---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The central Christian belief is that…"
description: "\"The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories as to how it did this are an..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png"
---

#  The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has…

![“The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories as to how it did this are another matter. A good many different theories have been held as to how it works; what all Christians are agreed on is that it does work.” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png)

> “The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories as to how it did this are another matter. A good many different theories have been held as to how it works; what all Christians are agreed on is that it does work.”

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Christ’s death is seen as a divine act that reconciles humanity with God, though the exact mechanism is debated.

**In simple terms:** Christ’s death reconciles us with God.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the grace offered.

Themes

theology salvation faith

Mood

reflective spiritual

Type

theological doctrinal

When to use this quote

- church services
- personal reflection
- theology classes
- interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

Atonement grace redemption

Questions to Reflect On

- How does your tradition explain atonement?
- What does “fresh start” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations vary, leading to doctrinal disputes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-christ-427474/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christ Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ-death-775426/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-belief/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Christians Agreed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christians-agreed-5267606/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fresh start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fresh-start/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Works Christians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/works-christians-5267607/)

## Related quotes

> [The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-central-christian-belief-is-that-christ-s-death-has-somehow-put/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Heaven has no place for the erroneous belief that Christ died because we are worth it. Christ's death in our place had nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hunt/heaven-has-no-place-for-the-erroneous-belief-that-christ-died-because/)

[Dave Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hunt/)

> [“In affirming my belief in Christ's teaching, I could not help explaining why I do not believe, and consider as mistaken, the Church's doctrine,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/in-affirming-my-belief-in-christ-s-teaching-i-could-not-help/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [The fall of Rome is often regarded as an object lesson in the wages of sin. Its contemporaries, however, more frequently laid the blame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orosius/the-fall-of-rome-is-often-regarded-as-an-object-lesson-in-the-wages/)

[Orosius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orosius/)

> [I couldn't change by myself. I needed my faith and belief in Christ to give me the strength to break free and allow people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-guerrero/i-couldn-t-change-by-myself-i-needed-my-faith-and-belief-in-christ-to/)

[Eddie Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-guerrero/)

> [We need to learn how to give a defense for our belief in Christ without getting defensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/we-need-to-learn-how-to-give-a-defense-for-our-belief-in-christ/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [Those who embrace belief in Christ Jesus are bound together in Him, in a real yet incomplete way, in his Body, the Church. Faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-nichols/those-who-embrace-belief-in-christ-jesus-are-bound-together-in-him-in/)

[Vincent Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-nichols/)

> [“That belief in Christ is to some a matter of life and death has been a stumbling block for readers who would prefer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/that-belief-in-christ-is-to-some-a-matter-of-life-and-death-has-been/)

[Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/)

> [“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-feuerbach/as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national-existence-the-law-of-the/)

[Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-feuerbach/)

> [In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of hell, is itself a question: What are you asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/in-the-long-run-the-answer-to-all-those-who-object-to-the-doctrine-of/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/integrity-is-doing-the-right-thing-even-when-no-one-is-watching/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [“The bible is, in fact, clear that Christ's death was intended to save “all” in a variety of contexts: it was intended to save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hendryx/the-bible-is-in-fact-clear-that-christ-s-death-was-intended-to-save/)

[John Hendryx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hendryx/)

> [Christ's death is the Christian's life. Christ's cross is the Christian's title to heaven. Christ "lifted up" and put to shame on Calvary is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/christ-s-death-is-the-christian-s-life-christ-s-cross-is-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Christ by his death destroying the works of the devil, procuring the Spirit for us, hath so killed sin, as to its reign in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/christ-by-his-death-destroying-the-works-of-the-devil-procuring-the/)

[John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/)

> [We say that Christ so died that He infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ's death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/we-say-that-christ-so-died-that-he-infallibly-secured-the-salvation/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

## More by C. S. Lewis

> [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Either Jesus is the Son of God ; or a madman or worse. But His being just a great teacher? He's not left that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/either-jesus-is-the-son-of-god-or-a-madman-or-worse-but-his-being/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [To every soul, God will look like its first love because He IS its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/to-every-soul-god-will-look-like-its-first-love-because-he-is-its/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Don't you understand anything? Isn't it absolutely essential to keep a fierce Left and a fierce Right, both on their toes and each terrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/don-t-you-understand-anything-isn-t-it-absolutely-essential-to-keep-a/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [“Really great moral teachers never do introduce new moralities: it is quacks and cranks who do that. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/really-great-moral-teachers-never-do-introduce-new-moralities-it-is/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [“When He died in the Wounded World He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/when-he-died-in-the-wounded-world-he-died-not-for-men-but-for-each/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that's my job...And I'm prepared to say on that basis if anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-i-am-in-private-life-is-a-literary-critic-and-historian-that-s-my/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [If a man is going to write on chemistry, he learns chemistry. The same is true of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/if-a-man-is-going-to-write-on-chemistry-he-learns-chemistry-the-same/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [The first fact in the history of Christendom is a number of people who say they have seen the Resurrection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-first-fact-in-the-history-of-christendom-is-a-number-of-people/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [I#pray because the need flows out of me all the time-walking and sleeping. It does not change # God - it changes me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-pray-because-the-need-flows-out-of-me-all-the-time-walking-and/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Are the gods not just?' 'Oh no, child. What would become us us if they were?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/are-the-gods-not-just-oh-no-child-what-would-become-us-us-if-they-were/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Love is more than an emotion, it is a decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/love-is-more-than-an-emotion-it-is-a-decision/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [Ink is the great cure for all human ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/ink-is-the-great-cure-for-all-human-ills/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-man-may-have-to-die-for-our-country-but-no-man-must-in-any/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [War creates no absolutely new situation: it simply aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it. Human life has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/war-creates-no-absolutely-new-situation-it-simply-aggravates-the/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

[Explore all 1,190 C. S. Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

## More Belief quotes

> [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/)

[Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/)

> [“MIND &amp; GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/)

[Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/)

[Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/)

> [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/)

[Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/)

> [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/)

[Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/)

> [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/)

[Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/)

> [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/)

[David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/)

> [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/)

[Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/)

[J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/)

> [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/)

[LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/)

> [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/)

[Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/)

[Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories as to how it did this are another matter. A good many different theories have been held as to how it works; what all Christians are agreed on is that it does work.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "C. S. Lewis"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-central-christian-belief-is-that-christ-s-death-has-somehow-put-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Belief"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-central-christian-belief-is-that-christ-s-death-has-somehow-put-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/c-s-lewis-2-132_belief_the-central-christian-belief-is-that-chr_661068.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh…” — C. S. Lewis",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "C. S. Lewis",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The central Christian belief is that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-central-christian-belief-is-that-christ-s-death-has-somehow-put-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-central-christian-belief-is-that-christ-s-death-has-somehow-put-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
