The Diversity Found in Christianity in Its First Three Centuries

The Diversity Found in Christianity in Its First Three Centuries

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members

of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1Cor

12: 12-13)

The Christian religion is said to be a “diverse phenomenon”.[1] This

is because there is so much diversity existing in it although it

claims to be a religion with unity based at the very core of its

teachings.

According to the Oxford English dictionary, Christianity is“the

religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.” [2]

Considered to be the Messiah and “Son of God”, Jesus’ teachings and

words of wisdom were not recorded until after his death around 30 C.E.

The diverse nature of Christianity therefore becomes the main issue

as the early Christians question whether or not the information they

gain is true. Today, there are many denominations of Christianity

proving that even now, it is impossible to know which church is the

“true” church to follow. Although all containing certain crucial and

similar core messages, all the forms of Christianity are different.

This is a result of the early Christians interpreting JesusÂ’ teachings

in a way in which they saw fit, therefore spreading their message of

God. This essay, therefore, aims to discuss and look at the early

forms of Christianity and the diversity of the early followers of

Jesus Christ.

Before discussing how the different branches of early Christianity

came about, one must consider the context of the time when

Christianity had only just begun. At the time of JesusÂ’ death, the

Roman Empire was in control. The Romans therefore...

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... Religion

(Trinity Press International, 1997), p.170

[13] Birger A. Pearson, The emergence of the Christian Religion

(Trinity Press International, 1997), p.171

[14] Lecture notes (Dr Carolyn Muessig)

[15] Diarmaid MacCulloch; Groundwork of Christian History; (London:

Epworth Press, 1987); p.56

[16] Lecture notes (Dr Carolyn Muessig)

[17] F.L. Cross & E.Livinstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian

Church,(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3rd ed, 1997) p.1107

[18] Diarmaid MacCulloch; Groundwork of Christian History; (London:

Epworth Press, 1987); p.56

[19] F.L. Cross & E.Livinstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian

Church,(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3rd ed, 1997) p.1107

[20] Birger A. Pearson, The emergence of the Christian Religion

(Trinity Press International, 1997), p.185