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Welcome to [[WikiChristian]], the free Christian Encyclopedia and Christian wiki community. We are building a Biblical Encylcopedia and an open source wiki amplified [[Bible]] based on the King James Version of the Holy Bible. We are wikifying the [[Public Domain]] Christian Classics enhancing the usability by using free interlinking of the Biblical terms using the easy [[wiki]] technology.
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{{Short description|WikiChristian is a free Christian encyclopedia, Bible resource and community}}
  
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A [[Wiki]] or wiki (pronounced "wicky", "weekee" or "veekee") is a website that allows a user to add content, as on an Internet forum, but also allows that content to be edited by anybody. Wiki wiki comes from the Hawaiian term for "quick" or "super-fast." Since the page history is stored, the pages can be reverted back in case of vandalism. Since its first introduction on March 25, 1995, as [[Portland Pattern Repository]] by [[Ward Cunningham]], [[Wiki Wiki Web]]s became quickly popular, thanks to the revolutionary concept of users being able to edit any page in the wiki by clicking edit the page button. Since the page history is stored, the pages can be reverted back in case of vandalism. The phenomenal success of wikis is exemplified by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page wikipedia], started in January 2001 working on over 433508 articles as of December, 2004.
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<div style="max-width:1280px;margin:0 auto;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;line-height:1.55;color:#263238;">
  
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[[WikiChristian]] is an open source [[copy left]] free Christian encyclopedia that anyone can edit and contribute to the collective knowledge and understanding on [[Christianity]], [[Bible]] and its [[beleivers]].
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<div style="background:linear-gradient(135deg,#163f35 0%,#286553 64%,#ad8745 100%);color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:1.7em 1.8em;margin:.4em 0 1em;box-shadow:0 3px 12px rgba(0,0,0,.15);overflow:hidden;">
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<div style="float:right;width:92px;margin:-.25em 0 .5em 1.2em;text-align:center;">[[File:Wooden cross.jpg|82px|alt=Wooden cross|link=Jesus Christ]]</div>
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<div style="font-size:210%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.12;">Welcome to [[WikiChristian:About|<span style="color:#fff;">WikiChristian</span>]]</div>
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<div style="font-size:112%;max-width:900px;margin:.45em 0;color:#e8f3ef;">A free [[Christian encyclopedia]], Bible resource and community where Christians can share knowledge, explore the faith and help others learn about [[Jesus Christ]].</div>
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<div style="margin-top:.8em;font-size:94%;color:#f7e7bd;">'''{{NUMBEROFPAGES}} pages''' · '''{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles''' · '''{{NUMBEROFEDITS}} edits'''</div>
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<span style="display:inline-block;background:#fff;color:#17483b;border-radius:5px;padding:.5em .9em;margin:.15em .25em .15em 0;font-weight:bold;">[[Christianity|Explore Christianity]]</span>
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<span style="display:inline-block;background:#f1d793;color:#3a2b0c;border-radius:5px;padding:.5em .9em;margin:.15em .25em;font-weight:bold;">[[Bible|Read and study the Bible]]</span>
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<span style="display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.75);border-radius:5px;padding:.44em .9em;margin:.15em .25em;font-weight:bold;">[[Community portal|<span style="color:#fff;">Join the community</span>]]</span>
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*[[Current Projects]]
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'''Quick links:''' [[WikiChristian:Bible|Bible referencing]] · [[WikiChristian:Page Layout|Writing guide]] · [[WikiChristian:Statement of Faith|Statement of Faith]] · [[WikiChristian:About|Our vision]] · [[WikiChristian:Administrators|Administrators]] · [[WikiChristian needs your help!|Become an editor]] · [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent changes]] · [[Special:Random|Random article]]
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==[[Wiki Amplified King James Version]]==
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We are building a [[Biblical Encylcopedia]] and an open source wiki amplified [[Bible]] based on the Public Domain [[King James Version]] of the [[Holy Bible]].
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==[[Christian Classics Wiki Library]]==  
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We are also [[wikifying]] the [[Public Domain]] [http://www.believerscafe.com/modules.php?name=Christian_Classics Christian Classics] enhancing the usefulness of the content by interlinking all the key words using.
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<div style="background:#dceee7;border-bottom:1px solid #bad4ca;padding:.75em 1em;">
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<div style="font-size:145%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#17483b;">What is Christianity?</div>
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<div style="font-size:88%;color:#536b63;">An introduction to the Christian faith</div>
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</div>
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[[File:Love-Of-God-Heart-800px.png|right|220px|alt=The love of God|link=Love of God]]
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<div style="background:#f2f8f5;border-left:5px solid #34705e;border-radius:5px;padding:.7em .85em;margin-top:.9em;">Begin with [[God|Who is God?]], discover the life and teaching of [[Jesus Christ]], learn about the [[Gospel]] and explore what it means to live as a [[Christian]].</div>
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==[[Wiki Amplified Easton's Bible Dictionary]]==
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We are enhancing the all time popular Public Domain [[http://www.believerscafe.com/ebd2.html Easton's Bible Dictionary]] in the wiki environment. 
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<div style="font-size:145%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;color:#304f6a;">[[WikiChristian:Contents|Explore WikiChristian]]</div>
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<div style="font-size:88%;color:#5d7081;">Browse the Christian knowledge library</div>
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[[File:Seek-The-Truth-800px.png|right|180px|alt=Seek the truth|link=Christianity]]
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'''Faith and doctrine'''
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* [[God]] · [[Jesus Christ]] · [[Holy Spirit]] · [[Trinity]]
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* [[Gospel]] · [[Grace]] · [[Salvation]] · [[Love]]
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* [[Christian doctrine and debates|Doctrine and debates]]
  
