Christianity has three unique features that give it substantial credibility.
All religions have meeting places and priests of some kind. They have sacrifices, doctrines, prohibitions, required duties, and confessions. Only Christianity has three features that are a bridge between this world and the next. It may be best to think of these three as the three legs of a stool, each of them equally important but each unique and essential in its own way.
The three legs: The first leg is the inspiration of scripture. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Mormons claim to have divinely inspired writings rather than the teachings of the godly and wise. The second leg is the incarnation. All the Mediterranean religions have gods which are more like superheroes living on the mountains and having children. The eastern religions have distant gods. Christianity alone has an incarnation as God becomes man. The third leg is resurrection. There are many myths about coming back to life, and eastern religions connect karma and reincarnation, but that is different from a resurrection of the dead.
It’s easy to start a friendly argument by asking which of the three is more important. All my training indicated that the authority of the word of God was the essential leg. Now I hear people talking about the resurrection as the essential leg of the stool. And having just finished a study of John’s writings, I am impressed that the incarnation is much more than an incidental transition to the resurrection.
The value of each leg: Rather than settle that argument, I think it’s good to recognize that each leg has a proper and unique role. When talking to people who are not Christians, it is probably best to talk about the resurrection. An observable event confirmed by many witnesses whose testimony we have. It changed the lives of real people.
The incarnation of Jesus is probably most important to those who are growing to maturity. Seeing Jesus throughout his entire life and ministry in the gospels provides the examples and teachings essential to growth.
The authority of the word of God is important for those who seek to grow to full maturity and for those who devote their lives to ministry. No wonder seminaries emphasize inspiration.
Back to the friendly argument: The outreach types emphasize the resurrection while the seminary professors give six reasons for the error of this thinking. Meanwhile, the evangelists roll their eyes at the profs who are out of touch (with evangelism). The fully trained tend to focus on the Old Testament, the writings of Paul, and even the original languages. The rest of us just look on, wondering what all the heat is about. These are those who are seeking to raise their kids, to be comforted, or to have their faith and integrity to survive at work. They want guidance, an example to follow, teaching, and inspiration from the life and ministry of Jesus.