Christianity began as a religion for the minority that was suited for oppressed outsiders. But over the years it has become a religion for the majority that is theologically suited for both the oppressed and the dominant insiders. Christianity began as a small sect of Judaism that through the acts of Paul became the dominant religion of the world. In the early days of Christianity Jesus’ teachings appealed to the commoners of Galilee. He preached “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God… Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you… for surely your reward is great in heaven (Luke 6:22-24).” Jesus obviously appealed to the poor and oppressed, while his teachings were threatening to the wealthy elite of the Jewish community. Yet again later in the Gospel of Luke Jesus emphasizes his belief that the poor are closer to the kingdom of heaven than the wealthy. Jesus says, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 6:25-26).” At this early stage of Judaism it is hard to believe that any person of wealth would feel inclined toward this small sect of Judaism.
Today people from many different social classes are Christians. In the modern world the oppressed find comfort in Christian teachings. People of higher social status also find comfort in the moral implications of Christianity. Wealthy Christians, to follow the teachings of Jesus, must donate to charity and give away much of their wealth to help the less fortunate. But do many modern-day wealthy Christians give away most of their money to help the poor? If they don’t can they consider themselves devout Christians? If not then maybe Christianity is only suited for the oppressed and poor.
1 comment:
I agree with you that Christianity began as a religion for the oppressed, and that Jesus' teachings were based solely on social commentary, but I'm not sure about Christianity being solely for the minority. I have been a little confused about- I think it depends on if you mean it theoretically or historically. Your point about modern Christianity being widespread is true; perhaps this is what the original aim of Chistianity was, to incorporate all classes and people.
Technecally, although the followers of Jesus were themselves a small group, weren't they (or their social group/class) the vast majority of society?
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