Centrality of Christ

Theologians often speak of the Centrality of Christ as referring to Jesus' necessary preeminence in every facet of Christianity, whether thought, word, or deed.  In this way, Christ Jesus is situated, rightly so, as the cornerstone, laid by God, of which the entirety of Christianity is built upon and stands.  As easy as it would be to simply ascend to this doctrine in passing, applying the theological spoils held within may more akin to setting up a child's toy: some assembly required.

At the onset it seems only appropriate to indicate that this doctrine is predicated upon the authority of Holy Scripture, meaning that Christology of this height and depth is dependent on the Word of God, the Bible.  While this may seem obvious, it needs to be stated to ensure that we form our theology from a certain authoritative source in order to protect us from unwarranted and potentially dangerous theological claims.  In a sense, the Holy Bible becomes the tool needed for the assembly of theology.  Add to this the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and we have a veritable toolbox ready to build good, grounded theology.

There are multiple aspects to the Centrality of Christ, however, the most important and foundational of these is Christ's role in salvation.  The doctrine of salvation is dense but, for the purposes of this discussion, it can be contracted into a single sentenced: Jesus' sinless life, atoning death, prophetic burial, and conquering resurrection overcame the power of sin and death while reconciling sinful man in relationship to the Holy Lord.  

This is the forms the very basis for the whole of Christianity.  And, although it may be oversimplified for this occasion, all Christianity is utterly reliant upon the assertion that by the broken body and spilled blood, mankind may enter into restored right relationship with God.  The Centrality of Christ, then, is the foundation of which all Christianity is built upon.

Now, let us take a brief, non-exhaustive look at how essential this theological postulation is to the breadth of Christian theology:

We have been saved by Christ Jesus and have eternal life based on that salvation which is by grace and appropriated to man through faith (Acts 4:12; cf. Rom. 10:9; Eph 2:8-10; Tit. 3:4-7)

Christian brotherhood and social-concern is based on Christ (Rom. 5:7-8; cf. 1 John 3:16, 4:9-12).  

Through Christ believers have become the children of God, inheritors of the promises of Abraham (Eph. 1:3-14; Heb. 6:13-20).

Truly, all Christian theology begins with our basic dependence upon Christ.  Therefore, we should always begin any endeavor with the remembrance of Christ Jesus, for He is the beginning and the end for all life.  In this regard, it is difficult to word this much better than the Apostle Paul in the introduction of his letter to the church in Colossae:


"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the Church.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.  For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross (Col. 1:15-20)."