Ask Dr. Youssef: “Do I have to believe every aspect of the Gospel accounts to be a Christian?”

QUESTION:

“Do I have to believe every aspect of the Gospel accounts to be a Christian?”

ANSWER:

Skeptics like to focus on the “historical Jesus”—a non-miraculous Jesus, a Jesus who was not born of a virgin, who never turned water into wine, who never walked on water, who never healed the sick or raised the dead, and who was never resurrected.

Many people who do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible still celebrate Christmas and Easter. They enjoy the holiday sentiments of peace on Earth or quote the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, but they don’t like to talk about His other teachings, such as “You must be born again.” However, true disciples must embrace all Jesus’ teachings. If we reject or compromise His teachings and His claims, then we have no right to call ourselves Christians.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus offers seven confirmations, or proofs, that He is the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus’ testimony about Himself would mean little if it were nothing but talk. But everything He did and said, from His miracles to His amazing wisdom, verified His claim. By His own testimony, backed up by solid evidence, Jesus confirmed that He was and is the Messiah, God’s only Son, our Lord. We either accept the entire Gospel or none at all—that’s the choice Jesus set before us.