Finding Our Roots

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Most Christians are familiar with the history of the church as recorded in Acts. And we have a pseudo-understanding that the “roots” of Christianity move from Judaism to Catholicism (including such dark pages as the Crusades and Inquisitions) before emerging into the light of “Reformation.”

Anyone who has studied much of the Church’s “dark days” might well wonder how Christianity even survived. But remember, Judaism too had both it’s share of bright and dark days.

What you have to remember when you view the darker side of Church history, is that religion is religion — whether Muslin, Mormon, New Age, or Christian. Within the Christian community, we don’t typically think of “our” religion (that is “Christian religion”) as a bad thing. Rather, we often think of “our religion” as a pure form of religion — something honorable, sanctified, and holy. But true Christianity never found it’s roots in any religion; although there is a form of Christianity that is very religious.

You may think, “That’s not true! Christianity found it’s roots in Judaism – and that’s a religion.” But Judaism didn’t find it’s roots in a religion. Judaism found it’s roots in a relationship between Abraham and God. Christianity also found it’s roots in a relationship between man and God: Christ (and thereafter the Christ-follower) and His Father.

An Important Distinction

True Christianity is a relationship between God and man; not man and a mediator — whether that mediator be Priest (Jew), Pope (Catholic) or Pastor (Christian).

Religion is about rules of self-righteousness, control, and power. Christianity is about relationship. Wherever religion rules; Christ does not. For the Kingdom of God has little to do with the kingdoms of men.

As we begin a tour of our “religious history,” — remember, that’s exactly what it is: “religious” history. Every time Christians distance themselves from a relationship with Christ, religion looms close to fill the gap.

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Major Branches of Christianity

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Next up: A Place of Beginnings
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