Why Christianity is Seen as Legend

Posted by Brian Tubbs Jul 20, 2007

It is the contention of the more radical critics of Christianity that the Christian faith is an amalgamation of sorts of later legends. They are partly correct.

The Protestant Reformation, and for that matter many of the dissident sects and faith groups of early Christianity, parted with the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic adherents on one fundamental and critical point: an understanding of apostolic succession.

It is the view, for example, of Roman Catholicism that the Church - particularly at the papal level - has the same authority to announce NEW doctrine and/or revelation as the original apostles did. Accordingly, the Christian faith - at least from the Catholic and Orthodox perspective - has dramatically and purposefully evolved over the centuries.

Evangelicals, including most Protestants, believe that the Scriptures contain God's primary revelation to the human race - and that it is NOT the purview of the church - any church - to enunciate doctrine that deviates from recorded Scripture. (Of course, there are differences in how Christians interpret and understand Scripture).

What often gets confused then is "Christianity" and Jesus Christ. When some people think of Christianity or even the "teachings of Christ," they think of the troubled 2000-year history of the Christian religion, with all its corruption, violence, doctrines, and denominations. As such, it is easier for THESE people to wonder if the Jesus of history is even real - or if he was merely an embellished legend.

When one thinks of Christianity, however, he or she SHOULD think of Jesus Christ. If Christianity is true, then Jesus is the centerpoint of it all. Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christianity. He is and should be the focus of all our study.

We must therefore go "back to the basics" and return our focus and attention to the one whom Christianity is all about.