Doctrinal Statement

Christian Doctrinal Statement

Christianity has had a major impact on how I live my life, how I view myself as a player on the world's stage, and how I view everything about reality, from other people to God to nature to evil. I believe that the tenets of the Christian faith offer a comprehensive guideline on moral truth as well as a clear-cut path toward salvation and understanding God's will. The primary means by which Christian approaches his or her faith is through the Bible. The Bible offers wisdom about the nature of God, the nature of man, the nature of sin, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and all other tenets of the Christian faith. The Bible is, I believe, the direct Word of God, delivered through the hands of men. Reading and rereading the Bible are essential components of an individual's faith and salvation. Living without the Bible is like traveling without a map; the Book is essential in lighting the path during times of darkness or helping others achieve insights into the wisdom of the Lord.

I believe that the nature of God, while ultimately mysterious, is both wise and benevolent. God is all-powerful and all-knowing and may at all times shield His knowledge from his creation. In fact, I feel that one of the reasons humanity is shrouded by the darkness of sin is that God has yet to reveal His full truth. We were created in the image and likeness of God but we are not God and therefore we must at all times remain humble in the face of God. Humility is therefore an essential component of the Christian faith, which teaches that all things are inferior to the Almighty God. Human beings should not question the will of God. I perceive the nature of the Holy Spirit as being a more abstract manifestation of God. If God is the Father and Jesus is the Son, then the Holy Spirit is the great mystery underlying the nature of all creation.

I believe it is in man's nature to sin, and one of Jesus' messages was to show how ultimately sinful human beings are. At the same time, Jesus offered human beings hope for salvation. It was not just through his miracles and his teachings that Jesus proved he was the true son of God. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus illustrated that mankind is in dire need of divine assistance in overcoming evil. I look to Jesus as both role model and as symbol of hope, especially in times of darkness and despair. Jesus is all that is good in humanity: unconditional love, compassion, and kindness.

I have found that if I look to Jesus and take Him into my heart, I can overcome temptation and ill will and experience a taste of salvation. Salvation involves as much grace as it does hard work. Salvation always entails faith and unwavering belief. I believe that some suffering is essential for all human beings and that if we are willing to endure our suffering and still believe in God's goodness that we can be saved.