CHRISTIANITY

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

 • Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with about
2.4 billion followers. It is a monotheistic faith based
on the life, works, and teaching of Jesus Christ.
CHRISTIANITY
• Adherents of Christianity are called Christians, a
term which was first used to refer to Jesus’ disciples
when they were preaching in Antioch.
 Christians traces its roots to Judaism,
and Christians consider the
emergence and developments of
Christianity as a fulfillment of the
plan of salvation which God had
promised Abraham.
CHRISTIANITY
This promise includes prophecies of
a Savior being born to Abraham’s
descendants.
 CHRISTIANITY

• The history of Christianity began with the birth of Jesus Christ in the first century CE. By
the mid-first century CE, the earliest Christian communities emerged in Jerusalem and
soon spread to other places such as Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Europe.
• Over the centuries, Christianity developed and established itself as the dominant religious
faith in Europe, spreading throughout the rest of the world.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

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 THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST AND
EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Christianity began with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

His teachings and actions became the basis of Christian
doctrine and now survive through the Gospels.
Jesus laid the foundations of Christianity when He chose His
twelve apostles in preparation for the community of faith
that would continue His ministry on earth.
 The period of Christian history after the end
of Christ’s earthly ministry is known as the
Apostolic Period, and it was during this time
that the Apostles began their ministry and
organized the first Christian communities.
T H E MI N I S TRY O F
J E S U S C H RI ST A N D
E A RLY
CH R I S TI A N I TY

The first Christian communities had close

ties to Judaism, but the Apostles continued in
their ministry, Christianity took its own
unique characteristics.
 • The first Christian communities were often treated
with suspicion by Roman citizens. The Christians, due
to their non-participation in the official religious rites
THE MINISTRY OF of the empire, which included worship of the
JESUS CHRIST AND emperor, were branded as traitors by Roman citizens.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
• On several occasions, the Roman government arrested
and condemned Christians, and these periods of
persecutions resulted in deaths of many believers.
• Persecutions came to an end in 313
CE, when Emperor Constantine
issued the Edict of Milan that
guaranteed freedom of religion for
Roman Citizens.
THE MINISTRY OF
• In 325 CE, Constantine convened JESUS CHRIST AND
the Council of Nicaea. This EARLY
council gathered the bishops from CHRISTIANITY
various Christian communities
throughout the empire in order to
discuss Christian doctrine and
arrive at a common ground
regarding the central tenets of faith.
 • Among the major issues discussed in the council were the
nature of Jesus as Son of God and His relationship with
T H E M I N I S T RY O F J E S U S God the Father.
C H R I S T A N D E A R LY • The council also began to consolidate the major beliefs of
CHRISTIANITY
Christianity into a single declaration, the Nicene Creed,
and took the initial steps in formulating the laws of the
Church, or canon law.
 T HE E M E R GE N C E O F
CHRISTENDOM AND THE
R OM A N C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

• The official recognition of Rome and the

Council of Nicaea were important
milestones that ushered in a period of
growth for Christianity, and it soon became
a major religion in the Roman empire.
• As a result, the bishops of the Church
gained much influence, and Christian
communities began to expand throughout
the empire.
THE EMERGENCE OF CHRISTENDOM
AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

• The Fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE

introduced new challenges to the Christian Church.
Years before the fall of Rome, the empire had been
besieged by barbarian tribes from Germany and
Eastern Europe.
• The imperial government had been weakened by
internal struggles and was unable to resist the
attacks of Germanic tribes such as the Visigoths,
Ostrogoths, Vandals, and Lombards.
 THE EMERGENCE OF CHRISTENDOM
AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

• The Church saw this as an opportunity and embarked on a ministry among the
barbarian tribes, successfully converting them to the Christian faith. Priests
were entrusted positions of civil authorities in many areas, and they performed
these roles alongside their religious duties.
 T H E E ME R G E N C E O F
C HR I S T E N D O M A N D T H E
R O MA N C AT H OL I C C H U R C H

• During feudal times, church officials

became important political figures, and
gained ownership of vast tracts of land.
• The Pope himself gained secular authority
when he was granted control over the Papal
states. Among the most significant popes
that reigned after the Fall of Roman Empire
was Pope Leo the Great, who successfully
consolidated the Church and established it
as a well-organized institution.
 • He further strengthened the Papal institution,
and the Papacy gained significant influence
not only in religious matters, but also in
European politics.
THE EMERGENC E OF
CHRISTENDOM AND • The Church at this time fostered unity among
THE R OM AN the divided tribes of Europe, and the spread
C ATHOLIC CHUR CH of the Christian faith led to the development
of the concept of Christendom—the
worldwide community of adherents to the
Christian faith, and a kingdom under the
power and authority of Christ.
 A major development in the Medieval Period
was the establishment of two separate
Christian churches—the Greek Orthodox
Church and the Roman Catholic Church—as a
result of the Great Schism in 1054 CE.

T H E E MER G EN CE O F The Roman Catholic Church became the

dominant religious institution in Western
C H RI S TEN D O M A N D Europe, and defined developments in Western
T H E RO MA N Christianity in the next few centuries.
CATH O L I C CH U RCH

Meanwhile, the Eastern Orthodox Church

established itself as the religious authority in
Eastern Europe and West Asia.
 • Scholasticism was a significant feature of Medieval
European civilization, and it defined many of the
THE EMERGENCE OF
intellectual and cultural developments in Western Europe.
CHRISTENDOM AND THE • It influenced developments in art, science, education, and
R O M A N C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
philosophy. In particular, the works of the leading
intellectuals of the Church also contributed to the
development of Church doctrine and theology.
 T H E E ME R G E N C E O F
C HR I S T E N D O M A N D T H E
R O MA N C AT H OL I C C H U R C H

• St. Augustine (354-430 CE) – Augustine of

Hippo was the earliest theologian and
philosopher that had a great influence in the
development of Church doctrine.
• His writings were considered influential in
the development of Western philosophy and
Christianity.
 T H E E ME R G E N C E O F
C HR I S T E N D O M A N D T H E
R O MA N C AT H OL I C C H U R C H

• Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274 CE) – He

wrote extensively on God and the Trinity,
the Creation and Fall of Man, the
Incarnation and Redemption, Grace, the
Sacraments, and the Last Judgement.
• His book Journey into the Mind of God was
a masterpiece that described how man may
be able to contemplate and love God
through Christ, following the example of St.
Francis.

