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'''Christianity''' is the religion stemming from the teachings of Jesus in the 1st century AD. Its sacred scripture is the Bible, particularly the New Testament. Its principal tenets are that Jesus is the Son of God (the second person of the Holy Trinity), that God's love for the world is the essential component of his being, and that Jesus died to redeem humankind. Christianity was originally a movement of Jews who accepted Jesus as the messiah, but the movement quickly became predominantly Gentile. The early church was shaped by St. Paul and other Christian missionaries and theologians; it was persecuted under the Roman Empire but supported by Constantine I, the first Christian emperor. In medieval and early modern Europe, Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther contributed to the growth of Christian theology, and beginning in the 15th century missionaries spread the faith throughout much of the world. The major divisions of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Nearly all Christian churches have an ordained clergy, members of which are typically though not universally male. Members of the clergy lead group worship services and are viewed as intermediaries between the laity and the divine in some churches. Most Christian churches administer two sacraments, baptism and the Eucharist. In the early 21st century there were more than two billion adherents of Christianity throughout the world, found on all continents.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christianity# Christianity] at the Merriam-Webster Online</ref>
'''Christianity''' is the religion stemming from the teachings of Jesus in the 1st century AD. Its sacred scripture is the Bible, particularly the New Testament. Its principal tenets are that Jesus is the Son of God (the second person of the Holy Trinity), that God's love for the world is the essential component of his being, and that Jesus died to redeem humankind. Christianity was originally a movement of Jews who accepted Jesus as the messiah, but the movement quickly became predominantly Gentile. The early church was shaped by St. Paul and other Christian missionaries and theologians; it was persecuted under the Roman Empire but supported by Constantine I, the first Christian emperor. In medieval and early modern Europe, Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther contributed to the growth of Christian theology, and beginning in the 15th century missionaries spread the faith throughout much of the world. The major divisions of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Nearly all Christian churches have an ordained clergy, members of which are typically though not universally male. Members of the clergy lead group worship services and are viewed as intermediaries between the laity and the divine in some churches. Most Christian churches administer two sacraments, baptism and the Eucharist. In the early 21st century there were more than two billion adherents of Christianity throughout the world, found on all continents.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christianity# Christianity] at the Merriam-Webster Online</ref>


==Online resources==
== Esoteric Christianity ==
 
Philip Jenkins, the distinguished Professor of Historical Studies of Religion in the Institute for Studies of Religion wrote:
 
<blockquote>Theosophy sparked, inspired, directed, and mobilized the esoteric quest for Jesus that still flourishes today. Theosophists furnished all the essential maps and guides to anyone interested in following that path. Without acknowledging Theosophy, we can never understand the history of the popular interest in the gospels, in Gnosticism, or in alternative Christianities.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2017/06/alternative-scriptures-esoteric-world/ Alternative Scriptures: Theosophy and the Esoteric Tradition]</ref></blockquote>
 
