Welcome to No 2 Christianity
Do you agree people should know the difference between Christ and Christianity? Highlighting that difference is what NO2C is all about. Look around and observe –there are people who know Christ and there are people who have signed up for Christianity. There are also those who stoutly uphold the edifice of Christianity because of tradition, or because it provides a livelihood or somehow it serves their purpose. Many a noble endeavor is pursued by people unthinking, unaware or unconcerned how Christ is diminished by Christianity. It has caused millions to miss the wood for the trees.
If Jesus intended for people to join a new religion, why did he say, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life?” Was he recommending Christianity? Then why did he make a point about not serving two masters? The word Christianity does not exist in the Bible. “Christian” is used only twice, it was probably a derogatory term used to put down followers of, “The Way.” That’s what the early followers of Christ were called. A neutral term placing no barriers for anyone interested in him. So far no scholar has identified who coined the term “Christianity.”
NO2C is an individual initiative in the sense that this is not an organizational effort of some group. I am in the communion of faith but I am not attached to, nor do I wish to belong to any religious denomination. I genuinely respect all the traditions where Christ is the focus not Christianity. This is not about doing my own thing, just a choice – to follow the herd or follow the Word! The scripture tells us that the locusts have no king, yet they go forth by bands, all of them. Who guides them to do whatever it is they do? Jesus’ followers were a band of ordinary folks who scattered after his death. Why they regrouped and changed the course of history is a story worth investigating.
I’m pretty sure God is not a Muslim, or a Hindu or a Buddhist etc., and he certainly does not favor a religious enterprise called Christianity. Knowing him is our greatest quest. From what one can gather in the scriptures, it’s also his greatest desire.
Did God come in person into human history 2,000 years ago? Is Jesus “The Way, the Truth and the Life,” as he audaciously claimed? If he is ‘The Way,’ some distance and travel is implied. If he is ‘The Truth,’ there must be evidence. If he is ‘The Life,’ are there people who can confirm that? These are questions that require scrutiny and study by anyone looking to investigate the guarantee of eternal salvation Christ singularly extends. Not surprisingly power brokers were quick to seize that incredible pledge and Bethlehem’s historical epiphany to invent a religion he did not authorize! After twenty centuries all that can be said of Christianity is that it is the world’s largest religion. It’s influence on men’s hearts and minds as the Truth is debatable.
Christianity asks us to follow wise men in a hierarchy; Christ asks us to follow him in Spirit and in Truth; Christianity requires institutional membership; Christ has promised to be anywhere two or three gather in his name; Christianity binds people with ritual and tradition; Christ warns that tradition can make his Word void in our hearts. Even the uninitiated in their hearts know that Christ brings peace and unity, all else has been tried and found wanting.
No one can induce people to believe it is Christ who waits at the end of man’s spiritual quest – there is evidence God uniquely dialogues with each one of us. It’s a mystery most people ignore or dismiss. Only a few accept the divine invitation for an incomparable, lifelong relational adventure.
My goal is to keep NO2C simple. I’d like this to be a place where people come and share thoughts on their search for the Creator. Let’s keep it brief, interesting and to the point. Over time if a community of people who feel free to share their faith concerns comes together, that could be very interesting.
Whoever you are, whatever your religious convictions, I hope you will come here to discuss, debate and discern.
Truth is a rock for some of us, for all it is a journey. As fellow travelers, why remain strangers?
Let’s engage one another in eternity’s most profitable venture.
Frank Raj
frankrajno2c@gmail.com
A traveler
Hi Frank
Brilliant reading your view , I totally agree with what you say here it is refreshing to hear . You have verbalised what I have been thinking about a lot lately . I was a broken hopeless heroin addict for at least 10 years of my young life , Jesus saved me and met me at my lowest and filthiest , the people he sent to me looked me in the eye as an equal not as lofty beings of superiority that I had to strain to reach . This is the model he has given us to follow and even though I know this and practice this , with each victory I have in life and over the sin that used to hold me captive I find it harder to overcome self and pride . I see myself as fortunate as the early disciples did to have known and remember this kind of hardship , I believe the church needs to know the sufferings of Christ more in order to attain the humility it needs to love him and others.
Hi Mark
Thank you for your testimony, what a Savior we have!
If people would only look at Christ not this institution called Christianity that has cleverly used his sacred name to build an earthly edifice!
You might like to read some more of my articles at: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/no-2-religion-yes-2-faith/
In Him
Frank