Christianity: Grounded in a Person and an Event

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The critical distinction in Christianity lies in seeing Jesus not just as an example for faith, but as the object of faith, a gift to be received. It highlights the unique belief that God intervened in history by sending his son for a redemptive act, emphasizing that Christianity is not merely an idea or pursuit but centrally about an event. Without this historical event, there is no redemption or enlightenment. Christianity stands apart from other religions by being founded on a person and an event, making it a bold and potentially falsifiable claim.

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