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'''Bible and Church'''
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* [[Bible]] · [[Old Testament]] · [[New Testament]]
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* [[Church]] · [[Church history]] · [[Denominations]]
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* [[Christian worship]] · [[Prayer]] · [[Christian ministry]]
  
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==Christianity today==
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'''People, culture and mission'''
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* [[Characters of the Bible]] · [[Famous Christians]]
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* [[Christian music]] · [[Christian literature, art, music and media|Christian media]]
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* [[Christian missions]] · [[Church directory]] · [[Places]]
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<div style="text-align:right;margin-top:.7em;">'''[[WikiChristian:Contents|Browse all topics →]]'''</div>
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As of 2004, Christianity is the world's most widely practiced [[religion]], with 2 [[billion]] adherents (followed by [[Islam]] with 1.3 billion, [[Hinduism]] with 841 million, and the nonreligious with 774 million). Christianity has many branches, including 1.1 billion [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]], 367 million [[Protestantism|Protestants]] in a number of traditions, 216 million [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]], 84 million [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], 414 million Independents (unaffiliated with the major streams of Christianity), and 31.7 million "marginals" ([[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Latter Day Saint]]s ([[Mormon]]s), etc.), these last being denominations which describe themselves as Christian but are not standardly recognized as such by other denominations.
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Although Christianity is the largest religion in the world and there are massive missionary efforts under way, as a whole it is declining in terms of the overall population. While the population of the world grows at roughly 1.25% per year, Christianity is growing at about 1.12% per year. By contrast, Islam is growing at 1.76% per year. The slow growth can be attributed to most of the Christian population residing in affluent nations where the [[birth rate]] is quite low. By contrast, Islamic nations have a higher birth rate and by effect have a larger growth percentage.
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Not all people identified as Christians accept all, or even most, of the theological positions held by their particular churches. Like the Jews, Christians in the West were greatly affected by [[The Enlightenment]] in the late [[17th century|17th]] and early [[18th century|18th]] centuries. Perhaps the most significant change for them was total or effective [[separation of church and state]], thus ending the [[state religion|state-sponsored]] Christianity that existed in so many European countries.  Now one could be a free member of society and disagree with one's church on various issues, and one could even be free to leave the church altogether. Many did leave, developing belief systems such as [[Deism]], [[Unitarianism]], and [[Universalism]], or becoming [[Atheism|atheists]], [[Agnosticism|agnostics]], or [[Humanism|humanists]].
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Others created liberal wings of Protestant Christian theology. [[Modernist Christianity|Modernism]] in the late [[19th century]] encouraged new forms of thought and expression that did not follow traditional lines.
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<div style="font-size:145%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;">In the news</div>
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<div style="font-size:88%;color:#fff4d7;">The Gospel · Global mission · The persecuted Church</div>
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Reaction to "The Enlightenment" and Modernism triggered the development of literally thousands of Christian Protestant denominations, [[Catholic traditionalism|traditionalist]] splinter groups of the Catholic Church that do not recognize the legitimacy of many reforms the Catholic Church has undertaken, and the growth of hundreds of [[fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] groups that interpret the entire Bible in a characteristically literal fashion.  
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'''The greatest good news''' is the [[Gospel]]: [[Jesus Christ]] came into the world, died on the cross and rose from the dead so that all who trust in him may receive [[forgiveness]] and new life. See [[Christianity]] and [[Salvation]].
