What is the CENTRAL Truth of Christianity?

[jkiernan56]

jkiernan

Or is it the truth that Christ is Risen that validates WHO He is and WHAT He accomplished through his free choice of allowing Himself to be put to death on the cross?

God is love. God wants us to love Him and each other. He proved His love by giving us redemption on the cross and hope in the Resurrection. These are all wrapped around each other. Is it necessary to try to separate them from each other and hold one any higher than all the others?

Yes, I believe there is a Hierachy of Truth … the greatest Truth is God … and within that Truth an understanding of the Persons of the Trinity … that is the summit of Truth … in that reality …

As far as the religion of Christianity, it stands on the Rock of the Resurrection of Christ. If Christ did not rise from the dead, St. Paul says we are still in our sins and are the greatest of fools. That is the most important Truth in terms of our Catholic Faith - empirical evidence observed, experienced … witnessed by the Apostles … and handed on to you and me … Our Catholic Faith is an Apostolic Faith … handed onto us by the Apostles … Christ is Alive … Christ has defeated death … Christ lives in you and me … we KNOW He is alive … not just as a historical fact … but rather from personal experience in our own lives … later I will share with you some of the ways the Lord has made Himself known to me … as I’m sure you can share your own life experiences.

 

[jkiernan56]

Hence SOME reliogens and SOME reliogious

A premise: one will never find a dogma of the Catholic Church that violates science. One will not find a dogma of the Catholic Church that contradicts science.

To prove this premise one will have to go through all of the Catechism and be understanding of all science. That is not me. But I have not found otherwise; and I have done a lot of searching.

Science and the articles of our Faith absolutely cannot contradict one another. We know that God is Truth and the author of ALL truth … and the truth of God cannot contradict the truth of science … since ALL truth comes from God. Truth cannot contradict Truth.

 

[Mijoy2]

Hence…religion

And all else. I can understand doubt and I can understand other scenarios (Islam for example…although I disagree).

What I can’t understand is the skeptic who has no alternative answer. And none do. The big bang on it’s own just doesn’t cut it.

Chesterton said (and I am sure I am doing a great diservice to his actual words here) : In order to have a constructive argument there must be an agreed upon beginning and a reasonable degree of hope of an ending. i.e. “SOMETHING created the first cause, what was it?”

To begin with a question and hope to ever enjoy the argument, one must not resort to ridicule unless one has definitively found the answer. And the atheist hasn’t. Although they all believe someday science will reveal it because mankind is so smart.

Chritianity maybe false. But there is no alternative as of yet so I do believe it deserves respect. When not given the respect it deserves the discussion becomes not worthwhile.

I believe in the central Truth of Christianity, because I must.

 

[jkiernan56]

IE…I do not believe everything I am told

LOL … neither do I … just look at the shambles of our political process … the quasi Democracy that is just a shadow of what the founding fathers of America had in mind … it is no longer a Democracy that represents the will of the People … but one that rather represents whoever has the money … just look at the lack of trust in our government officials … including me … for both parties … both of them should be absolutely ashamed for the financial mess we find ourselves in … trust me when I tell you … i do not believe everything I am told either … I do not blindly adhere to either party … or political ideology … .but i do firmly believe in the fundamentals of our Democracy … and what the founding fathers envisioned

 

[jkiernan56]

I believe in the central Truth of Christianity, because I must.

I believe in the central Truth of Christianity because in the inner depths of my being … in the marrow of my bones … I believe it really is TRUE … and not only that … but because I have personally experienced Christ in my life

 

[Mijoy2]

I believe in the central Truth of Christianity because in the inner depths of my being … in the marrow of my bones … I believe it really is TRUE … and not only that … but because I have personally experienced Christ in my life

Which is why I must.

 

[jkiernan56]

Which is why I must.

Yes, thank you for that affirmation… so must I … as you must

 

[taylor007]

Empirical evidence does not include claims made by humans long ago. If it was, then we would consider the Pharoahs of Egypt to be actual Gods by your version of proof alone. Because they claimed it was so. Many witnessed their God like powers and they also claimed they were Gods.

