What Is Historic Christianity?

CHRISTIANITY is the spiritual practice of following Christ as the apex of Godly discipleship.

HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY is an approach to that same Christianity, intent on comprehending original teachings and practices, minus the corruptions of institutionalized religion, culture, and politics.

The historic Christian student is pursuant of sincere Godly life, with all the essential elements of divine relationship, humble service, spiritual knowledge, and inner and outer works.

During the sixteenth century European Reformation, new Christian groups arose in stark opposition to the millennium-long monopoly of Roman Catholicism, which was increasingly perceived as unbiblical and corrupt. Reformation groups began a return to an historic Christian focus that underscored the importance of the sola scriptura ethos (by scripture alone) – locating authority in the sacred texts themselves, rather than in the clergy or digressive human traditions. Increasing priority was given to understanding what the first Christians were actually thinking, saying, and doing in the early centuries AD. These are the roots and principles of historic Christianity.

Special emphasis is given to rigorous biblical exegesis, utilizing both classical textual interpretation and critical analysis of multi-layered symbolism; the latter method being espoused by early scholars such as Clement (c.150-215 AD) and Origen (c.184-253 AD). From studying the scriptures, the individual could form a sound picture of spiritual life and therein cultivate a closer relationship with God, without the need for unnecessary human intermediaries or legalistic observances. Consequently, within historic Christian thinking, there is no apostolic succession, no human-appointed prophets, no saints, no popes, no fathers, no transubstantiation, and little or no prominence given to most manmade rituals and liturgical rites.

There is much harmony with classical evangelical Christian doctrine, such as the threefold nature of God, the deity of Christ, the resurrection, creationism, angelic and demonic reality, physical miracles, human liability, eternal salvation, eternal damnation, the significance of faith and works, the second coming, the destruction of earth, the creation of a new heaven and earth. There are also some contrasting notions, such as a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of spiritual entities, the origins of fallenness and sin, a confluence of predestination and freewill models of salvation, more attention give to inner transformation, and greater value in quality extra-canonical materials (pseudepigraphal, intertestamental, and individual monastic and mystical writings).

Historic Christianity is not a new-age made-up version of Christianity that highlights one’s favorite spiritual bits and omits the disagreeable ones. Neither is it anything to do with theosophy, anthroposophy, hermetism, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Manicheism, Martinism, Rosicrucianism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, word of faith, or anything like that. Historic Christianity also distinguishes itself from liberal Christian, new-age, pagan, and Eastern spirituality by way of its clear absolutism, monotheism, accountability, and historicity. It is a hard path. An individual’s choice to respond to God’s call and heed the spiritual teachings embedded within creation itself determines their destiny. Not everyone makes it. We are not here for the purposes of personal happiness and fulfillment. We are here to demonstrate our integrity and trustworthiness before God, which is encompassed in our caring to know Him and caring to know one another. 

Essentially, historic Christianity IS Christianity, with the distortions of empire removed, original doctrines upheld, and genuine supernaturalism restored.

For my part at least, thirty years of investigation, study, contemplation, and personal practice have satisfied me of Christianity’s immutable wisdom and foundational reality.

Neil Kramer

Notes

Exegesis. An approach to interpreting scripture utilizing objective scholarly knowledge and critical analysis techniques. The word derives from the Greek word exēgeisthai, meaning “to read out of/to interpret”. Exegesis aims to ascertain the original meaning of Biblical texts – understanding the author’s singular intended communication – by way of understanding context logically, historically, and linguistically. It is the opposite of eisegesis, which means to “read into” a particular text.

Pseudepigrapha. A body of texts typically written between 500 BC and 100 AD ascribed to various prophets, historians, noblemen, etc. where the claimed author may not be the actual author, or is unknown. They often deal with substantial metaphysical matters concerning creation, origins, destiny, spirit beings, resolution of good and evil, and eschatology. Typical examples include 1 Enoch, Jubilees, Book of Giants, Apocalypse of Abraham, Ladder of Jacob.

Empire. The human administration of a negative supernatural force.