BOOK 2
WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE
In this book, the author discusses what Christians believe about the manner in which God relates to His people, their view on sin and evil, and their view on salvation.
2.1 The Rival Conceptions of God
In this chapter, the author discusses the idea of how people in this world fall into groups according to whether or not they believe in God, and subsequently, according to their beliefs about His involvement with the people of the world. As a former atheist, he discusses his view and explores the difference in the beliefs of the Pantheists, (those who believe that God is just another part of the universe, therefore, a part of everything in it, including what some call “good and bad.” Without the universe, God
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This inquiry is because Christians believe that if they share the humility and suffering of Christ, they will also share in a new life; they will become like Him and have eternal life. To explain how this will happen is difficult if not impossible, but we must believe it will be so. As he expounds on the subject, he reminds the readers that Christians, just like other people, believe on the basis of authority — someone reliable told them. On the other hand, he states that a man, who “jibbed” at authority in other things as some people do with religion, would find himself content to know nothing all his life. Nevertheless, he goes on to explain that Christians believe Christ lives in them, and since He does, they are good — not due to any virtuous acts they do. Therefore, he tells Christians who concern themselves about people who are not in the body of Christ that they can help them by affirming themselves to be active members of the body of Christ because it is Christ and Christ alone who can help them. Hence, this is the main aspiration of Christianity — this is the “practical conclusion”; this is what Christians