We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Catholicism

Save
May 1, 2024 5 minute read

Catholicism is a major branch of Christianity that has played a significant role in Western culture and global history. It is the largest Christian denomination, with over 1.3 billion members worldwide. Catholicism is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles, as interpreted by the Catholic Church. The Church teaches that it is the one true church founded by Christ and that it has the authority to interpret Scripture and tradition.

History of Catholicism

The roots of Catholicism lie in the early Christian Church, which was founded by Jesus Christ in the 1st century AD. After the death of Christ, his followers spread his message throughout the Roman Empire. By the 4th century, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church gradually developed over the centuries, with the papacy emerging as the central authority in the Church. The Great Schism of 1054 led to the separation of the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Catholic Church.

Beliefs and Practices of Catholicism

Share

Help others find this page about Catholicism: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Catholicism.
The Liturgical Year major work of liturgical scholarship. It guide to the seasons and ceremonies of the Catholic Church. It is an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand the meaning and significance of the liturgical year.
The Catholic Church and the Holocaust major work of historical scholarship. It study of the role of the Catholic Church during the Holocaust. It challenging read, but it is essential for anyone who wants to understand the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nazi regime.
The Cross in the Closet major work of sociological scholarship. It study of the lives of gay Catholic priests in America. It challenging read, but it is essential for anyone who wants to understand the challenges and opportunities facing gay Catholics in the Church today.
Theology for the Twenty-First Century major work of theological scholarship. It is an attempt to develop a new theological framework for the twenty-first century. It challenging read, but it is essential for anyone who wants to understand the future of theology.
Catholicism and the Culture of Modernity major work of historical and sociological scholarship. It is an attempt to understand the relationship between Catholicism and the culture of modernity. It challenging read, but it is essential for anyone who wants to understand the place of Catholicism in the world today.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser