Explain a Christian

Bret Carter

by Bret Carter

(July 1990)

In an issue of U.S. News and World Report, the life of Jesus was presented in a full-length
feature article. Gathering the opinions of several scholars (and assorted smart people), the author
compiled a report which appeared to contain new angles and explanations concerning the life of
the Son of God. It was obvious from most of the conclusions presented, that the article was not
meant to come to a definite decision as to whether Jesus was actually the Messiah or not. It was
more of a vague approach to contemporary ideas concerning a man who lived about 2,000 years
ago. One scholar claimed that the darkness that fell during the crucifixion of Jesus might have
been caused by a large dust storm. If anything, this article proved how little can be accomplished
when you combine a lot of Master’s degrees and doctorates. 
However, there was one thing stated at the end of the article which stood out. Up until this
particular section, the author sounded sure of his presentation. Suddenly his tone changed. 
Yet even the most skeptical biblical scholars concede that something extraordinary happened in
Jerusalem after Good Friday to account for the radical change in the behavior of the disciples,
who at Jesus’ arrest had fled to their own homes in fear. Could Jesus’ resurrection account for the
fact that within a few weeks, they were boldly preaching their message to the very people who
had sought to crush them?
As far as they were concerned, all of these educated men had completed a historical autopsy of
an ancient life. They were able to explain away a lot of information recorded in the Bible. One
thing that threw them however was the action of the disciples. Everything seemed to have a
simple explanation, but there was something about the Christians that didn’t make sense. What
had changed them so drastically? What had happened to make them so bold and sure of
themselves? The answer is very simple to us and is no great mystery. Jesus was dead and then
He was alive. 
When we become Christians, we reenact through baptism the most important event that ever
occurred. When we are symbolically buried and then resurrected, we are acknowledging the fact
that the Messiah really did rise from the dead. He really did. We aren’t just wandering through
life avoiding Thou-Shalt-Nots. We have a distinct purpose and it’s only a matter of time before
people notice. 
People might label the Bible as just “the Good Book.” They might be able to overlook the
wisdom of God’s commands. They might be able to convince themselves that Christianity is old-
fashioned and has no realistic place in their lives. But if you are following Christ’s pattern of life,
they won’t be able to explain you. The things you say and do and the happiness that makes your

life almost too bright to look at will confuse them. They won’t be able to put their finger on it at
first, but they will know that this is one thing in the universe that deserves a closer examination.
After all the spiritual diplomacy and evangelism, your simple life might be the one thing that
pushes them into the light.

Bret Carter

Bret Carter