Minimum Belief to be Called Christian

Originally posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007

I must preface my thoughts by saying that logically, I have to believe in absolutes. There are either absolutes, or there are not. Believing that “There are no absolutes” is itself an absolute statement and humorously self-negating. Therefore, there must be this truth out there. Most intuitively perceive in the spiritual side of man (perhaps the use of the word paranormal fis more accurate for some) but can’t quite grasp it. We spend our lives getting glimpses of shadows cast by some ‘Light Source’. Most have a hunger and curiosity concerning the ‘Who’ that is creating this light. That is why we have many religions, faiths, and denominations. It is important that people understand that there are very earnest people seeking God.

In today’s postmodern world, it seems any and every belief is acceptable, except of course orthodoxy. There are many ways to salvation they say. Generally, if you live a good life and say your prayers, you go to Heaven no matter what you do or believe. What is strange is that it is today’s “Christian” who says these things. Some are seminarians, and I know many “Christian“ clergy as well that believe this to include the leader of my church, the Episcopal Church (TEC).

The uninitiated may not see this as a big issue. After all, if one believes that if you do “good” what’s the problem? The problem is what Christ himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” In fact, this is the crux of Christianity. Salvation is through Christ and Christ alone. Not that there is anything wrong with doing good, but Christ states He and more importantly He alone is the way to God. If one believes in other ways, that is fine, but it is not a Christian belief. Why then did Christ die and rise again? If there are other ways, why did he do so? Like my wife Naomi asked, What does that say about the Christian martyrs? Their faith was in Christ and Christ alone.

I am a Christian, Anglican, and Episcopalian. Our current Presiding Bishop does not seem to espouse Christianity. Rather her approach to religion is like choosing a line at a supermarket; any line will get you 'checked out' when in fact there should be convictions about the line she chose. Her beliefs, as I discern through her statements, concerning Christ are similar then to the Muslims, Jews, and other faiths that believe Christ was a good guy, prophet, teacher, Rabbi, but not the Messiah, THE Savior of the world.

For me, having her leading my denomination is like a Jew or Muslin receiving pork in their temple or mosque respectively.