a christian life essay

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from the Billy Graham Library

10 guidelines for christian living, january 10, 2014.

Categories: Billy Graham

Over the last seven decades, Billy Graham has written 32 books which are an extension of his continued ministry and burden to reach as many people as possible with the Good News of the Gospel. In “Peace with God,” Mr. Graham outlines ten guidelines for Christian living. This classic volume by Billy Graham points to the fact that God is the only way to find authentic personal peace in a world in crisis.

The Bible teaches that the Christian life is one of constant growth. When you were born again, you were born into God’s family. It is God’s purpose that you will grow into fill stature and become mature in Christ. It would be against the law of God and nature if you were to remain a baby and thus become a spiritual dwarf. In 2 Peter 3:18, the Bible says that we are to grow. It implies steady development, constant enlargement, increasing wisdom.

For one to grow properly certain rules must be observed for good spiritual health.

• Read your Bible daily. Do not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy your conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart. It comforts, guides, corrects, encourages – all we need is there.
• Learn the secret of prayer. Prayer is communicating. Every prayer that you pray will be answered. Sometimes that answer may be “Yes” and sometimes “No,” and sometimes it is “Wait,” but nevertheless it will be answered.
• Rely constantly on the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8), and what a comfort that should be to the weakest of us. Stand aside and let Him take over all the choices and decisions of your life.
• Attend church regularly. The visible church is Christ’s organization upon earth. Christians need one another, we need to gather together to worship God and nothing can take the place of church attendance.
• Be a witnessing Christian. We witness in two ways: by life and by word – and the two, where possible, should go hand in hand.
• Let love be the ruling principle of your life. Jesus said to those who followed Him, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The greatest demonstration of the fact that we are Christians is that we love one another.
• Be an obedient Christian. Let Christ have first place in all the choices of your life.
• Learn how to meet temptation. Temptation is not sin. It is yielding that is sin. Let Christ through the Holy Spirit do the fighting for you.
• Be a wholesome Christian. Our lives and appearance should commend the Gospel and make it attractive to others.
• Live above your circumstances. Don’t let your circumstances get you down. Learn to live graciously within them, realizing the Lord Himself is with you.

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Christian Living: Living the Way Jesus Wants

by  Mike Bennett

Jesus came to give His followers an abundant life—full of purpose, potential and joy. But Christian living has challenges. How do we live the life Jesus wants?

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

That doesn’t mean that Christian living is easy. The challenges and difficulties of this way of life are designed to help us grow to have Jesus Christ’s mind and the character of God. We are to learn to think and act like God because He wants us to be His children forever!

Christian living principles

God gave us the Bible to teach us the best way to live and to give us examples of others to learn from. The good and bad examples in the Bible can make what may seem to be abstract principles come to life.

The articles in this “Christian Living” section will help you find and understand the biblical principles for dealing with the challenges of life. They will help you build strong, supportive, loving relationships. They will help you grow in knowledge of God’s way and in acting on that knowledge.

God’s way is the way of love. It’s the way of peace. Biblical principles will help us at home, at school, on the job, in our time management and decision making, in controlling our emotions and in growing in spiritual maturity. By practicing Christian living, we will demonstrate the values that Christ has and the love He shows.

This section is a work in progress, so we encourage you to come back often as we add new articles about Christian living. Please let us know if you have suggestions for future articles, and let us know any questions you would like answered.

And the way of peace they have not known.”

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Topics On Christian Living: Living the Way Jesus Wants

The Way of Peace

Humans have yearned for and struggled for peace, but still it has eluded us. What does the Bible reveal about the way of peace, and how can we live that way?

Christian Time Management

Time management is a booming business—everyone wants to get more done and control time wasters. But for Christians the need to manage time is even more urgent.

Christian Decision-Making

We are shaped by our choices, and some have life-or-death consequences. This Christian decision-making process can help us make wise decisions.

Run With Endurance

Preparing for and running a marathon reminded me a lot of the challenges of the Christian life. I learned how to run with endurance in a much deeper way.

From Failure to Success

When we feel discouraged, we can ask God to help us turn things around. The Bible reveals the causes of spiritual failure and spiritual success.

Christian Values

The Bible presents foundational values that are perfect and beneficial—yet most reject them today. These core Christian values can—and will—change the world.

“I Hate My Job!”

The alarm startles you awake. It’s time to get ready to face another day on the job. Are you eager? Or do you dread the day ahead and think, “I hate my job”?

When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Sometimes we struggle to understand the events of our lives. When life is difficult, how can we make sense of what doesn’t seem to make sense?

Choose Life!

Some life choices are made after careful thought. Others are spur-of-the-moment, but can have lasting impact. What about your most important life choice?

Real Source of Contentment?

Why are some of the most prosperous people some of the least satisfied? What is the real secret of satisfaction and contentment?

Is Life Fair?

Is the deck stacked against you? If you look at the Instruction Manual to see if this game of life is really fair, you’ll find amazing hope for the future.

Before You Post on Social Media …

What we say on the Internet says a lot about us. Do our social media messages reflect things God likes—or things He hates?

The Busyness Trap

Are you frazzled by nonstop activities and never-ending pressures? Why is everyone so busy today? What can we do to reorient our lives to deal with busyness?

Fear is one of the strongest motivators. It can push us into wrong actions or freeze us into inaction. How can we keep God’s instruction to “fear not”?

Cast Out Fear?

Fear can be overwhelming and destructive, but it’s also incredibly difficult to control. What does the Bible say about overcoming fear and anxiety?

Perseverance and the Science of Resilience

The scientific study of resilience shows how to increase our chances of recovering from challenges. These principles are related to biblical perseverance.

Learning From the First Christians

For many professing Christians today, religion is just a few-hours-a-week thing. Many are passive, even apathetic. But the early Church was not so.

A Prophetic Warning About Your Thinking

Is the World Wide Web playing a part in rewiring our brains? What does God say about trends in thinking in the end time?

Is Fantasy Harmless?

Some believe that no matter how bad their thoughts are, there’s no harm if they don’t act on them. Does fantasy really not hurt anyone?

Could Your Love Grow Cold?

The Olivet Prophecy contains a dire warning of a spreading coldness of heart. But Jesus also gives encouragement to help us counteract that spiritually lethal threat.

How to Deal With Fear and Stress

Our world and our lives can seem perpetually on the brink of disaster. How can we survive the constant bombardment of anxiety, fear and stress?

Gut Feelings

Many experts tell us to follow our hearts or trust our gut instincts to make the best choices. But what does the One who designed and created us say?

Nobody’s Perfect

No matter how hard we try, we never seem to get everything exactly right. Many feel frustrated they didn’t do better or judge others who fall short. But have we failed if we aren’t perfect?

The Power of Discernment

In a rapidly changing world, amid a deluge of ideas and opinions, how can we clearly see what is right and wrong? Where can we find true wisdom?

Dealing With Outrage Fatigue

We live in an age of outrage, and more destructive and infuriating things happen every year. How does God want us to react? How can we avoid burnout?

Three Keys to Lasting Success in Life

What are the keys to lasting success in the most important aspects of our lives, and where can we find these keys?

Measuring Spiritual Growth

The continuing goal of every Christian is to grow spiritually. Yet how do you measure spiritual growth? To measure growth, don’t we need a measuring stick?

Prejudice: How It Will End

Bigotry mars the pages of history, and it’s still alive and well today. But God calls us to rise above prejudice and promises a world where it can’t exist.

Dealing With Compassion Fatigue

We care deeply, until we can’t care anymore. What can we do when we feel drained, numb or burned-out? How can we handle compassion fatigue?

Humility isn’t valued very highly today. But the Bible shows it’s not just a nice characteristic—it’s one that’s essential to please God.

The Curious Conundrum of Curiosity

It’s curious how curiosity can bring out the best and worst in us. How can we cultivate the benefits and avoid the pitfalls?

Crying: What the Bible Says

Growing up, boys are often told that big boys don’t cry. But is that what the Bible says? What is God’s perspective on crying and tears?

“My Yoke Is Easy”

Life was hard for the early Christians, and it is difficult for some today. So what did Christ mean when He said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light”?

“No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”

Too often, doing a good deed can come with a heavy price. Is the cost of doing good worth the reward? Is there even a reward? Today’s society might say no, but Scripture shows us otherwise.

Christianity in Progress

We’re launching a new column to explore some common Christian struggles in greater depth. In this inaugural edition, we’ll take a closer look at why everyday moments matter.

How to Be Successful

What is success, and how do we reach it? Here’s how applying purpose, preparation and perseverance can help us achieve the most important things in life.

Famous Last Words

What you choose to say at the end of your life isn’t the most important thing in the world. What God says about you is.

Listen Here

We live in a world beset by enormous and seemingly insoluble problems. Many are bewildered by the inability of human governments and institutions to resolve these issues. Why is humanity unable to resolve these troublesome conditions? The Bible provides an answer and a reason that may surprise you!

How to Be Happy

Have you ever wondered why so few people experience true happiness and peace of mind? What about you? Are you personally filled with joy and happiness? If not, you can tap into life-changing gems of knowledge that lead to genuine joy and contentment.

Weapons of Mass Distraction

A successful pickpocket depends on distraction and misdirection to get the job done. What do you stand to lose if you’re not paying attention?

Learning to Live Again

For many who are caught in the consequences of bad life choices, tomorrow seems to have no hope. But God will fulfill His promise to give everyone a chance for an abundant life!

Emotions in the Bible

The Bible shows that God has emotions and created our capacity for emotions. We can be thankful God’s emotions are under control, and this Bible study on emotions explores how we can grow in godly emotional control.

Fighting FOMO

Twenty years ago, we didn’t even have a word for it. Now it’s everywhere. FOMO can be crippling if you don’t have a battle plan ready.

7 Keys for Developing Spiritual Discernment

The world is awash in religious information but floundering when it comes to developing spiritual discernment. How can you sort through the confusion?

Ambassadors of Christ

God calls Christians to follow Christ and be lights to the world. We are to become ambassadors of Christ and His Kingdom. How should we represent God’s Kingdom?

Be Ready Always to Give an Answer

Peter encouraged persecuted Christians to “be ready always to give an answer” for “the hope that is in you.” What does this mean for Christians today?

The Narrow Path: God’s Highway of Holiness

Jesus encourages us to enter the narrow path that leads to life. The Bible gives vital details about the challenges and benefits of this Highway of Holiness.

