When most of us pack a suitcase, we don’t just toss everything in and slam the zipper shut. We make choices. We think about what’s truly needed for the journey, and sometimes we even unpack and repack to lighten the load. Faith can be like that, too.
Christians often use familiar words – “sin,” “resurrection,” “Jesus Christ” – and assume we all mean the same thing. But the truth is, those words carry very different meanings depending on one’s tradition or personal experience. For some, “sin” conjures up images of fire and brimstone, while for others it speaks more about falling short of loving as God loves. For some, “resurrection” means a literal bodily event; for others, it’s more about the ongoing power of life over death, hope over despair.
We Christians sometimes forget that we aren’t all speaking the same language, even when we use the same vocabulary. And when we speak without unpacking what we mean, we risk creating confusion — or worse, alienating those who might otherwise be curious about the life of faith.
We live in a diverse society where respect for one another’s beliefs is essential. It isn’t enough to casually throw around theological words without explaining them. In fact, the more diverse our communities become, the more important it is for Christians to be clear, thoughtful, and humble in how we talk about God.
To unpack our faith means to slow down enough to look inside the suitcase of Christian tradition. Over the centuries, many things have been added: doctrines, rituals, even rules meant more to preserve institutional power than relationship with God. Some of those additions have been beautiful gifts. Others have weighed faith down. By unpacking, we ask: What is essential? What do we really mean? What still brings life?
In the liberal Protestant tradition — where I stand — we sometimes get accused of “watering down” the faith. Because we don’t interpret every word of the Bible literally, some assume we don’t take the Bible seriously. But in fact, the opposite is true. We take scripture very seriously — so seriously that we study the history, context, and meaning behind the words. We recognize that the Bible was written by human hands, inspired by God, in particular times and places. To take it seriously means to wrestle with it, not just to parrot it.
For me, faith is not about asking, “What would Jesus do?” in some hypothetical way. It’s about looking at what Jesus actually did. He welcomed children, ate with outcasts, challenged religious hypocrisy, healed the broken, and preached love … even to enemies. If that’s watering things down, then it’s the same kind of “watering down” Jesus himself practiced when he simplified the law into its essence: “Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s not dilution — it’s clarity. It’s stripping away the human-made layers and returning to the heart of what Jesus taught.
Unpacking is also a way of avoiding misconceptions. When I say “sin,” I don’t mean to imply that someone is a horrible person doomed to eternal punishment. I mean we all fall short of living in right relationship — with God, with others, even with ourselves.
When I say “resurrection,” I don’t just mean something that happened 2,000 years ago, though I believe in the power of that story. I also mean the way new life keeps breaking into our world: when despair gives way to hope, when broken communities find reconciliation, when individuals discover new strength in the face of suffering.
And when I say “Jesus Christ,” I don’t mean a magical password to heaven. I mean the living presence of God revealed in a human life — a teacher, healer, and an embodiment whose example still shapes the way we love today. By unpacking these words, I hope people realize that Christianity isn’t all one thing. It has many voices, many interpretations, and many faithful paths.
Unpacking our faith is not only about internal clarity. It’s also about witness in the world. When we speak with honesty and humility about what we mean, we open doors for conversation rather than slam them shut. We show respect for those who hear us, whether they share our faith or not.
In an age when religion often makes headlines for division, exclusion, or judgment, it’s more important than ever to be clear about the God we follow: a God of love, justice, and compassion. That doesn’t mean our faith is weak; it means we are striving to return to the strongest, clearest foundation of all — the teachings and life of Jesus.
After all, every traveler knows the relief of unpacking what isn’t needed. That’s what I believe we are called to do as Christians today: to unpack our faith, set aside the baggage that weighs us down, and hold onto what really matters.
And what matters is love. What matters is following the way of Jesus, who showed us what God looks like in human form. Because in the end, unpacking isn’t about losing faith. It’s about traveling lighter, more clearly, and closer to the heart of God.
Athol Congregational Church is a community of faith that is “small enough to know you, large enough to serve.” Join us this fall for an 11-week series titled “Unpacking Christianity” during worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays in-person or on Facebook live under “Athol Congregational Videos.” Sunday school is offered at 10 a.m. and we truly welcome everyone, no matter where you are on your faith journey. We offer long-distance Reiki through our certified practitioners, are willing to pray with you whatever your need, and want to know you, whoever you are. Connect with us on the Athol Congregational Church Facebook page.