Where is the “Christ” in “Christianity?

Answer 1

Religious scholars have long attributed the tenets of Christian faith more to Paul’s teachings than to those of Jesus. But as much as I would like to jump into that subject, I think it best to back up and take a quick, speculative look at the Old Testament.

The Old Testament teaches that Jacob wrestled with God. In fact, the Old Testament records that Jacob not only wrestled with God, but that Jacob prevailed (Genesis 32:24-30). Now, bear in mind, we’re talking about a tiny blob of protoplasm wrestling the Creator of a universe 240,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles in diameter, containing over a billion galaxies of which ours—the Milky Way Galaxy—is just one (and a small one, at that), and prevailing? I’m sorry, but someone was a couple pages short of a codex when they scribed that passage. The point is, however, that this passage leaves us in a quandary. We either have to question the Jewish concept of God or accept their explanation that “God” does not mean “God” in the above verses, but rather it means either an angel or a man (which, in essence, means the Old Testament is not to be trusted). In fact, this textual difficulty has become so problematic that more recent Bibles have tried to cover it up by changing the translation from “God” to “man.” What they cannot change, however, is the foundational scripture from which the Jewish Bible is translated, and this continues to read “God.”

Unreliability is a recurring problem in the Old Testament, the most prominent example being the confusion between God and Satan! II Samuel 24:1 reads:

“Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’”

However, I Chronicles 21:1 states: “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.”

Uhhh, which was it? The Lord, or Satan? Both verses describe the same event in history, but one speaks of God and the other of Satan. There is a slight (like, total) difference.

Christians would like to believe that the New Testament is free of such difficulties, but they are sadly deceived. In fact, there are so many contradictions that authors have devoted books to this subject. For example, Matthew 2:14 and Luke 2:39 differ over whether Jesus’ family fled to Egypt or Nazareth. Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 differ over the wording of the “Lord’s Prayer.” Matthew 11:13-14, 17:11-13 and John 1:21 disagree over whether or not John the Baptist was Elijah.

Things get worse when we enter the arena of the alleged crucifixion: Who carried the cross—Simon (Luke 23:26, Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21) or Jesus (John 19:17)? Was Jesus dressed in a scarlet robe (Matthew 27:28) or a purple robe (John 19:2)? Did the Roman soldiers put gall (Matthew 27:34) or myrrh (Mark 15:23) in his wine? Was Jesus crucified before the third hour (Mark 15:25) or after the sixth hour (John 19:14-15)? Did Jesus ascend the first day (Luke 23:43) or not (John 20:17)? Were Jesus’ last words, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit my spirit’” (Luke 23:46), or were they “It is finished” (John 19:30)?

These are only a few of a long list of scriptural inconsistencies, and they underscore the difficulty in trusting the New Testament as scripture. Nonetheless, there are those who do trust their salvation to the New Testament, and it is these Christians who need to answer the question, “Where is the ‘Christ’ in ‘Christianity?’ “This, in fact, is a supremely fair question. On one hand we have a religion named after Jesus Christ, but on the other hand the tenets of orthodox Christianity, which is to say Trinitarian Christianity, contradict virtually everything he taught.

I know, I know—those of you who aren’t screaming “Heretic!” are gathering firewood and planting a stake. But wait. Put down the high-powered rifle and listen. Trinitarian Christianity claims to base its doctrines on a combination of Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings. The problem is, these teachings are anything but complementary. In fact, they contradict one another.

Take some examples: Jesus taught Old Testament Law; Paul negated it. Jesus preached orthodox Jewish creed; Paul preached mysteries of faith. Jesus spoke of accountability; Paul proposed justification by faith. Jesus described himself as an ethnic prophet; Paul defined him as a universal prophet.[1] Jesus taught prayer to God, Paul set Jesus up as intercessor. Jesus taught divine unity, Pauline theologians constructed the Trinity.