Empirical, means physical evidence that can be shown through repeated experiments, therefore verifying that it is a real phenomenon and not one that is believed or imagined.

Proof, requires empirical evidence. For that word to hold any meaning it can only be used in one way. Proof, is something that can be verified by something outside of human thought and belief alone.

If you want to use it in another way, ie not through empirical evidence, then any person who wants to claim they have a cure for cancer can do so, on the witness of another. Even if their cure includes a chicken leg and a vial of blood. Be thankful, that certain humans…require empirical evidence…before they call it proof and hence sell you their results.

You may not like their unbelieving ways, but they have and will continue to save your life. They have given up, an unverifiable(and hence unprovable) concept including a hope of an eternal life to deliver to you physical means and proof required to save you. Athiests give up more than you can ever imagine, for the sake of truth and love.

Cheers

dameedna
greetings.
are you telling me that the new testament is a creative work of the apostles ?if thats what you mean,i think i have an answer for your question.however if it is that u will believe in resurrection only through empirical evidence,i dont really have a ready answer,but i can come back after sometime with a not-so-bad answer.

 

[Grace_Angel]

Which is why I must.

The Central Truth of Christianity is this (for me) “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16).

Towards this Truth, for this Truth, and in this Truth, has all Scripture been fulfilled.
GraceAngel.

 

[jkiernan56]

The Central Truth of Christianity is this (for me) “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16).

Towards this Truth, for this Truth, and in this Truth, has all Scripture been fulfilled.
GraceAngel.

Your words are very beautiful
You must know how the Lord loves you personally and how the inner knowledge of His love for you has changed your life for the good. You have experienced the risen Christ and the new life that comes through and from His Grace. Thank you for reminding us of His love for us and each of us personally

 

[po18guy]

John 3:16 sums it up very well. In Genesis, we disobeyed and strayed from God, destroying our bond with Him. We are reconciled to God through Christ’s blood on the cross. If his blood had no redemptive value, the shedding of it would have been pointless. His resurrection revealed the fulfillment of the promise, but His resurrection did not save us. It was an integral part of that salvation, but not all. No suffering and death, no reconciliation with God.

Christ’s peace be with you.

 

[jkiernan56]

John 3:16 sums it up very well. In Genesis, we disobeyed and strayed from God, destroying our bond with Him. We are reconciled to God through Christ’s blood on the cross. If his blood had no redemptive value, the shedding of it would have been pointless. His resurrection revealed the fulfillment of the promise, but His resurrection did not save us. It was an integral part of that salvation, but not all. No suffering and death, no reconciliation with God.

Christ’s peace be with you.

His Resurrection did not save us? You bring up an excellent point. And it does make me pause to think … yes we are saved by the death of Christ on the cross, the blood He shed for us … that is true … so then I ask myself … what is the point of the Resurrection? Why didn’t Jesus just stay dead if He already accomplished our salvation? Why didn’t God just somehow communicate to mankind that our salvation was already a done deal … that we receive freely as His gift to us?

The Resurrection cannot go without the Cross and death of Christ. It is God testifying to the TRUTH of the salvation Christ won for us … Christ is Risen … He has defeated death … His new Life demonstrates what He won for us … by defeating death … new Life is truly available … why? because Christ is Risen!!! St. Paul said that if Christ did not rise from the dead, that you and I are still in our sins. Notice that St. Paul did NOT say that “If Christ did not die on the cross, you would be still in your sins.” He clearly indicated the Resurrection. It is the Resurrection that gives God’s testimony to the truth of the salvation Christ won for us on the cross. We are not fools for believing God and His testimony. Jesus is Alive … He showed Himself to the Apostles … that Truth of Christ has been handed down through the ages through the channel and safeguarding of the deposit of Faith in the Catholic Church … the Resurrection is extremely important … in fact, I think it IS the CENTRAL truth of our Catholic Christian Faith. Christ built His Church on the rock of Peter. Peter was a firsthand eye witness to Christ and saw Him after His death. He saw Christ alive … risen from the dead … that is what gave Him such boldness … He knew the truth because it was true … Christ is Risen !!!

