What a dilemma we
have as we look at the origins of Christianity, and compare it to the modern
church. The original goals and intentions of Christianity were never
realized and yet, as a religion, it has grown into something that has definitely
changed the world.
What has caused this
to happen? If God has planned
everything from the beginning, what is the reason for Christianity? Was God
creating a new religion? If so, why? If not, what is He doing?
It is evident, from
reading the Bible, that the plan of God involves his chosen people, Israel. And
yet, if the end time prophecies of the Bible focus on the Jewish population, how
do Christians fit in?
Just by looking at
the world around us, you would have to conclude that Christianity is ALSO part
of God’s plan. In fact, it seems to be an essential part; without it the world
would be a much different place.
How has Christianity
affected the world? Let’s stop for a moment and consider the impact that the
Christian faith has had. It has been the Christian religion that has brought the
Holy Scriptures (the Tanakh or Old Testament) to the world. If it were not
for Christianity publishing and distributing Bibles to
the most remote parts of the world, the knowledge of the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob would be limited to whatever Jewish communities there happened
to be; and western civilization, which is for the most part a Bible based
society would only exist within those Jewish communities.
The concepts of
messiah and a future redemption, along with sayings like, "Love your neighbor as
yourself" and "Do unto