I’m curious to know what other people think is the central TRUTH of Christianity.
A better question I would like to ask is … “How do you know it is the central truth of Christianity from your own life experience?”
I will start by saying that I think the central truth of Christianity is the Resurrection of Christ. St. Paul says that if Christ did not rise from the dead, you are still in your sins and that we are the “greatest of fools.” Since we believe and know that Christ is Risen and Alive … through His love and grace He is changing people’s lives …is changing my own life for the good.
Too many people get lost in the forest because of all trees. This central truth of Christianity I believe is the center and starting point of our faith. Some people might say the central truth is knowing who Christ is as a Person … I’m just interested what others might say on this matter.
And to answer the second question about how I know this is the central truth of Christianity from my own personal life experience … that Christ is Risen … that He is Alive … I would like to think and reflect on this a little more before I respond to it.
The central truth of Christianity is Jesus Christ: His Person, His Mysteries, and His life and mission. Without Him, we could not believe in the Trinity, nor in the Church, nor in the Eucharist, nor in Purgatory, nor the Gospels, nor in any other truth or reality.
His Person: The God-Man, the Son of God Incarnate, the New Adam, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the Eternal Priest, Prophet, and King
His Mysteries: The Incarnation, the Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, the Passion, the Resurrection, and the Ascension. Some would add Pentecost, but I’m restricting myself to the Mysteries of Christ during His time on Earth. But if someone wants to add Pentecost to the list, they can.
His life: All the events of His life, all of His words and labors, all of His prayers, His joys, His crosses, His temptations, His miracles, His glories, and His example.
His mission: The salvation of souls. I believe, in a certain sense, this not only includes redemption but also reparation and corporal and spiritual works of charity and mercy: instruction, healing, comforting, raising the dead, exorcising demons, praying, etc.