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 T H E E ME R G E N C E O F
C HR I S T E N D O M A N D T H E
R O MA N C AT H OL I C C H U R C H

• St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 CE) – He

was considered one of the great scholastic
Doctors of the Church, and the Church’s
greatest theologian and philosopher.
• His studies looked into the interaction
between theology and philosophy, and the
use of reason to justify faith. He combined
Aristotelian philosophy with the revealed
truth of Christian tradition in his defense of
Christian faith.

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 T H E E ME R G E N C E O F
C HR I S T E N D O M A N D T H E
R O MA N C AT H OL I C C H U R C H

• St. Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787) – He

gained distinction for his work as a moral
theologian and a teacher of spirituality who
often ministered to ordinary people.
• His work, Moral Theology, was hailed as an
important guide for moralists and
confessors.
• He also founded the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer, more popularly
known as the Redemptorists.

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 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• Christianity’s long history has given rise to numerous changes that led to the
emergence of other sects and churches.
• These changes and developments were brought about by moments of crises
within Christianity.
• Among the most significant developments were schisms, or splits in the
Church that led to the establishment of new sects, churches, and communities.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• The first major schism that Christianity faced happened during the Medieval
Period. In 1054 CE, Christianity split into two separate churches in an event
known as the Great Schism.
• This resulted in the establishment of two separate Christian Churches. The
Christian communities in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire became
the Eastern Orthodox Church, while those in Western Europe became the
Roman Catholic Church.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• In 1517 CE, the rise of the Protestant Movement became another major
challenge to Western Christianity.
• Martin Luther’s protest of the abuses of church officials sparked the
Reformation, and his interpretation of the Bible and views on theology and
Church doctrine led to the establishment of new churches which adhered to the
Protestant faith.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• The Council of Trent was called in 1545, and over several years, the leaders of
the Church enacted several reforms that reiterated and defended Catholic
doctrine, upheld the authority of papacy, and addressed the abuses being
committed by members of the clergy.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• The Church also continually addressed the need to change and develop in
response to changing times.
• In 1869, three centuries after the Council of Trent, the First Vatican Council
(Vatican I) was called to address modern developments which were seen as
challenges to the doctrines and values of Christianity.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• In 1962, the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) was convened by Pope John
XXIII to address the continuing challenges of modernity to the Church.
• Church leaders tackled the issue of redefining the church for the global
community in the 20th century.
• The community of the Church was now composed of Christians not only from
Europe, but also included those from diverse cultures and communities
throughout the world.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• Another important issue that Pope John XXIII wished to address was the
implementation of reforms in the bureaucracy of the Church.
• For centuries, the administration of the Vatican had been at the hands of its
central body, the Roman Curia.
• Over time, the Curia had amassed great influence and authority, resulting in
certain abuses.
 CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS

• Pope Francis, the present pope, just like Pope John XXIII, is a liberal
progressive leader, fearless in implementing major reforms in the Church, such
as restoring a collegial and spiritual understanding of papal primacy,
decentralizing the power of pope, and delegating some of his powers to the
respective bishops of localities.
 CURRENT STATUS OF CHRISTIANITY

• Christianity remains the predominant religion in several parts of the world,

especially in Europe, the Americas, and South Africa. In Asia, it is the
dominant religion in Georgia, Armenia, East Timor, and the Philippines.
• Several countries recognize a Christian religion as its state religion. Roman
Catholicism is the recognized state religion of Argentina, Costa Rica,
Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, and the Vatican; Norway, Denmark, and Iceland
recognize the Evangelical Lutheran Church; and the countries which of
Georgia and Greece recognize the Eastern Orthodox Church.
 CURRENT STATUS OF CHRISTIANITY

• Over the past few decades, however, Christianity has been experiencing a
decline in many areas in the West, including the United States, Oceania, and
Europe.
• On the other hand, Christianity is experiencing a resurgence in the developing
world, particularly in South America, and an increased presence in Africa.
CENTRAL BELIEFS AND
DOCTRINES

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 CENTRAL BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES

The Nicene Creed is

These creeds are declarations accepted and used, with
Christianity’s central and
of faith outlined in several slight variations in wording,
major beliefs and doctrines
statements or confessions of by the Catholic, Eastern
are professed in the Apostle’s
faith rooted in the teachings Orthodox, and Anglican
Creed and the Nicene Creed.
of the Scriptures. Church, as well as several
Protestant denominations
 CENTRAL BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES

The Apostle’s Creed is also used by the Western Christian denominations, but
it is not adopted by the Eastern traditions.

The central doctrines embodied in the Nicene Creed and Apostle’s Creed
include the belief in God the Creator, the Holy Trinity, and Jesus Christ as the
Son of God and the Messiah.
 THE APOSTLE’S CREED

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator • He ascended into heaven and is seated at
of heaven and earth. the right hand of the Father. He will come
• I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our again to judge the living and the dead.
Lord. • I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy
• He was conceived by the power of the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of
Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
• He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was resurrection of the body, and the life
crucified, died, and was buried. He descended everlasting.
into hell. • Amen.
• On the third day He rose again.
 THE NICENE CREED

• We believe in one God, the Father, the • by the power of the Holy Spirit He as born
Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of the Virgin Mary and became man.
of all that is seen and unseen. • For our sake He was crucified under Pontius
• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried.
only Son of God, eternally begotten of the • On the third day He rose again in fulfillment
Father, God from God, Light from Light,
of the Scriptures;
true God from true God, begotten, not
made, one in Being with the Father. • He ascended into heaven and is seated at the
Through Him all things were made. For us right hand of the Father. He will come again
men and for our salvation, He came down in glory to judge the living and the dead,
from heaven: and His kingdom will have no end.
 THE NICENE CREED

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from
the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshipped and
glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one Holy Catholic
and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of
sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the afterlife of the world to
come.
• Amen
 JE S U S C H R I S T:
I N C A R NAT I O N A N D
MI S S I O N

• Jesus Christ’s incarnation is the

fulfillment of God’s covenant
with Abraham and his
descendants.
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem
during the reign of King Herod
the Great and the Emperor
Caesar Augustus.
• Nobody knows the exact date of
Jesus’ birth. However,
Christians celebrate his birth
every 25th of December.
 JE S U S C H RI ST:
I N CA R N ATI O N A N D M I SS I O N

• Jesus became human in order to continue

his Father’s saving plan. He was born as a
Jew and was very knowledgeable of the
Torah and obedient to its teachings.
• Christ’s whole earthly life, his words, and
deeds reveal his shared nature with God the
Father. As Jesus said, “Whoever has seen
me has seen the Father”.
 TRIUNE GOD: GOD THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST
AS THE SON OF GOD, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

