protestantism of individual teachings.

Jesus Christ in history

Today there are a number of documentaries about the earthly life of Christ. Through them, the scientific myth about the existence of the tomb of Christ and its search is popularized. In fact, such searches exist only for commercial filming. Real archaeologists, serious researchers do not do such things.

It has long been proven that Christ as a real Man existed on Earth. The place of His burial was widely known among the Jews of His time. In addition, after His Resurrection, He appeared to many people more than once, as the evangelists say. And the apostles themselves - holy men, according to the testimony of many - could not lie, unanimously asserting that He ascended to Heaven and pointing out the place where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is now located as the place of His burial.

May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you with His grace!

What is Christianity?

There are several world religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam. Christianity is the most widespread of them. Let's look at what Christianity is, how this doctrine arose and what its features are.

Christianity is a world religion that is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus acts as the Messiah, the Son of God and the Savior of men. Christianity is divided into three main branches: Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Adherents of this faith are called Christians - there are approximately 2.3 billion of them in the world.

Christianity: emergence and spread

This religion appeared in Palestine in the 1st century. n. e. among the Jews during the reign of the Old Testament. Then this religion appeared as a creed addressed to all humiliated people who desire justice.

The Story of Jesus Christ

The basis of the religion was messianism - the hope of a savior of the world from everything bad in the world. It was believed that he had to be chosen and sent to Earth by God. Jesus Christ became just such a savior. The appearance of Jesus Christ is associated with legends from the Old Testament about the coming of the messiah to Israel, freeing people from all bad things and establishing a new righteous order of life.

There are different data about the genealogy of Jesus Christ, and there are various debates about his existence. Believing Christians adhere to the following position: Jesus was born by the immaculate Virgin Mary from the Holy Spirit in the city of Bethlehem. On the day of his birth, Jesus was worshiped by the three wise men as the future king of the Jews. Jesus' parents then took Jesus to Egypt, and after Herod's death the family moved back to Nazareth. At the age of 12, during Easter, he lived in the temple for three days, talking with the scribes. At the age of 30 he was baptized in the Jordan. Before Jesus began his public service, he fasted for 40 days.

The ministry itself began with the selection of the Apostles. Next, Jesus began to perform miracles, the first of which is considered to be turning water into wine at a wedding feast. He then spent a long time engaged in preaching work in Israel, during which he performed many miracles, including the healing of many sick people. Jesus Christ preached for three years, until Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver, handing him over to the Jewish authorities.

The Sanhedrin condemned Jesus, choosing crucifixion as punishment. Jesus died and was buried in Jerusalem. However, after death, on the third day he was resurrected, and when 40 days had passed, he ascended into heaven. On Earth, Jesus left behind his disciples, who spread Christianity throughout the world.

Development of Christianity

Initially, Christianity spread in Palestine and the Mediterranean, but already from the first decades, thanks to the work of the Apostle Paul, it began to be popularized in the provinces among different nations.

Greater Armenia first adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301; in the Roman Empire this happened in 313.

Until the 5th century, Christianity spread in the following states: the Roman Empire, Armenia, Ethiopia, Syria. In the second half of the first millennium, Christianity began to spread among the Slavic and Germanic peoples, in the XIII-XIV centuries. - among Finnish and Baltic ones. Later, missionaries and colonial expansion popularized Christianity.

Features of Christianity

To better understand what Christianity is, we should take a closer look at some points related to it.

Understanding God

Christians honor the one God who created people and the Universe. Christianity is a monotheistic religion, but God combines three (the Holy Trinity): the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is one.

The Christian God is perfect Spirit, intelligence, love and goodness.

Understanding man in Christianity

The soul of man is immortal, he himself is created in the image and likeness of God. The purpose of human life is spiritual improvement, life according to God's commandments.

The first people - Adam and Eve - were sinless, but the Devil seduced Eve, and she ate an apple from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. Thus man fell, and after this the men worked tirelessly, and the women gave birth to children in agony. People began to die, and after death their souls went to Hell. Then God sacrificed his son, Jesus Christ, to save righteous people. Since then, their souls after death go not to Hell, but to Paradise.