==Additional resources==
===Articles and pamphlets===
===Articles and pamphlets===
*[http://www.theosophical.ca/adyar_pamphlets/AdyarPamphlet_No22.pdf# Aspects of the Christ] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No22.pdf# Aspects of the Christ] by Annie Besant
*[http://www.theosophical.ca/adyar_pamphlets/AdyarPamphlet_No88.pdf# Is Theosophy Anti-Christian?] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No88.pdf# Is Theosophy Anti-Christian?] by Annie Besant
*[http://www.anandgholap.net/AP/Theosophy_And_Christianity-AB.htm# Theosophy and Christianity] by Annie Besant
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No37.pdf# Theosophy and Christianity] by Annie Besant
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/esoteric-character-of-the-gospels# The Esoteric Character of The Gospels] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/17-hpblavatsky/hpb-articles/131-roots-of-ritualism-in-church-and-masonry# The Roots of Ritualism in Church and Masonry] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/star-angel-worship# Star-Angel-Worship in the Roman Catholic Church] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/TheosophyinChristianity.pdf# Theosophy in Christianity] by Arthur M. Coon
*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/TheosophyinChristianity.pdf# Theosophy in Christianity] by Arthur M. Coon
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/reincarnation-in-the-bible.htm# Reincarnation in the Bible] by W. Q. Judge
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1588# The Hidden Gospel of the Aramaic Jesus] by Neil Douglas-Klotz
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/theosophy-in-the-christian-bible.htm# Theosophy in the Christian Bible] by W. Q. Judge
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/YogaPracticeInTheRomanCatholicChurch_FHartmann.pdf# Yoga-Practice in the Roman Catholic Church] by Franz Hartmann
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/articles/things-common-christianity-theosophy.htm# Things Common to Christianity and Theosophy] by W. Q. Judge
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1553# Christian Ritual in Theosophical Perspective] by Robert Ellwood
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1328# What is a Christian?] by Stephan A. Hoeller
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1659# What is Christian Scripture?] by Stephan A. Hoeller
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/reincarnation-in-the-bible# Reincarnation in the Bible] by W. Q. Judge
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/theosophy-in-the-christian-bible# Theosophy in the Christian Bible] by W. Q. Judge
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/things-common-to-christianity-and-theosophy# Things Common to Christianity and Theosophy] by W. Q. Judge
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1528# The Women of the Revelation] by Zachary F. Lansdowne
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/GnosticAndHistoricChristianity_GMassey.pdf# Gnostic and Historic Christianity] by Gerald Massey
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/HistoricalJesusMythicalChrist_GMassey.pdf# The Historical Jesus and Mythical-Christ] by Gerald Massey
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/PaulTheGnosticOpponentOfPeter_GMassey.pdf# Paul the Gnostic Opponent of Peter] by Gerald Massey
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/AdyarPamphlet_No179.pdf# The Occult Teachings of the Christ According to ''The Secret Doctrine''] by Josephine Ransom
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1361# The Future of Esoteric Christianity] by Richard Smoley
*[http://www.theosophical.org/online-resources/leaflets/1792# Theosophy and Christianity] by Theosophical Society in America
*[http://www.theosophical.org/online-resources/leaflets/1792# Theosophy and Christianity] by Theosophical Society in America
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1548# Contemplative Prayer: The Discipline of Silence] by Robert Trabold
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1416# Christian Exclusiveness and Theosophical Truth] by Jay G. Williams
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1423# Jesus, the Lord of Pisces: Hipparchus and the Gospels] by Jay G. Williams
*[http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1531# Mary Magdalene and The Voice of the Silence] by Carol N. Ward


===Books===
===Books===
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*[http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gdpmanu/th-xity/th-xty1.htm# Theosophy and Christianity] by H. T. Edge
*[http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gdpmanu/th-xity/th-xty1.htm# Theosophy and Christianity] by H. T. Edge
*[http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/world/christ/xt-edge.htm# Theosophical Light on the Christian Bible] by H. T. Edge
*[http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/world/christ/xt-edge.htm# Theosophical Light on the Christian Bible] by H. T. Edge
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/DoesTheBibleTeachReincarnationAndKarma_RGKatsunoff.pdf# Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation and Karma] by Robert G. Katsunoff
*[https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/PerfectWay_ABKingsfordEMaitland.pdf# The Perfect Way] by Anna Bonus Kingsford and Edward Maitland
* Lehtovirta, Mauri. [https://teosofia.net/e-kirjat/TheYogaOfJesus.pdf The Yoga of Jesus: Teachings of Esoteric Christianity]. Translated from Finnish into English by Antti Savinainen. Edited by Richard Smoley. Helsinki: Literary Society of the Finnish Rosy Cross, 2020.


