Introduction
What Do You Think?
How Can I Know Christianity Is True?
It's Your Choice
Defining Our Terms
Managing Editor: David Sper
Cover Illustration: Stan D. Myers
©1991RBC Ministries--Grand Rapids, MI 49555 Printed in USA
What if you don't come from a Christian culture? How could it make sense for you even to consider becoming a follower of Christ? On the other hand, what if the Christian influences in your life have given you reason to doubt Christian beliefs? Or what if you believe in Christ but don't think you could give good answers if challenged by a nonbeliever?
Does faith in Christ make sense only if you want it to? Or is the evidence so strong that it doesn't make sense only if you don't want it to?
RBC staff writer Kurt De Haan has spent many hours on college campuses listening to the questions of thoughtful skeptics. He has written the following pages to provide answers to those who are looking for evidence.
Martin R. De Haan II
The official-looking letter announced that I had been selected to serve
as a juror. Several weeks later, I dutifully walked into the courtroom and
listened as the accused and the accuser argued their cases. My job as a
member of the jury was to weigh the evidence. What were the facts? Whom
could I believe?
The lawyers used logic, presented physical evidence, offered eyewitnesses,
and even made emotional appeals. Then it was up to the jurors. We filed
out to a back room and discussed the case. Because the evidence was overwhelmingly
one-sided, we quickly reached a unanimous decision. We walked into the courtroom
and announced the final verdict. Case closed.
If Christianity were put on trial and you were appointed a juror, what would
it take to convince you of its truthfulness? Would you look for convincing
logic, thorough documentation, positive impact on society, stirring testimonials?
Could a verdict be given?
Before you examine the case, however, you would need to define clearly what's
on trial. Otherwise you might prejudge it as true or false based on personal
impressions instead of facts.
When you think of Christianity, do you think of:
A prominent spokesman for Christianity in the first century put it this
way: "I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, . . . .
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was
buried, and that He rose again the third day" (1 Cor. 15:1,3,4).
What about you? Do you consider yourself to be a Christian? Do you agree
with the above statements about the core ideas of Christianity? Or do you
have serious doubts about whether it is all true? Perhaps you belong to
another religious faith and you're curious about what Christians believe
and why. Or maybe you have had a lot of Christian influence in your life
but you now wonder if what you've been told is really true.
The following pages are for you, no matter how skeptical or how sure you
are. I hope you will read these pages thoughtfully, search the Bible firsthand
to see what it says, and examine your beliefs. You are the jury.
How do you know if anything is true? How do you know that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit? How do you know that woolly mammoths once trudged across our land? How do you know that cocaine is addictive? How do you know that Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin and died in a theater? How do you know that NASA astronauts walked on the moon and not on a back lot in Hollywood? How do you know that Japan's Emperor Hirohito died of cancer
in 1989? How do you know that Julius Caesar ruled the Roman Empire?
In the above examples, the proofs and the methods of confirmation vary greatly. A scientific experiment in a lab could confirm through repeatable experiments that water freezes at 32 degrees. Fossils and frozen remains are visible evidence that mammoths tramped around on earth. Physical and psychological testing confirms cocaine's addictive quality.
But when it comes to historical information such as Lincoln's birthplace and where he was shot, man walking on the moon, and Caesar's exploits, we cannot perform repeatable experiments. In those cases we have to rely on historical records, eyewitness accounts, and reputable historians who collected data.
Different types of situations require different types of proof. In some cases, scientific experiments are extremely valuable. In other cases, historical research must be used.
When it comes to testing the claims of competing religious views of life and God, several key areas need to be examined. The following pages take a close look at Christianity according to five criteria. We will see if it presents a reasonable explanation for life as we know it. We will examine the reliability of the key Christian book, the Bible. We will take a look at the leader, Jesus Christ. Then we will study the origin and influence of Christianity. Finally, we will look at the effect that faith in Christ has on individuals.
