Fair Warning [spoiler]I have compiled this information for educational purposes and hope not to offend, but to encourage intelligent discussion. This was no easy task, considering the vast amount of controversy surrounding biblical and historical texts. Not to mention the amount speculation made by theologians and historians alike. Most content is derived from wiki sources (Wikis use multiple sources, giving multiple perspectives.). The information has been edited and added to as to make the information more coherent once presented. Be aware that I am not intent on converting anyone, nor am I intent on creating hateful arguments. I sincerely hope that this thread garners sound historical discussion and debate. Any vitriolic, offensive, or ignorant comment will be ignored or called out as baiting for an argument.[/spoiler] This is as concise as you can possibly get without writing a book (or explaining the development of every denomination). I left out Calvinism and the concept of predestination as well as the method in which individuals attain salvation. (I also left out the Crusades and the Inquisition, but we'll get to that later.) These are debated among Christian denominations to this very day. Personally I see salvation as attained via faith rather than good works and deny the concept of predestination (in exchange for the concept of free will). That aside, I'm leaving out the Crusades and the various Inquisitions that were formed through history as they are, from a historical standpoint, mostly politically driven and have no real significant effect on the faith. Aside from being the end of violence perpetrated by Christendom as a whole, these events hold no weight in modern theology nor do they carry an overwhelmingly negative connotation [among modern scholars] (at least not in the Western World at present). http://youtu.be/imTY5izhTDo Many historians consider the crusades as a retaliatory act by Christendom against a violent and malignant Islamic Caliphate. It is hard to consider the Crusades a violent religious movement, in that crusaders (such as the Teutonic Order) would protect Muslim, Jewish, and Christian pilgrims alike on their way to the holy land. There were religious motivations, however the intention was to seize land, not to persecute individuals of other religions. [i]Considering the use of penance and the concept of purgatory, they served as driving methods to recruit soldiers during that period. [/i] With regard to the Inquisition, it is solely the Catholic Church that is held accountable (note the Catholic Church's political power at the time). The events that transpired during the time of the various Catholic Inquisitions were originally intended, in large part, to ensure the orthodoxy of those who converted from Judaism and Islam. Not to mention that the inquisitions were often chartered by the monarchs of Europe and would often target political adversaries over those they defined as actual heretics. I hope this thread educates some of you on how the Church developed throughout the course of history. I also hope that this information cleared up any confusion or doubt with regard to the legitimacy of the faith. The Core of Christianity [spoiler]Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, and the savior of humanity whose coming as Christ (or the Messiah) was prophesied in the Old Testament. Christians adhere to the Nicene Creed (a belief in the holy trinity) and believe that the holy bible is the finite word of God as given to us by the prophets. If you believe these things, you are a Christian.[/spoiler] Links: [quote]Compilation of the Bible https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135721351/0/0 Volume 1 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135725355/0/0 Volume 2 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135727508/0/0 Volume 3 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135728284/0/0 Volume 4 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135729393/0/0 Volume 5 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135731768/0/0 Volume 6 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135732270/0/0 Volume 7 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135735340/0/0 Volume 8 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135739010/0/0 Volume 9 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135742784/0/0 Volume 10 https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/135743494/0/0[/quote]