Finding Peace of Mind

In a world of turmoil, with crisis after crisis, stress and anxiety thrive. How can we find peace of mind when life seems unpredictable and out of control?

Debriefing: Preparing for a Spiritual Crisis

The coronavirus crisis has transformed our world. What will we learn about how to prepare for future crises—especially the most dangerous, spiritual ones?

7 Ways to Stay Positive When Life Disappoints

When things go wrong, when plans fail and people let us down, how can we deal with disappointment? Here are biblical ways to stay positive in a negative world.

What Are You Passionate About?

History and the Bible give us examples of zeal and passion. Are we passionate about the most important things? Or are we being distracted by other passions?

What Do You Need to Be Happy?

Everyone looks for happiness, one way or another. Everyone in history and in all places. Why is it so hard to find? What do you need to be happy?

Seven Keys to Coping With the Trials and Tribulations of Life

Sometimes life is tough! In troubling times we often turn to God, but do we pray for the things that will help us cope? Here are seven vital elements to request of God.

5 Ways to Refresh Yourself When You Don’t Have Time

Life can be hectic and harried. Here are five ways to refresh yourself and make time to recharge and prevent burnout.

How to Overcome Fear

There’s much to fear in today’s world. Our worries can easily spin out of control. Here’s how to overcome fear and live with confidence according to the Bible.

Citizens of Heaven Under Governments of Men

Christians are to be in the world, but not of the world, balancing their primary allegiance to God with their secondary allegiance to their national government.

Are You Feeling Vulnerable?

Fear and worry can plague us when we see our weaknesses. But God doesn’t want us to be trapped by feeling vulnerable. He offers the strength and refuge we need.

What Does the Bible Say About Superstitions?

Today some superstitions seem harmless and even funny. Others are dark and ominous. What does the Bible say about superstitions?

Walk as He Walked

In this article, we introduce our newest column, “Walk as He Walked.” What is this new column all about, and why is it important for you?

“All Things Work Together for Good” (Really?)

Paul wrote that “all things work together for good” in Romans 8:28. But what does this wonderful promise mean—especially when bad things happen?

“In Everything Give Thanks” (Really?)

Paul wrote some inspiring and beautiful sentiments, such as, “In everything give thanks.” But is that literally realistic?

“Be Holy, for I Am Holy”

God is holy! In the Holy Scriptures, God indicates that His people can become holy as well. How is it possible for humans to become holy—like God?

Purity in the Bible

The need for purity in our lives is a theme running through the Bible. Purity shows love for God and others. How can our actions and thoughts become purer?

When Life Gets Tough

Difficult times come in many shapes and sizes. They can disorient, discourage and debilitate us. How can we keep moving forward on our Christian journey?

How Our Personality Type Affects Our Christianity

Does our personality type make us better or worse at fulfilling our role as a Christian? Are we developing our personality and character to resemble God’s?

Real-Life Ethical Dilemmas

We sometimes face complex situations with no clear right choice. What should Christians do when confronted with spiritual, moral or ethical dilemmas?

As Iron Sharpens Iron

How do we become, and remain, spiritually sharp Christians? God’s Word and Jesus Christ’s example show us what it takes to remain sharp.

Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue

Paul warned Christians not to become weary in doing good, but did not give much detail about how to overcome spiritual burnout. Does the Bible tell how?

Identifying and Addressing Christian Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome can be difficult to wrestle with in any facet of our lives, but it can be especially difficult when it shows up in our walk with God.

What Does the Bible Say About Revenge?

The desire for vengeance is a common and strong human emotion. How are Christians to respond to offenses? What does the Bible say about revenge?

How to Get Your Life Together

Life’s complicated. Many of the pieces are slippery. Just when we think we have it all together, it can come apart. How can we get and keep life together?

Importance of Objectivity

Bias, prejudice, partiality and polarization are common today. How important is it to be objective in our judgments and evaluations of circumstances?

“Let No One Despise Your Youth”: Six Elements of Earning Respect

Do you ever feel dismissed or looked down upon just because you’re young? This story of a young man and his mentor can help you earn respect.

Divine Protection in a Chaotic World

Worries about crime, disease and disasters are increasing. What can we do to avoid danger, and what does the Bible say about seeking divine protection?

Why We Need Spiritual Discernment Now More Than Ever

Our world is filled with schemes, scams and deceptions of almost every variety imaginable. Spiritual misinformation also runs rampant. What can we do?

What Does the Bible Say About Watching Bad Things?

Technology allows entertainment to surround us as never before. What does God say about guarding our hearts and minds by not watching bad things?

“The Spirit Is Willing, but the Flesh Is Weak”

During the long night before His crucifixion, Jesus expressed disappointment and understanding of our human weaknesses. How should we respond today?

5 Ways to Live Like Jesus in the Modern World

True Christians desire to live like Jesus Christ, but how do we apply His example to our modern situations? Consider these five specific ways.

Words to Live By?

The words we use to direct our life have a good or a bad impact on who we are. Consider some common motivational sayings compared with the words of God.

“I Have Set Before You Life and Death”

The people of Israel were poised at the edge of the Promised Land when Moses said, “I have set before you life and death.” What does this mean for us today?

Olympic Legends: The Boys in the Boat

This year’s Olympics will bring new stories of triumph. Few can top the classic underdog story of the American rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Spiritual Decluttering

We might think of clutter as only a modern-day problem. But the Bible offers an approach to spiritual decluttering that will enable us to focus on our greatest treasure!  

Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner?

It’s one of those sayings that many people assume are biblical. However, “hate the sin and love the sinner” is not a quote from the Bible. Is it biblical?

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Writing the Christian life: The essence of spiritual memoir

A sparrow flutters through the window into a banquet hall filled with light, music, and feasting. Then, just as quickly, the bird flies away again into the darkness. The flight of the bird is our life—brief, dramatic, and framed by two immense darknesses. Where has it come from? From what primordial past? Where is it going? Into what unknowable future?

The ancient parable suggests a religious dimension to the telling of any life. It begins in mystery and ends in faith. So compelling is the mystery that it must be puzzled over and prayed out and finally written down.

Several years ago I gathered with pastors from around our state to read spiritual autobiographies and memoirs. We met one full day a month for an entire year, reading and reflecting on “the life of faith.” We were all hungry for the genre. Our enthusiasm corresponded to the surging popularity of memoir not merely in bookstores or on Amazon but in life-writing clubs, blogs, and self-published books in what the New York Times has called “the Age of Memoir.”

The books we read offered us much-needed vocational reinforcement. In a culture brimming with stories, we had somehow mislaid the beauty and the drama of the narratives that belonged to us, or to which we belonged. The courage of Perpetua and Felicitas, the misfortunes of Abelard, the strength of Teresa of Ávila, the anxieties of Bunyan, the kindness of Thérèse of Lisieux—these and many others reminded us that the autobiographical genre is not a fad but an established practice of the church, as old as Augustine and as fresh as Anne Lamott.

At its best, Christian memoir serves as a kind of reality check for our own, less literary lives of faith. The art of memoir imaginatively reprises the language and experiences of ordinary Christians and their communities—prayer, testimony, praise, confession, doubt, and lament. When Dorothy Day begins The Long Loneliness by evoking the smell of candle wax and incense in the confessional, she is associating the act of writing with the faithful observances of the church. Writing is like confessing, except it is harder, more exposed, and almost never followed by absolution. When joined to the traditional practices of preaching, sacrament, and catechesis, the telling of a life helps shape Christian identity and discipleship.

Christians were not the first to explore the significance of a single life. Socrates counseled the value of self-knowledge, insisting that the unexamined life is not worth living. He conducted oral exams, called dialogues, in which he and his friends explored in Q-and-A form the essentials of a life well lived.

In the millennium after Socrates, many praised his excellent advice but no one seriously followed it in narrative form until a 43-year-old North African bishop decided it was time to tell the story of his life. Augustine was fascinated by two mysteries at work in the world, the mystery of God and the mystery of human life, his own being Exhibit A. In the Confessions , he crafts them into a double helix, not as two phases or chapters of a story but as one profoundly tangled mystery. He narrates the facts of his life as he remembers them, but what he’s after is the meaning of it all, or what Henry James called “the figure in the carpet.” If you acknowledge only the divine, you get hagiography. If you focus only on your own life, you run the risk of narcissism of the sort with which Rousseau begins his own Confessions : “I am made unlike anyone I have ever met; I will even venture to say that I am like no one in the whole world.”

Augustine was as fascinated with himself as Rousseau, but his fascination led him in a different direction. He never tires of exploring the motives behind his moral and intellectual development: How did I become so self-centered? Why did I steal a few pears (when I hate pears)? Must my every sexual and professional conquest leave me dissatisfied? Why? How is it that I cried buckets when I read about the death of Dido in Virgil’s Aeneid but couldn’t squeeze out a tear when Mother died? His penchant for introspection has become second nature to us all.

He concludes that his life, no matter how fascinating or successful, will never be made whole until it is taken up into Another’s life. Which is why his life story does not begin “I was born in a humble log cabin in Upper Numidia,” but “ Magnus es domine ” (“God, you are great!”). On the very same page the reader encounters five domines (Lord), seven laudares (praise), and nine invocares (invoke). This is not the stuff of a traditional Roman life. This is not Caesar’s Gallic Wars or Colin Powell’s My American Journey . It is the language of liturgy. What follows will be a new kind of life, like Paul’s, still focused on the “I,” to be sure, but a chastened, crucified, and transfigured “I.” Even the sacrament of baptism follows a narrative arc. “Once I was dead in sin, then I was buried with Jesus, now I walk in newness of life.”

A spiritual memoir becomes explicitly Christian when it derives its literary power from the power of the gospel. It doesn’t preach, it shows, and it does not—or should not—generalize or go soft-focus at the hard parts. It is a narrative in which some dimension of Christian faith, thought, or practice shapes the character of the work as a whole.

The word whole is significant. For example, most critics do not consider Barack Obama’s memoir, Dreams from My Father , a Christian or religious autobiography, even though it contains the story of the author’s conversion. That is because the conversion does not appear as the culmination of the plot or the impetus for a new direction in the narrative. On the other hand, Sara Miles’s Take This Bread comes across as a religious memoir because, despite the secularity of the narrator’s voice, her story originates in sacramental desire and persistently seeks a new understanding of the Eucharist as a form of prophetic service.