How did this booklet you are reading get in front of your eyes? Would you
believe me if I said that Colby, my pet guinea pig, wrote it? Would you
accept the explanation that the booklet simply appeared one day out of thin
air and you happened to pick it up? Would you believe that a creature from
Mars designed the cover, or that the book was printed by a tribe of aborigines
in a hut on the outback of Australia?
Excuse me for getting ridiculous, but I think you get the point. Just as
a simple 32-page booklet has a reasonable explanation for its existence,
so do our lives, our world, and human history.
Many religions offer explanations for our human existence, the complexity
and order of the universe, the problem of evil, our religious nature, the
purpose of life, our eternal destiny, and much more. It is Christianity's
contention, however, that it offers an explanation that fits life as we
know it, human nature as we know it, and God as He has revealed Himself.
Of course, it would take volumes to discuss these matters adequately. But
at the risk of sounding simplistic, here's a brief summary of Christianity's
answers to some of these issues.
Where Did We Come From?
The Bible tells us that an intelligent, powerful, personal Being was actively involved in creating the universe. Does that fit life as we know it? Does life show design and order? Does human personality reflect a higher Personality?
The naturalistic explanation declares that time plus chance produced the
complexity of the universe. But does that provide adequate answers? Even
generous estimates of the earth's age do not include enough time for life
to evolve. Too many things had to happen in too precise a manner. Although
many scientists propose naturalistic evolution, they do so because of their
assumption that no supernatural being was involved.
Eastern religions lump people, animals, and plants into the same category--created
by an impersonal god-force that pervades the universe-- and minimize the
great differences between them. Christianity, however, tells us that human
beings are similar yet very different from the animals. People possess personality,
self-consciousness, a spirit, and the ability to relate to God on a personal
level. Human beings are qualitatively different from animals, plants, and
rocks.
Where Did Evil Come From?
Some religious faiths describe a type of god who possesses both good and evil elements. Other explanations have good and evil gods pitted against each other--with the outcome in doubt. Still other religions deal with evil by denying its reality; they say that evil is only an illusion.
Christianity, however, sees evil as an intruder in a good God's good creation.
Evil came into the world through Adam and Eve's willing choice to rebel
against God. They had that option because God wanted them to freely love
Him--not because they were forced to love Him (Gen. 3).
According to Christianity, the choice for evil had a far-reaching and
devastating impact on our relationship with God, our relationship with each
other, and our relationship with the world. Instead of close fellowship
with God, there has been estrangement. Instead of harmony between people,
there has been self-centeredness, conflict, and heartache. Instead of humanity
working in harmony with nature, we have exploited our world. It's only by
returning to a right relationship with God that our lives can reverse the
effects of evil.
Christianity also offers an explanation for what God is doing about the
problem of evil. Jesus Christ is central to the solution. The Bible tells
us that Jesus came to bridge the gap between a perfect God and imperfect
people stained by evil (2 Cor. 5:19). God has not been sitting idly by while
humanity goes from bad to worse. Jesus came into a world of evil and suffering
to suffer and die for us. He came to free us from our personal bondage to
evil, and to ensure that one day all evil will face God's perfect justice.
Why Do People Seek Religious Answers?
Our heart has a void that cries to be filled. Christians believe that because mankind was created to know and relate to his Creator, people will never be complete without Him.
So why doesn't everyone turn to the God of the Bible? Why do people turn
to other gods instead? Part of the answer is that ever since Adam and Eve
chose to go their own way instead of obeying God, people have continued
to choose to run their own lives (Rom. 1). People have created their own
gods--deities that they can manipulate through magic or appease through
rituals or self-sacrifice.
And Christianity includes one other reason for so many religions--a spirit-being
named Satan who is more than happy to offer substitute religions. He is
called the father of lies (John 8:44), the one who has blinded the minds
of people to the truth (2 Cor. 4:4). He offers counterfeit spiritual experiences
to those who choose false gods.
