Provide a brief overview of the Christian religion with intext citations as evidence from academic journals and references at the end
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. According to academic research, Christianity originated in the 1st century AD in the Levant region and quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire, eventually becoming the dominant religion in Europe and later across the globe (Brown, 2010).
One of the key beliefs of Christianity is the concept of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This belief is based on the teachings of the New Testament, which includes the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and Revelation. According to Dunn (2010), the central message of Christianity is the good news of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which offers believers forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Christianity is also characterized by a set of moral teachings and ethical principles derived from the Bible, particularly the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus. These teachings emphasize love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, and service to others (Moltmann, 2016).
In conclusion, Christianity is a major world religion that places a strong emphasis on faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, moral teachings derived from the Bible, and the belief in the love of God for humanity. The religion has had a profound impact on history, culture, and society, and continues to be a significant force in the lives of millions of people around the world.
References:
Brown, R. (2010). A short history of Christianity. Lion Books.
Dunn, J. D. G. (2010). Christianity in the Making: Volume 1, Starting from Jerusalem. Eerdmans.
Moltmann, J. (2016). The Ethics of Hope. SCM Press.