Who founded Christianity?

Answer 1

ANSWER:

It is to be believed that Jesus Christ, the one and only son of God, founded Christianity.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER:

As a nonevangelical believer who subscribes to the power of myth, it is important to note the large number of biblical scholars who propose that Paul probably had more to do with the founding of Christianity than any other single individual. After all, Jesus was known as a fairly minor Jewish rabbi from the outlying northern and sparsely populated province of Galilee. He was never known to renounce his Judaism during his lifetime. Rather, he wanted to reform the corrupt power structure in Jerusalem. Thus, at the beginning of the last week of his life, he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, with his disciples, and before the week was out he was crucified on a Roman Empire death device, the cross, accused of being a troublemaker for both the Jewish power structure in Jerusalem, and for the Roman overlords in Jerusalem (Pontius Pilate, et al) at the time.

Paul, himself, had been a Jewish rabbi, before his conversion on the road to Damascus. He was also a Roman citizen. He spoke and wrote both Hebrew and Greek. Paul wrote most of the New Testament, in the form of letters or "Epistles" to various nascent groups ("churches") in Asia Minor and Greece (Corinth, Thessaly, Philippi, Ephesus, etc.). He wrote to his friend Timothy, and others, and finally even to Rome. Paul had never met Jesus, but grew to believe that he was the Messiah whom Jews had been wishing for, to deliver them from the yoke of the Roman Empire (at least spiritually, if not able to do so, temporally).

The story of Paul is a fascinating one, and is recounted nowadays in numerous books and treatises.

ANOTHER ANSWER:

An honest appraisal of the Scriptures reveals that the name "Christianity" originated in Antioch:

"Then Barnabas visited Tarsus, to try to find Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they were guests of the church, and taught many people. And IT WAS IN ANTIOCH that the disciples FIRST RECEIVED the name of 'Christians.'" (Acts 11:25-26 MNT Montgomery New Testament)

Few people realize that the name "Christian" given by the unconverted Gentiles of Antioch to this "weird religious group" that had taken root in their town was NOT A COMPLIMENTARY TERM. It was a term of "derision"... as harsh and demeaning as people are today toward the name of Jesus Christ.

Paul stood before King Agrippa, later, IN CHAINS for being a so-called "Christian," as the term had caught on throughout the land after Antioch. And Agrippa was not inclined to be sympathetic to Paul or his cause. Agrippa was well versed... an expert... in the Jewish customs and traditions, having dealt with them over the years ruling over them [Acts 26:3]. But Paul's arguments were unpersuasive to the king. And like the people of Antioch... Agrippa looked with no favor on "Christians":

"As Paul thus made his defenses, Fetus exclaimed in a loud voice: 'Paul, YOU ARE RAVING MAD; your great learning is DRIVING YOU MAD.'" (verse 24 MNT).

That was the view of "Christianity" and "Christians" to the Jews and the Roman world at that time [and has it really changed appreciably since then?]. Jesus testifies that it hasn't... and that it won't:

"'If THE WORLD hates you, do not forget that it hated Me first... I have CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, for that reason THE WORLD HATES YOU.'" (John 15:18-19 MNT)

"Christianity" was founded on hatred, derision and resentment in the town of Antioch during that year Paul spent there, converting some its pagan Gentile populace into, what unconverted Gentiles perceived as some of their friends and relatives being turned into "religious fanatics." Stark-raving mad religious fanatics. And their calling Paul and his converts "Christians" was NOT a term of endearment.

Nor was King Agrippa convinced by Paul's defense:

At the end, Paul tried to elicit a "positive response" from Agrippa, mainly from the king's familiarity with Jewish laws and customs: "'King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.'" (verse 27 MNT)

But the king did NOT CONVERT to "Christianity"... as is the wont of "sentimental" modern professing Christianity's seeming ignorance of the world's hatred toward it:

"Agrippa answered, 'In short, you are doing your best to persuade me to become a Christian.'" (verse 28 MNT)

"Christianity" was founded by resentful, pagan, idol-worshiping Gentiles in Antioch. A term with which THEY VICIOUSLY LABELED Paul and his group of " gullible weirdos!"

These new "Christians" Paul was raising up in Antioch and elsewhere were generally on the "outs" with the Gentiles... not loved and accepted. Just as they are today. And Jesus says that as the time of the end draws near... it's not going to improve:

"Then they will deliver you up to suffer affliction, and will put you to death, and YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL NATIONS FOR MY NAME's SAKE." (Matt.24:9 MNT)

Paul didn't put the name "Christianity" on himself or those whom he taught. The WORLD founded "Christianity" in a little town named Antioch.

Additional Comments:

The word Christianity comes from the people of the day - after Jesus was raised to be with the Father - when they would speak of those who followed 'The Way' as Christ Ones, because they followed Christ's teachings. This became one word, Christian. Jesus Christ

Answer 2

The son of God, Jesus.