This reflection paper examines how a course in Christian theology, centered on Elmer Towns' Core Christianity, transformed the author's understanding of what it means to be a Christian in modern society. The paper addresses three key theological revelations: Jesus's explicit claims to divinity during his earthly ministry, the theological necessity of the Virgin Birth as the means by which Christ embodied both human and divine natures without sin, and the essential role of lived behavior in authentic Christian faith. The author argues that Christianity requires both doctrinal belief and ethical conduct, and that neither alone is sufficient for a complete Christian identity.
This course changed my concept of what it means to be a Christian in three fundamental ways, all focused on what it means to be a Christian in modern society rather than on the theological underpinnings of Christianity. This course helped me realize that Christianity is not merely a system of belief, which is how many people conceive of religion. Instead, Christianity must be a combination of action and belief. At the same time, it made me more committed to some of the fundamental underpinnings of Christian theology, which I had admittedly set aside in my desire to equate being a Christian with simply being a good person and trying to do the right thing.
Reading Towns' book, I came to the realization that I was failing to embrace all of Christianity. Just as it is necessary — but not sufficient — to be a good person in order to honestly claim to be a Christian, it is also necessary — but not sufficient — to believe in the divinity of Jesus in order to be a Christian. The three topics that have most changed my understanding of what it means to be a Christian are: (1) whether Jesus claimed to be God; (2) why Jesus needed to be born to a virgin; and (3) why how a Christian lives his life is important.
The most important realization I had when reading Towns' book was that Jesus was not only divine, but made claims to divinity while he was on Earth. When I began this course, I had the impression that Jesus' divinity was not really critical to Christianity. After all, regardless of whether he was wholly human or a mixture of the divine and human, all sources supported the idea that Jesus was a very good person. There seemed little harm in a religion where its practitioners were striving to emulate a very good role model. However, to take that approach to Christianity really strips it of its spiritual meaning. Christianity is not merely an ethical system outlining acceptable and unacceptable behavior. In fact, without the divinity of Jesus, why would his opinion on what is right and wrong be any more important than the opinion of any other person? His divinity, therefore, becomes a crucial part of the religion.
Moreover, while some people dismiss the idea that Jesus made claims to being God, the text of the Bible makes it clear that Jesus made those claims. "When Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that He had seen Abraham they said, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM'" (John 8:57–58). The Jewish leaders understood that Jesus was calling Himself God, and so they picked up stones to kill Him — but they were unable to harm Him, for He walked away through their midst (Towns, p. 6). This was not the only time that Jesus spoke of his divinity, and there is no way to reasonably suggest that he was unaware of his divine lineage. "His preexistence was not something that was blotted from His memory while on earth, for He said, 'I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father'" (John 16:28). And the night before He died, Jesus prayed for the return of the glory He had with the Father before the world existed (John 17:5) (Towns, p. 6). These statements confirm that Jesus did claim to be God, and did so in a manner consistent with his broader conduct and teaching.
"Why the Virgin Birth is essential to Christian theology"
"How Christians must act, not just believe"
This course has impacted my understanding of Christianity in three fundamental ways, by helping me understand the critical importance of three topics: (1) whether Jesus claimed to be God; (2) why Jesus needed to be born to a virgin; and (3) why how a Christian lives his life is important. All of these issues relate to the central message I took away from the course, which is that Christianity is neither about doctrine alone nor behavior alone — it requires both. Christians need to believe in the divinity of Christ, and not simply assume that behaving ethically is sufficient. Christians also need to understand the miraculous nature of Christ in order to appreciate why his birth was such a significant gift for humanity. Finally, Christians need to strive to emulate Christ as much as possible. Belief and action are inseparable dimensions of authentic Christian identity.
You’re 51% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.