Christian meditation is a form of quiet (but not necessarily silent) contemplation often associated with prayer or scripture study. It is rooted in the Bible, which directs its readers to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God commands his people to meditate on his word day and night to instill obedience. The psalmist says that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). The Bible ...

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Ignatius of Loyola Thomas Merton Bede Griffiths Jesus Prayer Hesychasts Apophatic theology Richard Foster Quakers Emerging Church Taizé Community ...

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With an estimated 2.1 billion adherents, it is arguably the world's largest religion. Its origins are intertwined with Judaism, with which it shares much sacred text and pre-Jesus history, especially the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), which Christians call the Old Testament.1 Christianity is sometimes termed an Abrahamic religion, along with Judaism and ...

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Christianity, Christianity - Overview, Christianity - Denominations of Christianity, Christianity - History, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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History of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The Trinity God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit The Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Gospels Ten Commandments Sermon on the Mount Christian theology Salvation · Grace Christian worship Christian Church Catholicism Orthodox Christianity Protestantism Christian denominations ...

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Christianity - Overview Christianity - Denominations of Christianity Christianity - History Christianity - Beliefs
Christianity - The Trinity Christianity - Jesus Christ as God Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection Christianity - The Second Coming Christianity - The Afterlife
Christianity - Differences in Beliefs
Christianity - Nicene Creed Christianity - Scriptures
Christianity - Worship and practices
Christianity - Weekly worship services Christianity - Holidays
Christianity - Symbols Christianity - Persecution
Christianity - History and denominations
Christianity - Notes Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Orthodox and Catholic believers describe Christian worship in terms of the seven sacraments or "mysteries." These include baptism, the Eucharist (communion), matrimony, Holy Orders, confirmation or Chrismation, penance and reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick. Many Protestant groups, following Martin Luther, recognize the sacramental nature of baptism and communion, but not usually the other five. Anabaptist and Brethren groups would add feet washing. Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Holiness Churches emphasize "gifts of the Spi ...

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Christianity, Christianity - Overview, Christianity - Denominations of Christianity, Christianity - History, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Christianity - Nicene Creed. One statement describing the beliefs of a majority of Christians is the Nicene Creed, ratified as the universal creed of Orthodox and Catholic Christendom by the Council of Ephesus in 431, and generally believed to be true by Protestants as well. Therefore, the Nicene Creed is generally acknowledged to be the most universally accepted summary expression of the Christian faith. Central Christian beliefs which are affirmed in the Nicene Creed include, but are not limited to: ...

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Christianity, Christianity - Overview, Christianity - Denominations of Christianity, Christianity - History, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Before the Edict of Milan, ancient Christianity was an illegal movement, which many considered anti-social for worshipping an executed criminal in place of the traditional deities of Rome. Many early Christians met their deaths through martyrdom, sometimes in the arena, after refusing to renounce their faith. Persecution of Christians is by no means a thing of the past, and today is generally associated with Muslim or Communist countries. For ex ...

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History of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The Trinity God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit The Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Gospels Ten Commandments Sermon on the Mount Christian theology Salvation · Grace Christian worship Christian Church Catholicism Orthodox Christianity Protestantism Christian denominations Chr ...

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Christian - History
Christian - Early times Christian - The First Millennium Christian - Medieval times Christian - Modern times

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The Cappadocians are significant figures in the history of Hellenistic Christian philosophies. They were a 4th-century monastic family, led by St Makrina to provide a central place for her brothers to study and meditate, and also to provide a peaceful shelter for their mother. Abbess Makrina fostered the formation and development of three men who collectively became designated the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil the Great who was the older of Makrina's brothers and eventually became a bishop, Gregory Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa who was

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Main articles: History of Christianity, and [[{{{2}}}]], and [[{{{3}}}]], and [[{{{4}}}]], and [[{{{5}}}]] See a ...

