Class Notes on the distinctiveness of Christianity

(Originally Written May 8, 2007 in Book 15)

Jesus
- Healing
- Healing on the Sabbath
- Referring to God as His Father
Therefore, equal to God

The Authorities look at all of this and claim that it is a lead-pipe cinch case that he must be killed.

The Jews put Jesus to death as a sorcerer (Deuteronomy 13). The Jews accused him of preaching apostasy.

However, Jesus was not preaching apostasy, He was fulfilling the Old Testament.

The "Lunatic-Liar-Lord" scenarios offered by many modern Christians is inadequate because the Jews saw Christ as demonic, sent from and powered by Satan to turn men away from YHWH.

Does the Bible have an "original" audience?

If the Bible is co-authored by God and men then the man-author is addressing an original audience while God is addressing man himself.

If Jesus Christ and the Word of God are synonymous as Logos, then by identification it is both in time and out of time. Christ as man is in time with an "original" audience and yet, as God He is not bound by time.

What have we learned?
- John H. Hick was wrong (pluralism).
- Salvation is different in different in religions
- Scriptures in other religions cannot be viewed through the same lens as used to read the Holy Bible.
- Morality is inextricably connected with the religious elements

What does this mean?
1) MEIC PEARSE - "Countries cannot be Christian; only individuals can.

Christianity is not a set of rules. This is a major difference with Islam. Islam requires personal, individual community but it is not fully complete without the community.

Islam - Al-Umana
- community
- political entity

Christianity does not come with a political agenda. Christianity, at its heart and core is a correct relationship with the Living God.

Creating a Christian government is not a viable Biblical option for Christians living in a religious pluralistic world.

2) Give the Gospel the Highest Priority

Taking the gospel to the world should be the highest priority in a Christian's life.

The gospel is the redeeming power of Christianity, the outward actions of a Christian (feeding the poor, clothing the naked) are good but not on par with spreading the gospel.

3) Keep Christianity Christian!

There is no need for accommodation whatsoever. Non-believers will not find Christ if you package Him in a non-offensive, tentative way.

Christianity is distinctive because it is based on and rooted in historical events. If these historical events are ignored in worship then we are sacrificing our basis of religion.

That's it, that's all there is.

That's all folks.