A Primer on Essential Christian Theology
Remember that sinking feeling, that knot in your stomach when you’re asked to explain why you believe what you believe? That’s where we began, right?
From Nervous to Natural in Defending Your Faith | Medium
Now, let’s couple that with a little story. And no, it’s not a Sunday school fable but a real-life scenario that unfolded in a Jesus class at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Pop Quiz That Left a Room of Christians Speechless
Picture this: You’re in a lecture hall, sandwiched between 300 students. The air is thick with anticipation. The professor, a renowned historian and New Testament scholar, announces a pop quiz. No biggie, right? Especially since most of his students (if not all), including you, are Christians.
But here’s the twist: get 8 out of the 12 questions right, and he’s buying you a meal at the Armadillo Grill. A free meal? You’re in!
The questions roll in, seemingly simple:
- How many books are in the New Testament?
- What language were they written in?
- What century were they written?
- Can you name all the Gospels in the New Testament?
- How about three non-canonical gospels?
- What does the word ‘Gospel’ mean?
- Who baptized Jesus?
- In what year did Jesus die, and when was He born?
- The author of Luke’s Gospel wrote two books. Can you name them?
- What is thought to be the occupation of Matthew? And of Luke?
- Which of these were Jews: John the Baptist, Alexander the Great, Jesus, Pontius Pilate, Simon Peter, Tacitus, the Apostle Paul?
- What is the shortest verse in the New Testament? [1]
The results? A jaw-dropper. Out of 300 students, only a couple of dinners were bought. Questions that seemed like softballs had most students striking out.
And here’s the icing on the cake: Dr. Bart D. Ehrman, the quizmaster, is an agnostic.
A Wake-Up Call from an Unlikely Source
Shocked? It’s understandable. These weren’t trick questions but basic facts about the New Testament. Yet, many Christians raised in the faith tripped over them.
With shame, I concur with the words Dr. Ehrman made in his blog, it seems that
“real education in churches (Christian education!) doesn’t seem to happen much”
How many would you have got correct?
Hey, I’m not blaming you. You’re probably a victim of a disappointing Christian education at Church and home.
But you’re mature enough now to know your lack of preparation and your need to a more mature biblical and intellectually fulfilling faith.
Why is OK to Doubt Your Christian Faith | by Miguel Rodriguez | Medium
The roadblock ahead?
You need to read. A lot.
To be a good apologist, you need to be a critical thinker. And to be a critical thinker you need to be a reader.
I will not sugar coat it. There’re no shortcuts to it.
This series will not give you quick answers to every question that pops up the top of the dome of any non-Christian believer. There are other resources for that. This series is not it.
The Modern Dilemma: Choosing Depth Over Distraction
I get it.
At first glance, studying theology and philosophy can seem as dry as a mouthful of crackers, as exciting as watching paint dry and as complicated as rocket science. Who can blame you?
In a world where bite-sized tweets and viral TikToks reign supreme, committing to a lengthy book seems a tad old-fashioned.
You’d rather close this tab, catch the latest series, doom scroll through social media, or laugh at some hilarious memes. I know.
Go ahead.
Do that if you want.
But remember, at some point, you will face those headlights in the middle of the highway (again). Questions and doubts that, if left unattended, can potentially destroy your faith.
Loving God with only your heart is not enough. You need to love God with all your mind as well (Mark 12.30) and this requires developing a reading habit and critical thinking skills.
I hope to make this series feel less like a chore and more like a treasure hunt. It’s the bedrock of apologetics and trust me, it’s far from boring.
It’s a sin to bore you with bible and theology.
Still here? Awesome!
Let’s get started.
The Foundation: The Importance of Understanding Core Christian Theology in Apologetics
Envision this scene:
You’re at a gathering, and someone you’ve just met raises an eyebrow as you discuss your faith. “Why are there so many versions of Christianity? And how can two church-goers read the same Bible and land on opposite views?” she inquires, genuine curiosity evident in her eyes. She adds, “It’s this confusion that makes me skeptical about Christianity.”
PTSD starts kicking in with flashback of those headlights. Your fight, flight, freeze response gets mingle.
But you remember that you read this post in full, and you calm down.
With a calm smile, you acknowledge the diversity within Christianity, yet emphasize its unchanging core doctrines, steering the conversation from the peripheries to the pulsating heart of the faith.
Diving into the heart of Christian theology isn’t about sidestepping challenging questions. It’s about establishing a foundational understanding, enabling us to address more peripheral inquiries with wisdom and grace.
