Christianity: not a four-letter word
Christian Comment by Doug Gander
There are many philosophies and religious systems in the world. Some would say they are all paths on the same journey, to the same destination. One doesn't have to hear much of what Jesus had to say, however, to realize His message is substantially different. His miraculous works, and those done by the apostles in His name, also bear witness to Him as not just a prophet but the Son of God.
Jesus was rejected in His time by religious authorities who could not understand or accept who He was, and the news He brought. He predicted that His followers would also face persecution from a world that hated the truth. Starting with those first century disciples, history is stained by the blood of Christians whose only "crime" was bearing witness to Jesus, the only Son of God, the Way, Truth, and Life of mankind.
Critics will quickly point out that wars like the crusades of old and the European conquests of North and South America, and the violence in modern Ireland for example, have also caused innocent people to suffer and die at the hands of "Christians". Yet it seems obvious that actions like these merely demonstrate political convenience, wrapping less-than-Christian intentions in a respectable name. Christianity (or a particular brand of it) is at times no more than a rallying cry, a clan code of honour.
But among the tens of thousands of men and women honoured by the Church after their death as exceptional "saints", there are very few who are remembered for their skill in battle. Rather, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been spread most effectively by the many brave souls willing not to kill but to die for the faith.
As one minister said in recent times, we cannot judge Christianity by those who do not follow its teachings.
The example of Jesus in teaching, healing, and personally suffering and dying, is hardly a model for violent conquest. And yet it is not a life and message empty of persuasive change, either. His teaching is gentle, but powerful and compelling when heard without the noise of political convenience (and without "political correctness"). It's a message about repentance and forgiveness from our sin, sin in its many forms, sin that enslaves us all without Him and leads to death (and a deadness of soul before physical death).
His message speaks of our need for rebirth, a renewal "from above" so that our natural selves are redirected and enlivened by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. He offers a narrow path to salvation, such that believing in Jesus we become one with Him as He also is one with God the Father.
Contrary to the impression given by most secular media, Christianity is not a four-letter word. But we have Jesus' warning that there may be some, who call themselves by His name, about whom He will have to say, "I never knew you". It is up to Christians, by the grace of God, to shine our light so that God is glorified. Jesus is absolutely unique among the world's philosophers, teachers, "saviours", etc. If we can say with St.Paul that "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me", then we might also be worthily unique, in a positive way, among the families of the earth.
There are many philosophies and religious systems in the world. Some would say they are all paths on the same journey, to the same destination. One doesn't have to hear much of what Jesus had to say, however, to realize His message is substantially different. His miraculous works, and those done by the apostles in His name, also bear witness to Him as not just a prophet but the Son of God.
Jesus was rejected in His time by religious authorities who could not understand or accept who He was, and the news He brought. He predicted that His followers would also face persecution from a world that hated the truth. Starting with those first century disciples, history is stained by the blood of Christians whose only "crime" was bearing witness to Jesus, the only Son of God, the Way, Truth, and Life of mankind.
Critics will quickly point out that wars like the crusades of old and the European conquests of North and South America, and the violence in modern Ireland for example, have also caused innocent people to suffer and die at the hands of "Christians". Yet it seems obvious that actions like these merely demonstrate political convenience, wrapping less-than-Christian intentions in a respectable name. Christianity (or a particular brand of it) is at times no more than a rallying cry, a clan code of honour.
But among the tens of thousands of men and women honoured by the Church after their death as exceptional "saints", there are very few who are remembered for their skill in battle. Rather, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been spread most effectively by the many brave souls willing not to kill but to die for the faith.
As one minister said in recent times, we cannot judge Christianity by those who do not follow its teachings.
The example of Jesus in teaching, healing, and personally suffering and dying, is hardly a model for violent conquest. And yet it is not a life and message empty of persuasive change, either. His teaching is gentle, but powerful and compelling when heard without the noise of political convenience (and without "political correctness"). It's a message about repentance and forgiveness from our sin, sin in its many forms, sin that enslaves us all without Him and leads to death (and a deadness of soul before physical death).
His message speaks of our need for rebirth, a renewal "from above" so that our natural selves are redirected and enlivened by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. He offers a narrow path to salvation, such that believing in Jesus we become one with Him as He also is one with God the Father.
Contrary to the impression given by most secular media, Christianity is not a four-letter word. But we have Jesus' warning that there may be some, who call themselves by His name, about whom He will have to say, "I never knew you". It is up to Christians, by the grace of God, to shine our light so that God is glorified. Jesus is absolutely unique among the world's philosophers, teachers, "saviours", etc. If we can say with St.Paul that "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me", then we might also be worthily unique, in a positive way, among the families of the earth.