What is Christianity All About? - The truth behind the confusion and the core of the Christian faith.

In short: Christianity is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Christian?” There are probably a wide range of thoughts. Maybe you think of Jesus or the Bible. Maybe holidays like Christmas or Easter. Maybe WWJD bracelets or fish bumper stickers. Or maybe you think of rules, structure, political involvement, culture wars, scandals, or even intolerance. Legalism. Shame. Judgment. Guilt.

These days, “Christian” can mean all sorts of things—some positive, some not so much. And that can be confusing for anyone, even those who grew up in church. So… what is Christianity really about?

I grew up in an Evangelical church. Most of my childhood memories probably take place at church or with friends I met there. As a kid, I went because my parents took me—on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. But as I got older, church became more personal, and so did my relationship with Jesus. I’ve taught Sunday school, been on worship teams, joined countless Bible studies, and even spent a year at a Bible school that took me on a mission trip to Africa.

Still, despite all that, there are times when I’ve wrestled with what it really means to be a Christian. And now, with so much in the media (usually negative) and so many opinions floating around, I can see how confusing it must be—especially for someone looking from the outside in. For someone who’s never been part of a true, Bible-believing church, making sense of Christianity might feel impossible.

So I want to try and bring some clarity. Whether you consider yourself a Christian or not, I hope this is helpful. I’m not a scholar—just someone who cares about truth and wants to make big questions feel a little simpler to explore.

A lot of that confusion comes from misconceptions - things people assume about Christianity that just aren’t true. 

Like…

“It’s just rules.”

“It’s about being good enough.”

“It’s a religion for perfect people.”

“It’s for people who don’t think for themselves.”

On top of that, Christianity isn’t always what the headlines say. Political parties twist Christianity to make it sound like Christians only want power or control or exclusion. TV shows paint believers as brainwashed, crazy people or as judgmental and weird. So no wonder people are confused. Who would want to be a part of that?

The core message of Christianity is, honestly, very simple: 

• God created and deeply loves us.

• Sin separates us from God - relationally and spiritually

• Jesus came to restore that relationship. He lived a perfect, sinless life, died the death we deserve and rose again three days later. 

• When we believe in who Jesus is and trust what He did for us, we’re saved. Our relationship with God is restored, and we have the hope of eternity with Him. 

Which Jesus are we talking about?

Many people (Christian and not) say they like Jesus. And I get it - He was loving, full of compassion, kind, the kind of friend any of us would want to have. He welcomed everyone, was tenderhearted and gentle and humble. 

But the popular version of Jesus is not who He was - truly. The popular version of Jesus is “nice at all costs.” He’s a passive, non-confrontational figure who just says, “come as you are” and leaves it at that. 

But Jesus didn’t stop at ‘come as you are.’ He also said, “Go and sin no more.” He healed people but also told them to turn their lives around. He loved sinners. He spent time with them. But He still called out sin. He was full of grace AND truth (John 1:14). 

If we only focus on one side of Jesus - His lovingkindness - and ignore the other - His call to repentance - we miss who He really is and why we need Him. And if we claim to follow Him we can’t just follow the parts we like. We have to follow all of Him. 

Christianity is not about earning God’s love. 

It’s not about having it all together or political loyalty or moral superiority or about shaming others. 

It’s an ongoing relationship with God. 

It’s growth over time.

It’s rooted in community, scripture and grace. 

It’s a hope beyond this life on Earth. 

If your view of Christianity has been influenced and shaped by the culture - what people say in the media, by political figures, by bad experiences - you aren’t alone. And I want to encourage you to seek the truth for yourself. Ask questions, see what scripture says for yourself. You might be surprised by what you find.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:32

- Hannah