An Introduction to Christianity

PREFACE: AN INVITATION TO THE READER This book is a product of my pilgrimage into the Christian faith. It is addressed especially to those who are new to it or outside it. The book raises questions I myself have asked over and over, questions like Is there a God? How do you know? Who is man? What is the point of life? Hasn't modern science disproved the Bible? If God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world? What's so special about Jesus? Why do I feel lonely when I have so many friends? What does it mean to be a Christian? Why is the Church so full of hypocrites? How can I love my neighbors when I don't even like them? What happens to us when we die? What happens to all the good people who are not Christian? The book also gives the answers I have found along the way. You will find some science, some philosophy, some poetry and theology in this book. I am sure that not all of it will be useful. I hope that some of it will be. I have written from within the perspective of Anglicanism, a style of Christianity that emerged in the British Isles during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries when Catholics and Protestants were cutting each other up with swords on the Continent and mainly with words in Britain. Anglicanism sought to discern and maintain a middle way, "not as a compromise for the sake of peace but as a comprehension for the sake of truth."1 Not all Anglicans, let alone all Christians, would agree with everything I have written. On the other hand, I have written nothing contrary to historic orthodox belief. The purpose of this book is not to argue you into accepting Christian doctrine but to invite you to share the Christian vision of life and way of life. It has proven to be the way to life for many of us.