Simply Christian

1. Christianity is about God's rescue mission for the world

Christianity is about something that happened. Something that happened to Jesus of Nazareth. Something that happened through Jesus of Nazareth.

God's redemptive plan: Christianity centers on God's action to rescue and renew His creation through Jesus Christ. This rescue operation addresses the human longing for justice, spirituality, relationships, and beauty. It's not primarily about new moral teachings or providing a way to heaven after death, but about God's kingdom breaking into the present world.

Echoes of a voice: The human quest for justice, spirituality, relationships, and beauty are like echoes of God's voice, pointing to a deeper reality. These longings find their fulfillment in the story of Jesus, who embodied God's love and justice, bringing heaven and earth together in a new way.

• Justice: The desire for things to be put right
• Spirituality: The thirst for connection with the divine
• Relationships: The need for meaningful human connections
• Beauty: The appreciation for goodness and wonder in creation

2. Jesus embodied God's kingdom and fulfilled Israel's story

Jesus exploded into the life of ancient Israel—the life of the whole world, in fact—not as a teacher of timeless truths, nor as a great moral example, but as the one through whose life, death, and resurrection God's rescue operation was put into effect, and the cosmos turned its great corner at last.

Jesus as Israel's Messiah: Jesus saw himself as the fulfillment of Israel's story, bringing God's kingdom to earth. He reinterpreted familiar themes like exodus, exile, and restoration, centering them on his own mission. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection were the climax of God's plan to rescue the world.

Kingdom of God: Jesus announced and embodied the arrival of God's kingdom – not as a distant hope, but as a present reality. This kingdom challenges earthly powers and brings healing, forgiveness, and new life. Jesus' death and resurrection were the ultimate demonstration of God's love and power, defeating evil and opening the way for new creation.

• Jesus' teaching often used parables to explain the kingdom
• His miracles were signs of the kingdom breaking in
• The cross and resurrection were the decisive moments of God's victory

3. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to continue Jesus' work

The Spirit is given so that we ordinary mortals can become, in a measure, what Jesus himself was: part of God's future arriving in the present; a place where heaven and earth meet; the means of God's kingdom going ahead.

The Spirit's role: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to continue Jesus' mission, bringing God's future into the present. The Spirit transforms individuals and communities, enabling them to live as "temples" where heaven and earth intersect.

Fruits of the Spirit: The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in believers' lives. These qualities reflect God's character and contribute to the renewal of creation.

• The Spirit guides believers in understanding Scripture
• Empowers for witness and service
• Brings unity in diversity within the church
• Helps believers pray according to God's will

4. The Bible is God's inspired word, guiding His people

The Bible isn't there simply to be an accurate reference point for people who want to look things up and be sure they've got them right. It is there to equip God's people to carry forward his purposes of new covenant and new creation.

Scripture's purpose: The Bible is not merely a collection of religious texts, but God's inspired word designed to equip His people for their mission. It tells the grand story of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation, with Jesus at the center.

Interpretation challenges: Understanding the Bible requires careful study, considering historical context, literary genres, and the overall narrative arc. It's not about rigid literalism or pure metaphor, but discerning how each part fits into God's larger story and applies to our lives today.

• Old Testament: Tells Israel's story, pointing to Jesus
• New Testament: Shows how Jesus fulfills and extends that story
• Both testaments guide believers in living out God's purposes

5. Christian worship celebrates God's story of creation and redemption

Christian worship is praise of this God, the one who has done these things. And the place we find the God-given account of these events is of course scripture: the Bible.

Worship as celebration: Christian worship is not just about personal spiritual experiences, but about celebrating God's actions in history, particularly through Jesus Christ. It involves retelling and participating in the story of creation, redemption, and new creation.

Elements of worship: True worship involves several key components that help believers connect with God's story and presence:

• Scripture reading: Proclaiming God's word
• Prayer: Communing with God
• Singing: Expressing praise and thanksgiving
• Sacraments: Participating in symbolic actions (baptism, communion)
• Preaching: Explaining and applying God's word
• Fellowship: Encouraging one another in faith

6. Prayer connects believers to God's presence and purposes

Christian prayer is about standing at the fault line, being shaped by the Jesus who knelt in Gethsemane, groaning in travail, holding heaven and earth together like someone trying to tie two pieces of rope with people tugging at the other ends to pull them apart.

Nature of prayer: Christian prayer is not just about asking for things, but about aligning oneself with God's purposes and experiencing His presence. It's a way of participating in the overlap between heaven and earth, bringing God's future into the present.

Forms of prayer: There are many ways to pray, reflecting the richness of the Christian tradition:

• The Lord's Prayer: A model given by Jesus
• Contemplative prayer: Silent listening and meditation
• Intercessory prayer: Praying for others' needs
• Prayers of thanksgiving and praise
• Prayers of confession and repentance
• Using Scripture in prayer (e.g., praying the Psalms)

7. The church is God's family, called to reflect His kingdom

The church exists primarily for two closely correlated purposes: to worship God and to work for his kingdom in the world.

Church as community: The church is not primarily a building, but a community of believers united in Christ. It's described as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and God's household – all emphasizing relationships and shared purpose.

Mission of the church: The church exists to worship God and to be a sign and instrument of His kingdom in the world. This involves:

• Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Serving others in love and justice
• Nurturing believers in faith and discipleship
• Being a prophetic voice in society
• Caring for creation as God's stewards

8. Baptism symbolizes new life and belonging in God's story

Christian baptism is linked not just to Jesus's own baptism, not just to the exodus and the first creation, but to Jesus's death and resurrection.

Symbolic meaning: Baptism is a powerful symbol of new life in Christ, connecting believers to Jesus' death and resurrection. It represents cleansing from sin, incorporation into God's family, and participation in God's new creation.

Historical connections: Baptism draws on rich biblical imagery:

• Creation: God's Spirit hovering over the waters
• Exodus: Israel passing through the Red Sea
• Jesus' baptism: Identification with humanity and empowerment for ministry
• Jesus' death and resurrection: The ultimate "baptism" that brings new life

9. Faith, love, and obedience mark authentic Christian living

To believe, to love, to obey (and to repent of our failure to do those things): faith of this kind is the mark of the Christian, the one and only badge we wear.

Faith as trust: Christian faith is not merely intellectual assent to doctrines, but a loving trust in the God revealed in Jesus Christ. It involves believing that God has acted decisively in history through Jesus and trusting Him for salvation and life direction.

Love and obedience: Genuine faith naturally leads to love for God and others, as well as a desire to obey God's will. This is not about earning God's favor, but responding to His grace with gratitude and commitment.

• Faith: Trusting in God's love and promises
• Love: For God and neighbor, reflecting God's character
• Obedience: Living according to God's ways, guided by the Spirit
• Repentance: Turning from sin and toward God

10. Christians are called to be agents of God's new creation

We are called to be people who learn to hear God's voice speaking today within the ancient text, and who become vessels of that living word in the world around us.

Partnering with God: Christians are called to be active participants in God's work of renewal, not passive observers. This involves living out the reality of God's kingdom in all areas of life – personal, social, and cultural.

Areas of engagement: Believers are to be agents of new creation in various spheres:

• Justice: Working for fairness and equity in society
• Peacemaking: Promoting reconciliation and non-violence
• Creation care: Stewarding the environment responsibly
• Arts and culture: Creating beauty that reflects God's character
• Education: Fostering wisdom and understanding
• Business and economics: Promoting ethical practices and human flourishing
• Politics: Seeking the common good and human dignity

Last updated: September 12, 2024