For these reasons, many scholars consider Paul the main corrupter of Apostolic Christianity and Jesus’ teachings. Many early Christian sects held this view as well, including the second-century Christian sects known as “adoptionists”– “In particular, they considered Paul, one of the most prominent authors of our New Testament, to be an arch-heretic rather than an apostle.”



A parallel issue is to define which religion does respect Jesus’ teachings. So let’s see: Which religion honors Jesus Christ as a prophet but a man? Which religion adheres to strict monotheism, God’s laws, and the concept of direct accountability to God? Which religion denies intermediaries between man and God?

If you answered, “Islam,” you would be right. And in this manner, we find the teachings of Jesus Christ better exemplified in the religion of Islam than in Christianity. This suggestion, however, is not meant to be a conclusion, but rather an introduction. Those who find their interest peaked by the above discussion need to take the issue seriously, open their minds and then … read on!

Answer 2

Dear Soldiurs of Allah Your statement is obviously a slur of some kind about Christ and Christianity. It is unclear what your meaning is. However if someone made a slur commit about Islam or Mohamid you would be screaming blasphemy, death to America and wanting to cut someone's head off in the name of Allah so you can enter heaven with 72 virgins waithing for you. Where in the world is Allah going to get that many virgins in this day and time anyway. I personally don't go to Church but I respect everybodys right to have their own beliefs. In fact that was a major issue in the founding of this country. Christianity has a principal of treating other people like you would like to be treated. I have never seen Christians cutting of peoples heads in the name of Christ. Cutting off peoples heads in the name of Allah seems like blasphemy to me.

Answer 3

Jesus Christ Aleh Assalam is in Paradise. Christianity is mostly in Europe, Canada and America. It is also practiced in other countries also by minority Christians. But it has been broken into lots of denominations and every denomination claims to believe Jesus but their belief on jesus and the way they believe and their practices of worshipping varys a lot . There are few small sects of Christianity in Middle East who believe Jesus as Prophet only and not son or God himself.

Try learning about Islam on the following sites. You may see the light of guidance of God. It certainly will not hurt. No one will be knocking you door and pestor you to convert. It has to be your own concious decision if you accept Islam or not.
I must only say do not accept Islam until you learn every thing about it and its practices and make sure that this is what you want.
http://www.islambasics.com/
http://www.islamreligion.com/
http://www.islamworld.net/true.html
http://sheikyusuf.com/

May God guide you and all of us to the right path that leads to peace and harmony in our lives of this world and the hereafter also.

Answer 4

Christo is Latin for Christ, meaning messiah.

It's just a superficial term to say that as a christian, you follow the way of the christ, or messiah.

Its a pretty funny religion none the less.

Answer 5

Sorry but if you have to ask this question you are not Christian.Christ in Christianity is everywhere ones that loves Christ is.

Answer 6

Good question! There is a significant amount of hypocracy going on within the church nowadays, and it does not bewilder me that people are losing their faith! However, I would like to see some major changes. Perhaps some changes that will assist in the growth of a more spiritual youth generation.

Answer 7

Christianity have lost christ, they have paul and teaching of paul, christ is just a name.

Answer 8

He is bound behind that glittering door of the cathedral where Paul is standing out and telling his name but his voice is closed by sound proof room. He is crying inside that I am a man, son of a man, son of Marry, literally son of Joseph the carpenter, spiritually son of David, by love son of God beside many other good believers but his voice is blocked and Paul is putting him as the god the only God and still he is telling he died but he is alive behind the doors. So nobody can help him except God the Father of humanity. Love to the believers.

Answer 9

its became non-existant.it seems like when i think of christ i think of some homeless cat on the streets askin us for change for a bite to eat and a little extra ta get drunk we turn our faces in disgust thats when i think of christ >so next time it happens to yall help the folx out it might be him
p.s.why cant you use the name jesus ne way????

Answer 10

Well when you break down the word you get Christ-ianity. Its also in Christ-mas.

By the way, where is the Allah in being an intolerant society towards others (i.e. women, homosexuals, bus passengers)?

Answer 11

see the Christ in the very beginning of the word? its right there