What Is The Purpose Of Life?
Christians believe that because man has lost his anchor in God, he has lost his sense of purpose. The author of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes describes the different ways that people try to find happiness. He was an expert on the topic because he had tried them all. That person was King Solomon, a man known for his wisdom, but who had tried many dead-end pursuits in life. He sought fulfillment through education, but all his learning left him empty. He sought pleasure through food, wine, sex, music, and things of beauty, but again he never
got beyond superficial happiness. He tried finding the joy of life through hard work and materialism, but realized they could not fill the void in his heart. Solomon filled his palace with 700 wives and 300 concubines, but they could not replace the Lord. Solomon concluded that a life that does not center around a relationship with God is empty.
Does It Sound Logical To You?
Is Christianity a reasonable explanation for the realities of life? Faith in Christ offers relief from the universal problem of sin and guilt. 
Jesus Christ offers to fill the God-shaped void in our hearts with Himself. Christianity offers a basis for values and morality, and for knowing right from wrong. The biblical view of human history describes the moral deterioration of society (while allowing for much good), and the eventual return of Jesus to execute justice on the living and the dead.
But even the best-sounding and most reasonable human explanation is foolishness
if it lacks a basis in spiritual reality. Christianity stands or falls on
the credibility of its holy Book (the Bible), its leader (Jesus Christ),
its community (the church), and its practicality (as seen in the lives of
individual believers). The next several pages will explore these issues.
(For more information on the biblical description of life's origin and purpose,
ask for the RBC booklets: How Can I Know There's a God? and Why in the World Am I Here?
Supermarket tabloids do not have a glowing reputation for being reliable
sources of factual information. For example, I remember seeing the headline:
AMELIA EARHART FOUND ALIVE! The truth, of course, is that Amelia attempted
a solo plane crossing of the Pacific in 1937 but disappeared. She was lost
at sea and presumed dead. The tabloid's story was probably interesting to
read, but was it true? Highly unlikely.
What about the daily newspaper? Much more credible perhaps, but not infallible.
What is printed one day may be (and sometimes is) corrected or retracted
the next.
How Can We Test The Reliability Of The Bible?
What kinds of criteria can we use to evaluate whether it's true? After all, if the Bible is not reliable, then how do we know what to believe about what Christ said or did?
The science of archeology can give us a lot of valuable evidence, which
will either confirm or contradict the biblical record. One hundred years
ago, many Bible critics were trying to dismiss much of its history as the
work of creative storytellers. But in this century, archeological finds
have overwhelmingly supported the biblical data.
One case of archeological evidence is a recent study of ancient Jericho,
which concluded that the walls did tumble down as the Bible indicates. Archeologist
Bryant G. Wood of the University of Toronto said, "When we compare
the archeological evidence at Jericho with the biblical narrative describing
the Israelite destruction of Jericho, we find remarkable agreement"
(Biblical Archeological Review, March/April 1990).
Sir William Ramsay, a noted archeologist, was once skeptical of the New
Testament book of Acts. He set out to prove the inaccuracy of the book but
instead came away as an ardent believer in its great historical value. Ramsay
concluded, "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his
statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense
. . . . In short, this author should be placed along with the very greatest
of historians" (The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness
of the New Testament, p.222).
This perception matches what Luke himself said about his methods. In the
introduction to his record of the life of Jesus (Luke 1:1-4), the author
mentions his reliance on eyewitness testimony and his concern to present
"an orderly account."
When Were The Gospels Written?
It was once popular to assign the gospels to the second century and charge that they were later compilations of oral tradition. Thus they were considered historically unreliable. But careful scholarship has pointed to early dates for the writing of the entire New Testament.
Because of archeological evidence and manuscript discoveries, we now have
good reason to believe that most of the New Testament was completed between
AD 47 and AD 70, and that all of it was completed by AD 95.