For God, all people are equal. Depending on how a person lives his life, he ends up in Heaven (for the righteous), Hell (for sinners) or Purgatory, where sinful souls are purified.

Spirit dominates matter. Man lives in the material world, while achieving an ideal destination. It is important to strive for harmony between the material and spiritual.

Bible and sacraments

The main book for Christians is the Bible. It consists of the Old Testament, inherited from the Jews, and the New Testament, created by the Christians themselves. People of faith must live according to what the Bible teaches.

Christianity also uses sacraments. These include baptism - initiation, as a result of which the human soul unites with God. Another sacrament is communion, when a person needs to taste the bread and wine, which personify the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is necessary for Jesus to “live” in a person. There are five more sacraments used in Orthodoxy and Catholicism: confirmation, ordination, church marriage and unction.

Sins in Christianity

The entire Christian faith is based on the 10 Commandments. By violating them, a person commits mortal sins, thereby destroying himself. A mortal sin is considered to be one that hardens a person, alienates him from God, and does not evoke a desire to repent. In the Orthodox tradition, the first type of mortal sins are those that entail others. These are the well-known 7 deadly sins: fornication, greed, gluttony, pride, anger, despondency, envy. This group of sins also includes spiritual laziness.

The second type is sins against the Holy Spirit. These are sins committed against God. For example, hope for the kindness of God while not wanting to follow a righteous life, lack of repentance, struggle with God, bitterness, envy of the spirituality of others, etc. This also includes blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

The third group is sins that “cry out to heaven.” This is the “sin of Sodom,” murder, insult to parents, oppression of the poor, widows and orphans, etc.

It is believed that one can be saved by repentance, so believers go to churches, where they confess their sins and promise not to repeat them. A method of purification, for example, is. Prayers are also used. What is prayer in Christianity? It represents a way of communicating with God. There are many prayers for different occasions, each of which is suitable for a particular situation. You can say prayers in any form, asking God for something hidden. Before saying a prayer, you need to repent of your sins.

If you are interested in Christianity, as well as other religions, you may be interested in these articles.

It is difficult to find a religion that would so powerfully influence the fate of humanity as Christianity did. It would seem that the emergence of Christianity has been studied quite well. An unlimited amount of material has been written about this. Church authors, historians, philosophers, and representatives of biblical criticism worked in this field. This is understandable, because we were talking about the greatest phenomenon, under the influence of which modern Western civilization actually took shape. However, one of the three world religions still holds many secrets.

Emergence

The creation and development of a new world religion has a complicated history. The emergence of Christianity is shrouded in secrets, legends, assumptions and assumptions. Not much is known about the establishment of this doctrine, which today is professed by a quarter of the world's population (about 1.5 billion people). This can be explained by the fact that in Christianity, much more clearly than in Buddhism or Islam, there is a supernatural principle, belief in which usually gives rise to not only reverence, but also skepticism. Therefore, the history of the issue was subject to significant falsification by various ideologists.

In addition, the emergence of Christianity and its spread was explosive. The process was accompanied by active religious, ideological and political struggle, which significantly distorted the historical truth. Disputes on this issue continue to this day.

Birth of the Savior

The emergence and spread of Christianity is associated with the birth, deeds, death and resurrection of just one person - Jesus Christ. The basis of the new religion was the belief in the divine Savior, whose biography is presented mainly in the Gospels - four canonical and numerous apocryphal ones.

The emergence of Christianity is described in sufficient detail in church literature. Let us briefly try to convey the main events recorded in the Gospels. They claim that in the city of Nazareth (Galilee), the Archangel Gabriel appeared to a simple girl (“virgin”) Mary and announced the upcoming birth of a son, but not from an earthly father, but from the Holy Spirit (God).

Mary gave birth to this son during the time of the Jewish king Herod and the Roman emperor Augustus in the city of Bethlehem, where she went with her husband, the carpenter Joseph, to participate in the census. The shepherds, notified by the angels, welcomed the baby, who received the name Jesus (the Greek form of the Hebrew "Yeshua", which means "God the savior", "God saves me").

By the movement of the stars in the sky, the eastern sages - the Magi - learned about this event. Following the star, they found a house and a baby, in whom they recognized Christ (“the anointed one,” “messiah”), and presented him with gifts. Then the family, saving the child from the maddened King Herod, went to Egypt, returning and settled in Nazareth.

