Pointing to Christ in All Teaching and Storytelling

The concept of pointing to Christ in all teaching and storytelling emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in Christian proclamation and instruction. This principle is rooted in biblical texts that highlight Christ as the focus of the Christian message and the goal of spiritual formation ^{[1, 2, 3]}.

The Apostle Paul, for instance, states in Colossians 1:28, "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ" ^[2]. This verse underscores that the ultimate aim of teaching is to bring individuals to maturity in Christ. Similarly, Paul expresses joy that "Christ is preached all maner wayes, whether it be vnder a pretence, or syncerely" (Philippians 1:18, Geneva 1599), indicating that the proclamation of Christ, regardless of the motive, is paramount ^[3]. The book of Acts also describes preaching "the kyngdome of God and teachynge those thinges which concerned the lorde Iesus with all confidence vnforboden" ^[1].

Early Church fathers, such as John Chrysostom, implicitly affirmed this focus by emphasizing the importance of Scripture for doctrine and instruction. one tradition states that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17) ^[6]. While not explicitly stating "point to Christ," the understanding that Scripture leads to the perfection of the "man of God" aligns with the goal of presenting everyone "perfect in Christ" ^{[2, 6]}. Chrysostom also highlights the practice of giving thanks to God "for the Grace of God which was given you in Jesus Christ; that in every thing you were enriched in him," further demonstrating the Christ-centered nature of early Christian thought ^[8].

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, instructs disciples to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" ^{[5, 11]}. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret "teach all nations" as "make disciples of all nations," with subsequent "teaching" referring to instructing converted and baptized disciples ^[11]. The emphasis on teaching "all things whatsoever I have commanded you" inherently points back to Christ's own teachings and person ^[5].

The concept of "union with Christ" is a significant theological framework that undergirds the idea of Christ-centered teaching. This union is described in various ways, including Christ being in believers (Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 1:27) and believers being in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:2, 1 John 5:20) ^[4]. This union is maintained by faith, abiding in Christ, and His word abiding in believers ^[4]. Teaching that points to Christ, therefore, aims to deepen this spiritual union and its implications for life and doctrine.

The idea of Christ as the "Light of the world" (John 9:5) and the one who "lighteth every man" (John 1:9) further supports the notion that all instruction should ultimately lead to an understanding of Christ ^[9]. Compact teachings found in the New Testament epistles, which may have been early creeds or hymns, often center on Christ's person and salvation, suggesting that a Christocentric focus was foundational to early Christian instruction ^[10].

The Puritan commentator Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Matthew 13:24, notes that Christ used parables because "the time was not yet come for the more clear and plain discoveries of the mysteries of the kingdom" ^[7]. This implies that Christ's teaching, even when veiled, was always moving towards a clearer revelation of the "mysteries of the kingdom," which are ultimately centered on Himself. This perspective suggests that all forms of Christian communication, whether direct or indirect, should ultimately aim to reveal Christ.

Sources

Acts “Acts 28:31 (Tyndale) — preachyng the kyngdome of God and teachynge those thinges which concerned the lorde Iesus with all confidence vnforboden.”
Colossians “Colossians 1:28 (BSB) — We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
Philippians “Philippians 1:18 (Geneva1599) — What then? yet Christ is preached all maner wayes, whether it be vnder a pretence, or syncerely: and I therein ioye: yea and will ioye.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:20: Teaching them--This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples. to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I--The "I" here is emphatic. It is enough that I am with you alway--"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more. even unto the end of the world. Amen--This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encourag”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily IX. 2 Timothy iii. 16, 17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [R.V.: Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable, c.] Having offered much exhortation and consolation from other sources, he adds that which is more perfect, derived from the Scriptures; and he is reasonably full in offering consolation, because he has a great and sad thi”
Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 13:24: In these verses, we have, I. Another reason given why Christ preached by parables, Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35. All these things he spoke in parables, because the time was not yet come for the more clear and plain discoveries of the mysteries of the kingdom. Christ, to keep the people attending and expecting, preached in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them; namely, at this time and in this sermon. Note, Christ tries all ways and methods to do good to the souls of men, and to make impressions upon them; if men will not be instructed and influenced by ”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: 6 Homily II. 1 Cor. i. 4, 5 I thank my God always concerning you, for the Grace of God which was given you in Jesus Christ; that in every thing you were enriched in him. [1.] That which he exhorts others to do, saying, “( Phil. iv. 6 .) Let your requests with thanksgiving be made known unto God,” the same also he used to do himself: teaching us to begin always from these words, and before all things to give thanks unto God. For nothing is so acceptable to God as that men should be thankful, both for themselves and for others: wherefore also he pr”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 1:9: lighteth every man, &c.--rather, "which, coming into the world, enlighteneth every man"; or, is "the Light of the world" (Joh 9:5). "Coming into the world" is a superfluous and quite unusual description of "every man"; but it is of all descriptions of Christ amongst the most familiar, especially in the writings of this Evangelist (Joh 12:46; Joh 16:28; Joh 18:37; Jo1 4:9; Ti1 1:15, &c.).”
1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 2:5: 2:5-6 Compact teachings, as in this passage, occur throughout the letters to Timothy and Titus (see also 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 1:9-10; 2:8, 11-13; Titus 3:4-7). They might be adapted bits of creeds, hymns, or prayers that were known to the churches. The doctrines referenced probably relate to Paul’s trouble with the false teachers; it appears that their teaching undercut the universal appeal of the Good News and the effectiveness of the Gentile mission. The false teachers also had a deficient understanding of Jesus and his salvation. 2:5 There is one God and therefo”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations--rather, "make disciples of all nations"; for "teaching," in the more usual sense of that word, comes in afterwards, and is expressed by a different term. baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost--It should be, "into the name"; as in Co1 10:2, "And were all baptized unto (or rather 'into') Moses"; and Gal 3:27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ."”

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