How Would You Explain Christianity?

I was in the breakroom at work the other day. I overheard two young co-workers discussing who they thought Jesus was. The words coming out of their mouths were astonishing. It was as if they were raised in the amazon rain forest! It would have been comical if it weren't for the stakes being so high. I did not have the opportunity to add to the discussion (they dashed off to their respective departments before I could intervene). I pray that I would get another opportunity to help them understand.

If you were in that situation, what would you tell them? Would you start by explaining who God really is? Would you help them understand the bible? Or would you tell them about the Gospel right away?

Keep in mind that most people under the age of 30 probably have never been exposed to biblical truths. They have never touched a bible let alone open one. Most young people (and a lot of older adults, for that matter) don't have the foggiest notion of who Jesus is. So what would you tell them?

When Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Son of the Living God" and "the Christ."

Matthew 16:13–16; Mark 8:27–29; Luke 9:18–20 -

Matthew
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say zElijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Mark
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Luke
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

I would start with what it means to be Christ, the awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of God's plan through Israel as promised throughout the whole of Scripture, starting in Genesis 3 It is a pretty big telling and probably best done in installments over an extended period of time, if at all possible. How exciting to have such an important topic to discuss with your workmates!

Not an easy question, there's so much in the broader culture that is either hostile to The Gospel, or simply mocks it. I've encountered situations like this, however its always been with people who have at least the basics of who Jesus is. The question I ask is if they believe in God, or if they believe that our existence is just some form or cosmic chance. Agnosticism, if not outright atheism is rampant in today's culture.

In Jesus' time and probably right up until the 1500s (give or take) most people at least believed in a creator God. Back then people didn't know about things like DNA, or theories like the big bang and evolution. Science can explain a lot of things....but it cannot answer the fundamental question of our origins...unless one chooses to believe that it was all just a fluke.

Sometimes I talk about the big bang theory, how its said that all energy and matter in the universe was contained in something typically referred to as 'the singularity'. Scientists say this singularity, again all energy and matter in the universe today....they say it was all contained in a particle that was smaller than a quark. I will concede that point but ask:

"What existed outside of this singularity, and what caused the bang"? We're told the universe is expanding. Into what? Science has no answer for these questions.

I would also be curious to know what sparked this flurry of sudden inquiry into the Person of Jesus Christ, and perhaps you could use this line of questioning to open your discussion with them. I wonder about any workplace policy regarding proselytizing, also. It is one thing for some to be asking questions and discussing something pertinent to whatever sparked their interest, but quite another to have someone come along and offer the answers. People may like expressing their curiosity without seriously seeking answers. If they seriously wanted to know Who Jesus was/is, they might consider going to a church I am offering these as observations, only There was a time in my life, quite a few years before my conversion, when I was curious to know Who Jesus was, and fortunately enough it was coming up to Passover/Easter and a neighborhood church was showing a movie based on the life of Christ according to the gospel of Luke... so off to church I went

That brings to mind another idea... if these work mates are serious about wanting to know who Jesus is, and you could all handle hanging out together socially for a time, you could offer to watch with them such a movie as the one I mentioned

2 Corinthians 11:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.


I tell them the truth, that the Devil/Satan is pretending to be Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ and have done so for over 2000 years. And that the True Identity of Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ is be discovered in the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. You must discover and uncover this Identity for yourself, otherwise you will never ever truly believe. Secondhand accounts from others is wholly inadequate, you must have direct firsthand knowledge and in that way it is impossible to be deceived, brainwashed and Religiously and Financially exploited by False Messiahs/Christs.


WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I THE SON OF MAN AM?

If i had to be brief i would state that Christianity is the Way God has given for anyone to be made right with God for an eternal relationship with him in his perfect eternal existence...

Hopefully that would ( plant a seed) start their minds crunching and spark their curiosity enough for them to come back to me later asking for more details..

Christianity is to be Christ-like. Truthfully, haven't met very many of those, and looking in mirror I would have to include myself.

Sounds ambitious, but a really good suggestion nonetheless. Thanks.

So, in other words, you take a scientific approach, right? You must hang out with some very smart people.

Actually, it is a very informal work environment, but I do have to be somewhat careful.

I'm not particularily scientific, to me it just boils down to logic....and theories like the big bang and evolution are known by most people I find, heck the big bang theory is a tv show.

There is certainly a lot to unpack, isn't there? Starting at the beginning is often a good idea

I would say it explains a way to live forever. Man was created by
God with a body to live on this earth, and with a soul that lives forever, going to be with God when this earth life is over. However, it must be sin free to do that. In this earth we aren't able to be sin free so Christianity gives a way to overcome that by giving forgiveness for all sin. That is done through Christ, and Christianity explains that and how to be forgiven through Christ.

Yes. I wonder just what scripture speaks of when it speaks of death. I think the spirit world is in a different dimension so we don't comprehend all God speak of for that is the dimension God is in.

Christians are also told in scripture of how to live to have the most joy and abundance in this life.

I'd tell them that I am a follower of Jesus and would be happy to answer their questions about Him over a meal... on my dime. Or I'd invite them to the Alpha course my church is hosting soon.

OP question: How Would You Explain Christianity?

Here's what I would share with them:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(NOTE: All/Every human is guilty of sin. 1 exception found here: 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19, 1 Pet 2:22)

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(NOTE: Sins required wage is Death. But, thru faith in a sinless Christ's redemptive payment. A pardon is given)

Cor 15:
2 (A) By which also ye are saved
(NOTE: The next 2 verses explains salvation's foundation)

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(NOTE: A sinless Jesus died = Paid sin's required wage)

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
(NOTE: Jesus was buired for 3 days = Proof he died. And Jesus was raised from the dead = God's receipt, payment received & accepted)

How we appropriate Christ's payment = Faith & Confession

Rom 10:
8 The word is near you, even in your mouth, & in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach

9 If you will confess with thy mouth that Jesus is Lord, & and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
(NOTE: Confess faith in Jesus sin redemptive payment & resurrection)

10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; & with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(NOTE: God imputes/credits our faith/belief/trust in Jesus, with a judicial declaration of righteousness. Salvation comes upon your heart felt belief & confession, that Jesus, who was raised from the dead. Is your Lord & saviour)

11 For the scripture says, Whoever believes on Jesus shall not be ashamed.
(Whoever BELIEVES! Places their FAITH in Jesus sin atoning work!)

12 There is no difference between the Jew & the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him

13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
(NOTE: Confess & believe that Jesus died for your sins & that God raised him from the grave & you shall/will be saved)

The best approach I heard someone say is “If Jesus really died and was resurrected, would you become a Christian?” I would go from there depending on their response.