The apocryphal Gospels tell numerous details about the life of Jesus at that time. But the canonical Gospels reflect only one episode from his childhood - a trip to Jerusalem for a holiday.

Acts of the Messiah

Growing up, Jesus adopted his father’s experience, became a mason and carpenter, and after Joseph’s death he fed and took care of the family. When Jesus was 30 years old, he met John the Baptist and was baptized in the Jordan River. Subsequently, he gathered 12 disciples-apostles (“envoys”) and, walking with them for 3.5 years around the cities and villages of Palestine, preached a completely new, peace-loving religion.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus established moral principles that became the basis for the worldview of the new era. At the same time, he performed various miracles: he walked on water, raised the dead with the touch of his hand (three such cases are recorded in the Gospels), and healed the sick. He could also calm a storm, turn water into wine, and feed 5,000 people with “five loaves and two fishes.” However, a difficult time was coming for Jesus. The emergence of Christianity is associated not only with miracles, but also with the suffering that he experienced later.

Persecution of Jesus

No one perceived Jesus as the Messiah, and his family even decided that he had “lost his temper,” that is, he had become frantic. Only during the Transfiguration did Jesus' disciples understand his greatness. But Jesus’ preaching activities irritated the high priests in charge of the Jerusalem Temple, who declared him a false messiah. After the Last Supper, which took place in Jerusalem, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples-followers, Judas, for 30 pieces of silver.

Jesus, like any person, in addition to divine manifestations, felt pain and fear, so he experienced the “passion” with anguish. Captured on the Mount of Olives, he was convicted by the Jewish religious court - the Sanhedrin - and sentenced to death. The sentence was confirmed by the governor of Rome, Pontius Pilate. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, Christ was subjected to martyrdom - crucifixion. At the same time, miracles happened again: earthquakes swept through, the sun darkened, and according to legend, “coffins opened” - some of the dead were resurrected.

Resurrection

Jesus was buried, but on the third day he rose again and soon appeared to the disciples. According to the canons, he ascended to heaven on a cloud, promising to return later to resurrect the dead, to condemn the actions of everyone at the Last Judgment, to cast sinners into hell to eternal torment, and to lift the righteous to eternal life in “mountainous” Jerusalem, the heavenly Kingdom of God. We can say that from this moment an amazing story begins - the emergence of Christianity. The believing apostles spread the new teaching throughout Asia Minor, the Mediterranean and other regions.

The founding day of the Church was the feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles 10 days after the Ascension, thanks to which the apostles had the opportunity to preach a new teaching in all parts of the Roman Empire.

Secrets of history

How the emergence and development of Christianity proceeded at an early stage is not known for certain. We know what the authors of the Gospels - the apostles - told about. But the Gospels differ, and significantly, regarding the interpretation of the image of Christ. In John, Jesus is God in human form, the divine nature is emphasized by the author in every possible way, and Matthew, Mark and Luke attributed to Christ the qualities of an ordinary person.

The existing Gospels are written in Greek, a language common in the Hellenistic world, while the real Jesus and his early followers (Judeo-Christians) lived and operated in a different cultural environment, communicating in Aramaic, a language common in Palestine and the Middle East. Unfortunately, not a single Christian document in Aramaic has survived, although early Christian authors mention Gospels written in this language.

After the ascension of Jesus, the sparks of the new religion seemed to fade away, since there were no educated preachers among his followers. In fact, it happened that a new faith was established throughout the planet. According to church views, the emergence of Christianity is due to the fact that humanity, having retreated from God and carried away by the illusion of domination over the forces of nature with the help of magic, nevertheless sought the path to God. Society, having gone through a difficult path, has “ripened” to the recognition of a single creator. Scientists also tried to explain the avalanche-like spread of the new religion.

Prerequisites for the emergence of a new religion

Theologians and scientists have been struggling for 2000 years over the phenomenal, rapid spread of a new religion, trying to figure out these reasons. The emergence of Christianity, according to ancient sources, was recorded in the Asia Minor provinces of the Roman Empire and in Rome itself. This phenomenon was due to a number of historical factors:

• Intensifying exploitation of the peoples subjugated and enslaved by Rome.
• Defeats of the slave rebels.
• The crisis of polytheistic religions in Ancient Rome.
• Social need for a new religion.