• The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit represent both the immanence and
transcendence of God. The immanence of the Father is revealed through the
incarnation, life, and deeds of Christ.
• The unity of the three divine persons is well expressed by Jesus, “If a man
loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will
come to him, and make our home with him”
 TRIUNE GOD: GOD THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST
AS THE SON OF GOD, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

• God’s transcendence is manifested through the presence of the Holy Spirit in us and in the
whole of creation (John 14:26).
• Christians are called to share in the life of the Holy Trinity as the are baptized “in the name
of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
• Everyone who follows Christ shares in this unity because the Father draws him, and the
Spirit moves with him.
 HOLY SPIRIT: THE SOUL OF THE
CHURCH

• The Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of the Risen Christ, was the First gift granted by
God to the Church after Jesus’ Resurrection. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
during the Pentecost signaled the start of the Apostles’ evangelizing mission to
proclaim and establish God’s kingdom.
• It also facilitated Christ’s continuing mission, which was taken on by the
disciples and members of the Christian community.
 SALVATION THROUGH THE HOLY
TRINITY

• The ultimate goal of the Trinity in creating humankind is for them to

participate in God’s divine life and be forever with Him in the eternal life.
• God’s plan of salvation is absolute despite man’s continual sinfulness, and this
plan is revealed throughout the unfolding of history.
 SALVATION THROUGH THE HOLY
TRINITY

• God who gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that all humans – be they
believers or unbelievers – will be redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus Christ’s
salvation is holistic and is aimed at the whole person; man is saved both body
and soul.
• This nature of salvation is emphasized by Christ throughout His mission. He
did not only forgive sinners and proclaim the Good News of salvation, but He
also healed the sick and fed the hungry.

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 CHRIST’S RESURRECTION,
ASCENSION, AND SECOND COMING

Jesus’ resurrection is the

crowning truth of the
Christ’s resurrection enables
Christian faith. It represents
Christians to partake of a new
the fulfillment of God’s
life and also heralds the future
promise of salvation for all
resurrection of all dead.
and confirms Christ’s divinity
and conquest of death and sin.
 CHRIST’S RESURRECTION,
ASCENSION, AND SECOND COMING

• The Ascension is seen as the culmination of the divine

incarnation of Jesus, as His human form is taken to the
Heavens and He takes His place beside God the Father; this
event, therefore, is taken as proof of Christ’s human and
divine natures.
• The Ascension marks Jesus Christ’s participation in God’s
power and authority over all creation and gives rise to the
hope in God’s Providence—that Jesus continually watches
and guides all humanity—and that He will return in the
Second Coming.
 THE BIBLE AS SACRED TEXT

• The Bible is the sacred text of Christianity. It consists of the

written Word of God and the accounts of believers of their
encounters and experiences with the saving love of God.
• The text of the Bible was taken from oral histories,
tradition, and testimonies, and its books were written down
and compiled over the centuries. Christians consider the
Bible central to their faith, as it is the basis of their beliefs
and traditions.

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 THE BIBLE AS SACRED TEXT

The Old Testament begins with an

The Bible is divided into the Old
account of the Creation, the first
Testament (the Hebrew Scripture)
family, and an account of the Great
and the New Testament (the
Flood. Then it continues to narrate
Christian Scripture). The Old
how God chose the people of Israel
Testament narrates salvific plan and
as His own, and through them,
preparation of God the Father for the
implemented His plan of salvation
salvation of the whole human race.
for humanity.
 THE BIBLE AS SACRED TEXT

• The Old Testament also reveals prophesies regarding the coming of the Savior of the
world.
• The New Testament narrates the fulfillment of this prophecy through the life and
evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ. It also details the first years of the Christian
community through the actions and words of the disciples.
THE BIBLE AS SACRED TEXT

• The books of the Old and New Testaments points

to a connection between the Christian faith and
Judaism. For Christians, the Old Testament
provides the background which shaped the
emergence of Christianity, particularly the
establishment of Jewish traditions.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS
 • Christian ethics is a branch of Christian theology that
serves as the guide for righteous moral living. It
teaches what it means to be truly and fully human
from a Christian perspective, and centers on virtues
CHRISTIAN or good habits in personal and social living.
ETHICS • To be a true Christian, one has to live accordingly to
the way Jesus lived. An ethical Christian, therefore,
should fully live out his or her humanity in order to
truly glorify God.
 CHRISTIAN ETHICS

• Love is the core of Christ’s teachings—love of

God, and love of neighbor. “Whatever you have
done to the least of your brethren, you have done it
to me,” says the Lord Jesus’ love was shown not
only when He offered his life on the cross, but also
in how He unselfishly gave himself to others in
various ways.
 • Love for God is shown by being compassionate. Being
compassionate is not just confined to fellow human beings
but also includes the entire creation of God.
• To love creation is an expression of one’s love for the
CHRISTIAN ETHICS Creator. Church leaders urgently call for saving and
protecting the Earth from further destruction. Helping save
God’s creation is a way of living out Christian ethics.
MAJOR BRANCHES OF
CHRISTIANITY
 MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY

• The emergence of the various branches of Christianity is often due to

differences in doctrine and the interpretation of the Bible.
• In other cases, it was caused by conflicts regarding church authority and
political power.
• The three major branches of Christianity are Roman Catholic, Eastern
Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.
MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY
CATHOLICISM
 CATHOLICISM

Catholicism is the faith professed

by the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is intended
The term “catholic” came from for the whole world, embraces
the Greek kath’holou, which all, and follows the universal call
means “referring to the whole,” of Christ to bring the good news
or “related to all,” and was used of salvation to the entire human
to denote the universal nature of race.
the church.
 CATHOLICISM

• The universal character of the Catholic Church is seen in many ways. The church adopts
an openness to all truth and authentic value.
• Its doctrines consider a blend of realities and natures such as reason illuminated by faith,
laws inspired by the Gospel, works as expression of faith, and authority in the service of
freedom.
MAJOR DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS
 BIBLE AND SACRED TRADITIONS:
MAIN SOURCES OF CATHOLIC FAITH

• Catholicism adheres to the Bible and the Sacred

Tradition as its two main sources of faith and
teachings.
• Sacred Tradition consists of beliefs, practices, and
teachings handed down through the church since
the time of the Apostles, and is transmitted through
oral proclamation, catechesis, and worship withing
the early Christian community.
 COMMUNION AND MISSION OF THE
CHURCH

