CHRISTIANITY MADE SIMPLE
At its heart—beneath the layers, the labels, the footnotes, the centuries of earnest debate—Christianity is not complicated. It is not a maze with hidden doors, nor a test designed to trick the sincere.
It is trust.
It is believing in Jesus Christ; leaning the full weight of your soul upon Him; resting, not in how well you understand God, but in how deeply God has made Himself known in His Son (John 1:18).
Take the Bible itself.
There are different views of inspiration. Some speak of verbal plenary inspiration—that every word is breathed out by God. Others speak of dynamic inspiration—God guiding human authors while allowing personality and style to shine through. Some emphasize inerrancy, others infallibility; some focus on Scripture as a library of Spirit-shaped testimonies, others as a unified, divinely ordered Word. The discussions can be thoughtful, even helpful.
But here is the simplicity: if you believe that God wrote this Book—and that this is how He speaks to us—you’ll be good. You don’t need to solve every question about how inspiration works; you only need to listen when God speaks (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Then there is the death of Christ. Here the waters grow deep—rich, theological, and sometimes intimidating. Some speak of penal substitution: Christ bearing our penalty. Others emphasize Christus Victor: Jesus defeating sin, death, and the devil. Some speak of moral influence, others of recapitulation, others of sacrifice, ransom, reconciliation.
The church has pondered the cross from many angles, like light refracting through a diamond.
But here is the heart of it: if you believe that Jesus loves you and died for your sins—you’re good to go. You may not know how the atonement works in every dimension, but you can know that it works (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Then we come to salvation itself—those long-standing family debates. Calvinism and Arminianism. Election and free will. Sovereignty and response. Systems carefully built, verses carefully arranged. Faithful believers land in different places, often with deep conviction and genuine love for God.
But here is the simple center: if you believe that Jesus loves you no matter who you are; that you can be saved no matter who you are; that everyone can be saved no matter who they are; and that God gets all the credit for salvation—you’re good. The gospel does not require a philosophical map; it requires trust in a faithful Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).
We could go on.
Church government—bishop, elder, congregational rule. If you believe Christ is the Head of the Church, and you are called to love His body, you’re good (Colossians 1:18).
Baptism—timing, mode, meaning? If you believe it points us to Christ’s death and resurrection, and you obey Him in faith, you’re walking in the right direction (Romans 6:3-4).
End times—millennium, tribulation, symbols and timelines. If you believe Jesus will return, evil will not win, and hope has the final word—you’re anchored where it matters (Revelation 22:20).
Christianity is not shallow—but it is simple. It is deep enough to occupy a lifetime of study, and clear enough for a child to enter. The door is not guarded by perfect theology; it is opened by a perfect Christ.
Believe Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. And you will find that the gospel, for all its glory, is wonderfully—mercifully—easy to receive (John 3:16).
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Lord Jesus, keep us from complicating what You have made clear. Teach us to trust You more than our systems, to love You more than our arguments, and to rest our hope fully in Your finished work. Amen.
BDD
