Ilona's Reflecting Pool:
apologetics

That is, Christians believe in a certain person who lived in history and have a set of structured beliefs about who that person is. Next, Christianity is defined by a set of written scriptures, which are called the Bible. Those are the three inalterable components of Christianity. It cannot be represented as Christianity if any of these three interlapping parts are missing.

While defining Christianity, these basic blocks are only the outer representation. The body, but without the spirit. The one defining factor that I think sets Christianity apart from all other religions, is the person of Christ. Not just that he lived, or taught or spoke, or did things miraculous or unusual, but that He is living now, and can be personally experienced and spoken with NOW. That is why we do not turn towards Mecca, or any Holy shrine to meet with Him. Studying His teachings is not enough, emulating His lifestyle is not enough. He is available to know now, and that immediacy of knowing and interacting is necessary. He himself has insisted upon it and pictures it with the vine and branches. Although sections of Christianity have differing ideas on shrines, no where is it a tenet that a Christian must meet with Jesus Christ within any Temple or certain Church.

This idea of a personal encounter with the Living God, available to any person anywhere, is basic to true Christianity, from its inception at Christ's birth. It has grown through many changes, from the time when a person had to physically walk to where the person of Jesus was, through the opening of the faith to the Gentiles through St. Peter's experience with Cornelius, to St. Paul's apostolic journeys to the Gentile nations, to the Roman Church, to the dissemination of the scriptures to the nations, through todays evangelistic calls. The same message is given, "Come and see". That many diversions and conflicting vehicles for the message have come and gone is the history of the Christian religion, but I submit to you that the Person and the message remain. The person of Jesus is unchanged, and He may be met with as friend; but God has always had more to offer than friendship, His otherness has always needed a bridge which is termed a covenant. This, too, is the uniqueness of Christianity. The covenant takes place within the blood and life of the person of Christ, so His resurrection and continuous (eternal) life are inseparably important to our life. That is why St. Paul states that if Christ did not raise from the dead and were not presently alive and active in our lives, now, we would be "of all men most miserable". So the life and spirit of Christianity remain "Come and see".

Here is Christianity:

• I hear of Jesus
• I believe in Jesus
• I follow Jesus
• I meet Jesus in Spirit
• I speak of Jesus
• In finality, I meet Jesus in body, Physically
• I am nevermore separated from the living GOD, and I will live forever with Him.

The Ecthesis of the Synod at Nice.

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of his Father, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and the third day he rose again, and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not, or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion--all that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Now, to start with the question, is Christianity a system?

Since Christianity as a religion and belief system has influenced governments, has been found within the vortex of conflicts, and has birthed many institutions from hospitals to welfare societies, communities, and political parties, we might well be tempted to view it as a system of thought, government, or religion. And so we ask:

Is Christianity a system? Then,Is it outmoded? There have been many that believe the answer is yes to both those questions; even many within the Christian church. A number have come to this conclusion through the acceptance of the time/chance beliefs of those who embrace a philosophy involving the theories of evolution, deconstruction of religious writings, and eventually atheism (or the "leap of faith" ideas for religious diehards). These are all interrelated thought systems and lead to the same despairing conclusions. The majority of the people who take issue with Christianity, in my experience, have based their complaint upon the history of the institution, the Church, and usually give exception to the person of Christ, Himself and His teachings. However, while the institution of the church and individual Christians have often acted in ways contrary to Christ's teachings, they cannot be entirely disassociated from each other.

While it is true that Christian beliefs, as embodied in the Gospels, do give rise to systems of varying efficacy and merit, they are not simply a system, or institution. So, in answer to the first question, no, Christianity is not a system. One of the primary reasons for this answer are the words of Christ,Himself: "My kingdom is not of this world". That has not kept many of the proponents of his teachings from trying to prove otherwise, and this,in turn, has proved a point of contention for those who criticise the Christian religion. The efforts from Charlemagne's hammering of the Saxons through many historical events such as the Spanish Inquisition and progroms against the Jews exemplify the worst of efforts to build an earthly kingdom, or system, of Christianity . That is not to say it is without a form and effect within man's policies and governments!

So how may we identify the proper context of the Christian and his beliefs within society? A way to define something is by describing what it is against what it is not: Christianity is not merely an institution, system, or even a religious belief. That is right, it is not simply a religious belief. As explained within the writings of the Bible, the analogy of an organism is used. As the human body is a system filled with interacting systems, and yet is more than a system, it is a life. A life consisting of the body, soul and spirit. This life is lived out on an individual and corporate level. The Christian lives in his society with recognition of authority and duty, yet not unmindful of the human propensity to oppression and abuse. So whether as an individual or in a group, Christians are required to function outside systems-even their own derived systems- should it deviate from the standards stated earlier(the teachings of Christ and basic Church beliefs based thereon). That is why I have to say it is not a system nor institution, per se.

Is Christianity outmoded for todays world?
Two definitions (as found in a dictionary) of outmoded are: something outmoded because it is discarded; something outmoded because it is no longer useful. As stated in the first essay, Christianity may not be termed outmoded as defined in the second sense. That it continues, and has always produced, stable humanitarian institutions such as hospitals and food pantries, along with many other commendable actions within modern society illustrates.
In the first sense of outmoded, well, we often see periods of time and individuals which consistently, and sometimes militantly, determine that Christianity is outmoded. But as the plight of the present Chinese Christians shall show, the will of some to discard it shall not effect the final outcome. No matter how fierce the oppression, or forcible the opposition, Christians continue to persevere. The history of the Church demonstrates that, whether persecuted from within or without, the faith of Christians remains viable, dependable, and effectual.

As events unfold, the Christians, not only of China, but of Laos, of India, within the Muslim walls of intolerance, and throughout many parts of the world, are facing ever increasing persecution, some laying down their lives. Our world is entering a face-off as dramatic as that between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in history past. The prophets of Baal are being given their hour to lash out, lacerate themselves and offer up their sacrifices to Baal, in the hope that power might remain in their hold; but the Spirit of Elijah is arising, pouring out barrels and barrels of water, of faith and expectation. Is Christianity outmoded? Is it merely another system of mankinds making? The hour that Christians have longed for is arriving: when God, Himself, will exonerate His name. And that is what we, as Christians, are looking for, because we are only witnesses of what we have seen and heard of Him. And the Lord which we follow will answer for Himself, in His own time, in His own way. I say, "Maranatha"!