Christianity

Christianity[1]
 * God: The Christian view of God is monotheistic (belief in one God), yet it also asserts that God has three distinct divine persons (the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) that make up the God Head or The Trinity. To Christians God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (all pervading “everywhere”). He is both infinite in all His Being yet personal in His relationship with His creation – which is everything that exists. God is supremely good, self-existent, eternal, and can interact with His creation through His providence and miracles.
 * Humanity: Unlike many other worldviews/religions that make humanity the “playground” of God or insignificant to Him or even where humanity is above Him, Christianity asserts that Humanity is a special creation of God but not over Him. All of mankind was created in God’s image and likeness and shares in attributes that He has (i.e.: morals, a mind, choice). As a whole, because our sin nature, humans are by nature bad and in need of saving.
 * Salvation: In Christianity it is taught that mankind rebelled against God and dammed itself to be eternally separated from His fellowship forever. However, God Himself made a way of escape (a way of salvation) through His Son Jesus Christ. There is no way to be saved apart from Jesus Christ. (In some sects of Christianity however it is taught that salvation can be attained through works)
 * Authority: The central authoritative force in Christianity is The Bible (which is a collection of 66 divinely inspired books written by 40 different authors over the course of 1,500 years). The Bible is considered by Christians to be the very Word of God. Within it, God has revealed Himself and His plan for all humanity. (In some sects of Christianity however it is taught that The Church is a central authoritative force within the Faith [like Catholicism]; in Protestant circles it is widely held that authority rests with God’s Word).
 * Time: Most Christians assert that time is finite and that it is linear. Another words there was a beginning point and there will be and end point for all of time. There is a past, present and future. History is headed towards a final consummation.
 * Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the central Being in the Christian Faith. Jesus, to Christians, is the Messiah sent by God Himself – actually God in the flesh! Jesus Christ was not only a historical figure in 1st Century Judea, He was a miracle worker, the Son of God and the Redeemer of all humanity. To Christians, there is not other way to God save through Jesus Christ.

[1] Information on Christianity in this section comes from: House, H. Wayne. //__Charts of World Religions__//. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2006). Chart 9