Christianity first emerged as a reform movement and sect of Judaism in Judea and the Mediterranean. Wherever Paul, Peter, and other early missionaries traveled, they formed small communities of believers in “the Way,” a movement that emphasized Jesus’ teachings, death, and Resurrection as a path to transformation. Gradually, the movement grew and took on a life of its own, welcoming Gentiles and Jews and becoming more inclusive until it eventually called itself Catholic, or “universal.” By 80 CE, there were Christians as far away as India and France.
The early Church period (about five hundred years following Jesus’ Resurrection) was a time of dramatic change in culture, politics, and the economy. These changes shaped the development of the new religion, including its liturgy, rituals, and theology. Christianity seemed to succeed because it transformed people’s lives in a chaotic world, teaching them how to live better lives. Today, we still turn to our faith to do just that!
Adapted from Fr. Richard Rohr’s reflection on the origin of the Christian Church, “The Way”