An example of a manuscript find that has affected dating of the New Testament
is the Rylands Fragment. This portion of John 18 was found in Egypt and
has been dated about AD 125. This find supports the view that the last gospel
to be written had already been in circulation for many years.
Have Biblical Prophecies Come True?
Christians say yes! The RBC booklet Can I Really Trust the Bible? states, "Some of the most dramatic examples of fulfilled Bible prophecy are those concerning Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12 and Psalm 22, for instance, record specific details about death by crucifixion hundreds of years before this terrible form of execution was ever practiced. . . . Another example of fulfilled prophecy was the destruction of the city of Tyre. Hundreds of years before, Ezekiel had predicted that the city would be destroyed and the ruins scraped off and dumped into the sea, never to be rebuilt (Ezek. 26). It happened exactly as predicted. . . . The predictions of the judgment of God against Nineveh (Nah. 1-3), Ammon and Moab (Jer. 48,49), Babylon (Is. 13,14; Jer. 51), and Edom (Is. 34; Jer. 49; Ezek. 25,35) were all fulfilled" (pp.22-24).
Does The Bible Hold Together?
That is, does a collection of writings by 40 different authors from many different backgrounds and occupations, over about 1,600 years, in three different languages, and written on different continents, have a consistent message? Or is it a confusing jumble of ideas?
From start to finish, the Bible tells how God has been working out His plan
to rescue people from the penalty and power of sin. He revealed Himself
to the patriarchs, then to the nation of Israel. He worked out His plan
in Christ, in His disciples, and in the early church. And the last book
in the Bible, Revelation, tells how God will complete His plan. From the
symbolic sacrificial system of the Old Testament to the reality of Christ's
sacrifice of Himself on the cross, from the first chapters to the last,
God is consistently described. This incredible unity points to the Bible's
supernatural origin.
Why Is The Bible So Consistent And Reliable?
For the answer to that question, let's look at the Bible itself. Peter wrote, ". . . prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21). And to Timothy, Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16).
According to the Bible itself, therefore, it is not a compilation of men's
ideas but God's. Even though He used men and their individual personalities
to reveal His truth, the Bible professes to have but one author--God. That
is why the Bible is so consistent and reliable from start to finish.
How Do We Know We Have The Bible As It Was Originally Written?
Can we be sure that the book we read today has been passed along without tampering by special-interest groups, or without serious mistakes in copying? Textual scholars say that we can be sure we have a reliable copy.
The 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls (dating back to before the
time of Christ) gave dramatic evidence that the Old Testament has been meticulously
and accurately copied for centuries. And regarding the New Testament, Sir
Frederic Kenyon, an authority in the field of textual criticism, stated,
"The number of manuscripts of the New Testament, of early translations
from it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the church,
is so large that it is practically certain that the true reading of every
doubtful passage is preserved in some one or other of these ancient authorities.
This can be said of no other ancient book in the world" (Our Bible
and the Ancient Manuscripts, p.23).
How Have People And Society Been Affected By The Bible?
No other book has come close to making the impact that the Scriptures have. This number one bestseller for years has been looked to for guidance, comfort, challenge, judicial equity, and wisdom. Its principles are timeless. Even those who don't want to believe its supernatural elements recognize it as great literature. The Bible's power has been recognized by tyrannical rulers, who banned it and sought to destroy every copy. And the Bible continues to pervade our world, in hundreds of languages, in nearly every society.
(For more on the Bible's reliability, ask for the RBC booklet Can I Really Trust the Bible?)
In 1977, a self-proclaimed messiah and leader of the People's Temple in San Francisco, led his loyal followers from California to a jungle settlement in Guyana, South America. On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones ordered all the people who lived on his commune to drink cyanide-laced punch. That day 913 people died, including 276 children.
Why do people follow leaders like Jones? How could they have known that their personable leader was mentally unstable--a wolf in sheep's clothing? For that matter, of all the world's religious leaders, how do we know whom to follow? Do Christians have any legitimate basis for saying that Jesus Christ has more to offer than Muhammad, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, or Sun Myung Moon? How can we know that Jesus told us the truth about God?
