I believe that Christianity is unique among the religions of the world, not because the claims about the divinity of Christ but because of the message that Christ preached and practiced. Basically every religion preaches a message of love and peace, the golden rule and so on, and they all make claims about both humans and the gods. In this sense Christianity isn’t a unique religion, however, what makes Christianity different is that the gospel is a piercing critique against the overarching system that seems to govern how we live. The cross is not just a symbol for the love of God and the forgiveness of sins; it is also, and foremost, a symbol of how Christ defeated the powers of this world. This victory of Christ is unique for the Christian faith because all other religions make their claims with the power systems of the world still intact. So the tour de force of the Christian message is not solely that it offers forgiveness to human sinners but that it includes a critique of the way this world is governed – that is the foundation all other claims are made from. What follows from this is that Christianity does not only offer us a way of living in this world, it also offers us a way of imagine a new world and it challenges us to live as if that world was already fully present.
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Freestyle Christianity 
Good Post. I will have to watch these. We are not so different, you and I. Some difference, but both follow God.
Namaste,
Scott
Ooo, that is a really good point!
I’ve always maintained Jesus was a rebel.
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Your post makes me think of the sign that hung on the cross. ‘Jesus Christ: King of the Jews’ – Talk about a critique to the Powers That Be! — From the original and ultimate Priest, Prophet and King. I am blown away by your observations that Christianity, unlike other religions, uses the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ as both the condemnation and salvation of the entire world, simultaneously. The ‘condemnation’ part doesn’t get enough airtime…Thanks for dragging it into the light.
I like the point of the cross representing condemnation of the world powers. I think of Christ telling his followers that he saw Satan falling like a star out of the sky after their missionary journey. The power of Satan is the power of the world. Therefore Christ was giving his followers power to deal with the world.
First, thanks for following my blog. Second, and I guess you know this if you read my latest post, I’m an atheist. But I am open to all perspectives and so I look forward to reading your posts.
My question is, isn’t it entirely possible, that the cross, and Jesus being born to a virgin, dying and being ressurected, etc. are all just metaphors for striving to live a pure and honest life? Isn’t it possible that the “ressurection” was not meant as a literal, physical act, but was symbolic for the enlightenment Jesus attained at that point in his life- like he had reached a “second coming” of consciousness?
After all, Jesus wasn’t the first incarnation of a diety that was born of a virgin, performed miracles, and was killed and consequently reborn. This world myth pervades many cultures that predate Jesus. So why him? Why this myth? Why this God? Why is this religion, and this God, and this story, the truth?
Many questions. In the post I give a reason for why Christianity is unique. It’s obviously a short, introductory comment but if you continue to read my blog I’ll expand this thought.
What’s up Chuck? I believe there will be many surprises in the afterlife, like salvation for Atheists who follow the Lord’s teaching through his story, believing it to be a metaphor. There will be many believers who take every word literally, yet learn and apply nothing of it to their lives. They will be surprised to hear the Lord say ‘get away from me, I never knew you!’ The beauty of the Bible (stories) are that they have literal, historical, symbolic and metaphorical truth, all at once. The best example, I think, is in John 14, when Jesus says ‘I go to prepare a place for you…’ Did you know that what he was saying were the exact words a man of that time and place used to propose marriage? But I believe he did create a place for all the resurrected to dwell, and will literally be coming back for us, those who accepted his proposal, to live eternally, happily ever after…like all good stories end, yet go on in ‘real life.’
Kevin,
Interesting perspective. I have many questions. First- why would God tell anyone to “Get away from me”?
Second, I disagree that there are literal and historical truths in scripture. It’s my opinion, that much has been misinterpreted. For instance, virgin births, resurrections, varying degrees of miracles…that’s hard for me to buy literally. Particularly when history provides us with countless cultures that predate Jesus that give us a world savior with the same resume.
But I agree with you that metaphors and symbolism abound in the Bible and it’s my opinion, that understanding the stories as metaphors, is probably a bit closer to what was intended. After all, the scriptures, historically, are thought to have been written many years (in some cases centuries) after the events described took place. And so it’s tough to not be skeptical about the authenticity of the messenger, let alone the message.
I appreciate the insight. It’s always good to get a different perspective.
A question for you: Do you at least take the crucifixion of Jesus, under Pontus Pilot, under pressure from the Jewish High Priests as historical fact?
‘Why would God tell anyone to get away for Him?’
Because Chuck, sometimes, some people, just really piss Him off…
Especially those who claim salvation by His name, then turn around and murder in His name, like some Christian Nazis from the last century, and like this century’s Islamic suicide bombers.
Suicide Bomber: Where are my 72 virgins?
