A Short Introduction to the Christian Faith
Author’s note: The following paragraph is the hand out invitation for a class now essential in any church. The actual course content follows and is numbered 1-6. You are free to improve on it. I don’t want to own it. It is a framework for discussion and study. This type of opportunity is essential for any church committed to making disciples. You will note it starts not at John 3:16, the Four Spiritual Laws or even with belief in God. This is today’s world.
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If you know nothing, or maybe a little, or are full of questions about the Christian faith and are interested in safely finding out more, then this is for you! Or maybe you have a spouse or a friend who fits? There is no expectation for you to go to a church service unless you want to! Bring your questions for a time of discussion and learning. There are only six sessions: Is it possible to believe in God? What’s the Bible? Who was Jesus? What do Christians believe? Who am I and do I have a purpose? What about other beliefs and religions?
- What’s the Bible?
- How the Creator makes himself known
- The Bible: creation, word, reliability of
- The basic story of God’s people
- Geographical map
- Transmission of Bible/mss
- Greek/Hebrew
- Who is Jesus?
- Trinity, is God on earth/fully man: shows us what God is like
- Life story
- Prophecies of
- Purpose of his coming: salvation/Kingdom of God
- Who am I and do I have a purpose?
- Different from animals,
- Made in God’s image
- Living the Christian life: Eph 3:18-19, etc
- What Do Christians Believe?
- Apostle’s Creed
- Importance of finding truth today: living with the Internet
- What is the Church?
- The disciples,
- The early centuries, east west split
- The reformation
- The body of Christ:
- What’s happening to the church today?
- What about Other Beliefs and Religions?
- Free will’s purpose
- Observations from anthropology
- Did God reveal himself in Jesus and if so what do I do?
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Author’s note: My first session was a small group of young teens and conducted between services on six Sunday mornings. After the first class, a 13 year old who is very sincere in her faith asked me, “How do I know my religion is the right one?’ I said, “I’ll get back to you.” Three weeks later, I did and the following is the result. I had often thought about this question but never codified it. It is an essential question to deal with especially today with all the competing beliefs out there. All 12 points invite expansion.
HL: How Can I Know My Religion is the Right One?
Every person who tries to make sense out of life through adherence to a formal religion or some form of private conviction (“I have my own beliefs about God.”) must eventually wrestle with this question: “Am I believing correctly about this life and the possibility of a life to come?”
Beliefs on these matters are inescapable to humans. It is readily apparent that humans will literally place their hope of understanding this life and the next anywhere, even in nothingness. Belief in a god is existentially innate to humans and is verifiable through anthropology. But do one’s beliefs, regardless of their origin, reflect reality? This is the essential question.
Consider the Christian faith:
At its core, the Christian faith is more than a religion. Christianity, as reflected in the organised and visible church, is only the scaffolding around its core life-changing teachings. At times, the church has failed to reflect these teachings. But is it the one and only true way to believe about this life and the possibility of life beyond the grave?
The Christian faith separates itself from other beliefs and religions by the following objective facts which point, but cannot prove. But once these truths are understood, accepted and acted out in one’s life then subjective truths will also become a confirming strength and reality. Jesus said, “Happy are those who have no doubts about me” – Matthew 11:6. (Bible verses quoted are illustrative and not exhaustive.)
How can I know the Christian faith is the right one?
- Because of all the world’s religious leaders and founders, Jesus is the only one who claimed exclusivity as the only way to God: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6-7. The Christian faith is therefore, by this and other declarations of Jesus its founder, the only one and therefore must be the right one. In other religions, exclusivity may be implied by its adherents but is not affirmed with such irreconcilable clarity by any founder.
- Because Jesus is the only religious founder who publicly prophesied that he would die and further that he would also rise from death. (See Mark 8:31) Both events are well documented in the authentic historical records of eye witnesses.
- Because no other religious founder willingly sacrificed his life for all of humanity. Jesus is unique. (See John 3:16)
- Because the whole story of the Christian faith from beginning to end – Genesis to the Revelation of John – appears preposterous. Its events and message are beyond the realm of common human experience. The Bible presents a God who is initially not easily believable. The Biblical story has been authored by a God who, it would appear, deliberately made it unlikely so as to get our attention. This unique story of God revealing himself on Earth in Jesus of Nazareth clearly separates the God of the Bible from the clutter of common convictions.
- Because God’s continuing faithfulness to what He created is clearly illustrated to all of humanity. For example, the sun continues to rise and set every day like clockwork and new life occurs for plants, animals and humans. God is faithful to maintain what he created. (See Romans 11:36) In addition, God promised over 3,000 years ago (see Isaiah 65:8-9) to be faithful to preserve his chosen tribe of Judah. They were once small in number but are still here today and are now so numerous that worldwide Judaism is the world’s fifth largest religion. Their continued presence is an unavoidable testament to all of humanity that God is faithful to keep his word and will be true to his every promise and his every warning. (See 2 Timothy 2:13.)
- Because the Christian faith is the only religion that states that God loves us and for our own good seeks and requires a personal relationship with us through Jesus. (See Matthew 11:28-30.)
- Because it is the only religion to demonstrate it has the power through the Spirit of God to radically change lives for the better. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17.)
- Because, throughout the history of the world, Christianity has accomplished more for the good of all humankind than any other religion.
- Because the Christian faith has the capacity to satisfy at the deepest level our questions as to the meaning and purpose of human existence. (See Isaiah 43:6-7, Psalm 139:16, Ephesians 4:32.)
- Because Christianity alone affirms that human attributes such as love, justice, mercy, patience and truth, etc., reside in God our creator. (See Psalm 86:15, Romans 2:4, John 14:6.) It is clear that at creation God endowed humans with his likenesses. In God, however, all His attributes are perfect. (See Matthew 5:48) What other source could there be for the attributes we cherish and require so that human society can peacefully thrive? Matter cannot produce these qualities. Additionally, how is it that humans are able to be self aware so as to apprehend our existence? And what is the source of the mysterious energy that gives life in the womb and keeps hearts pumping? The God who has made His power and glory known to all humans in the creation of the world and cosmos and who then revealed His character and attributes in Jesus of Nazareth, answers the essential questions of life.
- Because much of the Biblical story is affirmed in the historical writings of other cultures and authors of the time. It is also confirmed archaeologically.
- Because of all the world’s religions and private belief systems, Christianity engages and effectively answers the perplexing question: Why is there evil in the world? It corrupts the goodness God created. (See Genesis 1:31)
Photo by Crystal Marie (Captured Moments)
