A Clarification

Essential Christianity is a definable concept. A thread of its demonstrable presence can be pinpointed in every generation from the time of Christ to the present. If not, then Jesus lied.

" teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." "  (Matthew 28:20)

This is the fundamental backdrop for church history. The rise of what is now known as the Roman Catholic Church was, at best, a hybrid, an ugly aberration. But at the same time, what we studied in school as the “Dark Ages”, was not quite as dark as we assumed. There was never a time when there was a shortage of people -heretics they were called- whose bodies needed burned at the stake along with their Bible translations and other writings… their families uprooted and divested of possessions and properties.

No, I do not mean for this to be a diatribe. It is breathtakingly marvelous to see how the Gospel has survived a centuries-long, full-on, frontal assault from every quarter.

This powerful testimony is also the basis of our joyous anticipation in the face of whatever lies ahead. The Gospel message can root and grow anywhere…anytime. It has never been on the endangered species list.

Which brings me back to my theme: what does –what should- essential Christianity look like? It should look pretty much the same, regardless of the nation, culture, or sociopolitical makeup of the when and where.

Our hope is not tied to the health of a nation. It is tied to an unchanging God who meets with mankind through an unchanging message. And we can count on that until He returns for us.

NEXT POST

---