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In the [[United States]] and [[Europe]], liberalism also led to [[secularism]]. Some Christians have long since stopped participating in traditional religious duties, attending churches only on a few particular holy days per year or not at all. Many of them recall having highly religious grandparents, but grew up in homes where Christian theology was no longer a priority. They have developed ambivalent feelings towards their religious duties. On the one hand they cling to their traditions for identity reasons; on the other hand, the influence of the secular Western mentality, the demands of daily life, and peer pressure tear them away from traditional Christianity. [[Marriage]] between Christians of different denominations, or between a Christian and a non-Christian, was once taboo, but has become commonplace. Traditionally Catholic countries such as France have largely become agnostic, also with a large number of followers of [[Islam]], which is growing rapidly, and similar trends are reflected in various degrees in Western Europe.
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<div style="font-size:79%;font-weight:bold;color:#64776f;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">Featured mission story · Colombia</div>
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<div style="font-size:121%;font-weight:bold;color:#17483b;margin:.15em 0;">Evangelical churches mobilize after major earthquake</div>
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Churches and Christian ministries are coordinating relief, shelter and pastoral care for affected communities. [https://worldea.org/ World Evangelical Alliance]
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Liberal Christianity grew rapidly during the early [[20th century]] in Europe and North America, by the [[1960s]] gaining the leadership of many of the larger US and Canadian denominations. However, this trend has reversed. At the turn of the [[21st century]], though secular society tends to consider the more accommodating liberals as the representatives and spokesmen of Christianity, the "mainline" liberal churches are shrinking. This is partly due to a loss of evangelistic zeal, partly due to drift of their membership to conservative denominations, and partly due to the failure of one generation to pass on Christianity to the next. Among the larger Protestant denominations in the USA, only the conservative [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] is growing. Evangelical para-church organizations have grown rapidly in the last half of the 20th century. The liberal [[Christian Century]] magazine has shrunk, while being replaced by its challenger, the rapidly growing evangelical [[Christianity Today]].
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#8a681e;">PERSECUTED CHURCH</div>
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'''388 million Christians face serious persecution.'''
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The 2026 World Watch List identifies Nigeria, Sudan and Mali as major centers of violence. [https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/persecution-trends/ Open Doors]
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#8a681e;">LEBANON AND SYRIA</div>
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'''Pastor Nihad Hassan returns to Lebanon.'''
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The Kurdish evangelical pastor was released following his arrest in Syria. [https://worldea.org/ World Evangelical Alliance]
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#8a681e;">BIBLE TRANSLATION</div>
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'''Translation becomes increasingly local.'''
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Church-led, culturally appropriate and multimedia approaches are expanding Scripture access. [https://wycliffe.net/2026/07/23/bible-translations-future-is-diverse-and-local/ Wycliffe]
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#8a681e;">ASIA</div>
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'''Church leaders prioritize discipleship.'''
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Evangelical leaders meeting in Manila called for disciple-making to remain central to mission. [https://worldea.org/weas-manila-conference-calls-on-asias-churches-for-prioritizing-discipleship/ WEA]
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The Enlightenment had much less impact on the Eastern Churches of Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy. Having to face a much more hostile secular society, especially during the rise of [[Communism]], the church clung to ancient beliefs, even as its membership eroded.
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<div style="background:#f7f4ea;border-radius:6px;padding:.7em .85em;margin-top:.9em;text-align:center;">[[Christian news#Christian missions|Missions]] · [[Christian news#Persecuted Church|Persecuted Church]] · [[Christian news#Bible translation|Bible translation]] · [[Christian news#Religious freedom|Religious freedom]]</div>
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<div style="text-align:center;margin-top:.8em;"><span style="display:inline-block;background:#8a681e;color:#fff;border-radius:5px;padding:.5em 1em;font-weight:bold;">[[Christian news|<span style="color:#fff;">Read more Christian news →</span>]]</span></div>
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<div style="font-size:79%;color:#6b7773;text-align:center;margin-top:.55em;">News preview updated 18 August 2026</div>
  