What Do People Say About Jesus?
Most people, even if they are not willing to acknowledge Him as the Son of God, would say that Jesus was a great moral teacher. Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948), for example, a Hindu and the father of modern India, wrote, "I could accept Jesus as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept" (Gandhi: An Autobiography, p.113).
The heart of Jesus' message, however, was His claim to be the Son of God
who took on human flesh to be our Savior. John Warwick Montgomery writes,
"The earliest records we have of the life and ministry of Jesus give
the overwhelming impression that this man went around not so much 'doing
good' but making a decided nuisance of Himself. . . . Jesus alienated His
contemporaries by continually forcing them to think through their attitude
to Him personally. 'Who do men say that I the Son of man am? . . . Who do
you say that I am?'" (History & Christianity, p.12).
When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
they answered, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say
that one of the old prophets has risen again." When He then asked for
their opinion, Peter spoke up and said, "The Christ of God." (See
Luke 9:18-20.)
Peter's statement was remarkable in light of the Jews' prevailing hope for
a Messiah who would throw off Roman rule and reestablish the greatness of
Israel. The people were not expecting a meek and humble man who was more
concerned with rescuing sinners than restoring a state.
Jesus, however, drew followers with what He said and did. Matthew said that
"the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as
one having authority" (7:28,29). The Bible also tells us that Jesus
performed many miracles. These included healings, controlling nature, and
raising people from the dead. Christ's followers point to these remarkable
demonstrations of power as support of His claims to be the Son of God.
Why Did Jesus Die?
Was He simply a martyr? Was He misunderstood? Was it a case of mistaken identity? Was He suicidal? Did He orchestrate His own death? Could He have accomplished more if He had lived to a ripe old age and died naturally?
Jesus' biographers tell us the reasons behind His execution. Matthew
records that Jesus said, ". . . the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (20:28). His
life was given as a sacrifice for us. Such a sacrifice was needed because
all people have sinned, broken God's moral laws in action and in thought
(Rom. 3:23; 5:12). And because God is holy and just, He cannot ignore our
sin. But God stepped into history to rescue us from certain judgment. Jesus,
God's Son, became human so that He could, as the God-man, take the penalty
for our sin (Heb. 10:10). He did for us what we could not do for ourselves
(Rom. 5:6-11; Eph. 2:8,9). This may be hard to understand, but it's what
Jesus and His followers claimed He was doing.
Some people respond to all this by saying, "Interesting claims--but
how do you know it's true? How do you know that the death of Jesus on a
Roman cross really made our rescue from sin possible?" For the answer,
we must examine the resurrection of Christ.
Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?
The apostle Paul summed up the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. He said, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! . . . If in
this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (vv.17,19).
Obviously, however, Paul believed that Jesus did rise from the dead. In fact, he mentioned that hundreds of people saw the risen Christ. He wrote, "He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once . . . . After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
The gospel accounts tell us of the shocked response of Jesus' followers--even
though He had told them ahead of time that He would die and be resurrected.
The reaction of one disciple in particular is worth special mention. After
Jesus rose from the tomb and appeared to the other disciples, they told
Thomas, but he didn't believe it. He said to them, "Unless I see in
His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the
nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).
A week later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus came into the room.
He turned to Thomas and encouraged him to touch Him. He said, "Do not
be unbelieving, but believing." To that, Thomas replied, "My Lord
and my God!" (20:27,28).
One very important evidence for the resurrection is the empty tomb. The
enemies of Christ could not produce a body to silence the claims. And it
wouldn't have made any sense for Christ's followers to steal the body and
then devote their lives to proclaiming a risen Lord--even if they could
have gotten past the Roman guards!
The dramatic change in the disciples from hiding to boldly proclaiming Christ
as a risen Savior, even dying for their convictions, has no other reasonable
explanation than that they had seen the risen Christ.
