The Importance of Imitation in the Christian Life

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The Imitato Christi, the imitation of Christ, is such an important concept for Maitian in his chapter. In it, he combats of liberal tendency to see Christ as a mere example - which is an old inclination. Medieval Roman Catholicism also looked to Christ as an example; Martin Luther confronted that idea. This is not outside of us as some external standard to reach, rather he's in us, conforming us to his likeness from the inside out.

What’s in a name?

In the past, when Christians talked about Jesus, it was safe to assume we were talking about the son of God become man who conquered death to save the lost. You know, the person the Bible’s about.

But with the rise of liberal theology in the 19th and 20th centuries, that meaning began to change. At least for some people. Christ, liberal theologians said, might be better understood as an idea, a metaphor, or a good example, rather than the sinless supernatural savior who accomplished our redemption in the first century.

This was J. Gresham Machen’s line in the sand in 1923. If we don’t worship the same Christ, Machen said, we don’t have the same religion.

Politics. Technology. Identity. Power. Science. Everything seems to be changing. So why not faith?

Visit christianityandliberalism.com for more on the book, audiobook, and show.

Music: “Line in the Sand (C&L)” by Timothy Brindle Produced by Nobody Special Wrath and Grace Records Music Licensing Codes: G80CW5LAONGBUAXB BYDTC3Y8K96ACYJ2