The history of Christianity is quite a complicated theme since the religion belongs to the most widespread ones. Throughout the course of history, Christianity united people from different countries and societies, portraying the versatility of the ideology. Since the religion is currently spread around all continents, historians introduced the term world Christianity, which contributes to the worldwide character of Christianity and reflects its versatile nature (Pachuau, 2018). World Christianity made an important contribution to the modern understanding and state of the religion, and it is necessary to pay attention to it when speaking about the history of Christianity.
One of the major characteristics of world Christianity concerns the multiplicity of the religion’s manifestations in different countries, cultures, and historical traditions. When speaking about the influence different countries had on the development of the Christian ideology, it should be pointed out that though its universal values remain stable, people in various countries perceive them differently. It happens due to the fact that religion and culture are closely connected and influence each other (Pachuau, 2018). Moreover, many people tend to consider religion a part of a culture, though it is not always true since both these phenomena impact each other but remain separate notions.
However, the impact of culture and language may be assessed not only from the positive side. Though the expansion of Christianity and its turning into one of the three major religions of the world benefited many people around the globe, the church became linguistically and culturally diverse. It means that the Christian church in Europe, Asia, and Africa were not the same since they experienced the influence of different cultures and religions of the past and present (Pachuau, 2018). This division also became a prerequisite for the further emergence of Greek and Latin Christianity in Europe, which was later spread in America and to enslaved African people who lived there. Thus, Christianity became more versatile in the past, which significantly affected its development and current state.
Since Christianity is currently spread all over the world, it is worth mentioning that the translations of the Bible into different languages also contribute to the versatility of Christianity. Thus, more people have the opportunity to reach self-understanding through faith and studying religion and The Bible. Its translation into different languages is closely related to the Scripture, where it is stated that God can be accessed through the spoken word despite cultural diversities and natural barriers (Pachuau, 2018). That is why all Christians should be allowed to speak their mother tongues as well as to have access to The Bible on them since it is the book Christianity begins with.
Taking into consideration everything mentioned above, it is possible to conclude that Christianity, being one of the three major religions in the world, possesses unique historical experience. Its growing popularity and further division based on cultural and linguistic characteristics contributed to its expansion on all continents. Christianity is closely connected to the concept of culture, and they mutually influence each other. That is why different countries have different manifestations of Christian values that are seen through the prism of their historical experience and development. It also explains why The Bible, being the main book of Christianity, was translated into many languages, since all people, despite their culture and nature, should be able to learn more about the religion.
References
Greenman, J. P., & Gree, G. L. (2012). Global theology in evangelical perspective: Exploring the contextual nature of theology and mission. InterVarsity Press.
Pachuau, L. (2018). World Christianity: A historical and theological introduction. Nashville: Abingdon Press.