Yesterday, we concluded our sermon series on “Christianity and World Religions” by talking about our own faith. Christianity is distinguished by the fact that, through Jesus Christ, we have access to a personal relationship to God. And that relationship is our source for abundant life in this world and in the next. Transformation occurs as the result of that relationship – transformation of our selves, but also of the world. That is why, at its core, I believe that Christianity is beyond creeds; because it is based on a relationship. Just like the depth of love that we experience in marriage is not confined simply to the parameters of the wedding vows, Christianity should not be limited by creeds. Christianity does have historical creeds. But, they are only a starting point. They should never define the outward parameters of our faith. And we, as Christians should always challenge efforts to reduce Christianity to a given creed, because being born anew – born from above – transcends creed. We diminish what Christianity is when we reduce it to dogmatic claims. Having said all that, I would invite us to consider that the great creed of Christianity is articulated in Matthew 22:34-40.
Resources to learn more –
Christianity and World Religions by Adam Hamilton
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright
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