Interview With Author of New Booklet on Christianity
Our 25th booklet covers a foundational concept: what is true Christianity? Why is this topic important? We discussed the subject with the author.

What Is a True Christian? is the 25th booklet published by Life, Hope & Truth.
Our newest publication—What Is a True Christian?—delves into the heart of what being a Christian is all about.
Roughly 2 billion people worldwide claim to be Christian, but within this demographic there exists an untold number of competing denominations, each with its own set of practices and beliefs. That might naturally leave you with a few questions: Can they all be right? Does the Bible reveal multiple ways that all lead to Christ? Or is there one biblical form of Christianity?
These are the questions that our new booklet aims to answer for readers.
I sat down with Erik Jones, a staff writer and editor at the Life, Hope & Truth offices in McKinney, Texas, to learn a little more about this new booklet.
Q: The meaning of “Christian” is so straightforward—a disciple of Jesus Christ. So why write a whole booklet on the subject?
A: That’s a great question. I think most people have a very simplistic idea of what a Christian is. You can look up the word in a dictionary, and you’ll usually find a very basic definition that a Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus.
While that definition isn’t wrong, the Bible shows there’s a lot more to it. My goal in writing this booklet was to explore and elaborate on the depth of the scriptures that show what it means to follow Jesus’ teachings. It’s much more than professing a faith, adhering to a religion or claiming a set of beliefs.
Though I wouldn’t say the booklet is comprehensive (there’s much more I could have covered), I believe it gives a reasonably thorough overview of the major elements that define a true Christian.
Q: You start most chapters with “A Christian . . .” followed by a unique descriptor. Why did you use this format?
A: I used this format to show that defining a Christian isn’t a simple task. It involves many elements that together form a complete, biblical picture. I believe all of the chapters, taken together, present the vital aspects—none of which can stand alone in isolation or be separated from the others.
Q: As you researched, prepared and wrote on this topic, was there anything that stood out to you in particular? A deeper insight or appreciation for a certain concept?
A: One of the most enlightening things about researching this topic was how many different words and terms are used to describe Christians throughout the New Testament.
My goal in writing this booklet was to explore the depth of the scriptures that show what it means to follow Jesus’ teachings.
The ironic thing is that even though Christian is the most common word used today (and is used in the booklet’s title), it is used to describe followers of Christ only three times in the New Testament.
Words like believer and disciple are used far more frequently.
As I point out in a sidebar early in the booklet, by surveying and learning the definitions of the major words used to describe followers of Jesus Christ, we can build a solid foundation for understanding what genuine Christianity really looks like.
Q: Who do you think will benefit the most from a booklet like this?
A: My hope is that people in various life circumstances will find the content helpful. I believe it will be helpful for those completely unfamiliar with Christianity (in any form) and those who may profess Christianity but not entirely grasp or understand its full meaning and practice.
In addition to that, my hope is that seasoned Christians who have been living genuine biblical Christianity for years will also find nuggets of understanding that will add depth to the faith they are already practicing, or at least put it all together in a way they have not considered before.
Q: What’s your message to someone who’s taking an in-depth look at this subject for the first time?
A: Simply put, take action.
I think we have far too many examples of people who profess the Christian faith but do not fully act on it. Even though none of us does it perfectly, we need to give it our best effort every day.
I’ve done my best to explain the principles of living the true Christian faith in a practical way, so that readers can (hopefully) walk away with a clear understanding of what God expects and how to begin putting it into practice.
If someone finishes reading and comes away with a clearer understanding of what he or she needs to do—and starts doing it—then this booklet will have fulfilled its most essential purpose.
Click here to download your free copy of this booklet
Date Posted: August 4, 2025