Is Christianity True?
- Nathanael Chong
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
It’s a question that has echoed through the centuries, met with a resounding "no" for a thousand different reasons. You’ve heard them all. Perhaps you’ve even whispered them yourself. Some appeal to science, insisting we’ve outgrown the need for ancient scripts. Others point to the staggering weight of history—of crusades, colonialism, and hypocrisy—asking how a "good" God could permit a world so deeply fractured by evil.
For decades, the church has scrambled to respond with a series of strategies.
First, we Double Down. This is the bumper sticker: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it." While we can admire the conviction, we have to admit that a bumper sticker is a poor shepherd for someone carrying a heavy, legitimate question.
Then there’s Defending. These are the four-inch-thick books and apologetic videos attempting to present historical evidence and logical proofs. It’s noble work, and those questions matter, but here is the catch: not every objection is a matter of the intellect. You can’t always argue someone into an encounter with God.
More recently, many have chosen to Discard truth altogether through "deconstruction." We should absolutely tear down the wrong things, like legalism, abuse, and toxic structures. But the question is: what gets built back?
Finally, there are those who Disengage, withdrawing into holy enclaves because the world feels too hostile to handle.
But when we look at the Gospel of John, we find that these questions aren't new. Standing before Jesus, Pilate asked the same thing: "What is truth?" To Pilate, truth was a tactic. It was malleable. It was whatever the party said it was to maintain power. But in that moment, the roles were reversed. Pilate was the one on trial. Because while the question "Is Christianity true?" is crucial, there is an even more fundamental question: Can Jesus be trusted? Pilate had to choose. And so do we.
When God showed up in history, He didn’t arrive with a seminary lecture or a list of bullet points. He showed up as a Person who said, "Follow me." That invitation implies a foundation of trust.
We often think truth is just a claim we make, but truth is also a description of character. The religious leaders accusing Jesus negotiated the "truth" to get their way, avoiding ritual uncleanness while plotting a murder. They were "untrue" to their core.
Then look at Jesus. When His life hung in the balance, He didn’t lawyer up. He didn't demand a verdict or counter-sue. He didn’t double down on arguments. He offered Himself. He offered a character so consistent that He was willing to bleed for His accusers.
You can trust someone who is willing to die for you.
Perhaps we’ve been going about this the wrong way. We want the answers before we’re willing to let Him love us. But what if we need to experience His love in order to find the answers?
Not having every answer isn't a cop-out. It’s a recognition of reality, and rather than having all the answers, we need to be a community that has been loved by Jesus. A community where it’s safe to grab a coffee, put the hard questions on the table, and admit that while we don't know everything, we know the One who does. His love makes the questions safe. And in the end, that is the most compelling truth.