What Are Our Choices?
Who was Jesus? If you don't accept Him as the truth, you must conclude that He was a phony, a madman, or that His disciples started the greatest hoax on earth.
Could He have been a deceitful phony? Could He have been merely trying to
gain a following for some unknown reason? Think about it. If He was, He
certainly wasn't very successful--if you gauge success by power or financial
gain. He turned many away by His high standards, and His unwillingness to
overlook hypocrisy and halfheartedness. He didn't preach a popular message
or promise instant fame and fortune. And He certainly wasn't tricking people
to get their money. The evidence does not support the possibility that He
was a charlatan.
Could He have been a madman? Self-deceived? Sincere but deluded about His
own identity? His words and actions do not reflect the behavior of a person
who is mentally unstable. Such a charge against Him does not explain the
miracles, the brilliance of His teaching, nor His resurrection.
Could the disciples have been guilty of painting a picture of Jesus that
was far bigger than life? It doesn't make sense that all the disciples would
conspire to create a monstrous lie that would contradict what they knew
to be true. Would you die for what you knew was a lie? The disciples wouldn't
have either, yet most of them died as martyrs.
We have good reason to believe that the Bible presents an accurate picture
of Jesus Christ. His fulfillment of prophecy, His impact on history, His
life and teachings, and the response of His disciples all point to a conclusion
that He was and is all that He claimed to be--the Son of God.
The Berlin Wall came down in 1989. Its demolition was hailed as being symbolic
of the failure of communism and the strength of a movement toward economic
and social reforms. The movement against the repressive political system
swept through Eastern Europe. In Romania, for example, the army joined the
people in overthrowing a cruel dictatorship. Citizens spoke and acted powerfully.
Christianity is not a political or economic system, yet it has profoundly
affected all segments of society. From its tiny beginnings in Jerusalem,
it has swept throughout the world. Christianity continues to be a major
movement today.
Why is that? Why did Christianity have such an explosive beginning and sweep
like a tidal wave across the earth? Why were the first disciples so bold?
Why were people willing to die for their beliefs? Why has this faith affected
present-day life so much? Let's examine these issues.
Where Did Christianity Come From?
It was not a totally new movement. It didn't just pop up out of a vast void. Its roots penetrate deep into Old Testament history.
Christians see their beliefs extending as far back as the first man and
woman, and continuing with the great men of faith in the early chapters
of Genesis and with the Old Testament people of Israel. Jesus came to solve
the problem created by Adam and Eve. He came to fulfill the prophetic symbolism
of Old Testament sacrifices. He came to offer forgiveness for our failure
to measure up to God's commandments. He came to fulfill the prophecies of
a coming Messiah who would take care of mankind's sin and usher in the kingdom
of God. Jesus Himself spoke of fulfilling the Old Testament law and prophets
(Matt. 5:17).
The apostle Paul spoke eloquently of this continuity between Old Testament
Israel and the New Testament church, as did the author of the letter to
the Hebrews. But they also saw that with Christ came a dramatic shift. Jesus
established the church, in which both Jew and non-Jew were united by their
faith in Jesus the Savior-Messiah.
What Does The Church's Existence Tell Us About The Truth Of Christianity?
The church would not have begun if Christ were not credible. So much hinged on the resurrection that if He had not really risen, the disciples would have walked away from it all. Their leader would have been a major disappointment. If He could not keep His word on the matter of His resurrection, then nothing He said about God could be trusted.
The church began only because the first followers of Christ believed
their Founder was all He claimed to be. His early disciples would not have
died for what they knew to be a lie. And they were too fearful and skeptical
before they saw the risen Christ to concoct some crazy story about a resurrection.
The church's continued existence down through the centuries serves to confirm
Jesus' promise that nothing could destroy it (Matt. 16:18). The church's
growth demonstrates reality, power, and believability. The church's indestructibility
demonstrates the deep convictions of its followers and the power of God
to preserve His church even when spiritual opposition attempts to overthrow
it.
