Huston Smith: Christianity 1

What is the Christ of Faith?

The Christ of Faith is the image of Jesus developed after his death, the one placing upon him the qualities of a deity, the son of God. This image came about due to three main factors according to Smith. These factors are his actions, his words, and the way he was received by his followers. The way the bible describes his actions is as "good". He did good (a quality instantly attributed to God in Genesis). His actions were so good that it shocked a lot of people that there was actually a person on earth capable of such benevolence. His words were another key part of his Godly image. The things he said coincided completely with his actions. He loved everyone wholly and equally, always reflected upon himself before commenting on others and pushed people to experience the love of God. He personalized the religion as well, telling people that God was within their own hearts. This helped to simply gain followers and attribute the discovery of God's love to Jesus (someone who obviously felt it to its full extent). Lastly, he was received as something otherworldly. This type of action and speech had never before been seen and was truly astonishing to the people of the time. It is not a far stretch to see how Jesus' followers concluded that he was a direct descendant of God, for if something this good existed, it must have been a manifestation of God.

What is the Good News?

The Good News (Gospel) means the words of love spread by Jesus and his followers and its subsequent joy. The Christians of the era were condemned to secrecy, for they were a persecuted people, and even in the face of adverse treachery, they sang songs and expressed profuse love for all, even those from whom the persecution came. This good news was the news of God's love. Pure as all else, this love was freeing. It absolved the early Christians of three of the largest human ailments: fear, guilt, and self. This love was consoling, eliminating fears of death, for if you are loved for eternity, on earth or in the spirit realm, death no longer becomes an object to fear. It also eliminated guilt. Not only did this extreme and intense love cause the disciples to behave better towards all (therefore creating less to feel guilty about in reference to the treatment of others), it also created the feeling of a life fulfilled, leaving nothing to be sorry about, for one had reached his ultimate goal. Lastly, it eliminated ego. This love was non-discriminatory, therefore believers and feelers of the love felt themselves level with all around them, equals in the eyes of God. Eliminating these main human afflictions opened up the doorway for an elation so strong, most are incapable of imagining it. This was the good news. God was love, he was within all, Jesus was the example of love, and if you could find this love in yourself, then you will be truly happy and joyous.