Is Christianity a crutch?
Addressing objections
It def isnt a crutch. If someone (whose life is going great, is making money, feels fullfilled), would say to a Christian "i dont need Jesus, Christianity is a crutch", as a Christian I would respond that "the issue is about being right with God because after death is the Judgment" with the goal of sharing his need for a Savior cuz death is coming for him (today, tomorrow, whenever) then this great life hes built up is taken from Him & hes ushered before the Judgment seat of God. Eternity is gazillion bazillion unending years, and 40 to 80 years here is nothing. Plus its better to have God adopt you, be a loving Father, bless in spiritual ways and sometimes earthly ways, to use it to glorify Him. God is with you, loves you. Jesus is with you, the Holy Spirit is too and God in you, to live out your life with that missing spiritual life component - that begins now and continues in eternity.
All those kinds of things, and more.
So lets look at this a bit more:
What's been said is rooted in God’s sovereignty, the reality of judgment, and the need for regeneration, (which comes with a personal relationship with God), rather than being about merely improving one’s self focused earthly life. Let’s unpack what’s happening theologically from a truth based perspective and how that kind of response aligns with it.
1. The Core Issue: Not “Needing a Crutch,” but Standing Before God
From a Christians perspective, the unbeliever’s statement — “I don’t need Jesus; Christianity is a crutch” — reflects spiritual blindness and pride (cf. 1 Cor 2:14; Rom 3:10–12). The Christian’s response shifts the focus from felt needs (comfort, success, etc.) to the objective reality of sin and judgment, showing they do indeed need Jesus:
“The issue isn’t whether you feel you need Jesus, but whether you are right with God.”
This is the focus of evangelism. It emphasizes that all people are hellbound, under God’s wrath apart from Christ (John 3:36; Rom 1:18–20) and that salvation is a matter of God’s justice and mercy, not self-help or life enhancement. It is definitely something/someone they need- since we are fallen and seperated from God, & need the debt paid & restoration. All these are things only Jesus can do.
2. Eternity vs. Temporal
The reminder that “40–80 years here is nothing compared to unending eternity” expresses the Christians conviction that the eternal state—heaven or hell—is infinitely weightier than temporary earthly things, success, life etc; its short and limited. This reflects the biblical and the emphasis on living coram Deo (before the face of God), mindful that:
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Heb 9:27)
Calvinists would see this as pointing the unbeliever to the ultimate reality beyond worldly satisfaction — a key goal in evangelism.
3. God’s Sovereign Call and the Role of the Evangelist
A Christianity wouldn’t expect that "reasoning" alone will convert someone. It's God by the power of the Gospel that saves.
Christians know only the Holy Spirit can regenerate the heart (John 3:5–8; Eph 2:4–5). The Christians job is to proclaim truth faithfully, not to persuade by human wisdom.
So the believer shares:
• The truth of judgment and grace,
• The beauty of adoption into God’s family,
• The presence of the Triune God in a believer’s life,
…and then trusts God to use that proclamation as He wills.
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:17)
4. The Blessings of Union with Christ
The earlier summary rightly brings in the relational and experiential aspects:
● We are not God's children until God saves us; causing us to be born again.
• God adopts us as His children (Rom 8:15–17),
• The Spirit indwells us,
• Christ is with us and in us (John 14:23; Gal 2:20),
• Our lives are lived for His glory (1 Cor 10:31).
Christianity doesn’t deny joy or fulfillment of those in Christ — it simply insists that these are byproducts of reconciliation with God, not the main selling point of the gospel.
5. A Christian Evangelistic Tone
A Christian would ideally combine:
• Sobriety (the seriousness of sin and judgment),
• Compassion (a heart for the lost, reflecting God’s love), and
• Confidence in God’s sovereignty (He will draw His elect to Himself through the gospel).
As Charles Spurgeon once put it:
“We are not responsible to God for the souls that are saved, but we are responsible for the gospel that is preached.”
6. Addressing the skeptic/person
When someone says “I don’t need Jesus. Christianity is just a crutch — I’m doing great. I’m successful, fulfilled, happy.”
The Christian will
• Keep God’s sovereignty and judgment central (the core concern),
• Keep the gospel message clear (sin, Christ’s work, faith, eternity),
• And express grace and compassion, with patience and love (not arrogance or improper fear tactics).
• True that there is fear thats healthy friend like (preservation), so the sinner will still see not just that hes missing out due to lack of God in his life, but that indeed it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. That hes under God's wrath right now, & as patient as He is- one day his patirnce will run out. And, if he dies without Jesus as Savior; having his sins dealt with, then dying in his sins he will recieve the punishment thats everlasting)].
Here’s how I might respond, in a tone that’s serious but gracious — the kind of thing a thoughtful, believer might actually say:
“I understand why you’d say that. If life’s going well, it probably feels like you don’t need anything beyond what you already have. But the truth is, Christianity isn’t about needing a crutch to get through life — it’s about being right with God, the One who gave you life in the first place.
One day, no matter how strong or successful any of us think we are, we’re all going to die. And when that moment comes, every possession, every achievement, every bit of success gets stripped away, and we are ushered in to stand before God Himself. Scripture says it’s appointed for each person to die once, and after that comes judgment. The real question isn’t, ‘Is my life working right now?’ — it’s, ‘Am I ready to face a holy and just God if my life ends today, or whenever it ends?’”