How Has The Church Fulfilled Its Purpose For Existing?
Has the world benefited from it? Admittedly, individuals and segments within the church
have not always followed or sought to fulfill the ideals of Christ. Such phony and hypocritical Christians are an embarrassment to the cause of Christ. Yet even the existence of hypocrites and self-serving professing Christians stand in stark contrast to the real thing--believers with heartfelt devotion to Christ and His commands. Loyal followers of Christ have made a tremendous positive impact on our world.
Kenneth Scott Latourette, a historian at Yale University, wrote, ".
. . across the centuries Christianity has been the means of reducing more
languages to writing than have all other factors combined. It has created
more schools, more theories of education, and more systems than has any
other one force. More than any other power in history, it has impelled men
to fight suffering . . . . It has built thousands of hospitals, inspired
the emergence of nursing and medical professions, and furthered movements
for public health and the relief and prevention of famine. . . . Wars have
often been waged in the name of Christianity. . . . Yet from no other source
have there come as many and as strong movements to eliminate or regulate
war and to ease the suffering brought by war. . . . The list might go on
indefinitely. It includes many other humanitarian projects and movements,
ideals in government, the reform of prisons and the emergence of criminology,
great art and architecture, and outstanding literature" (A History
of Christianity, Vol. II, pp.1470,1471).
Another author adds, "The obvious contributions of Christianity are
only the tip of the iceberg. The real miracles are less visible but more
widespread: the work of forgiveness and renewal that God does in hearts,
families, and communities in countless unknown places and unremembered times.
Renewal is possible because Christians believe God has started something
in history that He will carry to conclusion, a mighty climax that will settle
all debts and right all injustices" (William Dyrness, Christian Apologetics
in a World Community, p.82).
The powerful movement that has been labeled Christianity has profoundly
changed human history. Such a movement points to the credibility of the
Christian message.
Experience, all by itself, doesn't prove anything. A warm feeling in your
heart, an ecstatic sensation, or a deep sense of peace and joy are not conclusive
evidence. That is one reason this section is last. People from various religious
groups claim to have significant experiences. Any experience, however, must
be confirmed by other supporting data. But that is not to say that experience
is unimportant. It's crucial when testing the truthfulness of the claims
of any religious faith. What you believe should have confirmation in what
you experience in life.
What good is a faith that doesn't make a difference in your life, a religion
that doesn't work in everyday situations? What good are beliefs that sound
right in theory but don't work in practice? What good are beliefs that leave
you feeling empty, joyless, anxious, unchanged in thinking and action?
What Is The Basis Of Christian Experience?
Jesus spoke of being "born again," but what does that mean? Does a person who chooses to put his trust in Christ feel and act like a new person? Are all his problems solved? Does he become perfect?
In John 3, Jesus talked about this issue with a religious leader by the
name of Nicodemus. This man knew his Old Testament, and he had heard a lot
about what Jesus was saying and doing. Out of curiosity, he visited Jesus
one night. Jesus told Nicodemus, ". . . unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God" (v.3).
Nicodemus was understandably puzzled by Christ's remark. He wondered aloud
if being born again meant another physical birth, a sort of reincarnation.
Jesus explained that He wasn't talking about a physical body but about being
spiritually renewed by the Spirit of God. Man's problem is that he is spiritually
dead, separated from God, because of sinful rebellion against God. A person
who does not accept Christ's claims is on "death row" awaiting
God's justice. (See John 3:4-21.)
What every person needs is the forgiveness and new spiritual life that Jesus
made possible through His life and His death on the cross. Spiritual rebirth
occurs when a person expresses heartfelt belief, trust, reliance on Christ
as Savior and Lord (John 3:16-18).
What Changes Occur When A Person Believes In Christ?
