Christ
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] rmalformed cite by [[Special:Contributions/Awr244|Awr244]] ([[User talk:Awr244|talk]]) - no indication what this reference is supposed to be for.
{{dablink|This page is about the title, office or what is known in Christian theology as the 'Divine Person.' For other uses, see [[Christ (disambiguation)]].}}
{{redirect|Christos}}
[[Image:IconChrist.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Icon of Christ in a Greek Orthodox church]]
'''Christ''' is the [[English language|English]] term for the [[Greek (language)|Greek]] {{Polytonic|Χριστός}} (''Khristós'') meaning "the [[anointing|anointed]]".<ref>Etymology Online [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Christ]</ref> In the ([[Ancient Greek|Greek]]) [[Septuagint]] version of the [[Old Testament]], ''Khristós'' was used to translate the [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]] מָשִׁיחַ (''{{unicode|Mašíaḥ}},'') ([[Messiah]]), meaning "[one who is] anointed." <ref name = "nfcnqq">Etymology Online [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=messiah]</ref> Christianity states that Christ was fully human as well as fully God, while the Jewish tradition understands ''[[Jewish messianism|the Messiah]]'' to be a human being – without any overtone of deity or divinity.<ref>[http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/web/faq/general-messiah-criteria.html] "The Jewish Messiah: The Criteria." Jews for Judaism.</ref>
Followers of Jesus became known as [[Christian]]s because they believed that [[Jesus]] is the [[Messiah]], or Christ. The majority of [[Jews]] reject this claim and are still waiting for the messiah to come (see [[Jewish messianism|Jewish Messiah]]).
The area of [[Christian theology]] focusing on the nature of [[Jesus]] as the Christ, particularly with how the divine and human are related in his person, is known as [[Christology]].
==Etymology==
{{see|Chrism}}
The spelling ''Christ'' in English was standardized in the 17th century, when, in the spirit of [[the Enlightenment]], spellings of certain words were changed to fit their [[Greek language|Greek]] or [[Latin]] origins. Prior to this, in [[Old English language|Old]] and [[Middle English]], the word was usually spelled ''Crist,'' the ''i'' being pronounced either as {{IPA|/iː/}} (see [[Help:pronunciation]]), preserved in the names of [[church]]es such as [[St Katherine Cree]], or as a short {{IPA|/ɪ/}}, preserved in the modern pronunciation of [[Christmas]]). The spelling "Christ" is attested from the 14th century.<ref>Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "Christ"</ref>
{{Jesus}}
The term ''Christ'' (or similar) appears in English and most European languages, owing to the Greek usage of ''Khristós'' (transcribed in Latin as ''Christus'') in the [[New Testament]] as a description for [[Jesus]].. <!-- Instead, probably via LATIN, as used by the Roman Empire and Catholic Church --> In the [[Septuagint]] version of the [[Hebrew Bible]], it was used to translate into Greek the [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]] ''mashiach'' (messiah), meaning "[one who is] anointed". <ref name = "nfcnqq"/>
Jesus Christ as believed by his followers is the living son of God and will return to judge mankind one day.
''Khristós'' in classical Greek usage could mean ''covered in oil,'' and is thus a literal translation of messiah. The Greek term is thought to derive from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] [[root word|root]] of ''*ghrei-'' ("to rub"), which in [[Germanic languages]], such as [[English language|English]], mutated into ''gris-'' and ''grim-.'' Hence the English words ''grisly, grim, grime, gizm'' and ''grease,'' are thought to be cognate with ''Christ,'' though these terms came to have a negative connotation, where the Greek word had a positive connotation. In [[French language|French]] the Greek term mutated first to ''creŝme'' and then to ''crème,'' due to [[Use of the circumflex in French|the loss of certain 's' usages in French]], which [[loan word|was loaned]] into English as ''[[cream]].''
Indian [[ghee]], from [[Sanskrit]] ''{{unicode|ghṛtə}}'' घृत ("sprinkled") is another obvious cognate, and indeed, has a sacred role in Vedic and modern Hindu [[libation]] and [[anointment]] rituals.
== Christian views ==
Some may refer to "Jesus" when emphasizing his human nature in an event in the [[New Testament]], and refer to "Christ" in discussing his [[Divinity|divine]] nature.{{who}}
===In the New Testament===
{{see also|Jesus|New Testament view on Jesus' life}}
In the [[New Testament]] it says that the Messiah, long awaited, had come and describes this savior as ''the Christ'' ([[Greek language|Greek]] [[Genitive]]: {{polytonic|τοῦ Χριστοῦ}}, ''toú Christoú,''; [[Nominative]]: {{polytonic|ὁ Χριστὸς}}, ''ho Christós''). The apostle Peter, in what has become a famous proclamation of faith among Christians since the first century, said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" ({{bibleref2|Matthew|16:16}}).
