A Test of Orthodoxy?

Christianity. There's a word that instantly creates a reaction. What exactly is Christianity? What makes Christianity any different from Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or atheism?

No doubt there are certainly some similiarities between these different perspectives. We all have some sort of common ground just in the fact that we all are trying to get answers to life's most important questions.

However, we also have some important differences when it comes to giving answers to different questions. And these differences cannot be avoided. Nor should they be swept under the carpet in order that we pretend there isn't a problem. Each religion has beliefs that make it unique and distinct from other religions.

What makes Christianity unique?

Well, one of the major differences between Christianity and some of those religions is that we are monotheists. Of course, we aren't the only monotheists, but this is an important part of our faith. This means that we believe that there is one God. And that necessarily implies that other gods are false gods. In other words, Christianity teaches that the Christian God is the only real God.

Here's another. We believe in a triune God. Our God is three persons, one in essence. Now this, of course, separates us from other monotheist beliefs. So when a Christian talks about worshiping God, this is the God we are worshiping.

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is another identity marker. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."

These are just some of our beliefs that make us unique.