The Essence of Christianity: Part I

In the past, if you asked me to define Christianity with just one word, I would have chosen love. However, in recent months, that word has changed to another, not because of any insufficiency in the word love (although I do think it’s overused), but there is another word that captures the essence of the movement even better, I think.

I would like to share my thoughts with you in a few days, but before I do so I am wondering if you’ll first share your thoughts with me: What word would you choose to summarize Christianity?

I realize that asking for comments is usually a sure-fire way to get no comments. Let me assure you that there’s no pressure, it doesn’t have to be clever or deep or anything. Maybe you think love is the essence of Christianity… go ahead and say so! I would love to see responses from a variety of people.

Oh, and no cheating! Try to think of your word before you look at the comments.

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61 Comments

Filed under musings, theology

61 Responses to The Essence of Christianity: Part I

  1. Irvin MacQuarrie

    Christ

  2. Tyler

    fullness

    (though I would also except ‘life’ and ‘love’)

  3. dannyfrese

    forgiveness

  4. dave b

    LIFE! (among other words)

  5. poserorprophet

    Resurrection.

  6. Sam

    Though late to the conversation, I would add:

    change (spiritual, social, global, etc.)

  7. Who Thinks Me Stinks

    Fraud

  8. Mike Vineci

    Violent.

  9. Eddie Van Helsing

    TYRANNY

  10. Anonymous

    Ridiculous

  11. Anonymous poster

    Dangerous

  12. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-thatamanil/beyond-the-theismatheism_b_552935.html

    This gives me a great idea: humility! Actually, I take that back: kenosis, since I love me some Greek theological terms.

  13. GOD

    EVERYONE. THIS IS GOD. STOP TRYING TO SUMMARIZE CHRISTIANITY WITH ONE WORD. YOU”RE MAKING JESUS MAD. WAIT..I MEAN I’M GETTING MAD. I MEAN…WE’RE BOTH KINDA MAD.

  14. James Marshall

    abusive

  15. Anonymous

    Manipulated

  16. Mark Johns

    Fiction.

    Mythology.

    Outdated.

    Sorry, that’s three. I couldn’t choose!

  17. Mike

    Massachusetts

  18. Anonymous

    Hatred.

    I also could use words such as hypocritical, cherrypicking, intolerance, or anti-science.

    I’ll happily defend any of these claims.

    • ashleabreitkreuz

      Can you describe why you chose cherrypicking? I’m curious; I only know “cherrypicking” in sports, and I’m unclear of the connection.

  19. The Dandyman

    Fiction

  20. Arthur

    can i pick two? willful ignorance

  21. Natty

    Crucifictastic! Is that a word?

    …Crucifictitious?

  22. Dirks Dank

    Dissonance

  23. BeenThere

    Control.

  24. J. Christ

    Disingenuous.

  25. G. Kyle Essary

    Since all of the negative comments came on one day “April 28th,” I think we can officially declare the day as take out your anger on Christianity day. That’s probably good for those of us in the church occasionally.

    I would have chosen “redemption” as my word.

  26. poserorprophet

    Looks like “being discovered” is a double-edged sword, eh? Don’t let the ding-dongs get you down.

  27. Greta

    There are so many excellent words here, but I’ll have to add another one:

    Brainwashing

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