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Christianity, Christianity - Overview, Christianity - Denominations of Christianity, Christianity - History, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Though enormous diversity exists in the beliefs of those who self-identify as Christian, it is possible to venture general statements which describe the beliefs of a large majority. Christianity - The Trinity. Main articles: Trinity, and [[{{{2}}}]], and See also:

Christianity, Christianity - Overview, Christianity - Denominations of Christianity, Christianity - History, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Christianity encompasses numerous religious traditions that widely vary by culture and place, as well as many diverse beliefs and sects. Since the Reformation, Christianity is usually represented as being divided into three main branches: Eastern Christianity, the oldest form, includes the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, all with a combined membership of more than 240 million baptized members; Catholicism: With more than 1 billion baptized members, this cat ...

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Christianity began within Judaism among the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Under the leadership of the Apostles Peter and Paul it opened up early to Gentiles, gradually distinguishing itself from and parting ways with Judaism. Some Jewish Christians rejected this approach and developed into various sects of their own. Later a church hierarchy seems to have developed at least by the time of the writing of the Pastoral Epistles and was certainly formalized by the 3rd century. Christianity spread across the Mediterranean Basin while end ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Within Christianity, numerous distinct groups have developed, with diverse beliefs that vary widely by culture and place. Since the Reformation, Christianity is usually represented as being divided into three main branches: Catholicism: The Roman Catholic Church, the largest single body -- which includes several Eastern Catholic communities -- as well as certain smaller communities (e.g., the Old-Catholics), with more than 1 billion baptized members; Protestantism: Numerous denominations and groups such as Anglicans, Lu ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Enormous diversity of belief exists among Christians. Nevertheless, certain doctrines have come to characterize the mainstream of Christian theology. Christianity - The Trinity. Main article: Trinity The belief that God is a single eternal being who exists as three distinct, eternal, and indivisible persons: Father, Son (Divine Logos (incarnated as Jesus, and Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). Christianity - Jesus Christ as God. The belief that Jesus is both fully God (divine) and ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Christianity - Nicene Creed. One statement describing the beliefs of a majority of Christians is the Nicene Creed, ratified as the universal creed of Orthodox and Catholic Christendom by the Council of Ephesus in 431, and generally adhered to by Protestants as well. Central Christian beliefs which are affirmed in the Nicene Creed include, but are not limited to: The Trinity Jesus is both fully God and fully human. That salvation from "sin and death" is available through the p ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Orthodox and Catholic believers describe Christian worship in terms of the seven sacraments or "mysteries." These include baptism, the Eucharist (communion), matrimony, Holy Orders, confirmation or Chrismation, penance and reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick. Many Protestant groups, following Martin Luther, recognize the sacramental nature of baptism and communion, but not usually the other five in the same way. Anabaptist and Brethren groups would add feet washing. Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Holiness Churches emphasize " ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Christians have frequently suffered from persecution. During the first three centuries of its existence, Christianity was regarded with suspicion and frequently persecuted in the Roman Empire. Adherence to Christianity was declared illegal and especially in the 3rd century, the government demanded that their subjects, the Jews only excepted, sacrifice to the Emperor as a divinity, a practice that Christianity, along with Judaism, rejected. Persecution in the Roman Empire ended with the Edict of Milan, but it persisted or even intensif ...

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Christianity, Christianity - History and Origins, Christianity - Denominations, Christianity - Beliefs, Christianity - The Trinity, Christianity - Jesus Christ as God, Christianity - Jesus Christ as Salvation, Christianity - Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christianity - The Second Coming, Christianity - The Afterlife, Christianity - Differences in Beliefs, Christianity - Nicene Creed, Christianity - Scriptures, Christianity - Worship and practices, Christianity - Weekly worship services, Christianity - Holidays, Christianity - Symbols, Christianity - Persecution, Christianity - History and denominations, Christianity - Notes, Christianity - References and select bibliography

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Christian - Early times. Church is taken by some to refer to a single, universal community, although others contend that the doctrine of the universal church was not established until later. The doctrine of the universal, visible church was made explicit in the Apostles' Creed, while the less common Protestant notion of the universal, invisible church is not laid out explicitly until the Reformation. The universal church traditions generally espouse that the Church includes all who are baptized into her common fa ...

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Christian, Christian - History, Christian - Early times, Christian - The First Millennium, Christian - Medieval times, Christian - Modern times

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