• Communion and mission are the two essential elements in the life of the
Church.
• The word “communion” comes from the Latin word communion which is
related to the Greek word koinonia which means “union with.”
• Communion refers to the bond of oneness among Christians, as well as the
relationship of the Church with Jesus Christ. Oneness with Christ and members
of the community is an essential preparation for mission.
 THE CHURCH AS ONE, HOLY,
CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH

• The Nicene Creed professes the four basic marks of the Catholic Church—one,
holy, catholic, and apostolic.
• These qualities are made possible by Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and are
considered gifts from God.
• The Church is called on to continually uphold and realize these qualities.
 THE CHURCH AS ONE, HOLY,
CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH

• The Church is one and united because it was

established by the Holy Trinity. It is the sole
church established by God.
• Unity is the essential characteristic of the Church
—as there is one God, One People of God, One
Body of Christ, and One Creation.
• The Holy Trinity is also the source of the holiness
of the Church. God’s abiding presence, Christ’s
love for the Church, and the sanctifying presence
of the Holy Spirit all come together to make the
Catholic Church holy.
 THE CHURCH AS ONE, HOLY,
CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH

• The Church is catholic, meaning universal and all-

embracing, because she has been sent out by Christ
on a mission to the whole of the human race, to all
peoples.
• The catholic character of the Church is founded on
the universal mission that Christ shared with the
Church, wherein all of humanity is called to
become people of God.
• This universal mission also defines the apostolic
nature of the Church, as it is its mission to spread
Christ’s message, ministry, and service.
THE SACRAMENTS AND WORSHIP IN
LITURGICAL CELEBRATION

• The Catholic Church believes that Jesu Christ

instituted seven sacraments, namely the Eucharist,
Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy
Orders.
• These rituals are considered fundamental and
essential rites that confer grace on all Catholics
who receive them with proper disposition.
 THE SACRAMENTS AND
WORSHIP IN LITURGICAL
C E L E B R AT I O N

• Of particular significance for

Catholics is the sacrament of
Eucharist, which is celebrated
through the Catholic liturgy, or
the mass.
• The Eucharist is considered the
central act of worship in
Christianity and was instituted
by Jesus Christ at the Last
Supper.

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 OTHER CATHOLIC DOCTRINES AND
BELIEFS

• The following are other significant doctrines that distinguish Catholic faith
from the other branches of Christianity.
 DEVOTION TO MARY, THE MOTHER OF
CHRIST

• Catholicism recognizes Mary as the Mother of Christ. Through her, God was
made man in the person of Christ, and for this she is also called the Mother of
God.
• Catholics accord the Virgin Mary special veneration and devotion, and she is
given special honor above all other saints. Mary is considered the spiritual
mother of the Church and a model of faith and obedience to God’s will.
 THE COMMUNION OF ALL THE
FAITHFUL

• Communion is rooted in the oneness and unity of the Catholic Church, and the
communion of all the faithful refers to the faithful refers to the special and
spiritual bond among Catholics—including those living on Earth, those who
have died and are being purified in Purgatory, and the departed souls in heaven.
• The communion among the members of the Church enables them to share in
the mission of the Church, the fruits of the sacraments, and the blessings and
graces of the Holy Spirit.
 BELIEF IN APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

• Catholic doctrine holds that the Pope and the bishops are the successors of
Christ’s apostles. The bishops are the ones who shepherd the Church, with the
Pope as their leader.
• The Pope is also called the Bishop of Rome, and he is the universal head or
pastor of all Catholic Churches throughout the world.
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• Advent
• Advent is the period of preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’ birth and his
Second Coming.
• It signals the beginning of the Catholic liturgical year and officially starts on the fourth
Sunday before Christmas.
• Christmas
• Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary. This is celebrated
every December 25
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• Epiphany
• Epiphany celebrates God’s Revelation in human form, in the person of Jesus Christ.
• This feast is commonly known as the Feast of the Three Kings. Jesus revealed himself
as the Christ to humanity through the Magi at Bethlehem.
• The star guiding the three magi symbolizes Jesus Christ as the great light, revealing
Himself to the whole world. The feast is celebrated every first week of January.
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• Ash Wednesday
• Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and repentance
leading up to Easter.
• Lent
• Lent is a time of purification and penance that consists of 40 days in each calendar
year, excluding Sundays, that begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy
Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• Easter Sunday
• Easter Sunday is the holy day that celebrates and commemorates Christ’s resurrection
from death.
• This feast holds great significance for Christians, since the resurrection heralded the
promise of salvation and eternal life with God. This feast is held to convey the
essential meaning of Christian faith.
• Feast of the Ascension
• This is celebrated 40 days after the Easter Sunday and marks Christ’s bodily ascension
into heaven.
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• Pentecost
• The celebration falls on the tenth day after the Feast of the Ascension and
commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of
Christ.
• This event also marks the foundation of Christianity and the Church.
• All Saints’ Day
• All Saints’ Day is an annual church festival in honor of all the saints. This feast
reminds us of our communion with the saints both living and dead.
• This is celebrated every November 1
 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

• All Souls’ Day

• This day is set aside to commemorate the dead. Catholics consider this a day of prayer
for the souls of the departed, particularly those in Purgatory, in the hopes that their sins
will be forgiven and that they will be granted eternal rest. This celebration falls on
November 2.
• Feast Days of Saints
• Catholics also celebrate the feast of days of saints. Each saint is given particularly day
in the liturgical calendar as his or her feast day.
 CURRENT STATUS OF CATHOLICS IN
THE WORLD

• The World Christian Database estimates that there are currently about 1.2
billion Roman Catholics around the world. More than 40% of the world’s
Catholics live in Latin America. Meanwhile, Africa has seen the biggest growth
in Catholic congregations in recent years.
 CURRENT STATUS OF CATHOLICS IN
THE WORLD

• Latin America boasts the highest population of Catholics among the continents,
with 483 million or 41.3% of the total Catholic population worldwide.
• Brazil has the highest Catholic population of any country, with the population
of around 150 million as of 2013. In Europe, Italy has the largest number of
Catholics with 57 million, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has the
largest Catholic population in Africa, with 36 million.
 CURRENT STATUS OF CATHOLICS IN
THE WORLD

• Since 1970, Catholicism has seen a global shift toward developing nations. The
number of Catholics in Europe has declined, while the number in Africa has
seen significant growth.
• Asia has also seen a growth in Catholicism and now represents almost 12% of
the total Catholic population in the world, or 137 million people.
 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE
PHILIPPINES

