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What is Christianity?

Followers of Christ.

A mystical experience in the Holy Trinity.

Christ.

A defination:
"A Christ-ian is one who has the Christ spirit. This is our understanding of the original meaning of the word. We suppose all will assent to and accept it as correct . . . . Men are Christ-ians according to the spirit of the Christ which is in them and manifested in the flesh."

To me it is striving to become Christ-like, through the grace and mercy of God that he, the Triune God, bestows upon us. His Word states no man is an island unto himself. Therefore we cannot even attempt to pray without God's mercy being upon us, without God calling us to prayer, for we are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God.

Man is vial in nature and without Christ loving us so much that he gave up his life for us, we cannot/would not lay down our lives for others as he did. So it is in Christ dwelling in us and through us that we are able to shine as he did. Without Christ we cannot not bring the light of God to the world.

Without the Paraclete we could not even attempt to become Christ life, for he changes us in to those that world can call Christians. His gifts and charisms enable us to become Christ-like in all things. Christ said he must go so the Paraclete could come. The Paraclete came, Peter stood up and spoke, and 3000 were converted that day.

So without the indwelling of the Trinity, we can not live as Christ. To live as Christ is Christianity.

One of my favorite quotes:

"Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of laws to be obeyed ... Christianity is a person, one who loved us so much, one who calls for our love. Christianity is Christ." � Archbishop Oscar Romero

Thank you all for your replies.

If Christianity is Christ, then can Christianity exist without believers?

If Christianity is a mystical experience of the Holy Trinity, then who are those Church members who never claim to have a mystical experience no less any experience? Can Christianity exist in name only?

If Christianity is the Christian or follower of Christ on a spiritual journey, then what do we say about those 'Christians' whose light seems dimmer than those who are not believers, non-believers who are charitable, kind, loving, and considerate?

Is 'Christianity' a difficult concept like 'church' or 'love?' often overused that its meaning lacks opaqueness? Or does our definition differ from the next community's catechism?

But whatever Christianity is, then what is the nature of the business of the Church? How do we gauge if Churches are Christian? I know this questions sounds rediculous at first, but many have claimed that they had poor experiences in some church communities.

What is Christianity? Is this our core competency as 'Christians?'

Our Code of Canon Law defines a 'rite' as having four elements: liturgical tradition, theology, spirituality, and discipline. (not necessarily in that order).

What is Christianity when liturgical tradition is overemphasized at the expense of the Christian message? If churches are allowed to modify/restore/eliminate their liturgical traditions, both in a good and bad way, but not allowed to properly defend their particular traditions of discipline, then what is it?

What is Christianity when theology is fought over tooth and nail, but not implemented in the spirituality of the church community?

How many of our liturgical, theological, spiritual, and disciplinary elements were the result of lack of charity as conveyed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ rather than an honest attempt to find communion with Him better?

Is Christ being proclaimed in your Christian community? How much of the sermons heard deal with Christ rather than the life tales of the preacher?

Is your Christian community full of ... Christians? Or do they first size you up as being "one of them" and then fault you for the history of your church community?

Joe

Years ago, I read an article that indicated that if we look at whether Christ's teachings have been adopted and practiced by the world, then we would have to conclude that Christianity has been a failure. The author was saying that Christianity is a wonderful ideal, but it hasn't gone beyond an ideal to a practical application. In a sense, I kind of understand what the author was saying.

I have to question whether 'Christian' can be applied to those who choose not to FOLLOW Christ, even when they attend Church on occassion. Hitler was a "Christian", as was Stalin. Mere belief in Christ alone does not make one a Christian. The devil believes in Christ!

I would say, one who both believes in, and makes the choice to FOLLOW CHRIST as best he can, as a mere sinful mortal, so that others may see Christ in his every action, is a Christian.

Gaudior, who fails miserably at the above task

We cannot be Christ because only Jesus is and was and will forever be.

Even to be Christlike is extremely hard enough. Only a few have attained such rarefied life!

For the majority of us mortals, following and living Christ's greatest commandments: love God and love thy neighbor, may well exemplify the "true" Christian.

Amado

Joe:

I read something from St. John Chrysostom that goes something like this:

Thousands and thousands of people crowd the churches; and of those only a few hundred understand what it is all about; and of those few hundred only a handful take that knowledge and attain their salvation.

