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Introduction
Christianity is studied as a monotheistic religion with many followers in almost every corner of the globe. Its doctrines differ significantly from those of other leading faiths, such as Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Its success is attributable to numerous factors that existed in various parts of the world in different times. This paper gives a detailed analysis of Christianitys origin in the Near East and some of the factors the supported its initial goals. The report goes further to examine the adaptive measures the pioneers of this faith adopted to support its eventual growth.
Origin of Christianity
The long history of Christianity makes it one of the widely studied and followed faiths in the world today. Scholars have acknowledged that the religion began as a response to the foreign authorities and cultures that dominated the Middle East before the birth of Christ (Stark 13). From around 8th century BC, the people of Israel held religious thoughts that revolved around the concepts of salvation, the position of Israel as Gods righteous place, and Monotheism (Witmer 149). Several centuries earlier, Jews had mitigated to start occupying different regions across the region, including Rome, the Mediterranean, and the wider Middle East (Lindenfors and Svensson 4). When some of the emerging foreigners began to impose new cultural ideologies and notions in Palestine, the people chose to resist while considering the best ways to support their values.
On the other, most of the Jewish preachers and teachers started to introduce their respective cultural attributes in different regions. Some of the people decided to embrace most of these emerging views and practices. The end result was a merger of Judaism and emerging influences. The subsequent debates would revolve around the position and role of Christ as Gods son and messenger and the importance of the famous Mosaic Law (Lindenfors and Svensson 6). These attributes made it possible for the gentiles to disassociate themselves with the existing Jewish norms and practices. The strategy would present enabling conditions for the beginning of a new monotheistic religion that sacrificed Jewish traditions.
These historical events and happenings would result in the development of a new religion that retains its original roots in the Near East region. Historians agree that Christian faith emerged in Damascus, Jerusalem, and Antioch. Those in support of the religion began by focusing on the works of Christ as Gods primary messenger. They would go further to promote the notion of the Holy Trinity to include God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ. These three worked synergistically as one God (Bautista et al. 998). The presentation of this kind of understanding would create the point of departure that other religions originating from the region take seriously, including Islam and Judaism.
Within the past ten centuries, the number of Christians living in different parts of the Middle East has declined significantly. Majority of the adherents are known to be Armenians, Assyrians, or Arabs. Additionally, the notion of plurality is evident whereby there are numerous Churches that identify themselves as Christians in the wider Middle East (Lindenfors and Svensson 8). This trend is linked to the emerging divisions in the manner in which followers view and analyze the established Christological questions and doctrines.
Adaptation of Christianity over the Years
Following the emergence of Christianity in Near East around 1 AD, many leaders at the time realized that it would continue to experience fierce opposition from the established Jewish traditions. Jews were also observed to relocate to other parts of the world, including the Middle East and Europe. The emergence of a strong Roman Empire in the region resulted in increased persecution. Adherents of this religion began to fight this kind of oppression, thereby succeeding to encourage some of the Romans to become part of it. Within a short period, historians indicate that Constantine the Great was able to convert, an act that triggered the issuance of the Edict of Milan (Chandler 4). This action was critical since it created an enabling environment for Christianity to thrive from 313 AD onwards.
The acceptance of this kind of religion in Ancient Rome created numerous opportunities for this religion to expand and achieve most of its goals. The end of all persecutions allowed more leaders and believers to become part of this faith. Consequently, Constantine presented enabling conditions that would eventually make Christianity the recognized religion of the Roman Empire (Chandler 6). With the greatness and powers of the empire, it was possible to influence its spread across the wider European religion. With the reducing number of pagans or non-believers in the wider Europe continent, the Roman Empire realized that it required the support of Christian adherents to continue pursuing its goals.
While the original mission to deliver the message of Christ to more people formed the foundation of this religion, new strengths emerged that resulted in its immediate adaptation in Europe. For instance, Stark believes that the new form of faith was capable of transforming the overall experiences of more followers (11). Most of its adherents found a number of clever ways to improve their lives through the notions of hard work and commitment (Bautista et al. 998). The emergence of religious texts carrying the message of Christ encouraged more people to seek the relevant interpretation and focus on Gods eternal kingdom. The followers also learned that there was a better future ahead of them after the second coming of Jesus Christ. The stories of Christs resurrection appeared promising and capable of encouraging more believers to become part of this religion.
