The Christian Position ( Summary)

A modern Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is God incarnate, whose death and resurrection uniquely secure salvation from sin, and that right relationship with God depends primarily on faith in him as revealed through Scripture and upheld by the Christian religious tradition. 

Core Beliefs That Define a Modern Christian

1. Jesus is uniquely divine

A modern Christian assumes that:

• Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet
  
  

• He is God incarnate (fully divine, usually also fully human)
  
  

• His identity is ontologically unique and central to reality
  
  

This belief is foundational; denying it usually places one outside Christianity as it is currently defined.

2. Jesus’ death has salvific power

A modern Christian believes that:

• Jesus’ crucifixion was necessary for salvation
  
  

• His death accomplished something metaphysical (forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, satisfaction of justice, defeat of evil, etc.)
  
  

• Human beings could not save themselves without this event
  
  

Even where theories differ (penal substitution, Christus Victor, moral influence), the cross is essential, not incidental.

3. Salvation depends on belief in Jesus

A modern Christian assumes that:

• Right relationship with God depends on faith in Jesus
  
  

• Belief is not merely admiration or imitation, but trust in his person and work
  
  

• Salvation is ultimately granted by grace, not earned by ethical behavior alone
  
  

Good works are typically seen as evidence of faith, not its basis.

4. The resurrection is literal and central

A modern Christian believes:

• Jesus physically rose from the dead
  
  

• This resurrection validates:
  
  

  • His divinity
    
    

  • His authority
    
    

  • The efficacy of his death
    
    

• Without the resurrection, Christianity collapses
  
  

This is not symbolic in mainstream belief.

5. The Bible is authoritative

A modern Christian assumes:

• The Bible is uniquely inspired or authoritative
  
  

• The New Testament reliably communicates God’s will
  
  

• Correct belief is derived from Scripture (even if mediated by tradition or church authority)
  
  

Disagreement exists over interpretation, but Scripture’s authority is assumed.

6. Christian identity is belief-based

Being Christian is primarily defined by:

• What one affirms
  
  

• Not primarily by ethical practice or way of life
  
  

One can fail morally and still be Christian if belief is retained.

7. God acts through institutions and mediation

Most modern Christians assume:

• Churches, clergy, sacraments, or ordained teaching structures are legitimate mediators of God’s truth
  
  

• Christianity exists as a religion, not merely a moral way
  
  

Even low-church traditions still assume communal and doctrinal boundaries.

8. Jesus is the decisive revelation of God

A modern Christian believes:

• Jesus uniquely reveals God’s nature and will
  
  

• Other moral or religious insights are secondary or incomplete without him
  
  

• Knowing Jesus (theologically) is necessary for knowing God fully
  
  

Core Assumptions (Often Unexamined)

These are usually assumed, not argued:

• Humans are fundamentally sinful or broken in a way they cannot fix
  
  

• God requires a solution to sin, not merely repentance
  
  

• Moral intuition alone is insufficient without revelation
  
  

• Divine justice requires a redemptive act, not just ethical reform
  
  

• Correct belief matters eternally

The Debate

 This discussion forum will examine the arguments from both sides as to how well above definition accurately reflect the position of the historical Jesus and his earliest followers. 

Discussion One : An introduction to the diversity of Christian communities prior to orthodoxy. 

Discussion Two : What if we only had Mark ( the earliest canonised gospel) to work from ?

Discussion Three : Early, non-canonical texts and reported heresies.

Discussion Four : The Imperial Agenda, why orthodoxy mattered to Rome.