Explain Christianity in just two words . . . could you do it?
Theologians are often accused of making knowledge about God unnecessarily complicated. Scholars of the Bible are known for giving long, verbose answers to short questions. (In all fairness, however, the more complicated a subject the less likely a brief answer is to be adequate. And certainly, the Lord–and our knowledge of His revelation–are subjects with so many layers of content that the odds for wordy answers and discourse are great).
Regarding apologetics (the discipline of defending the Christian faith), getting tangled up in the depth of content is just an occupational hazard. I once heard a TV preacher (clearly, no fan of apologetics) say, “Apologists could make falling off a stool complicated!” Perhaps so.
If one sincerely wants to find out the truth, then having to sift through some content to get there should not be viewed as completely burdensome. It is usually beneficial. Because on the way to solving one specific question the diligent seeker will likely come across other truths. This is certainly so regarding the message of Jesus.
The Gospel of salvation through Christ is endlessly fascinating, I believe, because it is profound and simple. The brightest scholars exhaust their stock of adjectives in attempting to depict it, yet a child may understand the love of Jesus, too. And reality’s two most indelible precepts—that God exists and that He loves me—stir our hearts to countless other topics of discussion as well.
The quests: Make it simple, make it vivid
While fielding questions in an open-forum college class, a student gave me a request that mandated simplicity: Describe Christianity in just two words. Could you do it? Only two words, in which to explain the message of history. How would you respond?
I thought for a moment, and replied, “Loving substitution.” Fortunately, the class gave me a few moments longer in which to explain. But one with even a basic knowledge of the Bible knows that God, in love, sent His Son to die on the cross in our place. I believe this “loving substitution” is what Isaiah 53:5 means when it says, “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.” One modern translation renders this, “Everything we’ve done wrong was piled on Him (Jesus).” That is God’s “loving substitution.”
The life of Anthony Perez was a poignant picture of “loving substitution.” In a New York park nearly 20 years ago, the 11-year-old gave his life to save a drowning pal. The friend had fallen through the ice of a small pond in the park, and Anthony entered the water to save him. The friend was pushed to shore and lived. Young Anthony didn’t make it. Emergency responders got hypothermia trying to save him, but to no avail. Hailed as a hero, Anthony did for a friend what Jesus did for the world: He laid down his own life.
Painful as it would be, Jesus jumped into the icy water for us. Think about His “loving substitution” when you need to be reminded how much God loves you. Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to share this precious truth with others today who are longing to hear it. Through words or in real-life actions, what a privilege we have to convey simple, though life-changing truth.
Reality is all around us, and that’s the truth
G. K. Chesterton compared truth (that is, God’s revealed truth, the Christian worldview) to a white stallion that has run throughout history. Some people have welcomed this white horse of truth while others have fired arrows at it, tried to drive it away, or even tried to kill it.
Philosophers have long affirmed that “truth” is, “that which corresponds to reality.” In other words, truth is what’s really real. Christ’s life, His teachings and physical resurrection — these things are the realities the church is to proclaim.
Chesterton explains that at the end of time, after Satan and all of the opponents of God have been defeated, the “white horse of truth” will remain. When the smoke of Armageddon clears, as enemies of God lie scattered around, out from the mist emerges the “white horse of truth, wounded, scarred, perhaps bloody. But standing tall, nonetheless.”
Messengers on a journey
God calls us to stand. We are to lovingly, consistently, and patiently, stand tall each day as representatives of our Lord. Will this always be easy or convenient? No. Will standing up for God always make us popular? Not really.
God calls us to articulate the message of the Gospel. We are to explain it, model it (I Peter 2:15), and defend it (I Peter 3:15). But the Lord doesn’t expect us to live the Christian life in our own strength. God doesn’t send us to touch the world via our own abilities. Often, the people whom God uses the most often endure very rough times and periods of great struggle.
Many Scripture passages (such as Ephesians 6:10-17) speak of being prepared for the spiritual battle. The people of God can stand, because the truths of God stand. Individually and collectively, today, tomorrow and always — God’s message and His messengers stand.
