244
edits
Christianity: Difference between revisions
From ReformedWiki.org
no edit summary
(Created blank page) |
ComingAgain (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Christianity''' is the religion founded by [[Jesus Christ]] and spread by his [[Apostles]] and later followers. | |||
[[File:Light through a stained glass window, cross, wall of the Marmor (Frederiks) Kirke Copenhagen Denmark.jpg|thumb|276x276px|The Cross is the international symbol of Christianity]] | |||
It is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religion centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is regarded as the [[Son of man|Son of God]] and the Saviour of humanity. Christians believe in the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]]—[[God the Father|Father]], [[God the Son|Son]], and [[God the Spirit|Holy Spirit]]—as one [[God]] in three persons. The faith is based on the [[Bible]], which includes the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament|New Testaments]], with the New Testament detailing the life of Jesus and the teachings of his apostles. Central to Christianity is the belief in [[salvation]] through faith in Jesus Christ, who died to atone for the sins of humanity and offers eternal life to believers. Christianity emphasizes love, compassion, and forgiveness, and it has various denominations, the most accurate being the [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed tradition]]. | |||
Beginning with the [[Early Christianity|early church]] established by Jesus Christ and his apostles, over time, the purity of the gospel was obscured by the rise of doctrines and practices within the [[Roman Catholic Church]] that strayed from biblical teachings. The [[Protestant Reformation]], which began in the 16th century with figures like [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]], returned the church to its scriptural roots. | |||
This helped to the define the [[Five Solas]] of [[Protestantism]], a key tenant of most protestant Christians. They are as follows: | |||
* '''Sola Scripture''': Scripture is the only source of normative, apostolic, infallible revelation and that “all things necessary for salvation and about faith and life are taught in the Bible with sufficient clarity so that the ordinary believer can find it there and understand it.” | |||
* '''Sola fide''': Justification is by faith alone, meaning that individuals are declared righteous before God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by any works or human effort. This doctrine asserts that faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice is the only means by which sinners can receive forgiveness and be reconciled to God, with good works being the fruit and evidence of genuine faith, not the basis of salvation. | |||
* '''Sola gratia''': Salvation is by grace alone, emphasizing that it is entirely the work of God's unmerited favour, not dependent on human effort or merit. This doctrine teaches that humans are utterly incapable of contributing to their own salvation due to their sinful nature, and it is only by God's sovereign grace that they are redeemed and brought to faith. Grace is understood as a gift from God, freely given, and the sole cause of a believer's justification, regeneration, and ultimate salvation. | |||
* '''Solus Christus''': Christ alone is the sole mediator between God and humanity, and salvation is found exclusively through His person and work. This doctrine asserts that Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection are the only sufficient means by which sinners can be reconciled to God. | |||
* '''Soli Deo gloria''': Glory to God alone, asserting that all of creation, including salvation, exists for the purpose of glorifying God. This doctrine teaches that God is the ultimate source of everything and deserves all honor and praise, with no credit due to human beings or any other entity. | |||