Of all the problems in all the different parishes of every stripe, I believe that it is wise to remember that parishes are crucibles for the perfecting of the saints. Like a machine full of lava stones that are used to soften a pair of jeans, the humans around us are supposed to rub up against us to help the Lord rub the rough edges off each of us and help in our perfecting. There have never been any perfect parishes or dioceses or patriarchates. We've all, thoughout Christian history, been trying to "get it right." That's the reason that we actually have divisions. We haven't been able to accept the struggles of others when they haven't looked like us or talked like us or worshipped as we have or come to the same understanding as we have. For example, we are just coming to understand that many of the problems we thought we had with the Oriental Orthodox are problems of explaining Greek concepts as defined by some of the early Councils in the languages of those who have been separated from us for so many centuries. Again, look at the many discussions of the different ways we try to define the central Mystery of the Faith.

Look at some of the discussions here about the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Vatican Council asked you to recover your authentic traditions. But what does that mean in actual practice? At what point in history do you refer? Every one of the Churches has been a living organism that has lived where it has been planted. Some have adopted some Western practices because they lived close to the West; sometimes it was by misguided force. Soemtimes practices in one locale haven't been observed in another for a multitude of reasons. People get used to things and then there is division today because there are some who are satisfied with having things as they are because they are comfortable. Others want to wholesale restore many things that may or may not have been customary in the part of the world where the ancestors of the particular parish came from. Look at the Ruthenian rescension and many of its pre-Nikonian customs and practices. Is it right to "restore" this Church to the level of practice of the MP? Is uniformity something that people are looking for here?

One Lutheran pastor once put the Christian problem to me as the "attempt to herd frogs." Have you ever tried to "herd frogs"? They're all over the place. So, it seems, are we at times. There are many places where it is said that the parish and council would drive out the Dear Lord Himself if he were made their pastor.

I have been in situations where parishes have grown around me from a situation where I wasn't welcome to where I was at the center of everything to being unwelcome again. And in all things I have given thanks. Somehow the Lord is teaching me something at every step of the way.

"What is Christianity?"

Well, it's a way of life. And like every way of life it is messy and hard to force into a definition or a pigeonhole. It also seems to me to be something we are called to struggle with. My spiritual director tells me that it is not the results that the Lord will praise or condemn, but the effort put into the struggle. The struggle? To develop a relationship with Him that is as deep and intense as we can respond to with His Grace and that He allows us to achieve. Beyond that, one that is so attractive that it draws others to ask what it is that we have because they want some too. Then introducing that one to Christ and nurturing that new relationship as much as the Lord will give us the Grace and inspiration to do. It's the challenge to live one's life with the constant reminder that we may be the only Bible some people ever read.

The paradox is that we are saved by Christ individually in community. There are no rugged individuals; we are in communion; we are "coming into union" (progressive tense to indicate ongoing process) both individually and with others. We are both help and hindrance to those around us, hoping to be, in balance, more help than hindrance. We're in a crucible that calls for struggle and gives as many surprises as answers.

In Christ,

BOB

For me, being Christian is surrendering to the overwhelming love of God -- Father Son and Holy Spirit -- and that surrender to love is often much more difficult and painful than it may at first sound. Granted, once we make the decision to yield to love, we get a lot of help along the way, but it is still incredibly challenging.

To all:

Thank you so very much for the wonderful responses regarding 'what is Christianity?' There is much here, so far, that one has to read over and over to let it sink in.

I like the analogy of the stone-washed jeans. Can I add to this analogy the analogy of the younger generation inheriting someone's old dirty pair of stone-washed jeans? Is this like pouring new wine into old wineskins? But I am sure your answer is in regard to how to deal with those who are Christian in name only and how that reality invites more humility and patience. I guess the Christian community is one interesting place to get stoned. Thank you for that analogy. I am sure my hard-headedness has proven to be rocky at times for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Many of you have pointed out how people make up a major aspect of Christianity. But people have a history, and sometimes that historical nature can be hysterical at times. I am sure God has a good sense of humor just by simply watching us be religious.

Has our history proven to be a catalyst in our building up the Body of Christ? or has our history proven to be a stumbling block? Do we dwell more on our historical blemishes more than on what gives us our Christian identity?

The squabble with the 'Oriental' Christians was just about poor or contradicting terminology? But what damage has resulted from it?

There have been a number of Christian communities that have almost, if not entirely, disappeared. There has been others that have grown on the blood of martyrdom. Some communities have given up the faith of Christ crucified for the Crescent. Other communities have simply emptied the temples by not showing up. Ever hear about Catholic France or Orthodox Greece? Why do we still use obsolete titles?

What is Christianity braced for if Christ is not part of it?