===Christian Science===
{{Christianity}}
In the theology of [[Christian Science]], [[Mary Baker Eddy]], the religion's founder, wrote in her book, [[Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures]], that:
<blockquote> "The invisible Christ was imperceptible to the so-called personal senses, whereas Jesus appeared as a bodily existence. This dual personality of the unseen and the seen, the spiritual and material, the eternal Christ and the corporeal Jesus manifest in flesh, continued until the Master's ascension, when the human, material concept, or Jesus, disappeared, while the spiritual self, or Christ, continues to exist in the eternal order of divine Science, taking away the sins of the world, as the Christ has always done, even before the human Jesus was incarnate to mortal eyes."<ref>''Science and Health'' 334</ref></blockquote> Eddy wrote that while Jesus, as a material man, was not the exact ontological or quantitative equivalent to God, he thoroughly embodied the spiritual sonship of God's nature. In Christian Science, the Christ, or divine manifestation of God, continues forever to enlighten humanity and to destroy sickness, sin, and death.
== Esoteric Christian views ==
''See also [[Second Coming#Non-Orthodox Esoteric or Gnostic tradition|Second Coming]] and [[Esoteric Christianity]]''
===Rosicrucian===
For the [[Rosicrucian]]s there is a distinction to be made between Jesus and the Christ.<ref> Max Heindel, ''[[The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception]]'' (Part III, Chapter XV: [http://www.rosicrucian.com/rcc/rcceng15.htm Christ and his Mission]), November 1909, ISBN 0–911274–34–0</ref> Jesus is considered a high Initiate of the human life wave (which evolves under the cycle of [[reincarnation|rebirth]]) and of a singularly pure type of mind, vastly superior to the great majority of the present humanity.
They believe he was educated during his youth among the [[Essenes]] and thus prepared himself for the greatest honor ever bestowed upon a human being: to deliver his pure, passionless, highly evolved physical body and [[etheric body|vital body]] (already attuned to the high vibrations of the '[[Rosicrucian Fellowship#The Seven Worlds .26 the Seven Cosmic Planes|Life Spirit]]'), in the moment of the [[Baptism of Jesus|Baptism]], to the christ being for his ministry in the physical world. Christ is described as the highest spiritual being of the life wave called [[Archangels]] and has completed his union ("the Son") with the [[The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception#The Rosicrucian conception of God and the scheme of evolution|second aspect of God]].
===Gnostic===
{{see also|Sophia (wisdom)|New Thought}}
The [[gnosticism|gnostics]] generally believed not in a Jesus who was a divine person with a human form, but in a spiritual christ who dwelt in Jesus. Through the spiritual path of gnosticism, followers of these schools believed that they could experience the same knowledge, or ''[[gnosis]].'' Gnosticism, a non-hierarchical interpretation of the Christian message, was declared [[heresy]] by the formal, hierarchical Christian church at the first [[Ecumenical Council]], which occurred at [[Nicaea]] in 325 A.D., although condemnation of such beliefs were held by orthodox church leaders for some time.
Gnostic texts with Jesus Christ include the [[Gospel of Thomas]], the [[Gospel of Mary]], and many more which have been discovered throughout the centuries.
===Creation Spirituality===
In his book ''The Coming of the Cosmic Christ'' [[Matthew Fox (priest)|Matthew Fox]] wrote of "the [[Cosmic]] Christ."
== Islamic view ==
{{main|Islamic view of Jesus}}
[[Muslims]] believe Jesus ([[Isa]] or عيسى) to be the Messiah (Massih) and a prophet. Although they believe in the [[Virgin Birth]], they do not consider Jesus to be "the son of God". Jesus was neither crucified nor dead, but was raised to Heaven by God while still living.
Islamic traditions narrate that he will return to earth near the [[day of judgement]] to restore justice and defeat ''[[Dajjal|al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl]]'' (''lit''. "the false messiah", also known as the [[Antichrist]]) and the enemies of Islam.<ref> Encyclopedia of Islam--"Isa",</ref>
==Rastafarian view==
The use of olive oil in the preparation of the anointing oil is defined in Exodus 30:22-29 [כי תשא]. Through the process of lipid-soluble herbal extraction prescribed by the ancient [[apothecary]] (Greek, ''pharmakós'', the ancient precursor of the word pharmacist) created an intoxicatingly fragrant ointment fit for kings and the High Priest. According to the [[Torah]] anything which comes into contact with the substance is made [[holy]].