 

[po18guy]

His Resurrection did not save us? You bring up an excellent point. And it does make me pause to think … yes we are saved by the death of Christ on the cross, the blood He shed for us … that is true … so then I ask myself … what is the point of the Resurrection? Why didn’t Jesus just stay dead if He already accomplished our salvation? Why didn’t God just somehow communicate to mankind that our salvation was already a done deal … that we receive freely as His gift to us?

His resurrection was an integral part of God’s plan of salvation and cannot be downplayed. It is just that His suffering and death atoned for the sins of the world. Continuing on, Christ had to descend to the dead, which alone, did not save us. He had to rise, to fulfill prophecy, ascend to the Father and open the gates of Heaven. His ascension did not save us, since, without the atonement of his blood, none of us would be worthy to enter Heaven. His resurrection alone did not save us. All of it together saved us. Taken separately, each of the segments of His suffering, death, descent and resurrection would not save us. In the totality of His life, death and resurrection, we were saved and hope was restored.

The Resurrection cannot go without the Cross and death of Christ. It is God testifying to the TRUTH of the salvation Christ won for us … Christ is Risen … He has defeated death … His new Life demonstrates what He won for us … by defeating death … new Life is truly available … why? because Christ is Risen!!! St. Paul said that if Christ did not rise from the dead, that you and I are still in our sins. Notice that St. Paul did NOT say that “If Christ did not die on the cross, you would be still in your sins.” He clearly indicated the Resurrection. It is the Resurrection that gives God’s testimony to the truth of the salvation Christ won for us on the cross. We are not fools for believing God and His testimony. Jesus is Alive … He showed Himself to the Apostles … that Truth of Christ has been handed down through the ages through the channel and safeguarding of the deposit of Faith in the Catholic Church … the Resurrection is extremely important … in fact, I think it IS the CENTRAL truth of our Catholic Christian Faith. Christ built His Church on the rock of Peter. Peter was a firsthand eye witness to Christ and saw Him after His death. He saw Christ alive … risen from the dead … that is what gave Him such boldness … He knew the truth because it was true … Christ is Risen !!!

What if the prophets never told of the Savior? What if Christ was never born? Was that also not a part of God’s plan of salvation? Of course! I disagree only with breaking it up into parts and focusing on only one part of the plan. It is a seamless garment of salvation, just as the garment that Christ wore. Also, we must use the entirety of scripture, not just one sentence out of the millions of words that Saint Paul uttered in truth. It is a continuous story, from beginning to end, without interruption. So, we have a disagreement only in slight degree.

We say “Dying, You destroyed our death. Rising, You restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in Glory!” We look forward, with great joy and anticipation, to the Easter season, in which all of biblical prophecy is revealed as the truth. It climaxes, of course, with the restoration of our joy in the Rising of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen! Alleluia!

 

[jkiernan56]

His resurrection was an integral part of God’s plan of salvation and cannot be downplayed. It is just that His suffering and death atoned for the sins of the world. Continuing on, Christ had to descend to the dead, which alone, did not save us. He had to rise, to fulfill prophecy, ascend to the Father and open the gates of Heaven. His ascension did not save us, since, without the atonement of his blood, none of us would be worthy to enter Heaven. His resurrection alone did not save us. All of it together saved us. Taken separately, each of the segments of His suffering, death, descent and resurrection would not save us. In the totality of His life, death and resurrection, we were saved and hope was restored.

What if the prophets never told of the Savior? What if Christ was never born? Was that also not a part of God’s plan of salvation? Of course! I disagree only with breaking it up into parts and focusing on only one part of the plan. It is a seamless garment of salvation, just as the garment that Christ wore. Also, we must use the entirety of scripture, not just one sentence out of the millions of words that Saint Paul uttered in truth. It is a continuous story, from beginning to end, without interruption. So, we have a disagreement only in slight degree.