• The Church remains an influential institution in Philippine society, with a large

majority of Filipinos belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.
• In recent times, the Church has grown to be more involved in addressing the
plight of the underprivileged and has taken on various social causes such as the
promotion of social justice and human rights.
 THE GROWTH OF RENEWAL
COMMUNITIES

• Renewal communities have been emerging within the Catholic Church since
the late 19th century. One major renewal community is the Catholic charismatic
movement, which emphasizes direct personal relationship with Jesus Christ
and a total surrender of one’s life to Him.
• This movement gained popularity within the Church in the 1960s. Charismatics
aim to empower and revitalize their faith and commitment to serve the Lord
through evangelization.
 THE BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES

• The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) are grassroots neighborhood

communities whose members gather regularly to worship and to read, reflect,
and share their insights on the Word of God.
• They strove to integrate their faith and their daily lives and commit themselves
to live the example of the early Christian communities. Because of the smaller
number of people involved, members are able to know one another personally
through their regular faith sharing.
MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY
EASTERN CHRISTIANITY
 Eastern Christianity refers to the Christian
churches in the Balkans and the Middle
East which trace their roots to the early
Christian churches in the Eastern Roman
Empire.

EASTERN
CHRISTIANITY The Eastern Orthodox Church is the largest
denomination within this group of Christian
faiths. Other churches that belong to this
group include the Oriental Orthodox
Churches, the Assyrian Church of the
East, and the Eastern Catholic Churches.
 THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The Eastern Orthodox Church

originally consisted of the patriarchates
The historic seat of Ecumenical
of Constantinople, Alexandria,
Patriarch that presides over the
Antioch, and Jerusalem. More
Orthodox Churches is located in the
recently, it has included patriarchates
City of Constantinople, now called
in Russia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria
Istanbul, in Turkey.
and a number of self-governing
churches like Cyprus and Greece.
 THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

• The word orthodox comes from two Greek words: orthe, which means correct or right; and
doxa, which means opinion.
• The Orthodox Church believes that this is the Church that faithfully conforms to the
Christian faith as formulated in the early ecumenical creeds established in Nicaea.
 The Eastern Orthodox Church considers
itself to be the One, Holy, Apostolic, and
Catholic Church—the true Church
established by Jesus Christ and placed
into the care of the Apostles.
THE EASTERN
ORTHODOX
CHURCH
Jesus us the recognized head of the
Orthodox Church, and the Church is
considered part of the body of Christ.
 Through much of the Eastern Orthodox
Church’s long history, it has been a
significant cultural influence in Eastern
Europe and the Middle East.
THE EASTERN
ORTHODOX
CHURCH At present, it is the second largest
Christian Church in the world, with about
300 million faithful worldwide, and is the
dominant Christian faith in Eastern
Europe, Western Asia, and Northern
Africa.
 The organization of the Eastern Orthodox
Church is characterized by communion
among self-governing communities or
patriarchates.

THE EASTERN The foremost of these are the four ancient

ORTHODOX patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria,
Antioch, and Jerusalem.
CHURCH

The other junior patriarchates of the church

include Cyprus, Sinai, Russia, Greece,
Bulgaria, Servia, Romania, Georgia, Poland,
Albania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
 • The Trinity
• Orthodox Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, the three
Persons in one God.
MAJOR • God the Father is the eternal head; the Son is begotten of
DOCTRINES AND the Father; and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.
BELIEFS • Note that the Orthodox belief does not recognize the
Holy Spirit as issuing from Jesus Christ. The Church
doctrine on the Holy Trinity is summarized in the Nicene
Creed.
 • The Resurrection of Christ
• The Orthodox Church considers the death and

MAJOR resurrection of Christ Jesus as true, historical

events.

DOCTRINES • Christ’s resurrection is celebrated during Pascha,

which is the Orthodox celebration of Easter.
AND BELIEFS • The church believes that Christ’s resurrection
enabled all the faithful to share in God’s promise
of immortality. Sunday is dedicated to celebrate
the Resurrection.
 • Holy Tradition
• The Orthodox Church considers the Holy Tradition as
the primary basis of faith and doctrine.
MAJOR • The Holy Tradition encompasses the tenets of faith of the
DOCTRINES AND Church, the early laws and traditions of God’s people
BELIEFS since the time of the early apostles, the teachings of
Christ, and the scriptures.
• It is also including the doctrines established by the
ecumenical councils of the Orthodox Church.
 • The Bible
• The Bible is the Holy Scripture of the Orthodox
Christians. The Bible is the primary and
authoritative written witness of Holy Tradition.
MAJOR DOCTRINES AND • The Orthodox Church’s Bible has two major parts:
BELIEFS the Old Testament with 46 books, which includes
the seven Deuterocanonical books; and the New
Testament with 27 books.
• The eastern region of ancient Christianity adopted
primarily the Greek-language Jewish translation of
those writings known as the Septuagint.
 • The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) and Worship
• The Orthodox Church celebrates the seven sacraments:
Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Holy Communion
(Holy Eucharist), Repentance (Reconciliation), Unction
MAJOR DOCTRINES (Anointing of the sick), Marriage, and Holy Orders.
AND BELIEFS • Worship practices in the Orthodox Church have largely
remained the same.
• The Orthodox liturgy was originally celebrated using the
Greek language, but at present, the regional churches use
their own native languages in their services.
 • The Afterlife and the Second Coming
• Orthodox Christians believe that when a person
dies, the soul is temporarily separated from the
body. The soul may go to either heaven or hell.
• The Orthodox Church also recognizes the doctrine
MAJOR DOCTRINES AND of Purgatory. Orthodox Christian recognize the
BELIEFS importance of prayers for the dead, as the departed
souls can benefit from the love and prayers of the
faithful.
• For this reason, the Church offers a special prayer
for the dead on the third day, ninth day, fortieth
day, and the one-year anniversary after the death of
an Orthodox Christian.
• The Virgin Mary, the Veneration of Saints
• The Orthodox Church acknowledges Mary as the Mother of
Christ and gives her great respect and reverence as the
preeminent saint of the Church.
• They address Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer). Due to her
unique place in salvation history, Mary is honored above all
MAJOR
other saints and especially venerated for the great work that DOCTRINES AND
God accomplished through her.
BELIEFS
• The Orthodox Church considers all departed faithful as saints.
However, notable saints are often revealed through their good
works and examples and are officially recognized by the
Church.
 THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE
PHILIPPINES