The success Christianity in different regions after 313 AD was because of the capabilities it had with other traditional beliefs and assumptions. For example, Bautista et al. indicate that most of the Greeks knew that there was an element of immortality that could result in the endless survival of the spiritual body (1001). This kind of understanding was directly linked to the idea of resurrection. Most of the new followers and existing pagans began to identify with the religion since it presented a more acceptable, practical, and informative doctrine. Those who pursued the presented notions found a new reason to strength to continue pursuing most of their goals in life. The wave of Christianity would eventually become stronger, thereby continuing to meet most of the existing needs. This trend made it possible for the emerging religion to challenge and suppress the dominant traditional belief systems promoted in different parts of the continent.
Some scholars have gone further to offer additional insights to analyze the forces and attributes that led to the subsequent survival and spread of this faith. Witmer indicates that the new form of belief was designed in such a way that it adapted or focused on the spiritual needs of most of the people (150). This would be achieved by considering the existing beliefs and goals in their lives. The new faith appears to deliver similar promises, thereby making it easier for them to associate with Christianity. The Romans and Greeks would also acknowledge that the new faith was practical and promised them eternity.
The portrayal of Christ and most of His works formed the best foundation for engaging more pagans in areas were preachers intended to preach the gospel. Most of the beneficiaries of such new massages would acknowledge that Christ was powerful and capable of delivering the much needed healing. This kind of achievement compelled more people in Europe to denounce their Roman gods (Witmer 150). The increasing wave of Christianity would encourage more people to acquire the relevant religious texts and continue to associate themselves with the presented messages. Within less than ten centuries, this religion would attract more followers, thereby becoming one of the leading monotheistic religions of the time.
The grassroots activities most of the first preachers adopted appeared to deliver hope to members of the lower classes. These individuals began to associate with the promised eternal kingdom in the Bible. The emerging believers were convinced that the new faith guaranteed the best escape for most of the challenges they could face in their future lives (Stark 18). This kind of approach ensures that Christianity was adapted in accordance with the social, economic, and spiritual needs of more Europeans. The same strategy would allow the people from the Old World to deliver similar messages in the New World. This practice would make it easier for Native Americans and subsequent generations to begin associating themselves with Christianity.
In some cases, preachers focused on the family heads and community leaders. This strategy meant that the successful conversion of such people to join Christianity would allow their followers to become part of the religion. This initiative made it easier for the religion to succeed and become dominant within a short time. Over the centuries, Christianity would continue to break away from the established empires by allowing people to access interpreted versions of different Biblical Books. The subsequent success of the religion led to the compilation of most of the religious texts associated with the religion to deliver the Bible (Stark 22). Its access to more people created a new opportunity for challenging the status quo in Europe. Martin Luther Kings actions would step a new path for the success and expansion of Christianity. Believers would no longer have to ascribe to Catholicism as the only Christian Church.
Within the past four centuries, the same strategies for adaption have helped Christianity to expand and change in accordance with the overall demands of the people. In pagan communities, preachers continue to present the same message of hope and eternal kingdom. According to Chandler, the notion of pluralism made this religion more adaptive and capable of moving further away from the doctrines and views of Near East where it initially began (9). Consequently, it has succeeded to become the largest religion in the world today in terms of believers.
Conclusion
The presence of divergent faiths and forms of worship in Near East before the birth of Christ triggered numerous questions regarding the Mosaic Law. The birth and subsequent messages of Christ would present a second dilemma for those who wanted to know his place in the peoples cultural and religious foundations. The external forces in the region compelled believers to launch Christianity, a new form of worship that adopted both the messages of Christ and Mosaic Law. Believers and preachers would then adapt the word of Christ in such a way that it resonates with the spiritual and social needs of the targeted followers. These attributes would set the stage for the subsequent success of Christianity across the globe.
Works Cited
Bautista, Jesús S., et al. Scientific and Religious Beliefs about the Origin of Life and Life after Death: Validation of a Scale. Universal Journal of Educational Research, vol. 5, no. 6, 2017, pp. 995-1007.
Chandler, Kegan A. Deuteros Theos: Constantines Christology at Nicaea. Journal of Early Christian History, vol. 11, no. 10, 2021, pp. 1-17.
Lindenfors, Patrik, and Jonas Svensson. Evolutionary Explanations for Religion: An Interdisciplinary Critical Review. Research Ideas and Outcomes, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-16.
Stark, Rodney. The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2020.
Witmer, Stephen. Book Review: Who Were the Early Christians? Dismantling the Urban Thesis. Bulletin for Biblical Research, vol. 28, no. 1, 2018, pp. 149-151.
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