Back to the Basics – Sunday, October 05, 1980
One of the great lessons of life is that all areas of endeavor have their fundamentals, their basic principles which stand as the foundation for knowledge and action. In science, we must turn repeatedly to the basic laws of physics and chemistry. In education, there are the rudiments of language and reasoning which must precede all other learning. The free enterprise system operates upon the basic axiom of supply and demand.
This same principle of basics applies to religion as well. Despite the various theologies and diverse claims which characterize the Christian Churches of today, we must all return again and again to the basic and fundamental tenet of Christianity: and that is that foundation is Jesus Christ.
It is He who is and must be the spiritual cornerstone of Christianity. The Savior, by His own admission, did not come principally as a social reformer, an inspired philosopher, or even as an organizer of religion. His principle mission was that He came as the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind.
This claim makes Christ unique among the world’s religious figures. No other individual has so boldly maintained that he alone is. . . “the way, the truth, and the life.”1
Now, we cannot discount Christ’s assertion that He was the Son of God, and still maintain at the same time that He was only a sublime teacher, a moral leader, a great thinker—for truth is not clothed in deceptions and falsehoods. He could not be both a great leader and dishonest about His divine mission. Either Jesus was what He claimed to be, the Savior of mankind, or He was a great imposter.
Thus, whatever we pursue in the name of Christianity—whether it’s social reform, charity or religious instruction—we must recognize Jesus’ claim to divine authority.
And so it is that we turn again to the fundamental truth of Christian belief. We turn to Christ, the Messiah, the Redeemer of Mankind, even the Son of God.
1 New Testament, John 14:6.
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October 05, 1980
Broadcast Number 2,668