Some have argued that the nature of memoir makes it an unavoidably Western and individualistic exercise, that the autobiographical genre is unthinkable apart from the birth of self-awareness. Some spiritual memoirs follow this track, the modern psychologized view, which celebrates the move away from the repressiveness of the group toward the realization of individual consciousness. But this is to marginalize cultures in which the self exists as part of the whole. It devalues those whose understanding of the Christian life is relational and collective, whose identity is established not by means of difference but by participation in the group.

There is another way. It leads away from the celebration of the self toward an ecclesial understanding of human beings in community. What made The Cloister Walk , by Kathleen Norris, such a groundbreaking work was precisely this counterthesis: a gifted young poet discovers in the catholic tradition something larger than the realization of her own talent. She moves to South Dakota, joins a Presbyterian church, sings in the choir, and becomes a Benedictine oblate. This is a hard sell these days. Her work exemplifies the challenge of those who write autobiographically “in Christ.”

There are no rules for writing a life, but there are coordinates for locating God in the story. In books 10–12 of the Confessions , Augustine mentions several: time, memory, and truth. Let’s add one more: death.

Time. When it comes to time, Augustine is of two competing minds. He says he understands time, but when he tries to explain it, “I can’t do it.” Like Einstein and Stephen Hawking, he links the existence of time to physical space as we experience it in our bodies. The past and the future do not exist. Even the present now is known only in retrospect as it departs for then . Where is it? Augustine comes near to admitting that time does not exist, which is a titillating enough notion, except that its byproduct is the minimizing of suffering and sin. Fortunately, God is eternal and is equally present to today, yesterday, and tomorrow, thereby guaranteeing the significance of every life and every death. For the dead, it is always “today.”

In Christ, this temporal life assumes the forward-leaning plot with which Christians are familiar: once I was lost, now I am found. “Salvation is nearer than we when we first believed.” “I press on toward the goal . . .” This is Time’s very arrow. If Homer sang of the human quest for glory, the Bible tells of God’s unrelenting quest for us. Each Christian narrative discerns something of the divine movement in human life. First, the Word becomes flesh. Then, through the miracle of memoir, flesh becomes word.

Among modern and postmodern memoirists the redemptive arrow has faded, but the importance of time has not. One senses that among modern writers—Virginia Woolf and Vladimir Nabokov come to mind—the meticulous recovery of life’s every detail constitutes an act of self-creation. The narrator is, in effect, writing herself into existence. In the same vein, the atrocity or abuse narrative, like the Puritan memoir The Narrative of the Persecutions of Agnes Beaumont or Nawal El Saadawi’s contemporary classic Woman at Point Zero , expresses a defiant determination to survive (if only in print) and to write oneself back into the story of human life.

Memory. Augustine’s confession, “Lord, all that I have discovered about you I have done so by remembering,” could be made by every memoirist. For Augustine, memory is the gift that keeps on giving, the companion whose reliability is never tainted by falsity and self-deception. Since God dwells in memory, Augustine is able to trace the continuity that we all feel in our bones between the youngster we once were and the senior citizen we have become, between the callow Augustine who once made a joke of baptism and the chastened Augustine who is saved by it. Memory enables him to say “I” in a way no autobiographer had before.

Memoir is perspectival—and here is a difference between it and autobiography. Autobiography tends to be linear and chronological; memoir tends to replicate the mind’s helter-skelter way of processing the past. The memoirist does not examine the past but his or her memory of the past. This leads to the now fashionable blur between fiction and nonfiction.

Yet as Sven Birkerts has written in The Art of Time in Memoir , the genius of memoir is that one can say about it, “This really happened”—this despite the virtual impossibility of reproducing anything as it really happened. Even public occurrences, like the shooting of a president or the killing of a black teenager, are reconstructed in a fog of conflicting motives, perceptions, and memories. And personal experiences, like falling in love, getting saved, or facing death, are even more elusive; they age like good wine and become more dramatically satisfying with each retelling. Religious writers as diverse as Julian of Norwich, John Bunyan, and Martin Luther King Jr. edited—revised, altered—their private, pivotal religious experiences in succeeding editions of their memoirs, not because they were lying but because every story needs a new audience to complete it and make it better. Emotion that is recollected in tranquillity, which is how Wordsworth defined poetry, never quite captures the chaos of emotion in its raw state.

Memory is important for the Christian writer because it is in God’s memory we are held and in God’s memory we are saved. What God forgets is the boring chronology of Israel’s sins. What God remembers is God’s love for Israel—and for us. “Can a mother forget her nursing child?” God asks. “These may forget, but I will not forget you. I have engraved your name in the palm of my hand.” Divine love remembers us even when we are lost to the world’s memory, as we all shall be, or, through the curse of dementia, lost to ourselves. In the resurrection, Jesus performs God’s memory. By raising Jesus from the dead, God says in effect, “This is how I will remember you.”

Truth. Among modern truth tellers, we might consider Anne Lamott’s graphic account of her alcoholism, or C. S. Lewis’s clinical record of his grief (which includes his “disgusting” personal hygiene and his blasphemous thoughts), or Mother Teresa’s 30-year battle with “the darkness.” Christians should be the last people to falsify their own lives. Truthfulness is crucial not only for the sake of honesty, but because there is a connection between the truth of God and the truth of a life in which the grace of God is disclosed. Fudging on one’s own life invariably sentimentalizes the Jesus who saved it.

In order to tell the truth about God, the writer employs tools usually associated with fiction, such as physical description, poetic language, or extensive dialogue. For example, in The Seven Storey Mountain , Thomas Merton will make an artistic investment in order to put the reader on the streets of upper Manhattan on the morning of his baptism at Corpus Christi Church because he wants to reveal something of the character of baptism itself. It’s not just a weather report when he writes, “The sky was bright and cold. The river glittered like steel. There was a clean wind in the street. It was one of those fall days full of life and triumph, made for great beginnings.”

In spiritual memoir, the more skillfully the writer crystallizes the long process of conversion into a single dramatic moment, the greater the role of art. When Augustine’s world is “teetering,” as he says in book 8, the garden in Milan, with its convenient fig tree, calls to mind the drama of another garden. This garden, too, is crowded with actors. A weeping Augustine is there along with several personifications of his sensuality whispering in his ear, “Surely, you can’t do without us, can you?” His best friend is standing by helplessly. Then the figure of Lady Constance shows up to strengthen his resolve. And just outside the garden wall a child is chanting, “Pick it up, read it!” as if to encourage Augustine to open his Bible. His mother, Monica, is in the next room, no doubt with her ear to the door, monitoring events. Thus the truth of Augustine’s shattering conversion is a mob scene rendered by the telltale methods of theological art.

Death. Truth is the stuff of autobiography. Memory is its tool. Time is its shape. Death is its precondition. This thought comes to me by way of an interesting article, “The Art of Losing,” by Timothy Baker of Aberdeen University, and from my own, less tutored, experience of listening to stories. One cannot help noticing how many of them are organized around the possibility of death. This is how we read Romeo and Juliet as well as Tuesdays with Morrie and everything in between. Listen carefully and don’t relax, the storyteller warns, somebody just might die. I am convinced there is no telling a life without a death. Someone has to pay.

Even God’s autobiography, the Holy Bible, is subject to the gravitational pull of the hero’s death. An overbold editor might well have pruned the begats, abbreviated Leviticus, and cut 3 John, but only for the purpose of moving more quickly to the core of the reader’s need. That need is met in the story of the death of Jesus, which cuts a gash in the symmetry of an inspiring story. Every smaller story about Jesus gains its significance from his end. Every Christian autobiographer draws from the necessity of that event.

Augustine’s life of faith is framed by two deaths, that of his nameless friend and his mother, Monica. The first death provides a clue to his own shallow understanding of the Catholic faith; the second provides the coda to his conversion. Now that Monica is dead, Augustine is free to write about the journey of life in its entirety.

Julian of Norwich’s autobiography, Reve­la­tions of Divine Love , begins with the author on her supposed deathbed. Only the certainty of death grants her the vision of God’s all-encompassing love.

In Jonathan Edwards’s A Faithful Narra­tive of the Surprising Work of God , the revival in North­amp­ton, Massachusetts, begins with a fatal illness and ends with a suicide.

Young Tom Merton’s wanderings on the face of the earth begin with the horrific scene in which his mother’s coffin goes rumbling through the steel doors of the crematorium toward the furnace. Years later, the death of his father is the last remaining hurdle before he is freed to search for the meaning of his own life.

More recently, poet Christian Wiman’s reflections on God in My Bright Abyss cannot be understood and experienced apart from the author’s mosaic-like narrative of his own confrontations with cancer, pain, and death.

Death is the unseen guest in every autobiography, secular or sacred. Death makes a complete autobiography impossible, since no one dies with laptop blazing. We can never finish our own story. Death is the ultimate writer’s block.

Since there can be no authentic grasp of life without death, and since the narrator cannot narrate his or her own death, the story requires a borrowed death—the death of an important character—which lends to the work a borrowed wholeness, as it were, with which to ensure its authenticity as a human document.

And what is most authentic about human life? That it has an end! “Why should I tell the story of my life?” the writer Martin Amis asks in his memoir, Experience . His answer: “I do it because my father is dead . . .” That is the one “fact” that is not optional.

The cultural critic Georges Gusdorf reminds us that a great autobiography thrusts beyond the temporal boundaries of a single life to apprehend something larger. Gusdorf’s word for the larger truth is eschatology .

The possibility of death in the narrative is the precondition of the eschatological nature of memoir. The author narrates someone’s death in order to represent a genuine life, the very telling of which creates communion between the mortal writer and the mortal reader. For secular writers like Virginia Woolf, Christopher Hitchens, or Julian Barnes, it is because we die that the terrors of this life, including its end, must be preserved. The Christian writer is no less a curator of life’s sorrows, but reimagines them in a saving way so that something whole and redemptive may come into view. To remember in this way, then to tell it true, is the work of God.

Read the sidebar article on memoirs with religious themes .

Richard Lischer

Richard Lischer is professor emeritus at Duke Divinity School. His most recent book is  Our Hearts Are Restless: The Art of Spiritual Memoir (Oxford University Press).

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What Is Life from a Christian Perspective? What Is the Purpose and Meaning of My Life?