Let’s journey deeper into these core beliefs, preparing ourselves not just to answer questions, but to guide conversations towards what truly matters in our faith.
NOTE: In the upcoming section I draw from Dr. James K Beilby’s book Thinking about Christian Apologetics. I believe it’s one of the best books on meta-apologetics and a must read for every apologist.
Unpacking Apologetics: A Closer Look
In its simplest broad definition, apologetics is the attempt to defend a belief or belief system against objections. It’s derived from a Greek word apologia which means “to give a verbal defense.” It’s like being in a court, presenting your case with evidence, but the focus? Christianity.
But not every tiny aspect of Christianity. Nope, we’re zooming in on the core stuff.
The Focus of Apologetics: Mere Christianity
Ever wondered why the creeds recited in churches across the globe bear such striking resemblance? That’s no accident. Those creeds stem from ‘Mere Christianity’. No, it’s not some diet version of the faith. Instead, it’s the universal and historical doctrines that define our faith.
Dr. James K Beilby, professor of biblical and theological studies in Bethel University, says
“there is a common core of beliefs that are expressed in the ecumenical councils (Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon), affirmed by the ecumenical Christian creeds (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed), sustained by the major denominational divisions of the Christian church (Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox), and central to the basic teachings of the great theologians of the faith.”.[2]
These aren’t mere decorative frills to Christianity but the steel framework holding it together. Strip them away, and we’re left with a faith that’s simply not Christian. This is the focus of apologetics.
Understanding these broad definitions brings us to a key distinction in the world of Christian theology.
Dogmas or Theories: What’s the Difference?
If we’re talking core beliefs, you need to know the difference between two concepts: dogmas and theories. Confused? You’re not the only one. Here’s a simple way to look at it:
- Dogmas: These are the non-negotiables. The pillars that, if you pull out one, the whole building crumbles. Dr. Beilby gives a solid picture of this. Dogmas are the core claims of Christianity. The absolute must-haves.
- Theories: These are the attempts to understand these dogmas better.[3]
Now, let’s put that in perspective. The fact that Jesus made our salvation possible? That’s a dogma. How He did it? Penal substitution or Christus Victor? Those are theological theories that tries to explain the dogmas.
The Domain of Apologetics: Dogma
Now that we’ve split hairs between dogmas and theories, let’s split dogma. [4]
- Primary Essentials: Teachings that the Bible gives an explicit warning for not believing in them. If the Bible had a highlighter, these would be glowing neon.
- Secondary Essentials: Necessary truths that should not be rejected, but with no explicit penalty for their denial.[5] For example, the doctrine of hell. No specific scripture screams, “Believe hell or go to hell!” But reject it and you could land in a theological mess.
There’s another important distinction.
All these doctrines, primary and secondary essentials, must be true in order to be saved, but not all of them needs to be believed in order to be saved.
Primary Essentials ought to be believed to be saved.
Secondary essentials must be true to be saved and should not be rejected.
More on this when we get to the essentials.
Unified in Essentials: Transcending Diversity
The key idea that Dr. Beilby point out in his book is that the proper domain of apologetics is the defense of dogmas and any theologically necessary truth.
Not theological theories, not denominational theology (Catholic, Reformed, Pentecostal, etc.) nor theological system (Calvinism, Molinism, Arminianism or Open Theism).
You’re most likely already part of a denomination and have a theological system. I’m not saying you should go against them, but don’t try to show that your flavor of Christianity is the true Christianity.
It’s essential not to get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of denominational or theological differences. Stick to the core, the dogmas. The rest? That’s for deeper dives and, quite frankly, more caffeine.
Alright! Let’s delve into the 12 dogmas [6], providing a concise summary for each using specific bible verses that shows their centrality in the faith.
The 6 Primary Essentials
1. The Deity and Humanity of Christ
Without accepting Jesus as God, “you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). The New Testament is replete with affirmations of His divinity (“I and the Father are one” — John 10:30) and His humanity (“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist…” 1 John 4.2–3). Jesus wasn’t just a moral teacher or prophet; He was the incarnation of God, integral to the Holy Trinity. Recognizing Him as divine means understanding the significance of His sacrifice on the cross: God Himself bearing the weight of human sin.
