As a participant of the course “People and faiths on the move” at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey in July 2016, the author of this paper was inspired by the message of the course, which focused on migration, to write down this perspective on migration within Christianity with focus on the time of the New Testament and particularly just before and immediately after the life of Jesus Christ.
In looking at the issue of how people have moved from place to place over the years in search of either a means of survival or a god, this theme anchors strongly on how we can better view some religious experiences of today. It can be seen clearly that there is surely no one faith that does not have in its structure some issues regarding migration. It is either some members of the faith or some items that had been forced to leave or willingly left a certain place to another for some reasons.
It is worth noting that the way we will treat the issue of migration here may remain unsatisfactory to others since this paper will also dare into the spiritual dimension of migration. Migration therefore would be viewed here bearing in mind the three angles, being: internal, external and spiritual migrations. This paper does not desire to view Migration only as a movement from one country to the other but also as a movement within the same national territory and as involving both physical movement and spiritual journeys too. In this way, it would be clearer to see certain features of migration in the New Testament.
This paper also tries to highlight some aspects of migration in the remaining two Abrahamic faiths, Islam and Judaism, which means that the focus will be on Christianity and allusions will be made to Islam and Judaism. Judaism and Christianity have a lot common on the issue which will be discussed already at the beginning of this paper. Islam will be examined very briefly at the end. It must be emphasized here that the various topics chosen are open to critical discussion for the purpose of achieving a better result -- Take some time to read this work and make constructive criticism so that academic work can triumph.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- DEFINITION OF MIGRATION
- THE BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY (Glimpses)
- MIGRATION BEFORE CHRIST (A Glimpse)
- MIGRATION AT THE DAWN OF CHRIST
- MIGRATION IN THE TIME OF JESUS
- MIGRATION AFTER JESUS (limited glimpses to the Apostles' time)
- THE NOTION OF MIGRATION IN ISLAM (Brief summary)
- CONCLUSION
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the theme of migration within Christianity, focusing on the New Testament period and the era surrounding the life of Jesus Christ. It explores how migration shaped the early development and spread of Christianity, considering both forced and voluntary movements. The paper also briefly touches upon migration in Islam and Judaism for comparative purposes.
- Migration as a defining characteristic of early Christianity
- The interplay between religious faith and the impetus to migrate
- Different forms of migration (internal, external, spiritual)
- The role of migration in the spread of Christian beliefs
- A comparative analysis of migration within Abrahamic faiths
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by discussing the inspiration behind its creation – a course on interfaith studies focusing on migration. It establishes the paper's core objective: to analyze migration within Christianity, specifically during the New Testament era, viewing migration through internal, external, and spiritual lenses. The author clarifies the scope, including a brief comparative look at Islam and Judaism, emphasizing the open-ended nature of the topics discussed.
DEFINITION OF MIGRATION: This chapter provides a working definition of migration, drawing on various sources to encompass both internal and external movements, as well as permanent and semi-permanent relocation. It distinguishes between refugees and migrants, highlighting the diverse motivations for migration, including economic, social, political, and religious factors. The chapter emphasizes the concept of migration as a calling or mission, a theme that will be further explored in the context of biblical figures.
THE BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY (Glimpses): This chapter briefly traces the origins of Christianity, emphasizing its development from within Judaism and the consequent impact of the Jewish patriarchal nomadic lifestyle on the early Christian faith. It argues that Christianity, from its inception, inherently embraced migration, whether through missionary work or forced displacement due to persecution. The chapter suggests that the spread and strength of Christianity were significantly influenced by these migratory patterns.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Christianity, Migration, New Testament, Judaism, Islam, Religious Migration, Internal Migration, External Migration, Spiritual Migration, Missionary Activity, Persecution, Early Christianity, Abrahamic Faiths.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Migration in Early Christianity
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the theme of migration within Christianity, particularly during the New Testament period and the era surrounding the life of Jesus Christ. It explores how migration shaped the early development and spread of Christianity, considering both forced and voluntary movements. The study also includes a brief comparative analysis of migration within Islam and Judaism.
What are the key objectives and themes explored in the paper?
The paper aims to examine migration as a defining characteristic of early Christianity, the interplay between religious faith and the impetus to migrate, different forms of migration (internal, external, spiritual), the role of migration in spreading Christian beliefs, and a comparative analysis of migration within Abrahamic faiths.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
The paper includes an introduction establishing the context and objectives; a chapter defining migration encompassing various types and motivations; a chapter examining the origins of Christianity and its connection to migration; chapters exploring migration before, during, and after the time of Jesus; a brief summary of migration in Islam; and a concluding chapter. Each chapter offers a concise summary within the document itself.
What is the scope of the comparative analysis?
The comparative analysis briefly touches upon migration in Islam and Judaism to provide context and contrast with the primary focus on migration within Christianity.
What is the definition of migration used in this paper?
The paper utilizes a broad definition of migration encompassing both internal and external movements, as well as permanent and semi-permanent relocation. It differentiates between refugees and migrants, acknowledging diverse motivations including economic, social, political, and religious factors. The concept of migration as a calling or mission is also highlighted.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Christianity, Migration, New Testament, Judaism, Islam, Religious Migration, Internal Migration, External Migration, Spiritual Migration, Missionary Activity, Persecution, Early Christianity, Abrahamic Faiths.
What is the intended audience for this document?
This document is a language preview intended for academic use, facilitating analysis of themes within the full paper in a structured and professional manner.
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- Quote paper
- Rev Emmanuel Wayi (Author), 2016, Migration in Christianity. Events of Migration in the New Testament, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/341655