We say “Dying, You destroyed our death. Rising, You restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in Glory!” We look forward, with great joy and anticipation, to the Easter season, in which all of biblical prophecy is revealed as the truth. It climaxes, of course, with the restoration of our joy in the Rising of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen! Alleluia!

Yes, we await the fullfillment of the Kingdom of God and His reign in our hearts. We also know the Resurrection is TRUE because we too have come to know and experience Christ in our own life - we have come to know and experience His dying … His death and resurrection 2000 years ago is continuing even as we speak … in our lives … and in the Church … God is still re-creating the world in Christ

 

[fhansen]

Oh, but I bet you know what Christ meant when He said that those who follow Him will have the “Light of Life.”

Yes, and that’s the point, isn’t it? That, while there are reasons that can point us to belief, without the gift of faith-without the Light of Life- no one can believe the basic teachings of our faith on their own.

 

[po18guy]

Yes, we await the fullfillment of the Kingdom of God and His reign in our hearts. We also know the Resurrection is TRUE because we too have come to know and experience Christ in our own life - we have come to know and experience His dying … His death and resurrection 2000 years ago is continuing even as we speak … in our lives … and in the Church … God is still re-creating the world in Christ

Amen!

 

[jkiernan56]

For the past 2 weeks I have been listening to some Christian music on the way into work and on the way home from work … this particular music is what prompted me to start this thread … if anyone here has not heard of Don Francisco … and the song “He’s Alive” … I highly highly highly recomment it. In the not so distant past, it was awarded the number #1 Gospel song of the year award… not sure by what association gave the award … but who ever awarded it … I can certainly see why … it still deeply moves me every time I hear this song … Christ is alive!!! “He’s alive and I’m forgiven - heaven’s gates are open wide” - as more of the song goes.

New life in Christ knowing the love of God … the life Christ won for us in His death and resurrection, He know gives to us … to sanctify us … His Bride the Church … to make her Holy and Beautiful … as Christ is Holy and Beautiful ;. as is the Love between the Father and the Son … WHO is the Holy Spirit

 

[Dameedna]

And all else. I can understand doubt and I can understand other scenarios (Islam for example…although I disagree).

What I can’t understand is the skeptic who has no alternative answer. And none do. The big bang on it’s own just doesn’t cut it.

The Skeptic isn’t interested in “an” answer they are interested in The answers. In The truth.

I think humans fundamentaly have a difficult time accepting mystery. Is there meaning to the world? Is there something behind it? Why is life so hard for so many people? Is our life and then death all that there is? The skeptic who places truth as something more important in their life will do their best not to invent answers or accept those which seem nice on the surface.

It is those same skeptics who didn’t just “accept” that diseases were a punishment from the Gods. They sat there and said what if it’s something else? And now…we have vaccines and cures for diseases that were formally believed to be some kind of punishment and lives have been enhanced and saved as a result of this honest and enquiring mindset.

Thank God for the skeptic.

 

[Grace_Angel]

Your words are very beautiful
You must know how the Lord loves you personally and how the inner knowledge of His love for you has changed your life for the good. You have experienced the risen Christ and the new life that comes through and from His Grace. Thank you for reminding us of His love for us and each of us personally

Thank you I appreciate your kind words.
Shalom Aleichem
GraceAngel.

 

[catholic_daddy]

John 3:16 sums it up very well. In Genesis, we disobeyed and strayed from God, destroying our bond with Him. We are reconciled to God through Christ’s blood on the cross. If his blood had no redemptive value, the shedding of it would have been pointless. His resurrection revealed the fulfillment of the promise, but His resurrection did not save us. It was an integral part of that salvation, but not all. No suffering and death, no reconciliation with God.

Christ’s peace be with you.

I agree with you, and I think John 3:16 is a great verse to represent the central truth. It is given even fuller meaning when we understand that “eternal life” is not only living forever, but it is possessing the life that is God’s life. He puts us in union with Himself through the Holy Spirit!