The Idea of God in Christianity Orthodox in the USA - Paper Example

Introduction

Christians over the years have the belief that God, who is perceived as an eternal being, is the creator and protector of all things. Believers see God be both immanent and transcendent, but, accept that His divine Nature is hypostatically united to human nature symbolized by Jesus Christ, in a process called incarnation. The research, therefore, provides clarity on the fundamentals of Christian theology as per American context. Major doctrines that are recognized by all Christians and highlights of theological diversity of churches are also explained. Furthermore, the research explains the Christianity's historical development and variation in doctrine interpretation. Nevertheless, the research touches on how Christian theology and history is appreciated in the United States and the summary of Christian faith in God, authority, Trinity, the Bible, Jesus Christ, sin and reconciliation, spiritual practices, ethical living and sacraments.

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The History of Christianity in the United States of America

In the 16th century, the European colonialists, British, Spanish, and French introduced Roman Catholicism in Maryland, New Spain, and New France respectively, while Northern European countries brought Protestantism in regions like Massachusetts, Carolina Colony, Bay Colony, Virginia Colony among others. Among the first to spread their faith and settle in the United States were Protestants, followers of Anglicanism, the Baptist Church, Presbyterianism, Methodism, Lutheranism, Mennonite, Congregationalism, Quakerism, and Moravian Church. Currently, it is Roman Catholic, Mainland Protestant and Evangelical Christians are dominant in the United States, (McGrath and Alister, 3).

Early Colonial Era

Roman Catholics were the earliest to settle in the North American mainland like Florida and St. Augustine because of first settlements which Spanish established in 1565. Later in 1776, thirteen colonies, largely dominated by Protestants who were seeking religious liberty from British Churches, (Sheldrake and Philip, 23).

Spanish missions were to extend Catholic worship in a series of regions like Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Georgia. Later, Junipero Serra in 1778 launched missions in California that became vital political, economic and religious foundations that resulted in the colonization of Los Angeles (1781) and San Francisco (1776).

Additionally, French territories founded colonies and forts in Biloxi, New Orleans, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, Mobile, and Detroit. Later in the 17th century, French established commercial empire religious foundation in their colonies that stretches from Canada to Mexican Gulf, presently states of South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and other large Louisiana states.

British colonies, too, that finally established the United States of America settled after the Protestant Reformation which started in 1517 and created the English Civil War. The refugees who escaped conflicts in England settled in the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colony at around 1620-1640. The British officially established their church in 1619 in Virginia where tax collected were catering for road construction, poor relief, and local government needs.

Although areas like Pennsylvania, Rhodes Island, and Delaware were tolerant to the Church of England, divergent of religious societies and churches began in other British Colonies like Maryland, Alaska, and Georgia. In Maryland, Catholicism was established by Jesuit settlers in 1634 but faced Protestantism Revolution that led to its fluctuation. Anti-Catholicism bias was also realized in Massachusetts, Georgia among other territories. In Alaska, Russian Orthodox Church was established in 1794 by Bishop Innocent of Alaska.

Great Awakening

The Protestant revival movement that happened between the 1730s and 1740s made Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists dominant the 19th century's first decades.

The American Revolution

The Revolution tore apart some churches like Church of England and Anglican Church. After American independence, the constitution was established to govern the churches. The second great awakening began in the early 19th century by rapid membership registration, baptism and congregations that reacted against deism, rational Christianity and skepticism. It led to the emergence of other denominations and groups like Adventism, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Restoration Movement, and Mormonism. Restoration movement then followed the second great awakening with the aim of Christian unity and church reformation, but, it created tension among churches.

Separation of Church and State

Due to intolerance in fee payment to support major churches, a minority like Baptist successfully requested the state under President Thomas Jefferson, in 1801, to liberate them from the act. After successful separation, various churches drove faith and other agenda like the fight against the slave trade, the formation of youth programs, and champion for compulsory education among others.

Civil Rights Movement

Afro American churches led the movement to address the link between the black and white communities like racial discrimination and segregation in a non-violent way. Through Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. led other black ministers like Jesse Jackson, Bernard Lee and C. T. Vivian among others to champion for human rights. Martin was later assassinated in 1968.

Current Christianity in the United States

Today, Christians are described as evangelical, liberal, conservative and fundamentalists or combination of these words. Evangelical Christianity emphasizes on baptism, the witness of faith and spiritual experience with Jesus Christ. Other Christians like Lutherans and Catholics also believe in the rules. Also, Fundamentalist Christianity focuses on their faith but they do not participate in politics. Lastly, Liberal and Conservative Christianity accept scientific, historical and biblical truth to faith.

Fundamental Concepts in Christian Theology

According to Erickson and Millard, all Christians worship one God who shows in three forms of Trinity. They also believe that everyone is a sinner and through Jesus, sins can be forgiven through God's grace. Again, they proclaim the Bible as the word of God and regard prayer worship vital to salvation. Furthermore, they share sacramental practices and try champion ethical lives, (346).

God

He is omnipresent and every believer can have a good personal relationship with Him. God is also a mystery beyond comprehension and understanding of any human. Christians believe that committing is repelling from God.

Jesus Christ

Supporting scriptures, documents, and other ancient artefacts make Christians believe in Jesus. His message and faith for the early community are described in the document while the scriptures report how His disciples portrayed Him as the son of God.

The Trinity

According to the doctrine, God is disclosed to human beings as a father, son and spirit. The three Gods are in monotheistic God. All Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and is God and the Holy Spirit was with God during creation. Further, the scriptures explain the Trinity in baptism.

The Bible and Authority

Catholics and Protestants recognize the Bible as revealed God's words and the worship authority among Christians. Catholics respect the tradition of interpretation while other denominations teach the Bible in a modern way. All Christians also believe in the Bible as the Christian life authority. However, Protestants argue that the Bible is inconsistent due to cultural change and human errors.

Sin, Reconciliation and Sacraments

According to the Bible, God created a human being in His own image. However, people committed sin by turning away from God's commands. Through Jesus, reconciliation with God can be achieved through confession, baptism and taking sacraments.

Worship and Prayer

According to Bullis and Ronald, spiritual practices like communal worship that involves thanksgivings, praise and worship, sermons among others are practised by all Christians in the United States (11). The Bible study, group prayer, worship services and personal forms of prayer are practised. Catholics include Mary, the mother of Jesus to intervene between them and God. Lastly, God is the father of all Christians.

Ethical Christian Living

Christians believe in the ideals of missionary activities, vocation and justice. The Bible teaches on spreading the gospel and supporting the needy and the vulnerable in the society. Additionally, Christians believe that everyone must work to earn a living. Lastly, the Bible teaches on love and forgiveness for peaceful living among people.

Conclusion

The aim of this research has been to acquaint one with the fundamental theological doctrines and historical development of Christianity. In the modern world, people of all faith are challenged to learn different religions for the surety of peaceful coexistence among individuals of diverse faiths.

Work Cited

Bullis, Ronald K. Spirituality in social work practice. Taylor & Francis, 2013.Erickson, Millard J. Christian theology. Baker Academic, 1998.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian theology: An introduction. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.

Sheldrake, Philip. Spirituality: A brief history. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.