The Uniqueness of Christianity

When we look at all the religions out there, and see so many people sincerely worshiping what they believe is the true God, how do we keep from thinking of Christianity as just one "valid religion" among many? What makes Christianity so special and unique?

This article is just a starting point for answering that question. I simply point out here the key features of Christianity that no other religion has. Anybody investigating Christianity from this perspective would need to account for these unique claims.

I. Uniqueness of Jesus

A. Jesus Christ is God

The fact that Jesus is God is unique because it means that God is both absolute (divine) and personal (human). Every other world religion or philosophy has a concept of God (or ultimate principle) that is either absolute but not personal, or personal but not absolute (see John Frame, The Doctrine of God). For example, Buddhism believes in an impersonal, universal force that must be manipulated by humans to be of any use. Certain forms of Hinduism believe in a pantheon of local "gods" who are personal, but not absolute. Both kids of "gods" are convenient for non-Christians to believe in, because neither kind of god will hold them ultimately accountable for their sins (which is convenient for the sinner). Only Christianity has a God who is both perfectly absolute (Jesus is God), and personal (Jesus is God). Not only does the God of the Bible personally hold us to account for our sin, but He also has the power to save us from it (see below). No other religion's "god" can claim this. Here are some Scripture passages that clearly establish the fact that Jesus is God.

John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Mark 2:5-11 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....” He said to the paralytic, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

B. Jesus Christ was a man who lived in human history

Christianity is also unique because no other religion has a "currency" for the death penalty to be paid for on behalf of the sinner. We messed up so badly that we can't pay for our own sins. Neither can one sinner pay for the sins of another. That would be like a child trying to clean off his muddy hand with his other muddy hand--he'll just make the mess bigger! Not even an angel can die in our place, because it's the wrong "currency." The only thing that can stand in for us is an infinitely valuable, sinless human being ("flesh and blood" must stand in for "flesh and blood"). Only in Christianity do we find a perfect human substitute to take our place on the cross, bearing the death penalty that was due us, but which fell on Him instead. No other religion has anything or anyone who remotely qualifies for paying the kind of price that God requires in order to effect reconciliation with us. Furthermore, no other religion has a God who can truly sympathize with our human plight. Because Jesus was human, he knows exactly what we’re going through, and is therefore able to help us like no other "god." Here are some passages that not only establish the humanity of Christ, but also the reasons He had to be human in order for salvation to be possible.

1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Hebrews 2:11-18 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

II. A Unique View of Man and His Situation

A. Man was created in God’s image to reflect His glory

This is unique because no other religion values humans like Christianity does. We were made in God’s image, which is an honor that no other creature enjoys. As God's images, we are both humble servants (God's images), and dignified royalty (God's images). No other creatures on earth have the capacity to worship, think abstractly, use language, plan, and reason like human beings do. All other religions or philosophies reduce humans to either "advanced animals" (naturalistic evolution), or "sparks of divinity" (New Age thinking). One leads to despair, and the other leads to pride. Both are false views of humanity. God created humans as His crowning achievement, the only creatures in the universe with the capacity to reflect God's glory. What a privilege! And how humble this truth should make us! Here are some passages that establish this unique view of mankind:

Genesis 1:26-28,31 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground….” 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Psalm 8:3-8 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

B. Mankind fell into sin and cannot save himself

As God's images, we are the most valuable of all creatures, which means that when we fell into sin, we fell hard. If you drop a cheap little drinking glass on your tile floor, it's no big deal, but if you drop your most prized vase--you know, the one your great-grandmother passed down to you--that's a different story altogether. People were created by God to worship Him and rule over creation to make it beautiful for God. But because we sinned, God's prized images were shattered to the core. We fell so hard that we cannot even find all the pieces, much less put them together. On our own, this condition is totally hopeless. This perspective is different from all other religions and philosophies, because it's the only one that is honest about our inability to save ourselves. It is utterly futile to try to earn our way into God's favor. Most, if not all, religions, have man working their way up to God (or ultimate principle), but Christianity is the only one where God comes down to us to do what we could not do. The following verses demonstrate our desperate condition apart from God.

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

III. A Unique Way of Salvation

A. Jesus lived a holy life in our place, and died a cursed death in our place

This is unique because we are so far gone, that we must have someone else’s righteousness applied to us, and we must have our sins paid for by someone who was worthy enough to pay that infinite price. Jesus didn't just die the death we should have died, but He also lived the life we should have lived. No other religion or philosophy provides this most necessary solution to our sin problem. One way they "get around" having to believe in a Christ is to either minimize the holiness of God, or minimize the sinfulness of man, or both. But if we're honest about who God is and who we are, we realize that on Christ could possibly save anybody from our sinful condition in order to make intimate fellowship with God possible. The following passages show the role Jesus played in our salvation through His perfect life and cruel death.

John 8:29 [Jesus said,] “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 5:17-19 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

B. Jesus conquered death through the resurrection

This truth is unique because no other religion has a mediator who claimed to be God, and then proved it by defeating death through the resurrection. In addition, no other religion gives sinful man hope beyond the grave—only Christ has demonstrated victory over death, and is therefore trustworthy when He promises to bring His people to be with Him. The resurrection forms the basis for our justification, for our own "new birth" and hope of eternal life, and even our sense of significance in this life.

Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

C. This gift of salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone

This is unique because all other religions try to “work” their way up to God or heaven, or their ultimate ideal. Christianity is the only religion that freely admits that we cannot make it on our own, and we need God’s help (grace).

Titus 3:4-7 When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Philippians 3:8-9 I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

D. We are saved when we are united to Him in his death and resurrection

This is unique because all other religions are about becoming a better “you” in some form or fashion. Christianity is the only religion that demands not just a life-change, but a totally new identity—in Him, where He is the center of the universe, and we live for His glory and purposes. Everything else is man-centered or self-centered, and ultimately reduces to "self-help" that doesn't actually change anything at the core. Our union with Him through faith gives us a totally new "center" and reason for existing.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 6:5-9 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

Jonathan Culley, 4/7/2009 1

Tags: Theological Article