Of course, that's not all there is to it, and Jesus also laid out some pretty simple rules of how to live one's life. Knowing that nobody could live a perfect life, Jesus made it simple. One merely had to love God and fellow man with all one's heart. And...when one inevitably failed in this, Jesus would fill in the gaps through his death and resurrection.
The rest is just extension of the two commandments Jesus offered.
How is it that a godless atheist understands Christianity better than most of the Christians I know?
"How is it that a godless atheist understands Christianity better than most of the Christians I know?
"
I'm not sure I do. However, I've been studying the religions of the world for 40 years. You do learn a bit in that time.
Based on the Gospels, it's pretty clear that Jesus meant for all to be redeemed by his death. All he required was belief.
Of course, he expected his believers to follow the example he set on how to live, but knew that was impossible for humans.
That's the story I get from the Gospels.
"How is it that a godless atheist understands Christianity better than most of the Christians I know?"
Just hmmmmm, depends on the meaning of that word 'understands', cause if they do understand, Christ had more than a few words to say to and about those who 'understand' and reject Him.