Is life the air that we breathe? Or is life pure energy? From a Christian perspective one would say that life is action, faith, belief, and relationships. Life is full of emotion, miracles and facts. Life is growth, change, and experience. Life is intelligent, sorrowful, and full of regrets. Life is a story filled with forgiveness, hate, love, disappointment, discouragement, and questions. But what is the real purpose and meaning to the life we have?

The word of God reminds us what life is! In sad moments of despair, confusion, and fear, God’s word comes alive and Jesus is the one who turns our mourning into dancing. 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ( John 14:6 )

Jesus is the air that we breathe and it’s Jesus who gives us our daily dose of energy.

We live in a culture that sells us happiness and advertises good life to those who can afford it.  Money and things are for those who deserve it. Culture defines life as a time and place to get the best of everything. 

A Christian’s perspective about life is very different from our culture.  We see life as an opportunity to love others and to serve God faithfully. Jesus is our life. Following are seven ways to view the meaning and purpose of life from a Christian perspective.

What Is the Christian Perspective about Life After Death?

As Christians we desire to do life well here on earth and sometimes we overdo it by putting our wants first. We get concerned when things don’t work out the way we plan. We let financial obligations get the best of us when our paychecks are less then what we want, or we let overspending empty our pockets. We overcommit and put hours upon hours into pointless things.

As humans we sometimes let the brand of our clothes or our type of car define us. We make ourselves sicker by worrying about the doctor’s report. From time to time we all struggle with jealously. We find ourselves working extra hours to have the best paying job. We condemn ourselves as failures when we can’t live up to our lofty expectations. All of this is such a waste of time, because at the end of our life, none of this will matter.

All the things we gain from this world are dust in the wind. Nothing here on earth will last forever. This world is not our home and there is more to life after death . We will be going to our real home to be with Jesus and all our loved ones. We are only temporarily here to leave a legacy, serve others, and to share the gospel. 

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ( Matthew 6:19-21 )

Photo credit: GettyImages/ Francescoch

What Meaning of Good and Evil in Life?

From a Christian’s perspective there is good and evil in this world. Satan, a fallen angel is out to kill, still, and destroy us. We can overcome Satan’s evil attacks by discerning right from wrong. Jesus taught us to walk the straight and narrow path and He showed us that we can all overcome temptation just as He did when Satan tempted Him on the mountaintop ( Matthew 4:1-11 ).

God has equipped us for this evil world. He has given us commandments to live by and strategies through the life of Jesus. He has clothed us in full armor ( Ephesians 6:10-18 ) and His angels fight for us. He comforts us in times of trouble.

We can’t focus on God and on our idols at the same time. We have to make a choice in who we are going to put our hope in, because we can’t have both. One leads us to an everlasting life of peace , and the other leads us into darkness to be consumed by evil. God wants a relationship with us and obedience.

“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.’ ” ( Exodus 20:1-3 )

Photo credit: Unsplash/Vladislav Babienko

What About the Suffering in Life?

God never promised that this life would be easy. As a matter of fact, He said there would be pain and that this world is not our home. Suffering is hard and can appear to be unfair. Often when humans don’t understand why bad things happen, they begin to blame, which leads to bitterness and feeling of hopelessness.

Christians learn through suffering that our God comforts us and He cares about the details of our pain. God works all things out for the good of those who believe and trust Him. God desires for us to see and experience His blessings through our brokenness.

It’s in those hardest moments that we realize that we need God to help us overcome, pull us out of the pit and give us strength to get up. It’s in God’s love that fear and anger will be quenched. God will carry us through just as He parted the Red Sea ( Exodus 14 ) for the Israelites. He will make a way for us.

“This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, the God who summons horses and chariots and armies — they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles: Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ — the coyotes and the buzzards — Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sunbaked earth, drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.” ( Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message)

Photo credit: Thinkstock

What Is the Purpose and Importance of Forgiveness in My Life?

We are made in the image of God ( Genesis 1:27 ) and we all have the potential to do the right thing with God’s promptings and support. We have freedom of choice and we either do the right thing with a grateful heart or selfishly we react and sin. God knows this about us and that is why He sent his son as a living sacrifice for our sins. Even our good work doesn’t make things right between us and God.

Forgiveness happens when we come before the Lord and we repent. Admitting what we did wrong and why that was wrong is an ongoing process that we all have to take as Christians. Not only do we need to repent, we need to accept God’s forgiveness and change our ways. After one repents, God tells us to try again and sin no more ( John 8:11 ). It’s vital that we forgive ourselves as well. This is no easy matter but it is crucial for our hearts.

It’s when we fully forgive ourselves that we can truly forgive others. Forgiving  others doesn’t mean we allow them to continue hurting us, and there are consequences to our sin that we all must face. Forgiving someone who has painfully hurt us doesn’t mean that we have to be around them. We need boundaries, tough love, and rules to guard our hearts from hurtful people.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Who Jesus Is and How Does His Life Effect Mine?

Jesus isn’t just a good man who did good things and taught great lessons. He is the Son of God.

He is not one of the ways to get to Heaven , He is the only way to get to Heaven. The only way to everlasting life is through Jesus and there is just one road we must travel down. We do this by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ( John 3:16 ) 

We can ask Him into our hearts, to change us from the inside out. We turn from our old ways of living and we pick up the Bible, read it, and apply it to our daily life. We spiritually grow up and take responsibility for our Christian walk with Christ in our heart.

What Is the Christian Perspective about Parenting?

God loves us and calls us to be in relationship with Him. He wants us to come to Him with our needs, concerns, and battles. He brings us joy, peace , and understanding.

It’s not the parents’ job to make their kids happy. It’s the parents’ job to lead their kids to God, and it’s God who gives them joy! We show kids God’s love by our actions when we pray, read His word, and worship Him with our life.

Parents are a child’s best teacher, counselor, and coach when they have Biblical strategies. Kids need to obey and listen to instructions ( Ephesians 6:1 ), being responsible by doing things without being asked. They need to want to do things right before they can become independent.

What Is the Christian Perspective about Marriage?

Marriage is only between a man and a woman. The two shall become one and multiply! Husbands are to love their wives as the Lord loves His church ( Ephesians 5:25-33 ). Women are to submit to their husbands ( Ephesians 5:22-33 ).

Men and women are to honor one another, deeply care for each other, and enjoy serving. Marriage is a working relationship as well as a friendship. It can get confusing, tangled up in foolish arguments and disappointments.

We are to put God first in our marriage. God is faithful to help us in moments of frustrations, brokenness, and grief. He fills us with His spirit and helps us love one another better. Marriage is a partnership and God has designed us to work things out accordingly to His word. Two wrongs never make a right. Marriage requires lots of grace and forgiveness . Mistakes are bound to happen and it’s pretty much a guarantee that there will be disagreements.

Life doesn’t come easy to those who are Christians. As a matter of fact life usually gets harder when one becomes a Christian. It’s important to surround yourself with friends who are Christians and can support you in your walk.

We have hope in Jesus and a life that is everlasting and fulfilling. We understand the beauty of God’s design when we pay attention to the things He does for us. He sent His Son to give us life and our life is secure because of Jesus.

”Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” ( John 6:35 ESV)

Becoming a Christian in this life is learning to know God and experience His love. You can ask Jesus into your heart today. He will change your heart and open your eyes to truth.

Here are some prayers for you to choose from when you are ready to confess your sins and ask Christ into your life!

Life is all about knowing God, experiencing His beauty and divine purpose, His miracles, and Creation. Life happens when a baby is born and a family story unfolds. It’s when a husband and wife become one. Life is experiencing genuine thankfulness, healing, spiritual gifts and anointing from the Holy Spirit. Life is Heaven on earth and discovering the supernatural. Life is being a temple for the Holy Spirit to live. Jesus is life.

Photo credit: Thinkstock/Den Belitsky

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The Challenge of Being a Christian

Matthew nelson, july 5, 2021.

Home › Articles › Institute Fellows › The Challenge of Being a Christian

One of the greatest obstacles to becoming a committed Christian is that  Christianity is challenging . The task of living a fully God-centered life is no walk in the park, as the lives of the greatest and most fully converted Christians who have ever lived—the saints—will attest. Indeed, Christianity lived to the fullest involves   struggle. But is the struggle worth it?

Often the skeptic will see the struggle and be deterred. What he may  not see—perhaps as a result of self-inflicted spiritual blindness—is the outflow of joy that permeates every saint’s struggle; and if he does see it he will not want it—not because he does not want joy but rather because he does not want joy enough to give up his old ways. But of course, even the most hardened skeptic cannot be considered a total write-off. Indeed,  some skeptics are eventually compelled to change their mind . This is the hopeful realization that drives evangelization.

The rejection of God today, however, is often not caused primarily by philosophical argument. Usually it is a result of  indifference toward religion—a result of what Bishop Robert Barron has called the “meh” culture. The question is: Is this popular religious indifference warranted? Are Christians who toil for the cause of Christ wasting their precious time?

Imagine a friend offered you a free lottery ticket. Would you take it? You’ve got nothing to lose—it’s free! Too busy? Oh, but if you win—you win millions.  You’ve got nothing to lose and millions to gain , so why not take the ticket? Of course you’d take it.

The great mathematician Blaise Pascal, in his  Pensees , saw a similar scenario regarding faith in Jesus Christ. He concluded that the struggle to believe was worth it. He saw that if you believe in Christ—or at least die trying—you will gain everything as God promised. But if you choose to say no without trying—if you choose to say “meh”—you lose will everything. Dr. Peter Kreeft unpacks Pascal’s Wager in his essay “Argument from Pascal’s Wager” :

If God does not exist, it does not matter how you wager, for there is nothing to win after death and nothing to lose after death. But if God does exist, your only chance of winning eternal happiness is to believe, and your only chance of losing it is to refuse to believe. As Pascal says, ‘I should be much more afraid of being mistaken and then finding out that Christianity is true than of being mistaken in believing it to be true.’

The Christian life demands change—of the toughest kind. It often means turning from the things that come easiest—things that satisfy our natural urges. But the ability to freely choose to say no to our urges and impulses is what makes us distinctly human. (This is why we do not lock up dogs and chimpanzees for rape or murder.) To say no—and yes!— at the right time  is what makes humans happy. This is true freedom. Christianity is an invitation to actualize the human destiny of everlasting happiness; and through the Church, God has provided the roadmap to get us there.