Myrrh, cinnamon and a substance called "Kaneh Bos" are listed as the ingredients. The ambiguity of this final portent possibly arose in the mid 400ADs with the (mis)translation of the Torah into Greek. The Vulgate of Emperor Theodosius rendered the substance as "fragrant reed" and many interpreted it lexically of the genus Calamus. Upon further inspection however, "Kaneh" is uniformly and accurately translated to mean "Hemp" in most semitic languages including Hebrew. (The active constituent of the hemp plant is [[Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol]] and it is fat soluble, furthering the evidence of its implicit use in the secret anointing oil.) The second word "Bos" refers to the portion of the angiosperm producing fragrance (the unfertilized flower), hence the translation rendering "hemp buds".
The cannabis correlation was confirmed in 1985 in a letter from Hebrew University in Jerusalem upon inquiry from the Polish etymologist and anthropologist Sula Benet (also known as Sara Benetowa). Etymologically the cognate of this predecessor to the modern English word "cannabis" was formerly believed to derive from the Greek language. The Christ of the Ancient Torah of The Most High, is none other than the sacrament of [[Jah Rastafari]].
'''Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed,<br> on the surface of all the earth, <br>and every tree which has fruit yielding seed;'''
''-Genesis 1:29''
==Hindu View==
In [[Hinduism]], God is often described by both personifications ([[deities]]), which are manifestations of particular aspects of God's power, and incarnations ([[avatars]]) of God in mortal form, as in case of [[Shiva]] or [[Vishnu]]. In these religions "the christ" is akin to these personifications. [[A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]], who coined the phrase '[[Krsna]] Consciousness', held Jesus' teachings as non-different from the Hindu, [[Vedas|Vedic]] scriptures, and others such as [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] often wrote about a "Christ Consciousness" interchangeably with "[[Krsna]] Consciousness." {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
== Χ ==
The use of "Χ," derived from Chi, the [[Greek alphabet]] initial, as an abbreviation for Christ (most commonly in the abbreviation "[[Χmas]]") is often misinterpreted as a modern secularization of the term. Thus understood, the centuries-old [[English Language|English]] word Χmas, is actually a shortened form of CHmas, which is, itself, a shortened form for [[Christmas]]. In fact, the use of "Χ" to represent the full word goes back to the earliest days of Greek Christianity.
== Slang usage ==
The [[interjection]] "Christ!" is often used as a sign of surprise or anger, without a direct religious reference—that is, as an [[exclamation]]. Some Christians understand this usage to be in violation of the [[Ten Commandments|Commandment]] against taking the Lord's name in vain, although the severity of the transgression varies among different groups of believers.
The prohibition against using interjections was taken more seriously in the past, to the point where it was not only considered socially improper, but a sin against God. This led to the creation of many [[circumlocution]]s which allowed the speaker to express the emotion while avoiding the transgression. Common [[euphemism]]s that have arisen for this usage include "For crying out loud!" (US) and "Crikey" (UK, Aus.), used as an alternative by people reluctant to use "Christ". Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, the prohibition against using the name of the deity as an interjection has become much more relaxed.
== See also ==
* [[Anointing of Jesus]]
* [[Anointing]]
* [[Anti-Christ]]
* [[Chrism]]
* [[Christology]]
* [[Jewish Messiah]]
* [[Messiah]]
* [[Messianic prophecy]]
* [[Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* Harpur, Tom, ''The Pagan Christ: Recovering the Lost Light.'' Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers, 2004.
* McDowell, Joshua and Don Stewart, ''Handbook of Today's Religions,'' Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983.
* Ott, Ludwig, ''Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma,'' 1957.
== External links ==
* [http://www.hermes-press.com/Perennial_Tradition/esoteric_christianity.htm The Christ concept in Esoteric Christianity] Hermes-Press.com
* [http://www.feeljerusalem.com Jesus and Jerusalem] feeljerusalem.com
* [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/6111/pneumatikos/gnostic.htm The Gnostic Christ: Gnosticism vs. Christianity] Paul A. Hughes<!-- This link should be removed. It's a geocities site advertising a book -->
* [http://www.about-Jesus.org/messianic.htm Messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus] About-Jesus.org
* [http://www.islamic-invitation.com/book_show.php?bID=4 Christ in Islam] Islamic view of Messiah
*[http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/web/faq/general-messiah-criteria.html The Jewish Messiah: The Criteria.] Jews for Judaism
* [http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jckr.htm Linkages Between Two God-Men Saviors: Christ and Krishna] religioustolerance.org
* [http://www.oodegr.com/english/index.htm Orthodox Outlet for Dogmatic Enquiries] OODE
{{New Testament people}}
{{Christianityfooter}}
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