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Today in [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Russia]], a renewing trend is taking place. After decades of Communism and [[atheism]], there is widespread interest in Christianity, as well as religion in general. Many Orthodox churches and monasteries are being rebuilt and restored, filled beyond capacity; Protestants of many denominations are pouring in to evangelize and plant churches; and the Catholic church is revealing once secret dioceses and undertaking other steps to support Catholic churches more openly.
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In [[South America]] and [[Africa]], Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity form rapidly growing movements that are increasingly sending [[missionary|missionaries]] to Europe and North America. This is also true of [[Asia]] where many of the underground house churches intend to send hundreds of thousands of missionaries out over the next decade.
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<div style="font-size:145%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;">Did you know?</div>
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<div style="font-size:88%;color:#eaf4f9;">People, ideas and milestones from Protestant Christianity</div>
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<div style="background:#eef6fa;border-left:5px solid #4e7e99;border-radius:5px;padding:.65em .8em;margin-bottom:.85em;">Discover notable moments in the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] story and explore how the [[Bible]], the [[Gospel]] and Christian service have shaped communities around the world.</div>
  
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As Modernism developed into [[Consumerism]] during the second half of the [[20th century]] the [[Megachurch]] phenomenon developed &#8211; catering for skeptical non-Christians by providing "seeker sensitive" presentations of Christian belief. The [[Alpha Course]] can be viewed as an example one such presentation of Christianity.
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">Reformation</div>
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[[Martin Luther]]'s [[Ninety-five Theses]], traditionally dated to 31 October 1517, became an important catalyst of the [[Protestant Reformation]].
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">The Bible in everyday language</div>
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Protestant reformers strongly promoted translating and reading the [[Bible]] in the languages spoken by ordinary people; Luther's German New Testament appeared in 1522.
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">A royal priesthood</div>
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The Protestant teaching commonly called the [[priesthood of all believers]] emphasizes that every Christian has direct access to God through [[Jesus Christ]] and is called to serve him (1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 4:14–16).
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">Congregational song</div>
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The Reformation encouraged whole congregations—not only choirs or clergy—to sing. Luther wrote hymns, while [[Charles Wesley]] later composed thousands of hymn texts for the [[Methodism|Methodist]] movement.
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">Global mission</div>
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The 1792 publication of [[William Carey]]'s missionary appeal helped inspire the modern Protestant missionary movement; Carey later worked as a Bible translator and educator in India.
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<div style="font-size:78%;font-weight:bold;color:#315d78;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em;">Many traditions, one historic center</div>
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[[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed Christians]], [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], [[Baptists]], [[Methodism|Methodists]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] and many evangelical churches differ in practice, yet historically affirm the unique saving work of [[Jesus Christ]] and the authority of Scripture.
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Since the development of [[Postmodernism]] with its rejection of universally accepted belief structures in favour of more personalized and experiential truth, organized Christianity has increasingly found itself at odds with the desire many people have to express faith and spirituality in a way that is authentic to them. What has thus far been known as the [[Emerging Church]] is a by-product of this trend, as many people who broadly accept Christianity seek to practice that faith while avoiding established Church institutions.
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<div style="background:#f2f7fa;border-radius:6px;padding:.7em .85em;margin-top:.9em;text-align:center;">[[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] · [[Five solae|Five solae]] · [[History of Protestantism|Protestant history]] · [[Protestant denominations|Denominations]] · [[Evangelicalism]]</div>
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<div style="text-align:right;margin-top:.75em;">'''[[Protestantism|Explore Protestant Christianity →]]'''</div>
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Another reaction of some Christians to [[Postmodernism]] is the advent of what might be called [[Postmodern Christianity]].
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A large and growing movement within the Christian church, especially in the West and most visible in the United States, is the [[evangelical]] movement. Most mainstream [[protestant]] denominations have a significantly active [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] minority, and, in some cases, a dominant majority (see [[Confessing Movement]]). Evangelicals are "trans-denominational" and are more willing to have formal and informal relationships with evangelicals from outside their denomination than to have the same sort of relationship with non-evangelicals within their denomination.
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Some evangelicals have been [[schism|schismatic]] within various church organisations, leaving to form their own denominations. More often they are forced out. It was only by dint of sheer determination that [[John Wesley]], founder of [[Methodism]], was able to remain an Anglican priest against intense opposition. His followers separated in America, and in England after his death. Some Evangelicals claim that their beliefs are no less than true Christianity itself and that those within the church who differ from them may not be true believers. This attitude has led to much disunity amongst churches, especially those with a large modernist influence. Evangelicals cannot be easily categorised, but almost all will believe in the necessity of a personal conversion and acceptance of Jesus as saviour and Lord, the eventual literal [[Parousia|return of Christ]], a more conservative understanding of the Bible and a belief in the miraculous. There are many different types of Evangelicals including [[Dispensationalism|Dispensationists]], [[Reformed theology|Reformed Christians]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]], [[Charismatic|Charismatics]] and [[Fundamentalist Christians|Fundamentalists]].
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<div style="font-size:145%;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;">[[Featured article|<span style="color:#fff;">Featured article</span>]]</div>
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<div style="font-size:88%;color:#e5f1ed;">Explore an important subject from the Christian faith</div>
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<div style="background:#f2f8f5;border-left:5px solid #34705e;border-radius:5px;padding:.65em .8em;margin-bottom:.8em;color:#385149;">Selected articles highlight the [[Bible]], [[Jesus Christ]], theology, Church history, ministry and the worldwide Christian community.</div>
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<div style="border-top:1px solid #d7e1dd;margin-top:.8em;padding-top:.7em;text-align:right;">'''[[Featured article|More featured articles →]]'''</div>
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Latest revision as of 20:07, 18 August 2026


