Chapter Two: What is Christianity?

Let me tell you from the beginning that Christianity is probably not what you think it is. It is probably much bigger, for one thing. Christianity is not just something you do on Sunday, it is not just one part of your life, another category to be fit in somewhere with work, friends, family, and entertainment. I am not a father, a husband, a co-worker, and a Christian. I am first, fundamentally, and all-inclusively a Christian. That is my identity, that is what defines me. I am no longer my own, and the life I live is no longer my own life: it is Christ who lives in me, and that makes me what I am, in every part of my life1. So then, I am not a Christian and a father, I am fundamentally a Christian father. I am not a Christian and a husband, I am fundamentally a Christian husband. I am a Christian co-worker, a Christian friend, a Christian while I work, eat, sleep, and play, a Christian who enjoys all the good gifts of God Christianly and acknowledges his glory in providing them all the while.

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2 Responses to “Chapter Two: What is Christianity?”

  1. The Aspiring Theologian says:
    May 24, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    “That is my identity, that is what defines me. I am no longer my own, and the life I live is no longer my own life: it is Christ who lives in me, and that makes me what I am, in every part of my life.”

    I didn’t get to thoroughly read the whole thing yet, but the content looks very good. The above quote from the start of the chapter goes well with some other things I’ve been reading lately, particularly “Lectures on Calvinism” by Abraham Kuyper, in which he says God is the Ruler of every sphere of life. “The whole of a man’s life is to be lived as in the Divine Presence,” said Kuyper.

    I appreciate then, what you are doing when you write that Christianity is much more than simply going to church on Sunday or another secluded part of your life. It is good that you are answering the tough questions for people – why does my life feel so empty? etc. – as I think these are questions that are beginning to bubble up to the surface more and more in this postmodern age. People may not believe these days that their life is meaningful, but they want it to be – they feel that dark void.

    Are you planning on publishing this book?

    May the peace of Christ be with you, Shep Shepherd

    Knight of the Living God

  2. pitchford says:
    May 25, 2009 at 8:55 am

    Hi Shep,

    Thanks for commenting. As I continue to write more and more, I’ve been burdened with the desire to have just one manageable volume that explains the very heart of the message of Christianity, applies that message to unbelievers and professing Christians of all kinds, calls for a decision and gives some very basic and centrally important guidance — something that I could give to anyone that I happen to strike up a meaningful conversation with. So that’s what I hope this book will be.

    When I finish, I plan on sending a manuscript to a handful of good publishers and see if I get any response. If not, I’ll probably just self-publish with Lulu and keep a few copies around to give away.

    In Christ the Savior, Nathan

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