These communities were

In the 1900s, Greek sailors largely responsible for the
settled in Legazpi city in the establishment of an Orthodox
island of Luzon and presence in the Philippines
established community's through the arrival of
trough intermarriages with missionaries which
Filipinos. encouraged conversion among
Filipinos.
 • One of the first Eastern Orthodox to arrive in
the Philippine province of Albay was
Alexandros Athos Adamopoulos. Who came
to Legazpi City in 1928.
THE ORTHODOX • Together with his brother and cousin, he co-
CHURCH IN THE founded Adamson University in 1932, which
PHILIPPINES is now owned by the Vincentian Fathers of
the Roman Catholic Church. Adamopoulos
was appointed in 1942 by the Greek
government to take charge of Greek interests
in the Philippines.
 • On April 20, 1990, a Filipino monk, Fr. Vincentius
Escarcha, four nuns and several members of his
community, were received into the Orthodox Church
by Metropolitan Dionysios of the Greek Orthodox
Metropolis of New Zealand, assisted by Bishop
THE ORTHODOX Sotirios of Zelon.
CHURCH IN THE • On January 19, 1994, Metropolitan Dionysios,
assisted by Bishop Sotirios, received by Holy
PHILIPPINES Chrismation several Filipino Christians in Manila.
• In 2004, the Theotokos Orthodox Church in Bajada,
Masbate was consecrated by His Eminence
Metropolitan Nikitas of Hong Kong and South East
Asia.
 OTHER EASTERN CHRISTIAN
CHURCHES

• Apart from the Eastern Orthodox Churches, there are yet other Christian communities that
belong to Eastern Christianity, such as the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church
of the East, and the Eastern Catholic Churches.
 • Oriental Orthodox Church
• The Oriental Orthodox Church refers to eastern churches
that recognize the first three ecumenical councils—
OTHER Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus—but rejected the
fourth ecumenical council, the Council of Chalcedon
EASTERN (A.D. 451) which asserted that Jesus is one person in two
natures.
CHRISTIAN • For them “two natures” suggests a duality of Christ.
CHURCHES They prefer the description of St. Cyril of Alexandria:
“the one nature of the Incarnate Word of God.” For the
Eastern Orthodox, their identity as “Oriental Orthodox”
is somewhat misleading, for the be called “Orthodox,”
one must consent to all first seven ecumenical councils.
OTHER EASTERN CHRISTIAN
CHURCHES

• Oriental Orthodox Church

• The Oriental Orthodox communion comprises six
groups: the Syriac Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,
Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church (India), and Armenian
Apostolic churches.
• These six churches, while being in communion with
each other, are completely independent hierarchically.
The country with the greatest number of Oriental
Orthodox Christians is Ethiopia.
OTHER EASTERN CHRISTIAN
CHURCHES

• The Assyrian Church of the East

• The Assyrian Church of the East is a very small group
of Eastern Christians and is a minority group in Persia.
• This Church adopted the Christology of Nestorious,
which denies the real union of the divinity and
humanity of Jesus Christ. This view was opposed by
the rest of the Eastern Churches.
 OTHER EASTERN CHRISTIAN
CHURCHES

• The Eastern Catholic Churches

• The Eastern Catholic Churches is the fourth group. They are in full communion with
the Church of Rome.
• Generally, these churches maintained their original tradition and policies, with some
Latin influences.
• Within the Roman Curia there is a Congregation for the Eastern Catholic Churches,
comprised of experts tasked with formulation a Code of Canon Law for the Eastern
Catholic Churches.
MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY
PROTESTANTISM
 PROTESTANTISM

• Protestantism is another major branch of Christianity that emerged in the

Reformation Period in the 16th century.
• The Reformation started in 1517 and was begun by the theologian and Catholic
priest Martin Luther, who inspired a movement in reaction to the perceived
abuses of the officials of the Roman Catholic Church.
 EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT

• The emergence of Protestantism was brought about by a

series of reform movements in Europe beginning in the 16 th
century.
• Martin Luther led the reform movement in Germany,
which was initiated by his protests over corrupt practices of
the officials of the Catholic Church such as the selling of
indulgences and offices.
• Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses embodies his critique of
church practices and his reiteration of salvation through
faith.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 EMERGENCE AND
DEVELOPMENT

• People were made to believe that indulgences can be

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND obtained by financial contribution to the Church;
that buying indulgences can make up for the sins
they have committed and would save them from
suffering in purgatory.
• The sale of offices is another form of corruption.
One can be appointed to a position in the Church by
doling out money to church officials.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 MAJOR DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS

• Protestantism shares all other core Christian beliefs—the doctrines of the Trinity and the
divinity of Jesus, the necessity of grace to save humans from the consequences of sin,
Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Second Coming of Christ to judge the living and the
dead.
• There are, however, several doctrines that distinguishes Protestantism from other Christian
faiths.
 • The “Five Solae”
• The fundamental principles of Protestant belief are
summarized in five Latin phrases known as the “Five
Solae”. These are as follows:

MAJOR 1. Sola Scriptura – the Bible is the sole basis of doctrine

and faith.
DOCTRINES AND 2. Sola Fide – salvation is through faith alone
BELIEFS 3. Solus Christus – salvation is made possible by the
saving action of Christ
4. Sola Gratia – salvation is a grace granted only by God
5. Soli Deo Gloria – all praise and worship must be given
to God alone.
• Justification by Faith
• A fundamental doctrine of Protestant faith is justification,
which refers to the salvation of the believer by faith alone,
regardless of action. MAJOR
• For Luther, belief in Christ is the only basis for salvation, and DOCTRINES AND
good deeds are considered merely a result of justification.
BELIEFS
• Additionally, salvation is a grace that is granted by God alone,
given by the Holy Spirit through the saving action of Christ.
 • The Bible as Sole and Highest Authority
• Protestantism rejects church tradition as a basis
MAJOR of doctrine and faith and considers a critical
reading of the Bible necessary for salvation, as it
DOCTRINES AND contains the true Word of God.
BELIEFS • According to Protestantism, everything stated in
the Bible is true and accurate, and it is by
understanding the Bible that Christians are
guided toward salvation.
 MAJOR DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS

• Christ as Redeemer and Head of the Church

• Jesus Christ is the central figure in the act of salvation as it is through His actions and sacrifices on
the cross that mankind is saved.
• Christ is considered the head of the Church, and the sole mediator between God and mankind.
 • Universal priesthood of believers

