Is there REALLY such a thing as ‘Christianity’?

This is a ‘Christian’ website … or is it? Is it only people who can be described as ‘Christian’ or can objects (and technology) be described as ‘Christian’? After all, a book (the Bible) can be described as ‘holy’.

And what about the term ‘Christianity’? It may surprise some of you but you will never find the term ‘Christianity’ in the Bible. What is ‘Christianity’? Is it a term we should use? Does it really matter? Does anybody really know what ‘Christianity’ actually is?

There are 5 very ordinary ‘Christians’ who organise this website and keep it alive.

Because we are ‘Christians’ – we (apparently) adhere to ‘Christianity’. The term ‘Christianity’ is a bewildering one because I’m not sure what it actually represents. Let me explain.

I teach a course to senior students in Australia called “Studies of Religion”. Essentially we look at the major features of the major world religions. Do you see my problem? A ‘religion’!?

I am a ‘Christian’; therefore, I am regarded as an adherent (to use the appropriate term) of the ‘religion’ Christianity. If an ‘adherent’ is a follower of the Christian religion then I have some major problems with this. I don’t want to follow a religion!

My issues stem from a recent study from the Book of Hebrews (New Testament) as well as core gospel truths.

The anonymous writer (Messianic Jew) of Hebrews states that Jesus is better than anyone (e.g. Moses) or anything (e.g. Old Testament Judaism). His superiority is breathtaking! Check this out:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV)

He will then go on to say that ‘Christians’ are to “…consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession …”. (Hebrews 3.1 ESV).

We are never commanded to “consider” ‘Christianity’. It is always to “consider Jesus”.

The New Testament documents are absolutely saturated with commands (imperatives) to consider (follow) Jesus in all manner of ways. We are never commanded to re-invent the systematised nature of Old Testament Judaism into a morphed Christianised form.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews would never have invented the term ‘Christianity’ because it smells so much of ‘religion’; i.e. "… a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things…” (Emile Durkheim). In fact, he urges his friends to let go of Judaism and embrace Jesus (not 'Christianity').

Once we ‘systemise’ our personal faith in Jesus with various human traditions and practices, we essentially inject our fallibility into our walk with Jesus. That is, we succumb to the temptations of legalism and self righteousness. To clarify: we lose site of the Gospel – which is all about Jesus and what He has done for our justification… not what we do to ‘free ourselves’. We follow Him on the basis of love and not for the ‘Brownie points’ we hope to accrue by being good religious people.

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23 (ESV)). You see, it's all about love for Him - not religion.

Therefore, we who have become Christians need to think very carefully about how we use the term ‘Christianity’. For example, how many times have you heard this stated by a ‘new’ Christian – “I have been converted to Christianity”. Oh yeh? Really? That's not good! The point being - have you been converted BY Jesus in order to follow Him – not an adherent of Christianised religion.

Another reason why I have such misgivings with the term ‘Christianity’ is the comparative statements about Jesus with major founders of world religions. Should Jesus be compared to such individuals as Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, and Zoroaster just to name a few?

The writer of the Book of Hebrews would never do this. The closest he comes is a comparison with God’s chosen leaders such as Moses and Abraham and even then he paints a beautiful picture of how superior Jesus is to them. Moses was a good SERVANT for God but Jesus is the divine SON of God.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
Hebrews 3:5-6 (ESV)

We boast of our hope in Jesus, not our ‘Christian religion’.

The major founders of world religions are anti-Jesus. Harsh words? Not at all. They all espouse systems (religions) to help the adherent get on the right side of the sacred (defined by the religion itself; a self-regulation system at that!). They are works based systems and philosophies; therefore, anti-Gospel, anti-Jesus.

But it’s more serious than that.

These founders are not only human but sinful. They are incredibly fallible. How can Jesus, for one moment, be compared to them as if he was a King of Diamonds in the card pack of Religious Founders”?

The apostle Paul destroys any futile comparative exercise with these words:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

No human being even comes remotely close to Him!

Nor does 'Christianity' with all its problems, divisions, issues, doctrinal confusions, unbelief and bureaucracy.

Finally, and it must be said, and it's this: the term "Christianity" can ultimately be a cop out when it comes to making a public stand for Jesus. It's much easier to say in front our friends "Yeh, I've been getting into Christianity for a few years now" than to say ,"Yeh, I’ve been following Jesus for a few years now." We pretend they are synonyms but they are not - and we know they are not.

Have you been converted to ‘Christianity’ or to Jesus Christ?

Are you a follower of ‘Christianity’ or a follower of Jesus Christ?

Do you witness for Jesus or Christianity (whatever that is)?