Jesus: (While pointing toward Hell, and a gang of 72 demons with ….. the size of my arm, including my hand, holding an apple) Get away from me! And by the time the first one is done with you, you’ll wish you forked over $50 for a pro…
So I think Atheists, who live good lives by the words of God, as a ‘metaphor,’ make out better before the Judgement seat of Christ than Christians that believe the Gospel to be the literal words of God…and miss His point entirely, then turn around and murder in His name.
Did you know that Muslims also believe in the literal virgin birth of Jesus? Also, they believe in the perpetual Virginity of Mary. Many Protestant Christians do not.
Thanks Chuck! I’m enjoying the discussion. Hope my humor entertained, and does not offend you or others!
Here’s what I think Kevin. Jesus’ existence has never been proven as historical fact. That’s an important thing to note. There is absolutely zero evidence that Jesus lived. The Bible, does not count as factual evidence.
But, I do think that such a man did exist. I think he was a progressive thinker/philosopher/dissident for his day, who came along with new ideas that influenced a great many people, many of whom had been marginalized because of their social status. Eventually, his influence became powerful enough that he threatened the power of the religious and political leaders that up to that point, had retained the monopoly of power and influence over the people. Not to mention, it was a precarious time to be Jewish, as the Roman leash was only so lenient. Ultimately, his ideas and his dissonant dialogue resulted in his murder.
In time, after his disciples spread his message and story, the inevitable human interpretation embellished and tweaked the life of Jesus to a point, that led to him taking on something of a metaphysical nature. One cannot underestimate the politics at play. And what is historical fact, is that in 325AD, at the Council of Nicea, after the emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, he put together an ecumenical gathering where Jesus’ divinity was voted on. And consequently, any text that helped back this claim became officially included in the scripture that would permeate the world, and any text that didn’t fit this agenda, was discarded. That is, until some of these texts were discovered many centuries later.
So to answer your question, I can buy the idea that Jesus existed and was probably killed for political reasons. But there is no history that explicitly proves it. Conversely, there is much history that makes me skeptical about religion’s role in his divinity. If he existed, in my opinion, he was only a man.
Kevin,
I like that thought about atheists who live good lives get into Heaven. What is the source or inspiration for that belief?
Matthew 7:21-23 ““Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.
If one does the will of God, even if they don’t say ‘Lord, Lord’ (until the theophany -then they will say it!) they go to the Father. Don’t you think?
Way to use the internet to help people solve prebmols!
Brett,
I should first point out that this matter of good atheists going to heaven is trick, at best, in any form of Christianity. That being said, many sects do believe something similar.
The key factor in most of these ideas is that good people who die without accepting the Gospel, but who would have accepted it if they’d been given proper reason to (i.e. received the right kind of instruction, had parents/friends who can demonstrate how it works in a way that makes sense to this person, etc.) will have every chance to get to the “good place,” and God won’t toss them down to Hell because of ignorance or life experiences beyond a person’s control.
I realize that this will sound condescending to some, and I also realize that not all Christian faiths accept this. My own faith is LDS (lds.org), and some Christians don’t even consider this to be a Christian faith, at all. (I dispute this, obviously–but that’s a topic for another time.)
In any case, there are versions of Christianity that allow for people who don’t find good reason to convert in this life to get a new perspective and convert in the next. For many, just experiencing an “afterlife” at all will put a very different twist on existence, and will give good cause to make such a change.
The bottom line, though, as I see it, is that not everyone should be expected to find merit to religious belief in this life; but if they’re good people, according to the best ethics/morals they know and believe, they’ll have just as good a time in the afterlife as a “born again” of any variety.
I hope you find this at least a little inspirational.
–Dane
Paul said it best. I paraphrase, If Christ didn’t rise from the dead then the hope of believers is foolish. Probably the hope of atheists is also foolish.
I have no hope. I seek only truth. My quarrel isn’t with God. His/her/its existence can neither be proved nor disproved, thus the argument is circular. My issue is with what man tries to say about God. Because quite frankly, we don’t know. And to act as if we do, is careless and irresponsible, in my opinion. Believing is one thing, but saying that you know, is to intimate that you possess metaphysical powers that other people do not, and I just don’t buy it. I’ve never seen anyone rise from the dead, nor have I ever heard of a virgin birth. Until I do, it’s tough for me to believe the hype.
