

One way or another, the name of Jesus is bound to provoke a reaction. Jesus is a source of embarrassment and an object of hostility to some, though he remains a mystery and a curiosity to many others. Despite the fact that Jesus has been subjected to intense scholarly scrutiny for the past 200 years, none of the books, articles, or documentaries his detractors have produced have been able to dislodge Jesus from his place in history. The reasons are clear; we simply cannot escape the challenge of this man. His character and his compassion are compelling and attractive. His teaching is penetrating and inspiring. His death is certainly the most famous in the history of the world, and his claims are so startling that they cannot be ignored. As we begin a new year, we will engage in a series focused on The Authentic Jesus as we consider who he is, what he did, and why he matters.
Despite our background or familiarity with the Bible, we all have questions about the Christian faith. It has become increasingly more difficult to separate authentic Christianity from its counterfeits and to know where to turn to make sense of how Jesus' message applies to our own lives and to the issues of our day. Christianity is oftentimes twisted and distorted by people with their own agenda, which makes it all the more difficult to figure out who Jesus really is and what he's all about. But what if the true message of Christianity is quite different than what we had always thought? Let's reconsider Jesus, together. Send us your questions at seniorpastor@centralchurchnyc.org.