Christianity is hard because it aims to soften hearts. One of the tough facts of Christianity is that we must face up to the fact that we are fallen. We are often not what we ought to be. G.K. Chesterton writes: “One of the chief uses of religion is that it makes us remember our coming from darkness, the simple fact that we are created.”

What makes Christianity hard is that it reminds us of our imperfections. We are much too prideful to enjoy such a thing—and this, I fear, is where the skeptic checks out. The skeptic robs himself of the opportunity to encounter the Good News. Chesterton famously remarked: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

This is the great modern tragedy arising out of an age of hedonism and “choose your own way” morality. One might call our times the “age of self-sedation.” Instead of pursuing the supernatural high that explodes interiorly from personal union with God (the highest of highs—just read St. John of the Cross or St. Teresa of Avila), modern man chases sex, drugs, travel, houses, fame, “likes,” retweets, and on goes the list. But it is to no lasting avail.

The good news is, however, that there is a cure. The cure is Christ. And the cure is administered especially through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. The Church is a “hospital” for sinners: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

Perhaps the greatest heresy in all of history is the desire to have Jesus without his Body, the Church (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12). But to say “I’ll have Jesus—but not the Church” is to say “I’ll have some of Jesus, but not all of him” (See CCC 795 ). This is where the Reformers turned a reform into a revolution. They did not reform Jesus Christ’s Church. They discarded an essential part of it—the priesthood—and with the priesthood, the sacraments. They threw out the bottle with the medicine still inside.

Of course, the Church was discarded but not dissolved. Indeed, the Church persists as she always has and will (Matt. 16:18), and her doors are as open as they’ve ever been—to all. She continues to rise above the hard tide of secularism, standing firm and holding fast to her moral and doctrinal traditions, which are more than just traditions.  They are truths . And it is the Christian’s recognition of these “nonnegotiables” that makes Christianity so demanding in an age of rampant anti-religion and relativism. Indeed, as Chesterton observed, “These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.”

A Christian who thinks he can be a saint without suffering in this world is mistaken. This begs the question: “Who would choose such an unhappy life?” In  God in the Dock , the former atheist C.S. Lewis responded to this question by remarking, “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”

It is true that Christianity does not exist to make us happy. But it does exist to make us joyful. Peter Kreeft, who some believe is the C.S. Lewis of our times, makes the following distinction: “Joy is more than happiness, just as happiness is more than pleasure. Pleasure is in the body. Happiness is in the mind and feelings. Joy is deep in the heart.”

The Gospel is an invitation to life everlasting from the Everlasting Man—and with life everlasting comes joy everlasting. Christ promises us that “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Of course, this offer means nothing if God does not exist. It would mean the Christian labors in vain. At best it would be a nice idea worth spreading to make one feel warm and fuzzy, a safety blanket for the naive. Steven Hawking once proposed that heaven is a “fairy story for people afraid of the dark.” Oxford mathematician John Lennox replied by saying, “Atheism is a fairy story for those afraid of the Light.”

God is not a wishful “projection” of the human mind, as Ludwig Feuerbach and friends have contended. There is far too much external evidence for the existence of God. Thus, theoretical physicist Paul Davies, though not a religious man, has concluded upon analysis of the cosmos: “There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all. . . . It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature’s numbers to make the Universe. . . . The impression of design is overwhelming.”

A different kind of projection that is, however, a real issue is the skeptic’s projection of human qualities onto God.   Thus, when the critic of Christianity says, “If God really existed he would (or would not) do this or that,” what he really means is, “If  I  were God,  I would (or would not) do this or that.” This might be called the anthropomorphic problem of the problem of evil. Contrarily, the God of Christianity is eternal, immaterial, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present—and yes, all-good and loving. Therefore, we cannot expect to understand God’s ways absolutely. This is where religious belief comes in—when the human intellect meets its threshold and “informed” faith bursts forward. As a wise English convert to Christianity has reflected, “The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits.”

This does not mean, however, that Christian faith and the works that flow from it are based irrationally on a grand metaphysical guess about the unseen. Christianity hinges on the person of Jesus, and virtually all New Testament experts today, including the critics, agree that Jesus certainly existed. To add to the testimony of his existence, ancient texts such as the Babylonian Talmud record Jesus to be a worker of wondrous deeds. We have more reliable historical information about Jesus than almost any other major figure in antiquity. (Unfortunately, it is often overlooked that the New Testament writings are also valuable ancient historical texts.)

Furthermore, the miracle claims of Christianity abound and continue to survive rigorous scientific scrutiny. Recognized by researchers are new developments with the Shroud of Turin; naturally inexplicable events like a dancing sun in Fatima (confirmed by secular newspapers and hundreds of eyewitnesses); the “bread” of the Eucharist mysteriously changing to uncorrupting human flesh (like in Lanciano, Italy); the incorrupt bodies of deceased saints (like St. Bernadette); and countless records of miraculous cures and healings, such as those in Lourdes, France. This sheds some light on why Christians are so willing to suffer for their faith: they know with their heart, as well as their head, that Jesus is who he claimed to be. And through miraculous events such as these, God has given believers (and unbelievers) a little help.

It must be noted, however, that in Christianity, the heart has a certain primacy over the head; for God judges hearts, not heads. Faith is largely a matter of the heart—indeed, its surrendering, even breaking. This is why C.S. Lewis described Tolkien’s “fundamentally religious and Catholic work” The Lord of the Rings in the following way: “Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron; here is a book that will break your heart.”

But the choice to be Christian is as much a decision to follow one’s head as a decision to follow one’s heart. Faith stands on the shoulder of reason as we “logic things out” in order to approach (and accept) the mysteries of faith. But religious faith is not opposed to reason. Reason leads to faith. As St. John Paul the Great has confirmed for us: “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”

The thriving Christian life is an all-encompassing effort of the whole person, body and spirit. St. Irenaeus has suggested that “the glory of God is man fully alive .” This is why saints are the best argument for the truth of Christianity . Their lives testify that following one’s heart can be difficult—and so can following arguments where they lead. Indeed, their lives of holy perseverance reveal that sincere heart work  and  head work are hard work. But no struggle is more essential to human flourishing than the struggle of the people of God. The saints and their impact on the world have demonstrated this decisively.

I’ll leave you with the words of one of the most influential saints in all of history, St. John Paul II: “I plead with you! Never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”

Theologians on the Christian Life Series

About the Series

The Theologians on the Christian Life series, edited by Stephen J. Nichols and Justin Taylor, provides accessible introductions to some of church history’s greatest teachers, exploring their personal lives and writings, especially as they pertain to the walk of faith, and gives insights into how each one viewed the Christian life. Organized around themes that characterized their lives and teachings, these portraits of famous theologians are more than biographies—they are wisdom from the past for life in the present.

Distinctives:

• Serve as accessible guides to the life and thought of an influential Christian leader from history
• Uniquely look to the theology and spirituality of past Christians to inform how we should live today
• Focus on physical, theological, and spiritual factors to paint a holistic portrait of each Christian figure

Endorsements

“On the one hand, there is theology; on the other hand, there is spirituality—and never the twain shall meet, except perhaps accidentally. That, at least, is the common perception. This series puts the lie to the popular polarization. The theologians treated in this series do not add ‘spirituality’ to their theology, as if it were an optional extra. Rather, theology and spirituality are so intertwined, as these theologians gladly bend their minds and hearts under Scripture, that it is utterly impossible to have one without the other. And thereby they teach us, by their modeling, what theology and spirituality should be.” — D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Evangelicals tend to think that we invented discipleship ministry in the mid-twentieth century. Truth be told, however, churchly theologians have long been keen about infusing Christian practice with the wisdom of the Lord. This excellent series does just that. These books are far more than biographies. They are guides to daily living that help us learn from some of the wisest life coaches the Christian church has ever had.” — Douglas A. Sweeney, Professor of Church History, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“I am grateful for Crossway’s innovative Theologians on the Christian Life series. No mere biographies, these books reveal how some of history’s greatest pastors and scholars—luminaries such as Augustine, Calvin, and Edwards—weave together the life of the mind and the heart in practical devotion to the triune God.” — Thomas S. Kidd, Professor of History, Baylor University; author, The Great Awakening

“I love biography and history. But it’s not always apparent how I can apply their lessons and insights to my life today. That’s why I’m thankful for the Theologians on the Christian Life series. In these books, today’s top scholars search for treasure in the writing of some of history’s most remarkable Christians and share the bounty with us. Get these books and watch them invigorate your spiritual life.” — Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; author, Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists

Books in the Series

Schaeffer on the Christian Life

William edgar.

Exploring the views of Francis Schaeffer on the Christian life, Edgar helps readers strive after the same kind of marriage of thought and life, of orthodoxy and love.

Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life

Stephen j. nichols.

An accessible tour of the life and work of Germany’s famous theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This book explores the nature of fellowship, the costliness of grace, and the necessity of obedience.

Wesley on the Christian Life

Fred sanders.

John Wesley stands as one of the most significant Christian thinkers since the Reformation. From prevenient grace to Christian perfection, Sanders guides readers through key facets of Wesley’s theology.

Newton on the Christian Life

Tony reinke.

Exploring the life of a slave trader turned hymn writer, this book looks to the pastoral legacy of John Newton, whose hundreds of extant letters offer modern Christians valuable insights into the Christian life.

Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life

Jason c. meyer.

Jason Meyer highlights the life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, regarded as one of the most powerful preachers of the twentieth century, teaching us the importance of the union between doctrine and life.

Luther on the Christian Life

Carl r. trueman.

Offering readers an accessible portrait of Martin Luther’s life and theology, this book explores the impact of his cross-centered theology on living the Christian life.

Edwards on the Christian Life

Dane ortlund.

Offering readers an accessible portrait of Jonathan Edwards’s life and theology, this book highlights the central role of beauty in his understanding of the Christian life.

Owen on the Christian Life

Matthew barrett , michael a. g. haykin.

Introducing readers to the legacy of John Owen and his views on the Christian life, this book gives insights into his spiritual life, pastoral ministry, and historical context.

Calvin on the Christian Life

Michael horton.

Drawing heavily on Calvin’s letters, commentaries, the Institutes , and other lesser-known writings, Horton explores the riches of Calvin’s piety and its significance for contemporary Christian living.

