Belief in Jesus

This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (May 2009)

A series of articles on
Jesus Christ and Christianity Chronology • Virgin Birth Ministry • Miracles • Parables Death • Resurrection Second Coming • Christology Names and titles • Relics • Active obedience
Cultural/historical background Language spoken • Race Genealogy
Perspectives on Jesus Biblical • Religious Christian • Lutheran Jewish • Islamic Ahmadi • Scientology
Jesus and history Historicity • In myth Historical Jesus • Research
Jesus in culture Depiction • Music This box: view • talk • edit

Belief in Jesus is a term generally synonymous with Christianity, indicating (generally speaking) a view that Jesus was or is a being who was anointed by God as the Messiah prophesied in Judaism, and that his Gospel ("good news") is a profound and loving message from God to all human beings —most dominantly conveying a message of hope for the transcendence of the soul, divine justice, and an eternal life for the just.

Beyond this view however, Christian theology is a vast, varied, differentiated, and mythical landscape. Many concepts with "Christianity" appear to contradict one another, or else they appear to be incompatible with other "Christian" views. And the concept that "belief in Jesus" can be discussed separately from "Christianity," raises some profound questions:

• Is it possible to "believe in Jesus" without subscribing to particular theological doctrines described in various Christian doctrines?
• Which particular set of beliefs qualifes one as a "Christian"
• If one "Christian" believes in a very different concept of God, Jesus, the Trinity, etc. from another "Christian," what are the real common beliefs that all "Christians" share?
• Does not believing in a particular doctrine about Jesus constitute a sin, or even a mortal sin?

Nicene concepts

In general, most "Christians" (~90%) are associated with a religious institution (a "Church," or denomination) that adheres to the concepts outlined in Nicene Christianity, which affirms the general belief that Jesus was the Messiah on Earth. Within this creed are several other doctrines:

• Jesus is called by God as his "Son", or else has ownership of a unique title as the Son of God
• Jesus was born of God, not of man
• Jesus was

This Christianity-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.