The Transformation of Christendom in 18th Century and the Rise of Muhammadan Christianity

Introduction: Understanding the profound shift in religious and political thought from the 4th to the 18th century requires exploring the foundations of divine right monarchy, the Church’s theological history, and the impacts of external influences, notably from the Islamic world.

1. The Deep-rooted Absolutism: Between the 4th and 18th centuries, the divine right monarchy and Church held profound sway over Christendom. This overarching power structure was deeply embedded, with extensive influence that resisted internal intellectual dissent. It remained largely unchallenged until the Protestant Reformation began to create cracks in its formidable facade.

2. Protestant Reformation’s Disruption: The Protestant Reformation marked a significant turning point. The fundamental belief of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) posed serious challenges to longstanding Church traditions. As new national churches emerged, they lacked time to develop a comprehensive doctrinal system, primarily focusing on opposing Catholicism. This absence of a solid foundation led to a volatile environment of various interpretations, doctrines, and beliefs.

3. Doctrinal Instability: The early Protestant churches, in their haste to differentiate from Catholicism, unintentionally ushered in a period of doctrinal instability. This fluidity in religious understanding allowed room for radical and unorthodox interpretations. Furthermore, as individuals delved into scriptures without the overarching Church’s guidance, it led to a myriad of interpretations and understandings.

4. Socio-Political Turmoil: The lack of a powerful ecclesiastical structure combined with intra and inter-denominational wars, strained resources, and increased instability. This unrest created fertile ground for new ideas and reformations.

5. The Influence of Islamic Ideas: With the influx of ideas around religious tolerance, limited monarchy, rationalism, and pluralism from the Muslim world, particularly promoted by influential merchants of the Levant and East India Company, a new dimension was added to the religious dialogue in Europe. The political and religious environment of 17th-century Western Europe became more receptive to these external influences, further eroding the established absolutist ideologies.

6. Emergence of Muhammadan Christianity: As a result of these various influences, a distinct form of Christianity began to emerge. Figures like Henry Stubbe, John Toland, and John Locke were proponents of this ‘Muhammadan Christianity’. This belief system was characterized by its alignment with certain Islamic rational, natural, and republican tenets.

Understanding Roman Christianity: To fully appreciate the shift towards Muhammadan Christianity, we must first delve into the nature of traditional Roman Christianity.

7. The Uniqueness of Christian Faith: At its core, Christianity is centered around Jesus Christ, a figure perceived simultaneously as divine and human. This intricate belief system, with its Trinitarian metaphysics, is rooted in a complex combination of faith, salvation, and the divine nature of Christ.

8. Incarnational Theology: Christian theology is both supernatural and hierarchical. It emphasizes the paradoxical and mysterious aspects of faith, often sidelining the tangible, earthly realm. Such a belief system presents a worldview where humans play a relatively minor role in a vast cosmic scheme.

9. The Amalgamation of Traditions: Christianity is a fusion of Jewish and Roman traditions. It balances between the Semitic and Hellenistic worlds, resulting in a unique faith system that prioritizes the celestial and supernatural aspects over terrestrial and earthly concerns. This contrasts starkly with monotheistic Semitic beliefs, which are more grounded in terrestrial, ethical, and moral considerations.

Conclusion: The shift from traditional Roman Christianity to Muhammadan Christianity in the 17th and 18th centuries was a result of a myriad of factors. The foundational cracks created by the Protestant Reformation, combined with socio-political upheavals and the influence of Islamic ideas, cultivated a transformative era in religious and political thought in Christendom. Understanding this transformation requires recognizing the complexities of the Christian faith and the myriad influences that shaped its evolution.