But I know that people are people, stones and all. It is easy to become idealist when dealing with the concept of Christianity isolated from the reality of human community. The other day, I met Mr. Scott-Martin Kosofsky, the author of, "The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year." He told me a story about a Jewish man who left his Jewish village to marry a Christian woman. He became acclamated to the Christian culture and his new Christian family only later to dream about the Jewish faith he left behind. So, he began to create his own little Jewish world, religion, and with traditions without any other Jews. It was beautiful. The Christians loved what he was doing and eventually, after a decade, the entire Christian village became Jewish. The man then invited his wife to journey home to his old Jewish village to meet his family and fellow Jewish community at the synagogue he grew up in. After only one short visit to his family's house and the village synagogue for Sabbath, he realized all the reasons why he hated and left it all behind. He hated his faith once again.

Then there was the Jewish man who was lost at sea, never to be found until twenty years later on a deserted island. As the rescue crew was touring his 'village' they noticed a bamboo hut near the woods with the Star of David above the door. They asked what that was all about and the Jewish man told them about his faith in God and how he maintained it by building his own synague to which he faithfully attended. He told them about how it kept him from despair and loneliness. Then one of the resue crew members asked about another bamboo hut on the other side of his camp-village with its own Star of David above the door. Then the Jewish man paused and pursed his lips. He grew agitated. "That!" he replied in a bitter tone, "is the synagogue that I will NEVER step foot into!"

It is one thing when ordinary lay folk behave in lesser Christian tones - like stones. But it is entirely different when church leaders act in lesser tones.

Is Christianity a bumper sticker game of "the church with the most parishes wins"? Does Christianity allow ecclesial canabalism?

Lately, in the Ukraine, there is fear from many of a pro-Russian leader taking charge. Sovereignty and identity is at stake. But what about Christian churches? One can hear complaints and worries about Orthodox patriarchs becoming imperial in attempts to dominate a broader Orthodox sphere. Eastern Catholics have a love-hate relationship with Rome. Rome publishes one 'Two Lung' love letter one day, then followed by restrictive canonical norms the next (read: we love you but do it our way).

Where is Christ in all this? Is our mission statement still in some dusty book of norms shelved away somewhere to be discussed at the next meeting on Evangelism?

Hurry! Someone take a picture!

Joe

Joe:

It seems to me that Christianity is also like marriage.

Marriage is like two people deeply in love who live in close proximity in a small closet. The closet is wallpapered with Number 220 grit sandpaper. The more the couple move around, the more they abrade each other. We bruise and hurt the people we love the most, do we not? We don't intend to do that, but it happens--like life happens.
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quote: "Can I add to this analogy the analogy of the younger generation inheriting someone's old dirty pair of stone-washed jeans?"

Each generation inherits "baggage" from its predecessors. But the danger in seeing all that comes from our teachers as old and expendable is in the throwing out of the baby with the bathwater. One can get the attitude (and arrogance) that the world started with me and my generation. In Christianity, one learns from one's predecessors the correct path so that we don't become those who "cannot tolerate sound doctrine" and "follow after teachers of their own who tickle their ears."
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quote: "Is this like pouring new wine into old wineskins?"

Don't see the relation here. We don't want new wine if this means new theories that don't come from our sound teachers--those who have received the Faith and faithfully passed it along, neither adding to nor subtracting from it.
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quote: "I am sure God has a good sense of humor . . ."

If you don't believe that, you ought to see the body he gave me. One leg is shorter than the other. On an x-ray, there is one rib that hasn't quite formed on one side. I get a good laugh in a full-length mirror: I think He made me with a box of leftover, oddly mixed parts on a day when He was particularly wanting to have a good laugh!!

I also think that when He looks at some of the ways we have tried to form His Church He alternates between belly laughs and tears--laughing Himself into tears and then having a really good cry at the mess we so often make.
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quote: Has our history proven to be a catalyst in our building up the Body of Christ? or has our history proven to be a stumbling block?

BOTH


"Do we dwell more on our historical blemishes more than on what gives us our Christian identity?"

YES
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quote: "The squabble with the 'Oriental' Christians was just about poor or contradicting terminology? But what damage has resulted from it?

So it seems from the accounts of recent theological study of the issues and the resulting explanations from both sides.

Damage? Plenty. Centuries of isolation and a grievous wound in the Body of Christ.
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quote: "What is Christianity braced for if Christ is not part of it?"

Religion and ritual for its own sake; an idol that makes God as angry as He was when the Chosen People worshipped the golden calf in the desert.
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quote: "It is one thing when ordinary lay folk behave in lesser Christian tones - like stones. But it is entirely different when church leaders act in lesser tones."

Ah, the old hold the clergy to a higher standard. Have you not read the Scripture? God chose the weak of this world to proclaim the Gospel and release its power so that the power fo the Gospel would not be seen to be the power of the person proclaiming. We've got weak, sinful men just like us and often not up to some of the laity, as they themselves would tell you. The measure of a true Christian is that the closer he or she comes to God the greater a sinner he or she sees himself or herself. Like the Prophet Isaia, one gets a good look at oneself and is moved to tears that God would have any care at all for the worthless wretch one sees. But God reaches out and makes us whole so that what we have is a tremendous gift of His Mercy. That way no one can brag about anything, whether clergy or layman, except that God cannot be outdone in generosity or mercy or anything else when He decides to shower his Gifts on us.
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quote: "Is Christianity a bumper sticker game of "the church with the most parishes wins"? Does Christianity allow ecclesial canabalism?"

NO AND NO
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quote: "Where is Christ in all this?"

Sometimes invited in; sometimes left out in the cold; sometimes celebrating and joyful at what He is part of; sometimes standing in the middle crying His Eyes out.
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May the Good Lord Who is coming this season and every day find a warm welcome in the hearts He has prepared and which He knows as His own.

In Christ,

BOB

Theophan,

Good points. Your marriage analogy sounds pretty gritty.

I wouldn't say that the clergy should be held to a higher standard. Even Paul singles out the characteristics of a bishop or deacon. If a bishop can't run his own household, should he be running the household of the church?

I understand quite well how we are all sick. I like the church model of the hospital ward where all the church members are in different units. Some in trauma, others in ER, still others in step-down units. Some are just there to have a baby. Others for a checkup and an 'all clear' sign from the doc. And then there are those who just love to shop at the gift shop.

I certainly don't like the 'assisted suicide' model of church.

Let me put it to you this way. I've studied my industry (steel) for quite some time. I am not an expert, but only knowledgable in my particular nitch. The general public seems to have one idea of why American jobs are going overseas. Many blame the foreign producers of steel. They cite unfair trade or dumping. Some of this is true, but ... what is overlooked is the deep greed of the American businessman/person. I've experienced wonderful companies go under simply because of retired owners who simply wanted to collect their investments. We, along with our competitors, were sold to foreigners. Our customers failed to invest in technology and fell behind. Triumphant and monopolistic industries after WWII couln't begin to imagine what life would be like if those bombed out nations resurrected their industries with NEWER and BETTER technologies that the U.S. failed to invest in. We won the war, but ...

Don't churches have the propensity to become triumphalistic? I always hated the term "Church Triumphant." It sounds too cocky. It also seems laughable when many geographical locations that once was the home of Triumphal churches are now filled with mosques and empty Christian temples. Triumphal in relation to what?

So much energy was spent putting out fires rather than figuring out how to win. Too much energy saving the deck furniture of the Titanic rather than patching the hole.

I love the Gospel and I love people. But to be honest, there hasn't been anything fantastic or exciting coming out of our church leadership lately. I am convinced that the answer to my question doesn't lie there.

Today, I know that it is becoming less expensive to do business in the U.S. than China or Mexico. Why? Because of the rapid rate of increase in productivity (hence why not too many were called back from layoffs). Because after you add shipping costs and late deliveries, it is safer and less expensive to get work done in the U.S.

What does this have to do with church or Christianity? Like you implied - people are people, sandpaper and all. We behave no differently in church than we do in industry - no matter how many times I am reminded that church is not a business. But we react the same, don't we? I mean, if the competition (or another church) seems to be taking us down, we might just consider assisted suicide ministry as a given. But what if there ARE communities that are growing and DO evangelize the message of Christ? Do we keep it a secret? Do we not share our blessings? or do we all wear bushel baskets?

Pre-Nikonian and Nikonian was mentioned in regards to liturgical reform. I know that one person's understanding of reformation is another's understanding of defomation. But here is a more serious problem: consider a State Farm insurance agent. He or she is a 'captive' agent of a particular business selling particular products. They too have a mission and goal. But what do you call it if an agent of State Farm tries to sell non-State Farm products without the home office knowing? or if that same agent is expected to sell a certain line of products, but never takes their brochures out of the box to pass onto his/her customers?

Don't we find the same problem in Christianity? I liken the insurance office as a type of church. It is a spatial-temporal locus of selling the product. But where would it get us if we spent more time passing out groovy key chains and maps rather than the actual insurance product?

Joe