The beliefs, ideas and ethical principles of Christianity emerged on the basis of certain social relations. In the first centuries AD, the Romans completed their conquest of the Mediterranean. By subjugating states and peoples, Rome simultaneously destroyed their independence and the originality of public life. By the way, in this respect the emergence of Christianity and Islam are somewhat similar. Only the development of two world religions took place against different historical backgrounds.

At the beginning of the 1st century, Palestine also became a province of the Roman Empire. Its inclusion in the world empire led to the integration of Jewish religious and philosophical thought from Greco-Roman thought. Numerous communities of the Jewish Diaspora in different parts of the empire also contributed to this.

Why a new religion spread in record time

A number of researchers consider the emergence of Christianity to be a historical miracle: too many factors coincided for the rapid, “explosive” spread of a new teaching. In fact, it was of great importance that this movement absorbed broad and effective ideological material, which served it to form its own doctrine and cult.

Christianity as a world religion developed gradually under the influence of various movements and beliefs of the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia. Ideas were drawn from religious, literary and philosophical sources. This:

• Jewish messianism.
• Jewish sectarianism.
• Hellenistic syncretism.
• Oriental religions and cults.
• Roman folk cults.
• Cult of the Emperor.
• Mysticism.
• Philosophical ideas.

Fusion of philosophy and religion

Philosophy—skepticism, Epicureanism, Cynicism, and Stoicism—had a significant role in the emergence of Christianity. The “middle Platonism” of Philo from Alexandria also had a noticeable influence. A Jewish theologian, he actually went into the service of the Roman emperor. Through an allegorical interpretation of the Bible, Philo sought to merge the monotheism of the Jewish religion (belief in one god) and elements of Greco-Roman philosophy.

The moral teachings of the Roman Stoic philosopher and writer Seneca were no less influential. He viewed earthly life as a prelude to rebirth in the other world. Seneca considered the main thing for a person to be the acquisition of freedom of spirit through the awareness of divine necessity. This is why later researchers called Seneca the “uncle” of Christianity.

Dating problem

The emergence of Christianity is inextricably linked with the problem of dating events. An indisputable fact is that it arose in the Roman Empire at the turn of our era. But when exactly? And where in the grandiose empire that covered the entire Mediterranean, a significant part of Europe, and Asia Minor?

According to the traditional interpretation, the origin of the basic postulates dates back to the years of Jesus’ preaching activity (30-33 AD). Scholars partially agree with this, but add that the creed was compiled after the execution of Jesus. Moreover, of the four canonically recognized authors of the New Testament, only Matthew and John were disciples of Jesus Christ, were witnesses to events, that is, they were in contact with the direct source of the teaching.

Others (Mark and Luke) have already received some of the information indirectly. It is obvious that the formation of the doctrine extended over time. It `s naturally. After all, after the “revolutionary explosion of ideas” in the time of Christ, there began an evolutionary process of assimilation and development of these ideas by his disciples, who gave the teaching a completed form. This is noticeable when analyzing the New Testament, the writing of which continued until the end of the 1st century. True, there are still different datings of books: Christian tradition limits the writing of sacred texts to a period of 2-3 decades after the death of Jesus, and some researchers extend this process until the middle of the 2nd century.

Historically, it is known that the teachings of Christ spread in Eastern Europe in the 9th century. The new ideology came to Rus' not from any single center, but through different channels:

• from the Black Sea region (Byzantium, Chersonesus);
• because of the Varangian (Baltic) Sea;
• along the Danube.

Archaeologists testify that certain groups of Russians were baptized already in the 9th century, and not in the 10th century, when Vladimir baptized the people of Kiev in the river. Previously, Kyiv was baptized Chersonesus - a Greek colony in Crimea, with which the Slavs maintained close ties. Contacts of the Slavic peoples with the population of ancient Tauris constantly expanded with the development of economic relations. The population constantly participated not only in the material, but also in the spiritual life of the colonies, where the first Christian exiles were sent into exile.

