Christians
The word Christian derives from the Koine Greek term Christianos, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew mashiach. This Greek title means anointed one and carries an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to or belonging to someone. Bickerman notes in 1949 that Christians got their appellation from Christus, meaning the Anointed Messiah. The earliest recorded use of this term appears in Acts 11 after Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. There they taught disciples for about a year before the city gave them this new name. Kenneth Samuel Wuest argues that all three New Testament usages reflect a derisive element intended as reproach. He explains that Christianos was coined to distinguish worshippers of Christ from Kaisarianos, worshippers of Caesar. Antioch had a reputation for coining nicknames like this one. The second mention follows in Acts 26 where Herod Agrippa II replies to Paul almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. The third reference appears in 1 Peter 4 which exhorts believers yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed. Early Church Fathers from Ignatius and Polycarp onwards adopted this standard term over Nazarenes.
The first states to adopt Christianity officially were Armenia in 301 AD and Georgia in 337 AD. Later Bulgaria followed in 864 and Kyivan Rus in 988 AD. Pliny the Younger wrote correspondence with Trajan mentioning Christians during the early Roman Empire period. Tacitus wrote at the beginning of the 2nd century in his Annals stating by vulgar appellation they were commonly called Christians. He identifies Christians as Nero's scapegoats for the Great Fire of Rome. Josephus referred to the tribe of Christians so named from him in his historical records. Around 331 AD Eusebius recorded that Christ was called a Nazoraean from the name Nazareth. In ancient times Scythia contained geographical areas where Scythians and Christians already lived together. The Byzantine Empire became one of the peaks in Christian history and civilization between the 11th and 13th centuries. Latin Christendom rose to central role of Western world during those same centuries. Communities centered around cities such as Rome Carthage Constantinople Antioch Kerala and Alexandria developed distinct rites and practices. The notion of Europe and Western World has been intimately connected with Christianity and Christendom throughout most of its history.
As of 2020 Christianity had approximately 2.4 billion adherents representing about 33 percent of world population. A 2011 Pew Research Center survey found 2.3 billion Christians worldwide up from about 600 million in 1910. Today about 37% of all Christians live in Americas while 26% live in Europe. Sub-Saharan Africa holds 24% of global Christians and Asia Pacific contains 13%. Only 1% live in Middle East and North Africa regions. Christians make up majority population in 158 countries and territories globally. About half of all Christians worldwide are Catholic according to recent data. More than a third identify as Protestant at 37% of total membership. Eastern Christians including Orthodox groups comprise 12% of world's Christians. By 2050 Christian population expected to exceed 3 billion due to fertility rates. Muslims average 3.1 children per woman highest rate among religious groups. Christians rank second with 2.7 children per woman. High birth rates and conversion cited as reasons for growth. Approximately 10.2 million Muslims converted to Christianity according to a 2015 study.
Christianity has influenced philosophy science technology medicine fine arts architecture politics literature music and business fields significantly. Nicolaus Copernicus Galileo Galilei Johannes Kepler Isaac Newton Robert Boyle Alessandro Volta Michael Faraday William Thomson James Clerk Maxwell considered themselves Christian. A review of Nobel Prizes between 1901 and 2000 reveals 65.4% of Laureates identified Christianity as their religious preference. Christians ranked second most educated religious group after Jews with average 9.3 years schooling. Highest numbers found in Germany New Zealand Estonia averaging 13.6 13.5 13.1 years respectively. Singapore outranks other nations regarding university degree attainment at 67%. Christian monks built libraries preserving important writings produced Latin Greek Arabic before printing presses existed. Protestant Reformers encouraged education of women leading to eradication illiteracy among females in Protestant communities. Western culture throughout most history nearly equivalent to Christian culture. Large portion population Western Hemisphere described practicing or nominal Christians. The Byzantine Empire represented peak Christian civilization during early centuries. Christendom divided pre-existing Greek East and Latin West creating different cultural versions.
In 2017 Open Doors human rights NGO estimated approximately 260 million Christians subjected annually to high very high extreme persecution levels. North Korea considered most hazardous nation for Christians according to Forbes reporting. A report commissioned by United Kingdom's Secretary of State Foreign Commonwealth Office investigated global persecution in 2019. Findings showed religious persecution increased highest Middle East North Africa India China North Korea Latin America regions. Investigation found approximately 80% persecuted believers worldwide are Christians. BBC News reported persecution near genocide levels the 3rd of May 2019. National Post published article titled Our politicians may not care but Christians under siege across world the 8th of May 2019. The Guardian stated persecution coming close to genocide in Middle East the 2nd of May 2019. Christians experience varying severity especially Middle-East North Africa East Asia South Asia regions today. These challenges persist despite Christianity remaining largest religion globally with billions adherents worldwide.
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Common questions
What is the origin of the word Christian?
The word Christian derives from the Koine Greek term Christianos, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew mashiach. This title means anointed one and carries an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to or belonging to someone.
When did Armenia become the first state to adopt Christianity officially?
Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity officially in 301 AD. Georgia followed as the second state to adopt Christianity officially in 337 AD.
How many Christians were there worldwide as of 2020?
As of 2020 Christianity had approximately 2.4 billion adherents representing about 33 percent of world population. A 2011 Pew Research Center survey found 2.3 billion Christians worldwide up from about 600 million in 1910.
Which countries have the highest average years of schooling for Christians?
Highest numbers found in Germany New Zealand Estonia averaging 13.6 13.5 13.1 years respectively. Singapore outranks other nations regarding university degree attainment at 67%.
What percentage of persecuted believers worldwide are Christians according to a 2019 report?
Investigation found approximately 80% persecuted believers worldwide are Christians. BBC News reported persecution near genocide levels the 3rd of May 2019.
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