Packer on the Christian Life

Offering readers an accessible portrait of J. I. Packer’s life and theology, this book explores his insights into prayer, Bible study, indwelling sin, and true godliness.

Bavinck on the Christian Life

Highlighting the practical nature of his theology and lessons from his approach to the Christian life, this book about influential theologian Herman Bavinck will help modern believers obey Christ and find joy in the gospel.

Warfield on the Christian Life

Fred g. zaspel.

This volume accessibly outlines B. B. Warfield’s teaching on a variety of topics concerning the Christian life, including prayer, Bible reading, and work.

Spurgeon on the Christian Life

Michael reeves.

This introduction to Spurgeon’s life and ministry—organized around themes such as the centrality of Christ and the empowerment of the Spirit—will encourage readers to live for God's glory.

Augustine on the Christian Life

Gerald bray.

Focusing on Augustine’s personal transformation and dependence on the the Word of God, author Gerald Bray shows us how this ancient theologian can sharpen and encourage Christians today.

Lewis on the Christian Life

Joe Rigney explores particular themes that run throughout C. S. Lewis's popular and lesser-known writings, illuminating how they help readers develop a deeper awareness of God's presence and work in their lives.

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What Is the Meaning of Life?

What is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is connecting with the purpose, and for that purpose to guide us into development and service. We have this intrinsic, burning desire to know what we are made to do, but before can get on board with developing into that, we need to understand why we are here.

Life is such a loaded word. Is a good life defined by accomplishments or possessions? Surely not. Is it about our contributions or our children? That must be at least a part of it. There has to be more, though. The textbook definition of “life” is written as:

Life. (noun). 1. The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. 2. The existence of an individual human being or animal.

If only it was this easy, right? Typically when we search for the meaning of life, we are searching from a painful and isolated place. Oddly enough, a textbook definition like the above actually has the opposite effect of what we are looking for in these times. That’s because we aren’t looking for the shell of what life is. We are looking for what life is made up of and what it means for us. We seek to answer this question: What is the meaning of life?

If we break this down further, what we are really looking for when we seek out the answer to this is our identity and purpose. The meaning of life is connecting with the purpose of life. We have this intrinsic, burning desire to know what we are made to do, but before can get on board, we need to understand why we are here.

The Purpose and Meaning of Life: Seeing Ourselves in God

If the meaning of life is to connect with purpose, we must connect with our source. To do that, we must connect with the Creator —  that is to identify ourselves as made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image.” Identifying ourselves with God is awfully difficult to do if we have not explored the character of God first. Understanding His character helps us see ourselves as made in His image.

God is the Creator. Genesis 1:1 gives us a powerful image of the Creator who created the heavens and the earth. He had the ability to see from beginning to end, and He made His vision reality. We, too, are creators empowered by God; we are called to be creative and to work on this earth. Part of our purpose in life is to use this empowerment to sustain life through stewardship, including caring for our children and the earth. We have an innate desire to create that stems from God’s creative character, and we create by being fruitful in our lives.

God is productive. Per Genesis, God worked more than he rested during Creation and His rest was very intentional. He enjoyed rest for the sake of maintaining that level of productivity. He constantly moves forward and everything is done for a reason. Isaiah 55:11 is a common scripture that reveals this part of God’s character. He compares His word, which is His character, to the purpose of precipitation. God says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” This natural desire we have to be productive and to keep things moving forward, toward a purpose, comes from this character trait of God.

God is a comforter. God is often referred to as “Father” and that in itself is a large part of His character. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” God is a comforter, but not in physical presence yet. His comfort comes through the spiritual presence, which has the power to impact our mental and physical presence. A physical “rod and staff” are not there, but the spiritual disciplines of faith, hope, and love ( 1 Corinthians 13:13 ) that come through the Spirit are. That is where our comfort comes from. These things are not just for us to enjoy, they are for us to share. God is a comforter because of His nature as a Father, which is to respond to us and guide us through these disciplines so we can then use them to comfort others. All of these character traits support the functionality of service.

How to Find Meaning in Your Life

Now that we have explored the character of God, we can explore how connected our character is to His and how we can find meaning in our lives through it. Jesus gives this great direction for effective prayer in Matthew 7:7-8 that guides us to “keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking, for everyone who seeks will find.” When we are searching for meaning in life, we can S.E.E.K.: Serve, Enjoy, Enhance, Kindle.

Serve - Jesus acts as our example, and in Matthew 20:28 He revealed his purpose. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He also directs us in Matthew 10:8 to “Give freely as we have been given.” Paul then takes this message and begins to share it with relevance to the newly founded churches. He said in Philippians 2:4 , "not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” To serve someone is to use the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22 . It says those are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This fruit enables us to live as examples and to serve others.  

Enjoy  - After God worked tirelessly with creation, Genesis 2:2 says that God rested upon completion. Rest enables us to move forward and enjoy things. If we constantly toil away at work with no end in sight, we begin losing sight of joy. When that happens, we set ourselves up for failure — without rest we cannot serve others and without rest we cannot enjoy what is around us. God the Father gives us the example to follow; we are called to rest in Genesis 2 , which is a blueprint for continued productivity. Many of us work non-stop, abusing this natural instinct of productivity. We often do it to hide a painful place in life that we can’t yet face or that we don’t want others to see. Resting is a sign of peace and trust. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks and answers:

"Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."

E nhance - To enhance something is to improve the quality or value of it. Earlier we talked about God’s character being productive and comforting. We can be productive and comforting as well by taking the first step in a broken relationship or encouraging someone. Sometimes being productive and a contributor in this world means enhancing the environment you're in. Do not underestimate the value of working hard to maintain the relationships within your own family. As for serving the world, simply saying hello to someone or giving them a compliment could change their whole outlook on life. So much of our hope comes from what we expect to be treated like. Society seems to have adapted to being treated poorly. There is no better time to love someone than the present. The world is your canvas here. Don’t worry about what the next person will do, what could you — as someone made in God's image —   do to help someone else?

Kindle - At the heart of service is evangelism, which is simply sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. The world currently has a bad taste in its mouth with regards to evangelism. If you are new to Christianity, evangelism could make you uncomfortable. There are records of Christians going out shouting at people, accusing people, blaming people, misrepresenting people and places, and proudly overpowering people, all in the name of evangelism. If we do it this way, we miss out on the wonderful opportunity to start a fire in someone through relationship building. Discipling someone in their Christian walk can encourage them to light their own torch and carry it. Think back to your first experience hearing about God. Our first time hearing about God probably did not come to us through the above mentioned harsh evangelism. It likely came by way of a gentle nod of understanding, an ear offered, or an arm around your shoulder that says you are not less than anyone else, that God loves you as you are. We are the carriers of the Spirit of God and how we treat people is a direct reflection of who God is to them. If anyone has ever mentioned, “you just have a light about you!” That light is because the Spirit lives in you and is helping you produce fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 : “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Let us use these to show people the goodness of God so they might also glorify Him ( Matthew 5:16 ).

Bible Verses about the Meaning of Life

• Matthew 10:39 - “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
• Luke 12:15 - “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness , for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
• John 17:3 - “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ who you have sent.”
• James 1:12 - “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.”

How Does the Christian Worldview about the Meaning of Life Differ from Others?

The call to action for Christians is service. It isn’t sacrifice (Jesus did that), it isn’t religious practice, and it isn’t fame. What makes Christianity different from other worldviews is that it is founded on service for the gospel, with love for others at the core of it. It is the acknowledgment of the love we have been given that equips us to then go out and love others. Jesus demonstrated a servant’s heart in the way He taught, His demeanor with children and the poor, and of course, by giving His life as a ransom for many. Perhaps one of Jesus’ most important teachings is found in Matthew 22:36-40 . This is where He teaches us that all the commandments are covered by two: “Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hebrews 10:24 gives us insight to how we can serve others at a foundational level. It says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Jesus taught us that if we aim to find our life, we must lose it. This means the focus of our life should not be on ourselves. Keep in mind, though, the reason we serve others is not for personal gain. If we lose sight of the reason we serve others, we become clouded all over again. The reason we serve others is to point them to our loving God and share the knowledge of Him preserved in His Word. If we serve others with the intent of personal gain, the chances of them continuing the chain of service is unlikely as the reputation of service becomes damaged to them.

How to Measure Our Progress in Life

In the book The Outward Mindset  by the Arbinger Institute, the way to implement an outward mindset, which is to serve others, is found in the acronym S.A.M. We need to S ee the need for a change, then A djust our efforts to focus on others rather than ourselves, and finally, we need to M easure the results and continue adjusting as needed.

So, how can we measure ourselves when it comes to life? The answer is found in Luke 2:52 , which says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and people.” If we are focusing on ourselves, we will likely find ourselves feeling separated from God. If we are doing all we can to just get by or get ahead of others, we may find ourselves with fabricated relationships, if any at all. God has given us grace, so we cannot earn a better right-standing with Him, but we do feel either distance or closeness with Him. Good works can draw us closer to God and encourage us to spend time with Him; good works do not enable us to earn righteousness or improve our right-standing as accomplished by Christ.

If we don’t see fruit in our relationships with God or people, that means there is an opportunity to start growing and then continue growing. The more we act according to God's example, in service to others, the closer we will feel to Him. Serving others also enables us to feel closer to our fellow man allows us to grow together. If we find it difficult to serve others, we may need to examine who we are in Christ and pray for God to change our hearts. God often uses aspects of our personality, our skills or talents, and the environment we live in to orchestrate opportunities for conversations and relationships that point to Him.

The true meaning of life is finding joy in God; we can trust Him through challenges, defining moments, and the lows and highs. Our purpose on this earth is to follow God and enjoy Him and to spread the good news about Him to others. We are commanded to love God and to love others. Take what you've learned about God, what you’ve been given, and share it with those around you with a full heart. Knowing we belong to God, and wanting to share that grace and truth with others, is when we feel most alive. 

Photo credit: ©Unsplash/AleksandrLedogorov

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Christianity and Christian Worldview

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Key tenets of christianity, the christian worldview, implications of the christian worldview.

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

Life Is Hard, But God Is Good

Jason Helveston Twitter @jasonhelveston

Life is hard, but god is good, commitment killed a part of me, why we teach our children to be christian.

Pastor, Chicago, Illinois

Life is hard.