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Welcome to WikiChristian
A free Christian encyclopedia, Bible resource and community where Christians can share knowledge, explore the faith and help others learn about Jesus Christ.
350,015 pages · 4,162 articles · 1,100,737 edits
What is Christianity?
An introduction to the Christian faith
The love of God

Christianity is about God reaching out his hand in friendship to mankind. Christians believe that the whole world and everything in it was created by God. God is a personal being, a living God who is three, yet one: Father, Son and Spirit, just as we human beings have body, mind and soul! (see the Trinity).

The Bible says God created people in his image, to love him. Yet every person has rebelled against God and sinned. Yet instead of turning his back on us, God became a man, Jesus, who most scholars believe was born about the year 4 BC and lived among us. He taught a message of love throughout Palestine but public opinion turned against him and he was executed as a young man.

He died because of us - the death that we should have died. He was crucified on a cross, but he rose from the dead, and now calls us to trust him, to love him and to repent of our rebellion. If we do this, then we our relationship with God becomes restored and we will live forever with God.

Many non-Christians may think that being a Christian is about belonging to a particular church or following a certain set of rule. Most Christians however would agree that at its root, being a Christian means to be in a living relationship with Jesus.

Begin with Who is God?, discover the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, learn about the Gospel and explore what it means to live as a Christian.
Browse the Christian knowledge library
In the news
The Gospel · Global mission · The persecuted Church

The greatest good news is the Gospel: Jesus Christ came into the world, died on the cross and rose from the dead so that all who trust in him may receive forgiveness and new life. See Christianity and Salvation.

Featured mission story · Colombia
Evangelical churches mobilize after major earthquake

Churches and Christian ministries are coordinating relief, shelter and pastoral care for affected communities. World Evangelical Alliance

PERSECUTED CHURCH

388 million Christians face serious persecution. The 2026 World Watch List identifies Nigeria, Sudan and Mali as major centers of violence. Open Doors

LEBANON AND SYRIA

Pastor Nihad Hassan returns to Lebanon. The Kurdish evangelical pastor was released following his arrest in Syria. World Evangelical Alliance

BIBLE TRANSLATION

Translation becomes increasingly local. Church-led, culturally appropriate and multimedia approaches are expanding Scripture access. Wycliffe

ASIA

Church leaders prioritize discipleship. Evangelical leaders meeting in Manila called for disciple-making to remain central to mission. WEA

News preview updated 18 August 2026
Did you know?
People, ideas and milestones from Protestant Christianity
Discover notable moments in the Protestant story and explore how the Bible, the Gospel and Christian service have shaped communities around the world.
Reformation

Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses, traditionally dated to 31 October 1517, became an important catalyst of the Protestant Reformation.