MAJOR • All Christians have the duty to participate in the

activities of the Church, particularly in studying the
DOCTRINES AND Bible and being involved in the affairs of the Church.
BELIEFS • Since there is no human mediator or central authority,
believers are able to directly commune with God through
worship.
 • Sacraments and Worship
• Protestants believe that sacraments are rituals
instituted by Christ to confer grace. For them,
MAJOR DOCTRINES AND Christ has instituted only two sacraments instituted
by Christ: Baptism and Eucharist.
BELIEFS
• Protestantism does not consider the other five
sacraments of the Catholic Church: conformation,
confession, anointing with oil, marriage, and
ordination as sacraments.
 • There is also disagreement among Protestants
denominations regarding the Eucharist. For
Lutherans, the body and blood of Jesus in the
MAJOR Eucharist do not literally mean that
transubstantiation takes place; rather Christ is present
DOCTRINES AND spiritually.
BELIEFS • For the Anglicans, they believe in the real presence
of Christ in the bread and wine. Other Protestant
denominations look at the Eucharist as an outward
symbol of Christ’s presence.
 MAJOR DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS

Worship within the Protestant faith

is conducted through a “service of
worship,” which is more Various denominations have
commonly known as “worship instituted their own form of
service” or “service”. The worship worship, with some churches
service generally features spoken opting for less liturgical forms of
prayer, Scripture readings, worship.
congregational sings of hymns,
and a sermon.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Protestantism is the most varied of the Christian religions with regard to diversity of
doctrines and practices.
• Since the 16th century, the Protestant movement has branched out into a variety of churches
that believe in the fundamental Protestant doctrines but have unique interpretations of
other doctrines and practices.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Adventism
• The Adventist faith emerged from the Second advent
movement in the 19th century, which anticipated the
Second Coming of Christ in 1844.
• The event gave rise to the belief that Christ has returned
in spirit to the world and has instituted divine judgement
among Christians that continues to this day.
• Among the significant beliefs of the Adventists include
celebrating the Sabbath on Saturday, and the belief that
the souls of the departed lie in a dormant state and shall
awaken during the Second Coming.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Anglicanism
• Anglicanism arose from the establishment of the Church
of England in the 16th century during the English
Reformation. It is the doctrine and practice of the
Church of England.
• Henry VIII (1491-1547) established the Church of
England when he broke away from the papacy of Rome
and separated from the Catholic Church as a protest
against the authority of Rome.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Anglicanism
• Despite its separation from the Catholic Church, the
Anglican Church still retains doctrines and practices
from the Catholic faith, such as the recognition of the
Bible as the major source of faith, Catholic
sacraments, and the teachings of the early Church
fathers.
• Anglican tradition is reflected in the Book of Common
Prayer which is a distinctive feature of Anglican
liturgy. The book is a compilation of prayers and
liturgical services commonly used by Anglican
churches throughout the world.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Baptist
• The Baptist faith is unique in its rejection of infant baptism. For Baptists, only adulty,
professing believers should be baptized. In addition, baptism is done by completely
immersing the person in water.
• The Baptist faith emphasizes the individual’s personal faith, as each believer is
personally accountable to God for all actions and decisions.
 • Calvinism
• A central doctrine of Calvinism is predestination—the
belief that God has already chosen those who will be
MAJOR BRANCHES AND saved.
D E N O M I N AT I O N S
• These chosen individuals are known as the “elect” and
are the only ones who will receive the grace of salvation
through Christ. The chosen are distinguished for their
perseverance in their faith and good works.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Lutheranism
• This is the branch of Protestantism that closely adheres to the fundamental tenets of
Protestantism, particularly the five solae.
• It is among the largest Protestant denominations, with about 80 million adherents
worldwide.
 MAJOR BRANCHES AND
DENOMINATIONS

• Methodism
• The Methodist faith believes that salvation was
given by Christ to all of humanity.
Individuals, however, must exercise a
conscious effort to receive the grace of
salvation.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 • Pentecostalism
• The Pentecostal faith emphasizes personal religious
experiences in Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is a
recent movement in the 19th century that was inspired by
MAJOR BRANCHES the revival meetings of the Holiness movement in the
AND Methodist Church.
DENOMINATIONS • It started in 1901 with a small group of students in a Bible
school in Kansas, USA. In 1993, the members grew in
number and became the largest Protestant denomination in
the world with more than 200 million followers
worldwide.
 OTHER RELATED CHRISTIAN
DENOMINATIONS

These faiths have

A number of Christian
certain doctrines and
faiths have emerged in
practices that are
recent times that have
distinct from
distant ties to the
mainstream
Protestant Reformation.
Christianity.
 The Jehovah’s Witnesses arose from the Adventist
movement and established itself as a distinct
religious movement in the 19th century. This faith
rejects the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and believes
in the existence of only one God called Jehovah,
who created Jesus Christ.

OTHER RELATED
CHRISTIAN
DENOMINATIONS

Christ is recognized as the divine Son of God, the

mediator between God and humanity, and the
redeemer of mankind.
 The Church of Christ of Latter-Day saints, more
commonly known as the Mormon Church,
emerged from the Latter-Day Saint Movement in
the early 19th century in the United States.

OTHER RELATED The Church was founded in 1830 by Joseph

Smith, and the congregation established a
CHRISTIAN community in the state of Utah in 1847.
DENOMINATIONS

Apart from the Bible, Mormons recognize the

Book of Mormon as an authorized text.
 Among the major developments among
Protestant faiths in the 19th century was the
emphasis on mission, evangelization, religious
education, and social concern.

RECENT In the 20th century, disagreements over biblical

interpretation and doctrine caused deep
DEVELOPMENT divisions among Protestant communities.
S
This period also saw the emergence of
Fundamentalism—an extreme view regarding
Church doctrine which relied heavily on a
literal interpretation of the Bible.
 Throughout the 20th century, Protestant
communities also initiated efforts to establish
communion with each other.

RECENT
DEVELOPMENT
S The first developments toward ecumenism,
however, were defined by perspectives regarding
Church doctrine. In 1908, the traditional Protestant
Churches, who were known to be mainline or
liberal, formed the Federal Council of Churches.
 Most Protestant denominations celebrate the same
holidays as Catholics, such as Easter, Christmas, Good
Friday, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday,
the Feast of the Ascension, and Pentecost.

HOLY DAYS
Anglicans also commemorate the feast day of the saints
AND throughout the year.
CELEBRATIONS

Lutherans celebrate October 31 as Reformation Day.