No matter who we are, we all experience difficulty. To be sure, the degree of life’s severity differs from person to person. As I write this, many around the world are experiencing heartbreaking realities (I am thinking most immediately of those affected by war in Aleppo and Mosul and the thousands of refugees seeking asylum around the world).

In every season of our lives, in every place of our existence, there is tension and conflict. From the wrenching reality of losing loved ones to silly inconveniences like warm drinks getting cold and cold drinks getting warm, life is hard.

What’s more, when the difficulties of life show up we crave explanation. We cannot help but search for meaning in the face of tragedy and pain. This inclination is part of what makes us, us. When we can’t find answers we often come up with our own. And, if you’re like me, your answer is often not a good one. Consequently, our bad answers cause us to respond to pain in ways that can cause more pain to ourselves and others.

Four Reasons Life Is Hard

In an attempt to alleviate the complication of grief and find deeper meaning in our hardships here are four reasons life is hard, plus specific ways we can respond to our difficulties.

1. Life is hard because the world is broken.

The Christian story begins with the Creator creating everything (Genesis 1:1). Then creation rejects the Creator. And this rejection fractured the entirety of creation (Genesis 3:14–19). As a result, nothing is as it should be and life is made more difficult. We are all to blame for this brokenness because we have all rejected God and his goodness. So we each have a responsibility to confess our part in our fallen world and work together to seek the welfare of it, making our surroundings more reflective of God’s initial intentions.

God’s holistic restoration plan includes us! The good news is that God desires for us to join him now in making his plans for restoration, unity, and peace a reality (Colossians 1:15–23). Jesus suffered for his suffering world so that we would find holistic renewal in him, a renewal that will be completed when Jesus brings heaven and earth fully together in the age to come (Revelation 21:4).

Life is hard because the world is broken, but Jesus is restoring all things from the brokenness of the world by his power and through his people.

2. Life is hard because of you and me.

Sometimes our lives are hard because we are sinners (Romans 3:23). We make bad decisions — accidentally and willfully — and these choices make our lives a lot harder. Often, life is hard because we not only do evil things, but then don’t respond well when the consequences come (Proverbs 19:3). Life is not hard because of us all the time, but it is a lot more of the time than we care to admit.

No matter the sin it is vital that we do not simply say, “This is just who I am,” and fail to pursue revision. No. In this case we must confess sin and repent. That was the initial call to action of both John the Baptizer and Jesus (Mark 1:4, 14–15). Only on the other side of confession, repentance, and belief will the hardness of our sin be eased in Christ. In him we find true wisdom, righteousness, and redemption from our sin (1 Corinthians 1:30–31).

Life is hard because of you and me, but Jesus graciously forgives us when we confess that our sin has dishonored him and made life complicated and difficult (1 John 1:9).

3. Life is hard because of someone else.

Sometimes life is hard — not because the world is broken nor because we personally sinned — but because others sin against us. This is the story of Job (Job 2:7). This is the story of the man who was left for dead in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25). This is the story of Jesus (Luke 23:34).

Jesus responded to the great need of humanity by allowing himself to take the position of a victim and bearing the sins and folly of the entire human race (Isaiah 53:5). Therefore, when we are victimized, we should remember that Jesus not only can identify with us in our unjust treatment. Since he put shame to shame on the cross, we also find power and cleansing in him.

Life is hard because of others. In love Jesus washes and cleans us when the sins of others have harmed us (1 John 1:7).

4. Life is hard because God is good.

Many of life’s difficulties are by design.

In his kindness, God has intentionally shaped the world in such a way that effort would be required to accomplish significant change, progress, and reward (2 Timothy 2:6). From the beginning, Adam is given a job to work the ground (Genesis 2:15) and to cultivate and shape creation. In other words, work showed up in the beginning. When embraced as a gift from God, work makes us stronger, more collaborative, smarter, more skilled, and so on.

In fact, there can be great joy in this aspect of the hardness of life because it matures us (James 1:2–4). Paul even writes that we should do whatever work we do as worship to the Lord and from the very center of who we are (Colossians 3:23). And so we should never pray away this type of difficulty; rather, we should embrace it, discern its purpose, look to Jesus, and pray to be made more like him through it all. Through many of life’s difficulties we are made more like Jesus. “We who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11).

Life is hard because God is good. Jesus uses these hard things in life to make us strong and more like him. Praise God he does.

Life Is Hard, But God Is Greater

Here’s the point: life is hard, but there is always hope.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8–10)

Life is hard for many reasons, but through it all we are being made more into the image of God. Jesus is greater than every hardship; he is victorious over every pain. All of life’s tragedies, sorrows, and iniquities should ultimately lift our gaze to the day when the sinful difficulties of life will be taken away and the formative tensions of life will only and fully point us toward the goodness and glory of Jesus. In other words, we should long for the day when our craving for meaning will be fully and finally satisfied in God himself.

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Christian Ethics

Other essays.

Christian ethics is guided by God’s revelation in Scripture above other systems of thought as it seeks to love God and neighbor in every moral and ethical issue.

The highest ethical duty of a Christian is the same as the greatest commandment: love God and love your neighbor. Scripture is the Christian authority for ethics, just as it is for theology. This is because God is our ultimate authority and standard, for he himself is goodness. While Christians know God’s character through reading Scripture, unbelievers are able to partially and imperfectly understand what is good through the created order and their consciences. And while Christians ultimately derive their ethics from Scripture, different parts of Scripture (like the Mosaic legal code) must be read in their redemptive historical context and not simply applied from one distant culture to another. Philosophical systems that attempt to provide ethical norms can be helpful for the Christian thinking about ethics, but Scripture must remain the authority for any Christian ethical endeavor. Finally, while there are many issues today that the Bible does not speak directly to, there are biblical principles that can be relied upon to make an informed moral judgment.

A person’s highest ethical duty is to love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Their second highest ethical duty is to love their neighbor as themselves. For a Christian, fulfilling these moral obligations takes place in obedience to the Law of Christ and submission to the teachings of God’s Word. The ultimate goal is to glorify God in everything that is said, done, thought, and felt. Other broad ethical goals include being a blessing to others and growing as a virtuous person.

Given this positive vision, it is quite sad that many people—both Christian and non-Christian—tend to see believers as legalistic and condemning. In a world that is in rebellion against God, those who uphold God’s moral standards will have to shine light into darkness and will have to speak against sinful practices that may be widely accepted in society. But the Bible does not merely present an ethical code which consists of restrictions and “thou shalt nots.” Yes, there are things to avoid, but there are also many positive moral duties that the Scriptures require. If we properly form our ethical views from the Bible, we will find that we ought to both shun evil and perform good works. There is a categorical difference between good and evil, and right and wrong, and the Christian life can be a joyous experience of doing good; Christian ethics should be a delight.

Christian Ethics and Scripture

Evangelical Christians should not find it controversial to say that the Scriptures—God’s Word—is our authority and standard for ethics, just as it is for theology. This is because God is our ultimate authority and standard. There cannot be a higher standard for ethics than God, not because he is all-powerful, but because he is the source of goodness itself. Moral goodness is defined by the nature of God, and everything he commands is in accordance with his perfect and righteous goodness. We must obey every word of God because every word he gives us flows from his character, and his character is infinite and absolute moral perfection. God does not measure himself against an abstract standard of goodness; he does not consult anything other than his own nature when he issues commands and moral rules. His moral commands are not arbitrary and they could not be other than what they are since they are based on God’s unchanging moral goodness. Since God’s commands are found in Scripture, the Bible is our authority for ethics.

Knowledge of God’s moral demands does not only come from reading Scripture, however. Although special revelation is definitive, everyone on earth has some knowledge of God’s moral standards through general revelation. We need to be careful about equating what’s “natural” with what’s good, but God has created the world in such a way that there is a general correspondence between moral truths and what is naturally best for people. People can often see what is best to do (or not do) when they apply their reason to the facts of the situation they are in. God has also created human beings to operate with a basic sense of his moral law through their consciences. Reason and conscience are not as reliable or authoritative as the teachings found in Scripture, but they are nevertheless useful sources of moral knowledge. Christian ethics interprets general revelation through special revelation but uses both sources to gain insight into ethics.

Christian Ethics and the Mosaic Law

Despite agreement amongst evangelicals about the importance and authority of Scripture for Christian ethics, there are debates about the role of the Mosaic Law in Christian morality. This is not the place to engage in discussions of covenantal continuity and discontinuity, biblical theology, or hermeneutics, but it does seem safe to say that Christians are not directly under the authority of the Mosaic Law, since the Law was part of the Mosaic covenant. Christ’s inauguration of the new covenant has brought about a change in law, as the Book of Hebrews makes clear. The church is not a theocracy, and Christ has brought about an end—by fulfillment—of the old covenant sacrificial system. Nevertheless, since all of Scripture is God-breathed and useful, many particular laws in the Mosaic Law still find application today in both the church and society. Forbidding murder and theft, for example, are laws which reflect the eternal moral character of God. The two greatest commands identified by Jesus are enshrined in the Pentateuch and apply to all of Christ’s disciples. Sometimes, however, there are cultural factors that require Christians to discern the principle of the law rather than applying it in a woodenly literal way. One common example is the command in the Mosaic Law to build a parapet or rail around the roof of your home. Since people in that culture spent time on their flat-roofs, falling off a roof was a potential danger. People do not spend time on slanted roofs, however, or the roofs of grass huts, so that law does not apply everywhere. The principle behind the law, though, is that we are take reasonable precautions to keep people safe, and that is an ethical idea that applies in every culture. The principle is the same, even if some of the forms of application in a particular culture can differ.

Christian Ethics and Philosophy

Outside of Scripture, philosophers have proposed various systems for the evaluation of ethics and morality. Some have sought the justification for ethics in the consequences that stem from certain behaviors. In these systems, something is considered good if it produces good consequences that outweigh the negative consequences. Some people assess the consequences for the individual alone, but most would look for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In practice, this can be almost impossible to evaluate, but the sensibility behind it seems fairly widespread and beneficial. Other ethicists have ignored consequences and focused on the intrinsic moral value of actions and agents. Perhaps the most famous example is the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant. He argued that we should only act out of a good will, and a good will does its moral duty for the sake of duty alone and not for the sake of consequences. He said that we should only act in such a way that we could make our conduct a universal law that everyone would follow. Take the case of lying: Would we wish it to be a universal practice that everyone tells the truth or that everyone lies all the time? If we cannot wish for everyone to lie all the time, Kant would argue that lying must be strictly forbidden without exception. Another school of ethics has focused more on the cultivation of a virtuous character and the motives of the agent who acts. In this model, actions should further develop virtue in the one who acts.