2. Salvation by Grace
Salvation is not a reward for good deeds but a gift from God, given through grace. This concept challenges the human notion of earning one’s way into favor or redemption. Ephesians 2:8–9 encapsulates it: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” This doctrine underscores the depth of God’s love, emphasizing that salvation is an unmerited act of divine kindness. Any attempt to be justified by works or the law, is to fall away from grace (Galatians 5:4)
3. Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection is the triumphant finale to the passion narrative, marking Jesus’ victory over death and sin. The empty tomb stands as a testament not only to Christ’s divinity but also to the promise of eternal life for believers. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is the linchpin, assuring believers that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted by God and that death has been definitively conquered.
4. The Gospel
The term ‘Gospel’ translates to ‘good news.’ It’s the proclamation of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, fulfilled through Jesus Christ. More than just the four books that start the New Testament, the Gospel is the transformative message of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, resurrection and the promise of eternal life throughout the whole Bible. Anyone that shares a gospel contrary to any elements of the Gospel is accursed (Galatians 1:8–9)
5. Born Again
The term ‘born again’ signifies a spiritual rebirth, a transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t mean a mere assent of the intellect of the Biblical truths. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” There’s a profound inner and outward change, marking a departure from the old life of sin to a new life in Christ, without it, the kingdom of God can’t be seen.
6. Monotheism
The acknowledgment of one, all-powerful, all-knowing God. Deuteronomy 6:4 encapsulates it: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Exodus 20.3–5 declares we should not worship any other gods. Christianity brings depth to this understanding of monotheism with the concept of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit — distinct persons one in essence. Exodus 20:3–6 prohibits the worship of other gods and idols and will visit the iniquities of those who do not keep the command.
The 6 Secondary Essentials
7. Jesus is the only way of salvation
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14.6). Though there’s exclusivity in the words of Jesus here, there’s no explicit warning in not believing it. Some Old Testament men of God didn’t place their faith in Jesus as their Savior, and they were saved (Job and Enoch, for example). Negating this doctrine undermines Christ’s sacrifice, His offering of forgiveness and the eternal life to all who believe.
8. The Virgin Birth
The virgin birth of Jesus is a foundational element of Christian theology, underscoring His unique divine-human nature. As prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in Matthew 1:23, the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and His birth through the Virgin Mary establish Him as the Messiah and the incarnate Son of God. Believing in the virgin birth is not mandated for salvation. However, dismissing it could undermine the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth and His divine origin, both integral to Christian theology.
9. The Trinity
The concept of the Trinity — God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — can be found in passages like Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” While the term “Trinity” isn’t explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is foundational to understanding God’s triune nature. It might not be a salvation issue to not fully grasp this, but rejecting it could lead to misunderstandings about God’s nature and work.
10. Hell
Hell, as a place of punishment after death for those who reject God, is referenced in verses like Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Not believing in hell doesn’t prevent salvation, but denying its existence might downplay the gravity of sin and the urgency of turning to Christ for salvation.
11. Second Coming of Christ
The New Testament mentions Jesus’ return, notably in Acts 1:11, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” While anticipating Christ’s return is a Christian hope, one’s salvation isn’t contingent upon it. However, denying this event could mean overlooking the restoration of all things and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
12. Humanity’s Sinful Nature
The doctrine of humanity’s sinful nature recognizes that all people are born with a propensity toward sin. Romans 5:12 confirms that through Adam’s sin, sin entered the world, and all have sinned. While not directly tied to the salvation process, rejecting the idea might lead to a diminished understanding of why the need for redemption and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ is crucial.
Overwhelmed? Where to Begin in a Sea of Knowledge
Each of these doctrines is vast, with countless scholars, theologians, and thinkers having poured their insights into the pages of many books. But with such a sea of resources, where does one begin without feeling overwhelmed?
Now, before you think of a towering stack of hefty tomes and shudder, take a breath. While there’s a universe of books written on each dogma, let’s simplify and consider the following.
Flexing Your Intellectual Muscles: The Power of Reading to Strengthen Faith
The Unbeatable Power of Books
Ever watched a top-tier athlete? Their precision, their stamina, the undeniable prowess? Their secret isn’t just natural talent; it’s relentless training. Now, let’s translate that to faith.
The arena? Intellectual discourse.
The training ground? Books.
You might be wondering, “Why books? Can’t I just get a quick fix with a internet video lecture or two?”
You see, in an age of lightning-fast bytes of information, YouTube videos, and five-minute explainers, it’s tempting to want the fast track to knowledge.
And while digital content has its merits, it comes with a downside — distractions. A five-minute video can quickly turn into hours of aimless browsing. And in the midst of all that, the depth and richness of understanding can get lost.
