Christians have always struggled with what should characterize their lives and actions in the world. Often, they have inferred that their identity as Christians should revolve around either a list of doctrines proposed as orthodox or a set of ethics designed to promote a common morality. Usually, this emphasis on doctrines and ethics obscures the essential character of Christian faith. As a result, the real struggle has been to keep ones Christian faith intact while different, and sometimes opposing, beliefs or traditions compete for ones loyalty.

This book presents a way to resolve this struggle by noting the definitive characteristics of a Christian and the roles a church plays in helping Christians develop their full potential as human beings.