What’s the point of Christianity? It’s a question seemingly as eternal as God himself. It’s been asked by people of every gender, age, color, worldview, and religion (or lack thereof) since the carpenter from Nazareth left this world some 2000 years ago. And many answers have risen from this question, some intelligent and thoughtful and some not so. In my own meager way, I will share my own initial thoughts (rough though they may be; I hope to expound on these thoughts later).
Sadly, when I look deep within myself and closely at my walk with Jesus whom I call Christ, the point of Christianity seems pretty weak. I am, by most appearances, a good man. I am kind, honest, and hardworking. I love my wife and son. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. I have my vices, sure, but nothing that would cause any red-blooded American to look down on me. I’m just your average good guy. And I think that’s the problem.
What is the point of a faith whose adherents are just like everyone else? What is the draw to be part of a community of faith that acts, in many ways, like non-believers but forbids any temporary carnal pleasures? Shouldn’t there be more? Where is the good news in this “gospel”? Is this to what God is really calling me?
When I read the Christian scriptures, I don’t see a God of mediocrity. I see a God, all-powerful, who did not consider such power a thing to be grasped, but made himself to be a servant. I see a God whose simple life, as Jesus, brought good news to the poor, whose touch brought healing and peace, whose actions set the captives free. But not only that, I also see a God who invites me to follow him, to continues his mission of bringing good news, healing, and freedom to the world.
That is the point of Christianity to me, now. If I take five minutes to look outside of my comfortable Seattle condo then I see that the world is a very messy place. I see that young men are being consumed by addiction. I see that women are being abused. I see that violence and crime are eroding my city. I see couples whose relationships are whithering. I see that insatiable appetites are destroying our planet and leaving my peers in bottomless debt. And God, just as he did 2000 years ago, aches to bring good news, healing, and freedom to the world - and we’re all invited to join him.
What is first with us ? My daughter went to a camp one time that had the teaching :1.God, 2.others ,3.self. Golden rule. Teach these to children. Begin the day with God. Keep His teachigs and His Son’s character well in mind when making choices.
Easiest to address are material issues and someTHING we can understand and “wrap” our minds around, and hands.
I want to use this part of life to help me find and keep a deep river of the invisible eternal , the source of being alive, directed by God and not myself. Use the abundances I see and have to grasp for His purposes, His way of doing things..first with “things”…objects, resources…to help direct the soul…the part that matters the most.
Accountability I certainly have to get to the business of living that way…being ready to die at any moment and not be wanting more tmie to do that…getting ready. I don’t know if I will get there but I want to.
God gave the riches. We have them to honor Him in the way we take care of them and use them…respectfully , creatively, doing good, and glorifying Him who made it all for us to enjoy as well with joyful graditude. Each piece of bread.
Nice thoughts, Aaron.
I think if I were to add something, it would be that we are creatures created for relationship. Relationship first with God and then with one another, and through that relationship with God, we learn to feel the need of Him. Needing God brings us to a place where self become less important and relationship becomes more important.
Well…then there is that whole sin thing and Jesus dieing on the cross to save souls.
Lets avoid making THE GOSPEL a social gospel only in the radical church, or else we fall prey to same imbalance that plagues much of evangelicalism when they ignore the social apsects of the gospel.
The point of Christianity is redemption. Relationship with God is the result of being restored to God through Jesus Christ, and this relationship is a rich blessing. It inform us of our smallness and His magnitude, and it fosters a devoted life to God whereby we praise him and conform our lives in this world to his will. That relationship is the fruit of being redeemed. Redemption is the primary point of christianity, to point people to Jesus Christ. Let’s not mistake the fruit for the tree.
Colt-
I think you could also say that redemption was the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which were a means of giving us new life in Christ. If we get stuck in that and never move past it, it’s a bit like saying the purpose of healthcare is to pull bullets out of people.
My relationship with God includes redemption. It also includes Grace and many other aspects of traditional faith. All of those things came through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For me, relationship is what made redemption possible and for me, relationship with others is what helps me make a difference. Colt’s words illustrate the difference in the way that each of us use language to illustrate our beliefs.
Colt, you’re right, the social gospel is not enough.
Yet you miss the point, I think. It’s not that the “social gospel” is the gospel, it’s that the church must live the life of Christ and do what he said in order to truly bring the gospel to those who desparately need it.
Anyone who preaches love of God and then turns around and refuses to help the widow and the orphan and the poor is a hypocrite and a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Real faith results in real works. Dead faith results in no works. And we’re not talking about works like “I heard from God today”; we’re talking about works like “did you see that pastor? He’s taken a homeless family into his house and is helping them get on their feet! For once we see a pastor who practices what he preaches! Let’s go to his church!”
Excellent posts. I will read some of these in my Sunday School Class today. I have just taken over a class of 11th and 12th graders. Last week I gave them a survey and they were very honest. Several of them asked “what’s the poin?” and even though I consider myself a dedicated christian, I am finding it hard to answer that question in one sitting.
I know all of the miracles god has performed in my own life and he has radically turned my life around for the better but these kids have heard my testimony several times when they were younger and everything that they have heard seems old and outdated to them.
I like Aarons response and I think that what these kids are seeing is a whole church that is accepting the status quo and this provides no draw for them.
I am taking them to a graveyard this morning to ask them one simple question. How many of these people came basck to life? My savior did.