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| taken by the author, 2008, in Liechtenstein |
I am a Christian. I believe God is good and man is not- and that explains everything we see and experience in this world. God revealed Himself to many over the generations, some of whom produced writings which would eventually be collected and become the Bible, which we trust as God's word.
The message of Christianity can be summarized as the four-chapter gospel: creation, fall, redemption, restoration. It explains the world and our responsibilities in it. A bit more explanation:
God created the world and everything in it. God made man and gave him a responsibility- to subdue and be steward of the earth. From the beginning, right relationship with God and man was necessary. God is holy and expects us to be the same; as such, He laid out rules to guide us. And we were created to be in community- He declared it was not good for man to be alone. Man broke the rules, and severed relationship with God in so doing. Relationships between humans and even the created order was broken in the fall.
Being holy, God could not overlook man's rebellion. Being merciful, He sent His son, Jesus, to pay the penalty we could not. Perfect Jesus took our evil upon Himself so we could claim His righteousness as our own. He redeemed those who trust in Him, and is making all things new. We look forward to the day all will be restored to its original, perfect state. And why? So we could be in relationship with God!! Indeed, Christians are adopted brothers of Jesus the firstborn and sons of God!
Our job as Christians is (as John Piper says) to cling to Jesus and "mirror forth Christ" in our daily actions—to demonstrate the love, justice, mercy, and kindness to others that Christ granted to us. Simply put, we are to follow Christ in all areas. As such, we are to be 'living sacrifices,' consistently surrendering our own will to serve God and others. What does that mean? It's more than just 'being good' or 'avoiding bad': it expresses itself through love. We are to love God and others. We are to obey His commands. We should be using our gifts to serve others. We should be just and generous, focused on serving each other and being a force for positive change in the world, always ready to give an answer for this hope we have in us. Yet, I fall far short of this every single day. I, like all Christians, have two natures- spirit and flesh- warring against each other. And many who claim to be Christians are not. I don't know who's 'in or out,' but passages like this are humbling; it is possible to believe in God and not follow Him.
Here are all posts I've tagged 'religion.' Below are what I feel to be the most important or valuable links on this site.
Basics
David Dark's book is an excellent look at the ubiquity of religion and the subsequent necessity to live an examined life. You believe something- do you know what? And more than that, per Tim Keller, we all have counterfeit gods; learn whom you serve.
If you want to understand Basic Christianity, check out John Stott's book. Stott is also good for those of us who need to be reminded that our Mind Matters. And All Things New is a wonderful, short primer on the aforementioned four-chapter Gospel. R.C. Sproul's What is Reformed Theology? is an excellent introduction to that school of thought. Tim Keller's Prodigal God is an excellent look at the two main ways the human condition manifests itself in people- and how God saves both types. And Dane Ortlund's books, Gentle and Lowly and Deeper, shows us both the heart of Christ and how to grow closer to him, respectively.
Bible
The Bible is so important to understand. "We usually read the Bible as a series of disconnected stories, each with a “moral” for how we should live our lives. It is not. Rather, it comprises a single story, telling us how the human race got into its present condition, and how God through Jesus Christ has come and will come to put things right." (Tim Keller)
Glenn Paauw's book is a fascinating perspective on how to read the Bible, and you can learn more about how the Bible was formed here. And were the Gospels truly eyewitness accounts? Richard Bauckham makes the compelling case that they were indeed in his Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. And for the Old Testament, K.A. Kitchen's work is an outstanding look at its historicity.
Doctrine matters, and Faith Speaking Understanding should be a must-read for Christians. And John Frame's Systematic Theology is a powerful reference.
Over the years, Christians have summarized their beliefs through Confessions of Faith and creeds. This book looks at several prominent ones.
History & Science
Justo Gonzalez does an excellent job presenting early church history in The Story of Christianity volumes 1 and 2.
It's been just over 500 years since Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. My post here is an overview with links to book reviews (and/or summaries) on the subject. My favorite book on the topic is Alister McGrath's: Christianity's Dangerous Idea.
History matters; we all inhabit time. James K.A. Smith covers why it matters in How to Inhabit Time.
The Crusades are a seminal event in Medieval history, and Asbridge's The Crusades does a fantastic job summarizing the events and complexities.
Science matters, and The Soul of Science is one of my favorite books on the topic. Bottom line: we all approach science- even straight data- through the lens of belief, and this book traces underlying scientific philosophies over the centuries.
Relationships
Have a spouse? Learn how to build Love that Lasts.Have children? Tedd Tripp's book on parenting is excellent.
Want to teach your kids about Jesus? The Jesus Storybook Bible is the best there is for little ones.
Live on Earth? How should we function in today's society? Confident Pluralism has some good thoughts.
We are a fallen people, and that impacts all relationships. Things are Not the Way It's Supposed to Be, and you can learn about the theology behind that here. We need Extravagant Grace, and to learn that there is No Future Without Forgiveness. We are called to mortify sin and die and rise with Jesus. And our sin produces suffering- D.A. Carson has some helpful thoughts on that.
Leadership
Martel's book on leadership is highly recommended, as is Mohler's The Conviction to Lead.
Want to be inspired? Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place is an amazing account of how a Christian should deal with both an evil regime and the resulting consequences of opposition.
Politics
How should Christians engage in the political process? Compassion & Conviction is an excellent primer on the subject.
Lifestyle
Need a break from our Crazy Busy pace? Read Kevin DeYoung's book.
Are you a materialist? Me, too. I've posted much on the topic and my failures in it; this post looks as my minimizing journey.
Fiction
Like fantasy literature? Check out C.S. Lewis' Narnia books, or J.R.R. Tolkien's writings.
How about suspenseful fiction? G.K. Chesterton's Man who was Thursday is amazing.
Satire? Again, it's Lewis: The Screwtape Letters.
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