Surely you have ‘heard’ of a virgin birth =)
I think you make som good points Chuck, although you are a bit misinformed regarding the historical facts, so was Dan Brown by the way. Anyhow, I think this Homebrewed Christianity podcast with Bart Ehrman might interest you: http://homebrewedchristianity.com/2012/04/03/bart-ehrman-on-jesus-existence-apocalypticism-holy-week/
Please don’t think I’m getting my “facts” from Dan Brown and his incredibly slanted interpretations for the sake of making a buck. Trust me, everything I stated came from credible authors and historians. I highly recommend Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” for a detailed explanation concerning the Council of Nicea. But regardless, and this is where I find this debate to be interesting, it’s fine for you to hold fast to your information, as I’ll hold fast to mine, but if I’m misinformed, tell me where I can go to gain the proper information. I’ve named one source already. Name one of your own, outside of the Bible, and I’ll gladly research it.
I think that the guy I refereed you to, Bart Ehrman, is a good source on these matters since he is himself an agnostic and more neutral than many others.
And I would never point simply to the Bible, just to clear that out.
Oh, I very much like Dale B. Martin as well.
Excellent, thanks for the recommendations. I’ll gladly check out the podcast you sent, and I’ll look into Martin as well. Once I’ve had an opportunity to dig in, I’ll get back to you.
Chuck,
From the looks of it, I would guess we have pretty similar views about God and why we don’t believe. I am starting to see that historical evidence is the biggest reason to not believe the God of any major religion today exists
I am curious however as to your views on the social relationship between atheists/ agnostics and other religious people? Many do not realize the diversity in opinion of non-religious folk. Some think we should wipe out religion while others think there should be co-operation. What do you think?
Brett,
Thanks for reaching out. It’s always good to get different perspectives. It’s an interesting question you’ve posed- and I’m an advocate of inclusion. I think there are a lot of things that are misleading and careless and ultimately outdated about religion, and I think it needs to evolve and adapt to the modern world, but if people choose to believe and religion provides them with guidelines that help them live a life that makes them happy, then I am in no position to judge. I can inquire and pose questions, but that’s different than judging.
My issues are never with the common, everyday believer. Most people tend to worship privately and they go about their business peacefully. I tend to look at the religious leaders of today, and yesterday, and really pose the question, where is the moral high ground that they’ve claimed for themselves? Religion has such a nasty history and there is much that I think should be reconciled by the modern believer. I find that many believers don’t know their own history very well. And I think to myself, “if you knew your history, would you still believe?” Or perhaps the better question is, “if you knew the history, would you still participate in religion?”
A lot of people get caught up in the mysticism, and overlook the real world, historical evidence of what religion has meant and done, and I think that’s interesting.
But in regard to a social relationship, I feel like atheists, agnostics, etc. should interact, communicate, accept, respect, and learn from believers, and vice versa. Human beings, after all, are human beings. I think the more dynamic question is, why don’t believers of differing faiths, respect and accept one another? There seems to be a lot of discrimination between people of different faiths, particularly after 9/11, which creates a lot of questions. I find it interesting that the subjects we actually know the least about, and are completely unable to prove, such as the existence of God, we defend to the death, instead of accepting that one idea is as good as the next, and possibly learning from alternative perspectives, peacefully.
Chuck,
Wow, I don’t think I could have said it better my self.
“If you knew your history, would you still believe?” Or perhaps the better question is, “if you knew the history, would you still participate in religion?”
This is exactly what I have been feeling the last few years. I started to not believe as a kid when I realized there were more religions then just Christianity. But as I learn more about history it seems clear to me even more.
But that is just one of the things I focus on. My biggest interest is finding was to reconcile people of faith and non faith. If you haven’t already, I would appreciate if you checked out my blog.
Thanks Brett. I look forward to checkin gout your blog. I’ll start following you now.
Chuck. I answered your last comment to me at the bottom. The nested comments become so thin after a while.
I saw it. Thanks. I hope to dive into some of your recs this weekend.
I love your post, J.P. This is much of what got me into Christianity, in the first place. The message Jesus so sublimely lays out in the Gospels is so profoundly different from what I expected–and in a very good way–that I was impelled to consider that he was right.
Thanks. And I’m glad to hear that this was the message got across to you.
Indeed. (You’re welcome.)
What little of your blog I’ve read so far is refreshingly lucid. Most Christian blogs seem to be largely comprised of (angry,) empty rhetoric. It’s good to read one that deals with the more inspirational aspects of the religion (in whatever flavor), and doesn’t try to put other religions down. I enjoy being reminded of the peaceful, hopeful parts of Christianity, in ways that transcend the usual dogmas. Keep it up!
Chuck Wentworth. Perfect! The guys doing the podcast have done many of them so it there’s anything else you’re interesting I would recommend you to look around on their website. I know that they have made an interview with N.T. Wright, he’s also a man you can check out. He is more of a ‘historical critical’ scholar than Martin and he has written loads of books, both academic and popular ones.
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