Other, more conservative denominations, however, do not
recognize holy days aside from the Sabbath.
 PROTESTANT CHURCH IN THE
PHILIPPINES

Protestantism came to the Beginning in the 20th century,

Philippines with the arrival Protestant missionaries made
of the Americans and their their way to the Philippines
colonization of our country and began to preach and
after the Spanish-American establish communities
War. throughout the archipelago.
 PROTESTANT CHURCH IN THE
PHILIPPINES

Over several decades, various

organizations were established among Protestant missionaries were also
Protestant communities, such as the known for their contributions to
Evangelical Union, the National education, particularly in establishing
Christian Council, Philippine schools and universities in many parts
Federation of Evangelical Churches, of the country.
and the United Evangelical Church.
MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY
MAJOR ISSUES IN CHRISTIANITY
 ECUMENISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUES

Ecumenism is the principle or The term “ecumenical” has origins

practice of promoting better in the Greek language and means
understanding and cooperation “the whole inhabited world”.
among different Christian Engaging in ecumenism,
denominations to achieve oneness therefore, requires one to be open
and harmonious relationships. to all truth and to every value.
 ECUMENISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUES

For the Church, too meet,

The Catholic Church engage in dialogue, and Protestants emphasize
views ecumenism as a work for reconciliation spiritual and doctrinal
mission of reconciliation among Christians is part unity in their ecumenical
and union. of the Church’s activities.
evangelizing mission.
 Efforts at ecumenism gained momentum during the
20th century, with the establishment of ecumenical
conferences such as the 1910 World Missionary
Conference, the 1925 World Conference of Life and
Work, and the 1948 World Council of Churches.

ECUMENISM AND
INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUES
The Second Vatican Council provided added drive to
the ecumenical movement, as the Catholic Church
officially declared ecumenism as part of the church’s
mission, and removed the restrictions previously
imposed by canon law on the Catholic faithful
establishing relations with other Christian faith.
 • An important component of ecumenism is inter-
religious dialogue. The Catholic Church approaches
dialogue with other faiths emphasizing mutual
respect and the recognition that other religious
E C U ME N I S M A N D traditions outside the Church have their place in
I N T E R R E L I GI O U S God’s saving design.
DIALOGUES
• Inter-religious dialogue is considered the initial step
toward establishing communion with other faiths as
they embark on a common search for moral and
spiritual enrichment.
 Continued efforts at ecumenism and inter-
religious dialogue have borne fruit over the past
few decades. The first concrete action which
signaled the improvement of relations between
the Catholic and Orthodox Churches occurred in
1965, with the revocation of the mutual
excommunication imposed by the two Churches.
ECUMENISM AND
INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUES
In 1994, the Catholic Church and the Assyrian
Church of the East resolved an important
theological issue with the release of the Common
Christological Declaration.
 In 1999, Pope John Paul II visited Romania, a predominantly
Orthodox country, at the invitation of the Patriarch of the
Romanian Orthodox Church.

ECUMENISM AND This event was the first time a Catholic pope visited an
INTERRELIGIOUS Orthodox country since the Great Schism.
DIALOGUES
A major development in Protestant-Catholic relations was the
issuance of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification of Faith in 1999, establishing a common
understanding on the doctrine of justification and resolving the
conflict which was the cause of the Protestant Reformation.
 • Recently, the ecumenical movement has
concentrated on several significant tasks as
part of their mission.
ECUMENISM • The first is the reiteration of the Bible as the
AND main point of reference and unifying focus for
all Christian. The second is the emphasis on
INTERRELIGIOU spiritual ecumenism.
S DIALOGUES • Christians are urged to work on the level of
spirituality, focus on common spiritual goals,
and discuss means to enrich their spiritual
lives.
 ECUMENISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS
DIALOGUES

Finally, ecumenical Various ecumenical The Christian meditation

groups adopted networks have organized movement was begun by
meditation as a mean to meditation groups such John Main, OSB, a
commune with Jesus as the World Community Benedictine monk,
Christ on a deeper level. for Christian Meditation. during the 1970’s
• The belief in the sanctity of life is a major doctrine that
defines the stand of Christianity regarding contraception.
• Catholic doctrine regards sex as a procreative act within
the context of matrimony, and that each human life
should be valued and protected. THE SACREDNESS OF
LIFE, CONTRACEPTION
• The Church’s stand, including its views on procreation,
human life, and its opposition to artificial contraception
and abortion, is defined in the encyclical Humanae Vitae.
 The Orthodox Church shares the Catholic Church
perspective regarding the sanctity of life.

THE SACREDNESS
OF LIFE,
CONTRACEPTION Orthodox Christians oppose abortion, but there
are varied views regarding the use of
contraception. Some churches allow married
couples to use contraception; others leave it to the
personal discretion of the individual; while other
more conservative churches consider the use of
contraception as a grave sin.
 HOMOSEXUALITY, SAME-SEX
MARRIAGE

• The prevalent Christian view on homosexuality is rooted in the belief in the sacredness of
life and marriage.
• Due to the belief that sex is a procreative union between man and wife, homosexuality is
considered a violation of natural and moral laws. The Catholic Church considers
homosexual acts as sinful; bit has a less severe view on homosexual tendencies or
inclinations.
 HOMOSEXUALITY, SAME-SEX
MARRIAGE

The majority of Protestant denomination also condemn homosexuality, though there are a number of churches
that has taken a liberal stand on homosexuals.

The Episcopal Church of the United States, a member church of the Anglican communion, has elevated a
number of homosexuals as clergy. In 2003, the Episcopal Church elected a gay person as bishop, and in 2009 a
lesbian was also elected as bishop.

These actions, however, stirred controversy within the Anglican community, and many conservative Anglicans
voiced their opposition.
 THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

Women were also very

Christian doctrine teaches Catholic doctrine
active members of the
the value of women as recognizes the role of the
early Christian church,
partners and significant Virgin Mary as Mother of
and many women martyrs
members of the God and her role in the
and saints are recognized
community. saving mission of Christ.
as examples of faith.
 • Religious views on the role of women as clergy,
however, are more restrictive. The Catholic and
Orthodox Churches consider the leadership of the
Church as a domain of men, and do not allow women
to enter priesthood.
THE ROLE OF • The Orthodox Church has recently allowed the
WOMEN IN THE appointment of women as deaconesses, but only
allows them limited responsibilities in monasteries
CHURCH and churches.
• Protestant churches, on the other hand, ordained
women ministers and appoint them to positions of
authority within their congregations.