===Audio===
===Audio===
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*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/hodson/The%20Bible%20as%20a%20Source%20of%20Secret%20Knowledge.mp3# The Bible as a Source of Secret Knowledge] by Geoffrey Hodson
*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/hodson/The%20Bible%20as%20a%20Source%20of%20Secret%20Knowledge.mp3# The Bible as a Source of Secret Knowledge] by Geoffrey Hodson
*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/hodson/Attaining%20the%20Kingdom%20of%20Heaven.mp3# Attaining the Kingdom of Heaven] by Geoffrey Hodson
*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/hodson/Attaining%20the%20Kingdom%20of%20Heaven.mp3# Attaining the Kingdom of Heaven] by Geoffrey Hodson
*[https://archive.org/embed/theesotericsignificanceofchristmas/The%20Esoteric%20Significance%20of%20Christmas.mp3# The Esoteric Significance of Christmas] by Bing Escudero
*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/uhlein/On%20Earth%20as%20It%20Is%20in%20Heaven:%20What's%20Spirituality.mp3# On Earth as It Is in Heaven: What's Spirituality] by Sister Gabriele Uhlein
*[https://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/Downloads/mp3/uhlein/On%20Earth%20as%20It%20Is%20in%20Heaven:%20What's%20Spirituality.mp3# On Earth as It Is in Heaven: What's Spirituality] by Sister Gabriele Uhlein


===Video===
===Video===
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=AAB34C14-1443-4D06-A9E1-BCB7A0EAEF0F# Myth and Meaning in Christianity] by Robert Ellwood
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D4xNG_ONVY ''Myth and Meaning in Christianity''] by Robert Ellwood
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=C2E6E34C-8D36-4803-9B61-71C225FB3117# The Red Corner: The Creative Dimension of Folk Christianity in Russia and Beyond] by Cherry Gilchrist
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bRR68Qmfr4 ''The Red Corner: The Creative Dimension of Folk Christianity in Russia and Beyond''] by Cherry Gilchrist
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=C767C332-B79D-489C-8A4B-D7B734A00EAE# Cathars, the Good Christians] by Holly Sullivan McClure
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aid_mKZz6ns ''Cathars, the Good Christians''] by Holly Sullivan McClure
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=FA6166AF-DA43-47D2-AC98-4E50F1C821D3# Unpacking the Parables: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher] by Ron Miller
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VwtBWxekHs ''Unpacking the Parables: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher''] by Ron Miller
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=EB63F7EC-6E9D-417E-B2D6-840F3A75D9E8# A Very Different Christian Story] by Ron Miller
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ae5TKtJuUw ''A Very Different Christian Story''] by Ron Miller
*[http://www.theosophicalinstitute.org/medialibrary/viewtitle.php?titleid=474122CA-5D55-4A58-90BA-1EAFE15661E0# The Future of Esoteric Christianity] by Richard Smoley
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOjGiJC81Y ''The Future of Esoteric Christianity]'' by Richard Smoley


== Notes ==
<references/>


[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Religions]]

Revision as of 18:44, 21 January 2021

Expand article image 5.png




Christianity is the religion stemming from the teachings of Jesus in the 1st century AD. Its sacred scripture is the Bible, particularly the New Testament. Its principal tenets are that Jesus is the Son of God (the second person of the Holy Trinity), that God's love for the world is the essential component of his being, and that Jesus died to redeem humankind. Christianity was originally a movement of Jews who accepted Jesus as the messiah, but the movement quickly became predominantly Gentile. The early church was shaped by St. Paul and other Christian missionaries and theologians; it was persecuted under the Roman Empire but supported by Constantine I, the first Christian emperor. In medieval and early modern Europe, Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther contributed to the growth of Christian theology, and beginning in the 15th century missionaries spread the faith throughout much of the world. The major divisions of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Nearly all Christian churches have an ordained clergy, members of which are typically though not universally male. Members of the clergy lead group worship services and are viewed as intermediaries between the laity and the divine in some churches. Most Christian churches administer two sacraments, baptism and the Eucharist. In the early 21st century there were more than two billion adherents of Christianity throughout the world, found on all continents.[1]

Esoteric Christianity

Philip Jenkins, the distinguished Professor of Historical Studies of Religion in the Institute for Studies of Religion wrote:

Theosophy sparked, inspired, directed, and mobilized the esoteric quest for Jesus that still flourishes today. Theosophists furnished all the essential maps and guides to anyone interested in following that path. Without acknowledging Theosophy, we can never understand the history of the popular interest in the gospels, in Gnosticism, or in alternative Christianities.[2]

Additional resources

Articles and pamphlets

Books

Audio

Video

Notes