The Five Pillars of Christianity
This week my kids studied the five pillars of Islam. As they were explaining them to me over dinner, it got me thinking. What are the five pillars of Christianity? I know we don't have five pillars, but if we did, what would they be? A pillar holds something up. It is essential. So if you had to pick five, what are the most essential doctrines or principles of the Christian religion?
Some might mention the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation: Sola Fide (by faith alone), Sola Scriptura (by scripture alone), Sola Christus (through Christ alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). Others in the Calvinist and Reformed camps might emphasize the Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP): Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. I'm not a five point Calvinist, so I definitely wouldn't emphasize TULIP. And it's hard to beat the Five Solas. But, just for the fun of it, here are my Five Pillars of Christianity.
First, the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God, the final authority of faith and practice.
Second, there is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Third, God created people, male and female, in His image, to glorify Him.
Fourth, Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that everyone who repents and trusts in Him will not perish in hell but have eternal life.
Fifth, Christians are commanded to love God and others, and to spread the Gospel until Jesus comes back to make all things new.
So, what are your five pillars of Christianity?
Some might mention the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation: Sola Fide (by faith alone), Sola Scriptura (by scripture alone), Sola Christus (through Christ alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). Others in the Calvinist and Reformed camps might emphasize the Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP): Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. I'm not a five point Calvinist, so I definitely wouldn't emphasize TULIP. And it's hard to beat the Five Solas. But, just for the fun of it, here are my Five Pillars of Christianity.
First, the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God, the final authority of faith and practice.
Second, there is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Third, God created people, male and female, in His image, to glorify Him.
Fourth, Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that everyone who repents and trusts in Him will not perish in hell but have eternal life.
Fifth, Christians are commanded to love God and others, and to spread the Gospel until Jesus comes back to make all things new.
So, what are your five pillars of Christianity?
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