What is Christianity?

Christianity is not a philosophy, a way of life, or a moral code.  Christianity is about a person: Jesus of Nazareth.  The message of Christianity is that Jesus is the Messiah promised throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.  Christianity is the message that Jesus is the Christ.

Why a Messiah or Christ? 

Running throughout the Jewish Scriptures, or Old Testament, is the belief that the only true God of the universe is a gracious but jealous Creator who desires to save the people of the world (his graciousness) from his anger at their continual rebellion against him (his jealousy).  In the beginning, so the earliest Scriptures record, humanity was created at peace with God, in loving submission to each other, and entrusted with the care of all creation.  Rather than accept that role, humanity chose to make itself God.  So here we are, thousands of years later, finding out that being God is a lot harder and less rewarding than we’d hoped.  Maybe it would have been better to serve in God’s Paradise than rule in our own created Hell of poverty, famine, drought, wars, and violence.

What was promised about the Christ?

The promised Christ or Messiah was going to change all that.  God would make humanity, and the universe humanity’s rebellion had twisted, into the perfect creation God had always intended it to be.  His Christ would rule the universe “with justice and with righteousness.” (Isaiah 9:7).  The nations would be his heritage, and the ends of the earth his possession (Psalm 2:8).  He would usher in a new heaven and a new earth that God would make for those who worship him.  The eyes of the blind would be opened, the lame would walk, and the deaf would hear (Isaiah 35:5-6).  This Christ would be intimately related to God, one who would stand in God’s presence “as a Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13).  Yet this Christ would be “crushed for our iniquities,” and by his wounds we would be healed (Isaiah 52:5). 

Was Jesus this Christ?

Jesus himself claimed to be the Christ.  When the majority (though not all) of the ruling Jewish authorities accused Jesus of claiming the title, he didn’t correct them.  If Jesus had, it’s unlikely he would have been crucified, a historic fact denied by none but the most hardened historical revisionists (See Josephus’ Antiquities, and also Sanhedrin 43A).  More than simply claiming to be the Christ, he did the works the Christ was supposed to show.  The lame did walk.  The blind did see.  The deaf did hear. The good news of reconciliation between humanity and God was preached. Even the dead returned to life!  More than that, Jesus claimed that God was his father – a Jewish phrase that would have meant claiming equality with God!  Jesus also claimed he had to die, for only by the death of God’s own Christ could God and humanity be reconciled, and the work of new creation begin. 

What did Jesus the Christ do for us?

And die he did, on a Roman executioner’s cross, in first century Palestine.  But his death was not the end – his disciples claimed that they saw him alive, resurrected, three days after his very dead body had been laid in the grave (See N.T. Wright’s The Resurrection of the Son of God).  They recorded encounters with their risen Lord and Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, who explained the meaning of his death from the writings of the Jewish Scriptures.  Now there was peace and reconciliation between God and man, in him.

What does He continue to do for us?

The risen Lord Jesus Christ continues to bring this reconciliation to us and work his new creation.  His death and resurrection were not mere historical events: the results of those acts are delivered to us in real, physical ways.  Through the washing of water done in accord with his promise, people are brought to faith in Jesus and made part of his Church, his newly created humanity.  Jesus feeds that new humanity with his own body and blood, given to us through the bread and wine of a Supper he instituted the night before his death.  His teachings are preached and cherished by his Church, which themselves form his people into the new creation he desires for all of humanity.

So what is Christianity now?

Christians await Christ’s return to complete his work of new creation.  In the meantime, they gather around those places where Jesus, the Son of God, is present and working the beginnings of God’s new creation, in his Church.  Christians gather regularly to hear his teachings and participate in the acts Christ promised to be physically and spiritually present – in the water used for baptism, and in the bread and wine of Christ’s Holy Supper.  In this way Christians keep the faith in Jesus’ last promise to his disciples: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).  Christ calls to you as well, to be part of his newly created people!

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”  The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”  And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Rev. 22:17-17)