In the nineteenth century, theologians and historians, busy with a comparative analysis of world religions, sought to distill the essence of religion itself and reduce Christianity to its least common denominator. The term Wesen (being or essence) appeared in a plethora of German theological studies including Adolph Harnack’s book What is Christianity? Harnack reduced Christianity [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’
Two Affirmations Not Espoused by the Bible
Posted in Sproul, R.C., tagged Adolph Harnack, Christianity, German Theological Studies, Wesen, World Religions on April 2, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
What Concerns the Gnostic?
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Gnosticism on June 30, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Gnosticism identified God with the inner self, but Christianity has focused all of its resources on God outside of us, who creates, rules, judges and saves us in our complete personal and corporate existence. It stands to reason that in the Gnostic scheme of the inner self could stand above (even over against) not only [...]
Together, They Have Created the Perfect Storm
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Creator, Enlightment, Gnosticism, Gospel, Incarnation, Pelagianism, Redemption, Salvation, Sin on June 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Pelagianism leads to Christless Christianity because we do not need a Savior but a good example. Gnosticism’s route to Christless Christianity is by turning the story of a good Creator, a fall into sin and redemption through incarnation, bloody death, and bodily resurrection of the Son into a myth of an evil creator, a fall into matter [...]
This Is No Longer Christianity
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Screwtape Letters on June 14, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
But with Lewis (C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters) I am concerned that when the church’s basic message is less about who Christ is and what he has accomplished once and for all for us and more about who we are and what we have to do in order to make his life (and ours) relevant to [...]
This is Always Surprising, Counterintuitive and Offensive
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Redemption, Religion, Romans 9, Salvation on May 24, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Every religion – including Christless Christianity, which is not Christianity at all – assumes some form of redemption by self-effort. It is always surprising, counterintuitive and even offensive for human beings to hear that salvation does not depend on human decision or effort but on God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16). – Horton, Michael; Christless [...]
The Most Fundamental Difference Between Christianity and Liberalism
Posted in Machen, J. Graham, tagged Christianity, Jesus, Liberalism on May 23, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Here is the most fundamental difference between liberalism and Christianity – liberalism is altogether in the imperative mood, while Chsitianity begins with a triumphant indicative. Libralism appeals to man’s will, while Chsitianity announces first, a gracious act of God….Liberalism regards Christ as an Example and Guide; Christianity, the object of faith. – J. Graham Machen [...]
Jesus is Clearly Not the Only Effective Way to a Better Life
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Gospel, Life Coach, Moralistic Therapy on May 11, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Reduce Christianity to good advice and it blends in perfectly with the culture of life coaching. It might seem relevant, but it is actually lost in the marketplace of moralistic therapies. When we pitch Christianity as the best method of personal improvement, complete with testimonies about how much better we are ever since we “surrendered [...]
Leadership says Much About Purpose
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Entrepreneur, Evangelism, Experience, Leaders, The Word on April 29, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
If Christianity is about public truth delivered through an external Word, then ministry and evangelism require educated leaders who can expound and apply that truth for the benefit of those under their care. By contrast, if Christianity is reduced to personal experience, then its leadership will consist of the most successful entrepreneurs and managers of [...]
“Christianity Lite” Is Like a Recreational Drug
Posted in Horton, Michael, tagged Christianity, Reconcile, Sinners on April 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Like any recreational drug, Christianity Lite, can make people feel better for the moment, but it does not reconcile sinners to God. – Horton, Michael; Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church; Baker Books; Grand Rapids, MI; copyright 2008; p. 36
Truth be Told, Ted Turner was Right
Posted in Tchividjian, Tullian, tagged Christianity, Ted Turner on January 31, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
People were offended back when media mogul Ted Turner called Christianity “a religion for losers” (he later expressed regret for that and similar remarks). But the fact is, in one sense Ted Turner was exactly right. Christianity is for losers. – Tchividjian, Tullian; Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels; Crossway Books; Wheaton, Il; [...]
