1. Establishing Our Starting Place

What does the Bible have to say about what the Christian faith actually is? Is Christianity the headlong pursuit of getting people to ask Jesus into their hearts during an altar call? Is Christianity power living? Is it a matter of figuring out the secret of the Spirit-filled or Spirit-led life? Is it being a good-deed doer? Is it immersing oneself in church programs? Is it a matter of losing your personality and becoming timid and compliant beyond all recognition? Is it being a republican? Is it becoming monk-like and denying all worldly pleasures? Is it wearing religious jewelry or putting a fish on the bumper of my car? Must I quit dancing and drinking and laughing and become a teetotaler with no rhythm or sense of humor? If you think the essence, or heart, of the Christian faith is any of this, you need a good dose of remedial Christianity.