Is Christianity Good?

In this message from the Grappling with God series, the question “Is Christianity good?” is taken seriously by examining both the beauty of the faith and the harm done in its name. Drawing on passages like Matthew 24, Acts 8, and 2 Timothy 3, the sermon highlights how Scripture itself anticipates the misuse of God’s name—warning about false messiahs, manipulative leaders, and those who maintain a form of godliness while denying its power. Rather than dismissing these distortions, the message names them directly, acknowledging that much of the pain associated with Christianity comes not from Jesus, but from those who have co-opted his name for power, control, or personal gain.

The sermon then reframes the question by returning to Jesus himself as the truest expression of Christianity’s goodness. By contrasting the way of Jesus—marked by humility, sacrifice, truth, and love—with counterfeit versions of faith, listeners are invited to discern the difference between authentic discipleship and its distortions. Ultimately, the message calls the church to embody a form of Christianity that reflects the character of Christ, while creating space for skeptics, wounded people, and seekers to wrestle honestly with their questions. In doing so, it suggests that Christianity is good not when it is culturally dominant or politically powerful, but when it is faithful to Jesus.