Let’s start with just one book, a challenge yet an easily achievable one.
To start, I want you to consider Dr. Michael Bird’s book, “What Christians Ought to Believe.” It’s just 227 pages that covers the essentials using the Apostle’s Creed.
“227 pages!? You make it sound like a walk in the park.”
You thought it, didn’t you?
I hear you, but let’s place things in perspective.
The 15-Minute Challenge
Here’s a proposition: Can you gift yourself just 15 minutes a day? Sounds doable, right?
If you read for about 15 minutes, you can easily cover around 10 pages of Bird’s book. Just 10 pages, in the little pockets of free time you find. And guess what? In just 23 days, a little over three weeks, you’ll complete it.
The power of consistent reading is akin to drops of water carving their way through rock — it’s the steady, persistent drops that create a path, not a deluge. And similarly, it’s the daily habit of reading, even if just for 15 minutes, that’ll star developing the critical thinking skills you need.
Making it Stick: The Power of Notes
Taking your reading up a notch, consider jotting down notes. Underline. Highlight. Scribble in the margins. Ask questions. Disagree. Wrestle with the content. This interaction deepens comprehension and retention. By actively engaging with the text, you’re not just passively absorbing; you’re having a dialogue. You’re sharpening your intellect, prepping yourself for the moments when you’ll need to confidently and lovingly defend your faith.
Journey’s Reflection: Embracing the Theological Quest Ahead
I see you, sitting there, screen illuminating your face as you read, your heart echoing a silent sentiment: “Is all this theological stuff really for me? Am I equipped to understand, let alone defend my faith?” Maybe there’s a quiet voice inside, a whisper really, that says, “This is too dense. Maybe I’m just not cut out for it.”
Hey, slow down a second. Every champion, every expert, every passionate lover of a craft started at square one. They felt the exact same overwhelm, the same doubts. It’s okay. It’s normal. And guess what? It doesn’t define your journey. [7]
Think of it this way: embarking on this reading journey is like building spiritual and intellectual muscle. Just as an athlete wouldn’t skip training days before a big match, don’t let yourself skip these crucial training moments in deepening your faith.
The heart of apologetics, this deep dive into theology, isn’t about flaunting intellect. It’s about forging a deeper connection with God and being equipped to share that love and knowledge with the world.
Remember those moments when someone questioned your faith, and you wished you had the right words? The understanding of theology is your ticket to having those words.
So, are you ready to commit? To invest in yourself and your faith? Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Or in this case, the journey through profound theological insights begins with just 15 minutes and 10 pages a day.
Empower yourself. Dive deep. Let’s make faith not just something we feel, but something we deeply understand and can articulate. Because, in the end, a faith deeply understood is a faith deeply lived.
Peeking Over the Horizon: What’s Next?
As we’ve journeyed through the foundations of Christian theology, there’s still so much more to explore. Our faith is not just about understanding core beliefs but also about wrestling with the profound questions that challenge and refine those beliefs.
One question that has been both a stumbling block and a foundation stone for many is: Does God truly exist?
In the next installment of this series, we’ll explore the classical arguments for the existence of God, exploring the logical, philosophical and evidential reasons that have convinced countless thinkers over the centuries.
Ready to embark on this next adventure? Here are faith’s most persuasive arguments:
[2] Beilby, James K. Thinking About Christian Apologetics: What It Is and Why We Do It (p. 19). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
[3] Dr. Beilby uses the term doctrine here, but I find the term too broad which can include dogmas, theological theories and other doctrines. I find the term theological theories or just theories to be more precise and less confusing.
[4] This helpful nomenclature is taken from Matt Slick’s awesome post. Matt is the founder of CARM.
[5] Secondary essentials derived their truth necessity from the primary essentials in some important way. You could deny it and still be saved, but you shouldn’t since these can be considered as the supporting elements for the truthfulness of the primary essentials. Their negation might (will?) lead you away from Christianity.
[6] I know that these doctrines might be controversial and debatable to some extent to different believers in some denominations. Some may add more others less dogmas. Some may even feel excluded. I’m not claiming to be an authority in the subject, but I’m persuaded by Scripture that these are foundational for our faith.
[7] If you’re concerned about how to navigate the world of books efficiently, there’s another gem, a classic you might want to consider: How to Read a Book by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer Adler. This isn’t just a guide; it’s a masterclass in extracting the wealth of knowledge that books offer. It lays down strategies to read effectively, ensuring you get the most out of every page.