According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, ". . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." A believer in Christ experiences a radical transformation at the very core of his being. This transformation of spirit does not mean that a Christian suddenly becomes perfect in everyday life, or that he will never have any more problems. What it does mean is that when God looks at him, He sees a forgiven child
of God who will one day be like Christ.
The many books and letters of the New Testament contain challenges to
Christians to live out their faith. Christianity was never intended to be
merely a "fire escape" from hell. By reaching out to Christ, we
are rescued from the coming judgment. But being born again is only the beginning
of a whole new life. Children of God are to grow up into mature men and
women of faith. That process is often difficult, costly, and unrewarding
by this world's standards.
At the very least, then, Christian experience has at its foundation a life-changing,
personal encounter with God through Christ. It involves a recognition that
we need a Savior, acceptance of God's gift of forgiveness (Eph. 2:8,9),
and active trust in Christ alone as our only hope of being right with God
now and living with Him forever.
How Did The Early Believers Experience The Truth Of Christianity?
The New Testament tells about people whose lives were transformed by their relationship with Christ. Here are just a few of the more prominent examples:
Christians like Paul Little speak of the peace and fulfillment they
sense once they have put their trust in Christ. They talk of the inner witness
of the Holy Spirit of God, a subjective sense of the presence of the Spirit
within (Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 1:21; 5:5; 1 John 3:24; 5:10). The common testimony
of believer after believer points to the reality of what they are talking
about.
What Kind Of Christian Experience Speaks Most Powerfully To Nonbelievers?
In John 13:35, Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." And in John 17:21, He stated, "That they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." These verses point to the importance of Christians showing love and unity.
If Christians are unloving, uncompassionate, selfish, argumentative, and divided, they contradict the Lord they say they serve. Nonbelievers won't be convinced of Christianity's claim to truth.
Apologist Francis Schaeffer wrote, "In John 13, the point was that if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. [In John 17] Jesus is stating something else which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus' claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians" (The Church at the End of the Twentieth Century, pp.138,139).
Have you experienced what Christ can do for you? Read the next page for more on how you can know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
(For more information on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ask for the RBC booklets: What Is a Personal Relationship With God? and Do I Have the Right Kind of Faith?)
Belief in Jesus is more than just mentally acknowledging the truth that He is the Savior, the Son of God who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died as a sacrifice for our sins, and rose triumphantly from the grave. Belief involves entrusting our souls and lives to Jesus Christ. That happens when we accept God's free gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8,9). To receive it, we must tell Him we need and want His forgiveness and the new spiritual life He offers.
Take the step of faith--a step based on good reason--and tell God that you
believe in His Son. Tell Him that you want the salvation He offers, and
that you now acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord.
If you want to know more about the person named Jesus, find a Bible and read one of the New Testament gospel accounts of His life (such as the gospel of John). See for yourself what it says about Him--what people thought of Him, who He claimed to be, what He did on earth, and what He can do for you.
Bible: the collection of writings (from Genesis to Revelation) that is considered to be the words of God written down by men of His choosing.
Church: the sum of all believers in Christ, as well as a local group of believers.
Christians: people who recognize Jesus as the Son of God and Savior, who place their only hope of salvation on Christ's sacrificial death, and who trust Him to live His resurrected life through them.
Christianity: the system of beliefs based on the words and works of Jesus Christ.
Faith: an expression of trust in a person or object.
Gospel: the basic truths about Jesus and salvation.
Historical proof: testimonies and documents that give a basis for conclusion.
Israel: the descendants of Abraham; also, the nation which is made up of his descendants.
Jesus: the second person of the triune God who became human in order to reveal God to mankind and provide a basis for forgiveness of sin.
Resurrection: the act of returning to life after death; the rising of Jesus from the dead.
Salvation: rescue from God's judgment.
Scientific method: the process of studying the natural world and coming to conclusions based on repeatable experimentation.
Sin: disobedience, violation of God's moral laws.
Truth: that which corresponds to reality; facts.