Also possible intermediaries in the penetration of religion into the East Slavic lands could be the Goths, moving from the shores of the Baltic to the Black Sea. Among them, in the 4th century, Christianity in the form of Arianism was spread by Bishop Ulfilas, who translated the Bible into Gothic. Bulgarian linguist V. Georgiev suggests that the Proto-Slavic words “church”, “cross”, “Lord” were probably inherited from the Gothic language.

The third path is the Danube path, which is associated with the enlighteners Cyril and Methodius. The main leitmotif of the Cyril and Methodius teaching was the synthesis of the achievements of Eastern and Western Christianity on the basis of Proto-Slavic culture. Enlighteners created the original Slavic alphabet and translated liturgical and canonical texts. That is, Cyril and Methodius laid the foundations of the church organization in our lands.

The official date of the baptism of Rus' is considered to be 988, when Prince Vladimir I Svyatoslavovich baptized the inhabitants of Kyiv en masse.

Conclusion

The emergence of Christianity cannot be briefly described. Too many historical mysteries, religious and philosophical disputes revolve around this issue. However, more important is the idea conveyed by this teaching: philanthropy, compassion, helping one's neighbor, condemnation of shameful acts. It doesn’t matter how a new religion was born, what matters is what it brought into our world: faith, hope, love.

Christianity(from Greek - " anointed", "Messiah") is a doctrine based on faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God, Messiah, God and Savior of man (Greek word Christ means the same as Hebrew Messiah).

Christianity is the largest faith in the world, in which there are three main directions: Catholicism, Orthodoxy And Protestantism.

The first Christians were Jews by nationality, and already in the second half of the 1st century Christianity became an international religion. The language of communication among the first Christians was Greek language. From the point of view of clergy, the main and only reason for the emergence of Christianity was the preaching activity of Jesus Christ, who was both God and man. Jesus Christ in the form of a man came to earth and brought people Truth. His coming (this past coming is called the first, in contrast to the second, future) is told in four books, Gospels, which are included in New Testament of the Bible.

Bible- a book inspired by God. She is also called Holy Scripture And By the Word of God. All books of the Bible are divided into two parts. The books of the first part, taken together, are called Old Testament, second part - New Testament. For man The Bible is more of a guide for daily practical life, in business, study, career, everyday life, and not a book about some restrictions, about the past and the future. You can read the Bible at any time in your life, in any mood, finding answers to literally all the questions and queries of your soul. Christianity does not deny material wealth and speaks of the harmony of spirit and matter.

Man, according to Christian teaching, was created in the image and likeness of God and endowed with free will, initially perfect, but by eating the fruit he sinned. Having repented and baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, a person gains hope for resurrection. Resurrection subject soul, but not body.

Christianity is a monotheistic belief in one God. God one in three forms: God the Father, God the Son And Holy Spirit. God gives to man grace And mercy. God is love, we read in the Bible. Jesus always talked to everyone about love. An entire chapter in Corinthians is devoted to love.

Jesus showed us what love is for people. Life in love is a different life. Everything Jesus did was to try to reach a person, and the responsibility for whether this love is revealed lies with the person himself. God gives life to man and then he himself chooses how to live. The desire to please someone is the beginning of love. Having touched the love of God, a person will fall and get up, he will demonstrate strength. The strength of a person's faith is determined by the strength of love. It is the love that the Bible speaks of that provides strength, faithfulness, and resourcefulness. Love and faith can make a person smile when there is no reason for it. If a person is driven by love, he is ready to do everything possible and impossible. Love is an abyss that cannot dry up and never ends.

Jesus Christ is considered saints, whole, undivided. Holy means unchangeable, it will remain when everything else has passed away. Holiness is permanence. The Bible talks about Kingdom of Heaven which a person builds within himself. And by the Kingdom of Heaven we mean a world that does not change.

The central concept of Christianity is faith. Faith is the work of man. Jesus spoke of practical faith, not ritual faith, faith that " idle, dead"Faith is strength and independence in human affairs.

People move towards faith, towards God, towards joy, towards happiness in different ways. Christians They believe that God is in man, and not outside, and each person has his own path to God.