Why Christianity?

A Beacon of Light in the darkness.

A Harbor in the storm.

These days, Christianity comes under a lot of scrutiny. The faith—and its practitioners—is often accused of intolerance, ignorance, hypocrisy, and extremism. So, why is it still the largest religion in the world? Why do more and more people keep finding comfort in its message? Why are Christian societies more tolerant and accepting than other societies around the world?

Why is it the one thing people turn to when they have nothing left?

Is it folly?

Simple-mindedness?

Irrationality?

Sure, it might be foolishness, madness, weakness, or naivety that drives people to cling to this faith…but that is precisely the message of our God. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (1Corinthians 1:27) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1Corinthians 1:18). So, from the start this faith runs contrary to common sense or reason. Trying to rationalize something that can’t be quantified is surely a fool’s errand.

Maybe, just maybe, there is something here beyond the reason and rationality of this world. Sadly, since the Age of Reason and Humanism, human beings have put more stock in their faculties of thought and reason, to the detriment of those that nourish their souls and spirits. The results have been catastrophic. More people now than ever are lost, depressed, anxious, and alone. An intangible disease has taken hold of their ethereal souls. More of the earth now than ever is destroyed and “civilized.” More animals now than ever are dead, dying, or losing their habitats as a result of human activity. A world without soul is a dark and soon to be lifeless place indeed.

But Christianity offers a way out.

The core message of this faith is one of hope, peace, love, and life.

It was God who first breathed life into man’s flesh to make him a living soul. Likewise, it is His bride, the Church, that can nourish and revive this fallen spirit. Western Christianity might have lost its spiritual component as a consequence of the Age of Reason and the mixing of Church and State, but Christian Spirituality is still alive, well, and flourishing in the Oriental Churches. It is really all we have that sustains us. It is our link to the ancients, the saints, and our God. Simply put, it is our way of life.

This Spirituality is what lit the beacon of hope in a world darkened by paganism.

Likewise, this Spirituality is what will free believers from the fetters of pain, death, depression, and despair.

Yet these benefits reach their fullest potential only in those who believe. One has to take that first step and accept the message of this faith and its God. Otherwise, the message quickly becomes an unpleasant one.

Even for those who believe, the path is not an easy one. In this life, the Lord only promises a cross for His followers; but in the next, everlasting peace, joy, and gladness in a beautiful place out of which pain, tears, grief, sorrow, and groaning have fled away.

He also promised not to leave us orphans in this life. He surrounds us with His peace, protection, and comfort every step of the way.

The bottom line is we only get one chance at life.

We only get one chance to do something great.

This faith only offers an invitation to seize that chance and work to attain Eternal Life.

So, what will you do?