There is room in Christian ethics for all of the considerations mentioned in the paragraph above. None of those systems can stand on their own; they need to be built on the foundation of God’s truth. The Bible makes it clear that things are right or wrong in relationship to God’s character. Thus, morality is objective, and we must obey God’s commands. This does not mean, however, that consequences are entirely irrelevant. Although the morality of an act is not based on consequences alone, there are many warnings and encouragements in Scripture that hold out either the positive or negative consequences of obeying or disobeying God. We are to look at the consequences for disobedience, and we are to look at the rewards for following God’s path. We are also to act to bless others, and this requires assessing the consequences of our words and actions. God is producing spiritual fruit in the lives of his children—he is forming a virtuous character in them that reflects the character of his Son. Thus, acting and growing in virtue is an important component of Christian ethics.

The ethical status of an agent and action is assessed at more than one level. Sometimes all we can do is judge the action itself, but the action alone is not sufficient for moral evaluation. Perhaps we know that someone shot another person, but was it murder or justified self defense? To properly assess ethical conduct requires knowledge of the action, the circumstances in which the action occurred, the agent’s character and intentions, and possibly some of the consequences. The Pharisees may impress others by their religious good works, but God looks at the heart. Even praying and giving gifts to the poor displease God if the heart’s motives are wrong.

Christian Ethics in Today’s World

There are, of course, an enormous number of practical ethical issues that Christians face today. Some issues in certain societies are relatively recent, like legalized abortion and same-sex marriage. Other issues are more universal and perennial, like general sexual issues or the justification of self defense and war. Sometimes God has spoken clearly and directly about an ethical issue (e.g. do not steal), but there are other topics that could not have been directly addressed in the Bible (e.g. issues that require contemporary technology, like genetic engineering or in vitro fertilization ). Even when the Bible does not specifically speak to an issue, there are biblical principles that can be relied upon to make an informed moral judgment.

Further Reading

• John Frame, The Doctrine of the Christian Life . See the contents of this book. Read a critique by New Testament scholar Doug Moo.
• John and Paul Feinberg, Ethics for a Brave New World
• Norman Geisler, Christian Ethics: Options and Issues . You can see a brief summary of this book here .
• Ronald Nash, Lectures on Christian ethics
• Scott B. Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics
• TGC Courses, “ Public Theology ”

This essay is part of the Concise Theology series. All views expressed in this essay are those of the author. This essay is freely available under Creative Commons License with Attribution-ShareAlike, allowing users to share it in other mediums/formats and adapt/translate the content as long as an attribution link, indication of changes, and the same Creative Commons License applies to that material.

Christian Ministry and Personal Faith Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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Introduction

Works cited.

Christmas has brought me to reflect on my life as a pilgrim on earth and as a member of the family of God. The revelry of the holidays, the parties and get-togethers sometimes allowed me to pause for a while and meditate there in the confines of my room, questions like: is this how Jesus really wants his Christian family on earth to celebrate his birthday? Are we doing all this to please Jesus or ourselves? And can we relate all these celebrations to our Christian lives and to the Christian ministry?

If all of the questions above are answered in the affirmative, then there must be something wrong with our Christian lives and the way we look at Christianity.

Evading from the noises and the sounds that I considered disturbances to my prayers and meditations, I concentrated and focused myself on what I wanted of my life; particularly my Christian life and most specifically the Christian ministry.

How can I start my ministry? Before I can answer this, I think I have to understand what the Christian Ministry is. Edmund Clowney (1964) states that to be in the Ministry is “service, and service involves being a servant, or that we have to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, serving in his community and doing it wholeheartedly without any remorse or half-heartedness.” (Clowney 3)

It also means serving our fellowmen, our brothers and sisters out there who are in need. It means sacrifice, and with love. It means looking after our neighbor, and loving your neighbor the way we love ourselves.

Moreover, should we want to focus on the Christian Ministry, and any other ministry for that matter, I think we have to get back to the basic teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is about love. The Christian ministry is about love for our fellowman but most especially for God, because service or being a servant is an expression of love.

When Jesus was asked which is the most important Commandment in the Law, he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and most important of the commandments. But after this there is another one very similar to it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments.” (Mat. 22:27-40, NREV 2000)

I have placed this as the most important reasons for any ministry, although there are other reasons why we should follow or observe a ministry.

Another passage of the Bible related to the Christian Ministry is the one in the same chapter of Matthew, 22:14 which says that “Many are called but few are chosen.” (NRSV 2000). This also pertains to the Christian Ministry or the priesthood. We receive a calling from God, but it does not necessarily mean that we are chosen to minister unto him. Others may be chosen to be in the Music Ministry or the Lay Ministry, or even others maybe chosen to the service of the poor. All those are found in the Bible.

Ministry is activity, or a lot of activities. We have to do a lot of things for our Lord Jesus Christ and the community that he initiated while he was still with us here on earth. It means we have to be busy like Paul who did everything to spread the Word of God until his death.

On my part, there are times that I forget my responsibilities to myself and to the world because of my quest for the material things of the world, the now, and not the wonderful things God has prepared for me in His everlasting glory. There is always a conflict, a conflict of interest, a conflict of purpose, and so on. I tend to be busy with menial things, unmindful of my purpose and mission on earth. May the Gospel re-baptize me to be a new Christian again, to fulfill God’s design for me and for us on earth. May the Holy Spirit guide me and lead me to my real purpose here on earth.

I would like to define my mission here on earth the way God wants me to. Just as Christ sent the seventy-two disciples to the many parts of his country Israel, to gather the lost sheep of Israel, so may he send me because I know that the work has never been completed because the work of the community of Christ is continuing. We are in communion with the saints in heaven and we have to be as spotless or sinless as we can afford to be, although it seems impossible, but with the blessings and graces of God, this is possible. Just as Jesus was asked by his disciples that it was or it seemed impossible to be saved, but Jesus replied that all things are possible with God, if only we obey or follow His commandments and trust Him to the fullest without any doubt.

We have to live my life the way God wants us to do it, and after this we have to share this kind of life and principles to our brothers and sisters. This is the simplest explanation of the Christian ministry. But researching on this paper on the topic of Christian Ministry, we have to seek the Bible and other books of Christian reading. Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, is a book about the ministry, apostleship, and discusses our purpose here on earth. It is a consultative book, sort of a book about medicine, but a spiritual kind of medicine. Reading it alone and aloud makes my spirit soar to the sky, and makes my physical body sacrifice for the sake of my spirit and my fellowman. It always points to the Bible as the source of spiritual life, as spiritual oxygen, so that we become always active in our Christian ministry, and our mission and purpose on earth. Reading this sort of books and other related literature about Christian living and the Ministry allows us to reflect and be well-versed about our spiritual life and the way we are going. We have to forbid ourselves from other readings or those we call instruments of evil disguised in the name of art. Reading this kind of literature can lead us astray and we become instruments of evil itself.

“Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” [1 Peter 3:15-16 (TEV)] The best way ‘to be ready’ is to write out your testimony and then memorize the main points. Divide it into four parts:

• What my life was like before I met Jesus
• How I realized I needed Jesus
• How I committed my life to Jesus
• The difference Jesus has made in my life.” (Warren 291)

I would like to connect or relate this to my thoughts and ideas of the Christian Ministry. My life before I committed myself to the Ministry was a life of confusion and no direction. It was really a time of ignorance of Christ and the way a Christian should commit himself and his whole life to God. But now, life has become simple. I realize there are many things that I should do for God and for my brother and sisters, to be able to sacrifice and be a real Christian. After reflections and some meditations, I also realized I have to exert a lot of efforts to avoid temptations and to be always in company with good people and always ask God’s graces that I become sinless and pure in the eyes of God, so that the Holy Spirit will continue to dwell in me.

The Ministry involves telling the whole world about Jesus Christ. In Psalm 117:1bc, 2: “Go out to the world, and tell the Good News.” (NREV)

I know God will be with me and all of us until we would have all accomplished our missions here on earth. We will be with Him in his everlasting glory soon.

• Clowney, Edmund P. Called To The Ministry . U.S.A.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1964
• The Holy Bible. The New Revised Standard Version. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002.
• Social Life of Human Beings Through Different Aspects
• Religious Studies and Theology: Hinduism
• Indecency of "Rick and Morty" Animated Sitcom
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Guest Essay

Adopted From China as a Toddler, I’ve Spent My Life Searching for Home

By Cindy Zhu Huijgen

Ms. Huijgen, a Dutch journalist based in China and a former adoptee, wrote from Beijing.

As early as I can remember, I wished I hadn’t been Chinese.

I hated my unruly black hair and my eyes, which marked me as a foreigner in the Netherlands, where I grew up. I went to bed at night hoping I’d wake up with blond hair and blue eyes like the other Dutch kids. Sometimes I tricked myself into believing this had happened — until a mirror reminded me where I came from.

I was adopted from China as a toddler in 1993 by white Dutch parents who couldn’t conceive on their own. I grew up in a deeply Christian small town where, every week, dozens of people — all of them white — paraded past our house in their Sunday best on the way to church. It was about as far as you could get — physically, culturally, ethnically — from China.

I don’t blame my adoptive parents for the sense of alienation I grew up with. They did their best to give me a happy childhood, and I love them very much. But when China confirmed earlier this month that it would end most adoptions by foreign parents, a wave of relief washed over me, followed by suppressed anger.

The number of Chinese children placed with overseas families since China opened up to international adoptions in the early 1990s has been estimated at more than 160,000. Around half of these kids went to the United States. The topic is usually discussed from the adoptive parents’ perspective: How it allowed them to start families, how they rescued these orphans and now how the sudden ban leaves applicant couples in the lurch .

Far less attention is given to the darker side of these placements and their impact on adoptees.

China’s strict one-child family planning policy , introduced in 1979, forced many Chinese parents to give up babies. These were usually girls , because of a traditional preference for male heirs. A profit-motivated overseas adoption industry cropped up in response, in which human lives were sometimes bought and sold .

For many like me — plucked from our home cultures and raised in countries where we didn’t quite fit in — the search for who we are and where we belong has been lifelong and full of discovery, as well as confusion, regret and loss.

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