Christ, Christianity and the Bible

"Christ, Christianity and the Bible" by Isaac Massey Haldeman is a theological discourse written in the early 20th century. The work explores the nature of Christ, the foundations of Christianity, and the significance of the Bible from a Christian perspective. Haldeman emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ, arguing that his goodness is directly tied to his identity as God, and sets the stage for a discourse on the implications of this belief for Christian doctrine and practice. The opening of the work introduces the author's examination of Jesus Christ, detailing his compassion, benevolence, and the challenges he posed to the religious authorities of his time. Haldeman begins with a reflection on Christ's goodness, contrasting it with the view that Jesus could be perceived merely as a good man without acknowledging his divine nature. He argues that if Christ were not God, then he could not be truly good. The text sets out to affirm that understanding the character and claims of Jesus is essential for grasping the full meaning of Christianity, thereby establishing a critical foundation for the discussions that follow in the book.