The Bible in everyday language

Protestant reformers strongly promoted translating and reading the Bible in the languages spoken by ordinary people; Luther's German New Testament appeared in 1522.

A royal priesthood

The Protestant teaching commonly called the priesthood of all believers emphasizes that every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ and is called to serve him (1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 4:14–16).

Congregational song

The Reformation encouraged whole congregations—not only choirs or clergy—to sing. Luther wrote hymns, while Charles Wesley later composed thousands of hymn texts for the Methodist movement.

Global mission

The 1792 publication of William Carey's missionary appeal helped inspire the modern Protestant missionary movement; Carey later worked as a Bible translator and educator in India.

Many traditions, one historic center

Lutherans, Reformed Christians, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and many evangelical churches differ in practice, yet historically affirm the unique saving work of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture.

Explore an important subject from the Christian faith
Selected articles highlight the Bible, Jesus Christ, theology, Church history, ministry and the worldwide Christian community.

Featured Article

Church History (G.G.)... Have you ever wondered why people are so intent on knowing which particular "brand" of Christianity a person belongs to? Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian denominations? Although there is only one universal Christian Church, it is clear that there are hundreds of Christian denominations or churches. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of Christ, because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Today, they can be grouped into 6 main groups, with some amount of overlap

Recent featured articles: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (quotes); A Biography of Saint Peter; One solitary life; Becoming a Christian

Watch, listen, learn and be encouraged
Selected worship, sermons, testimonies, films and reports from the global Church.
Some of the songs include Let It Rise, Majesty, You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace), Trading My Sorrows, Awesome God, Above All, Worthy Is The Lamb, I Give You My Heart, and Better Is One Day to name just a few!
Nominate Video of The Week | Archives of Video of The Week
Featured videos express the views of their producers or speakers. Viewers should compare teaching carefully with the Bible.
Devotion of the day
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Hope, Good Things Are Going To Happen


September, 21 - Daily Devotions

September scripture portion: Ezekiel 12 - Malachi (including the Books of Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi)

Amos wrote his book about 25 years before the fall of Israel. In it we are visiting the city of Bethel, where King Jeroboam II has his private chapel, and Amaziah is his priest. The nation is enjoying peace and prosperity; in fact, they are living in luxury.

Amos was God's man for his time. He was a simple shepherd from Tekoa, a hill country town about 10 miles south of Jerusalem, and a dresser of sycamore fruit. He was called to be a prophet to the whole house of Jacob (chapter 3:1), but chiefly to the Northern Kingdom at the main sanctuary in Bethel. He met with the opposition of the high priest, and was reported to Jeroboam II by him. Amos reduced his prophecies to writing shortly after he returned to Tekoa. He began his message by looking around at the nations and announcing eight judgments.

Verse 2 of chapter 1 makes it clear that God is roaring in wrath, like a lion leaping on its prey. Amos begins with Syria and accuses her of cruelty in war. He then points to Philistia and condemns her for the sin of slavery. The Phoenicians are next, and they are judged for cruel slavery and the selling of slaves. Israel's old enemy Edom is accused of not showing pity, but maintaining a constant hatred. Ammon is judged for her violent crimes and selfish greed; Moab for her cruelty to Edom; and Judah for rejecting the Law of God.

Perhaps it pleased the people of Israel as they listened to Amos condemn their neighbors, but judgment number eight was reserved for Israel. In chapter 2:6-16 the prophet names the sins of the people of Israel; and, in verse 13, he says he is pressed by the burden of that sin.

Having announced judgment to the nations. Amos now explains why judgment is coming. We must remember that Israel was enjoying a time of peace, prosperity, and religious revival. People were attending religious services and bringing generous offerings. However, God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart. Amos knew the hearts of the people were far from God.

In chapters 3, 4, and 5 Amos brings three sermons to the people. He prefaces each sermon with, "Hear this word." The first message is one of explanation (chapter 3:1-15); the second message is one of accusation (chapter 4:1-13); and the third message is one of lamentation (chapters 5:1--6:14).

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