Christianity's uniqueness grounded in historical facts and events

Christianity claims to be unique and this work in writing will demonstrate the uniqueness in research and show why other religions could not be considered as the way to salvation. The work of J. Hampton Keathley, III discusses the uniqueness of Christianity and states that Christianity is unique "because it stems from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived. In Jesus, we have One who has virtually changed every aspect of human life, but sadly, most people are completely oblivious to the reality of how He has so completely impacted the world." (Keathley, 2012)

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ is examined by Keathley from the view of the uniqueness of Christianity as a religion and states of Christianity that "alone of all the beliefs of mankind, be they religious or political or philosophical…" Christianity is the one religion founded upon the bases of "historical acts and facts." (Keathley, 2012) Other religions are reported as being centered "in the ethical and religious teachings of their founders, but Christianity is built on the great events of creation and redemption."[footnoteRef:1](Morris, 1974, p.10) [1: Henry Morris, Many Infallible Proofs, Creation Life Publishers, 1974, p. 10 in Keathley (2012)]

For example, "The Moslem faith is based on the teachings of Mohammed; Buddhism is based on the teachings Buddha, Confucianism on the teachings of Confucius, Marxism on the teachings of Marx, and evolution on the teachings of Darwin. Not one of these is based on the observation of historical data or facts, but on the teachings and theories of men. Remember, evolution is based on theory -- not on observable data." (Keathley, 2012) Christianity is not founded upon that which Jesus taught but on who and what Jesus is and what He Accomplished. Keathley states that the value of what He [Jesus] said was dependent upon who He was and what He did and the abundant historical evidence that authenticated His life and words. This gave the teachings of Christ authority and placed them alone in the category of absolute truth." (Keathley, 2012) This is because the truth of what Jesus taught are rested upon the "validity of historical records, which are subject to investigation and examination" while all other beliefs have as their bases "the teaching and ideas of those who were nothing more than men." (Keathley, 2012)

I. Contributions of Christianity

Evidence of the uniqueness of Christianity includes those due to the impact that Jesus Christ had through the church on humankind and on history. Included on those contributions are the following:

(1) Hospitals -- began in the middle Ages;

(2) Universities -- also began in the middle Ages

(3) Literacy and education for the masses;

(4) Capitalism and free enterprise;

(5) Representative government (in the United States)

(6) The separation of political powers;

(7) Civil liberties

(8) The abolition of slavery, both in antiquity and in more modern times;

(9). Modern science.

(10) The discovery of the New World by Columbus.

(11) The elevation of women.

(12) Benevolence and charity; the Good Samaritan ethic.

(13) Higher standards of justice.

(14) The elevation of the common man.

(15) The condemnation of adultery, homosexuality, and other sexual perversions. This has helped to preserve the human race, and it has spared many from heartache.

(16) High regard for human life.

(17) The civilizing of many barbarian and primitive cultures.

(18) The codifying and setting to writing of many of the world's languages.

(19) Greater development of art and music. The inspiration for the greatest works of art.

(20) The countless changed lives transformed from liabilities into assets to society because of the gospel.

(21) The eternal salvation of countless souls! (Keathley, 2012)[footnoteRef:2] [2: D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1994, Introduction]

Kennedy stated the following:

"When Jesus Christ took upon Himself the form of man, He imbued mankind with a dignity and inherent value that had never been dreamed of before. Whatever Jesus touched or whatever he did transformed that aspect of human life. Many people will read about the innumerable small incidents in the life of Christ while never dreaming that those casually mentioned "little" things were to transform the history of humankind." [footnoteRef:3] (cited in Keathley, 2012) [3: Kennedy, pp. 3-4.]

II. Fulfilled Prophecy

The most unique feature of Christianity is that of prophesy that has been fulfilled as His coming was prophesied in a very detailed manner in regards to His lineage, nature, birthplace, his raising, career, purpose and the way that he would die as well as his resurrection. These prophecies were made centuries before Jesus was born.

III. The Birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus is the most unique known in that his mother, Mary was a virgin who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of God and became pregnant with Jesus or as Keathley (2012) states "God Himself took up residency in a virgin's womb in embryonic form so that after a natural nine-month pregnancy, she gave birth to a son who was also God's Son. He was the God-man Savior -- not a God-indwelt man. He was both true and genuine humanity and undiminished deity united in one Person forever. No other birth was like this in fact or fiction." (Keathley, 2012)

V. The Love

Separating Christianity from all other religions on earth is the factor of 'Love' and that being the Love of God for man and the love of man for mankind when men have the mind and heart of God. Jesus commanded that people should love others the way that they themselves would like to be loved and this is referred to as the 'Golden Rule'. Jesus also said that there is no greater commandment than one stating that one should love God with all ones' heart, mind and soul, and that one should love ones' fellowman. Jesus had a message of love and forgiveness and Jesus did not just talk about love and forgiveness but instead He demonstrated it. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead back to life. Jesus withstood the temptations of Satan and case demons out of people. Jesus turned the few loaves of bread and the few fish into enough to feed the multitude who had gathered to hear him speak. Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. Jesus, a perfect man and God in the flesh rode a humble and lowly donkey into the city on Passover and on the donkey he carried an olive branch.

Jesus came to mankind with a message of love, peace, forgiveness and relating how humankind could be restored into the family of God through giving his life on the cross to pay for the sins of mankind and therefore be redeemed. Jesus instructed mankind to turn the other cheek 70 x 7. The messages of Jesus are like the messages of no other religion and his passion and love for mankind is obvious in the giving of his life to save the lives of sinners. Jesus is the only religious head that upon leaving earth sent the Holy Spirit to illuminate the path for mankind, to unction and guide mankind during the remainder of mankind's stay on earth preceding the Second Coming of Christ.

VI. The Tax Collectors and Fallen

Jesus represents the only religious that welcomes in all people, indeed everyone that wishes to come into the community of Christian believers. The entry into this community requires a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as ones' savior and lord. The body of Christ or the bride of Christ is formed through the collective group of Christian believers throughout the world. No other religion holds such a belief and as such, all individuals are important. Jesus traveled the byways and highways of earth seeking out such individuals as tax collectors who were corrupt individuals, individuals of ill-repute and he went into their homes and kept company with them carrying his message on to others that these individuals could in turn show the love of Christ outward into the world.

VII. The Deliberateness of the Surrender of Jesus to the Will of God

The most unique factors in the Christian religion include two primary factors:

(1) the fact that the Father, God, allowed his Son, Jesus to be put to death in order to save the souls of mankind that without him to stand in the gap, were doomed to eternal hell; and (2) The fact that Jesus had a choice -- He could have chosen not to die for mankind.

Free will is extremely important to understand in this context as there is a deliberate action on the part of both God and Jesus to ensure that the souls of mankind are appropriated for in the eternal plan of God for all time. However, just as Jesus had free will, so too does mankind has free will either to choose Jesus or to deny Jesus. The importance of free will in the Christian religion cannot be expressed nearly enough.

Summary and Conclusion

This work has examined the uniqueness of Christianity and concludes that Christianity is indeed the most unique of all world religions and as such Christianity is characterized by God's love for mankind and his sending of his only Son to the world in order that the lives of his children might be saved.