“The Bible says we’ve all sinned — every one of us — and that sin separates us from God, and has us on a hellbound path. But God, in His mercy, sent Jesus as a Savior; to live the perfect life we couldn’t, pay the sin debt due to God for us, die the death we deserve, and rose again so that anyone who trusts in Him can be forgiven and have peace with God. It’s not about religion or comfort; it’s about reconciliation — being made right with the One who made you, had a design and purpose for you, which due to the Sin of Adam, broke that. Jesus restores it all.”
“And the beautiful thing is, when God saves someone, He doesn’t just forgive them and send them off — He adopts them. You become His child. He puts His Spirit within you. You begin to actually know Him — not as an idea, but as a living being whose presence is with you. He changes your heart. You start to live not just the tiny life you know - it's infinitely expanded. And it's no longer a short life, but eternal, you get to see and be with Jesus evermore. The relationship with God starts now and continues forever.”
“So sure, maybe right now you don’t feel the need for God. But our feelings change — death doesn’t. Eternity doesn’t. My hope for you isn’t that you’d just ‘use Jesus as a crutch,’ but that you’d come to know Him as your Lord, your Father, and your greatest joy — both in this life and forever.”
Let's see if we can move you closer to God today. After all you dont know what you dint know, and things make sense when you understand it clearly.
Because God is Holy, perfect, and all his attributes work together equally, it's how he can be just and loving. Truth and Love go together, and it is in perfection. God is higher than us, & His ways are too, because while we were created perfect, we had the communicable attributes in our design as image bearers of God. But not only did spiritual life- our connection to God (and all that entails) get cut off when they sinned in Eden, but those attributes got marred by the sin nature we inherited. We have God's Laws (not just the 10C, but what 1 Cor 13 and Gal 5 tell us about the attributes of righteous holiness) written on our hearts, but in sin we live them out in a corrupted, distorted, selfish way - focusing only in what we can get out of something; seeking only how it benefits us [that includes any false religion we cling to like works based ones]. Because we are far from God's standards of perfection, we cannot be in God's presence and live, but also if we did die in our sinful state, He would have to judge and punish us, because its just and good to do so. Even while alive we are living as enemies of God, rebels, who have not God's blessing nor care over our lives, living as children of wrath, and wanted criminals.
Examine yourself here [the Gospel explained] to see why you need Jesus and how to be saved/born again.
Jesus said, "You must be born again.’”(John 3:7), and "Repent and believe the Gospel", (Mark 1:15).
As wanted criminals, we are in serious trouble, and it needs to be rectified & quickly. And it will be, either when we die, or if Jesus pays that debt to God on our behalf. It's an urgent call to obey the Gospel call, to recieve the free (and yet undeserved) gift God offers you in Jesus, which brings you into a right & restored relationship with God.
Do it today, because while tomorrow might not exist in this life for you, neither is your next breathe. Get this settled today, and have inner peace, reconciliation and a intimate personal relationship with your Creatir God and Savior. And live with joy knowing God has saved you, and given you a new life, with new purpose and desires, to live as you were meant to, all to the glory of God.
Pray to God right now. With a contrite and himbke heart, confess and repent (once and for all) of your sins, and put your trust in Jesus, who paid that sin debt for all who will believe. Place your trust in Jesus, and the promise God made to save you, make you a new creation.
I pray you did.
Here are some Scripture to encourage, ground and bring you assurance, if you just began your new life in Christ.
Grace & Peace — Their New Standing w God
Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
God’s Love & Adoption
John 1:12 — “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Romans 8:15–16 — “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
1 John 3:1 — “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
The Holy Spirit’s Presence & Help
John 14:16–17 — “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.”
Galatians 5:22–23 — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Romans 8:11 — “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.”
Assurance & Hope
John 10:27–28 — “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:3–4 — “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.”
Walking in New Life
Colossians 2:6–7 — “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.”
Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Encouragement & Peace for Daily Life
Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 11:28–30 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 — “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
Get a Christian Bible, and read it everyday. It is God's love letter to you. It shows you who God is, how he keeps his promises, how he deals with his (righteous ones) children, how he deals with sin [both for the believer & the unsaved sinners], what holy living looks like (across OT & NT, and as seen in Jesus earthly life as a example to us), and of the blessed things to come for believers, but also of what awaits thd unsaved; which (by love) compells us to proclaim the Gospel to everyone and lead others to the Savior too.
While you read Scripture every day, as it guides your daily life, as you treasure it's words in your heart, and grow to know God more and more, the Bible isnt all there is. You have and are called to be in the community of believers at a local Bible focused church, to gather together with believers to worship and serve God & each other there, in love. It is your local family of God. You are part of the Church, the bride of Christ, united together to him your redeemer who bought you. There you'll find your eternal brethren. To form life long solid friendships, minister together, learn together, worship and serve God, and those relationships and mission goes far beyond the walls where we gather, it permiates every area of your life 247 as a new creation.
So not only do you read the Bible and it guide you in every area of your life, but actively and practically the congregation and shepherds there guide too, to help grow you, lovingly prune you and guide you into holy living. So get plugged into the church, put yourself under the church's authority, get baptized to obey Jesus [it is a testimony event showing what God did when he saved you], and partake of the Lord's Supper together [in unity, remembering what Jesus did for us]. Living life together with this group of believers, with Christ at the center.
So your life is intertwined with the local church, and the Holy Spirit will give a gift(s) to you to use in the church, as you love and serve God and others there [believers, (& influence any unsaved visitors/family there, and the kids who attend and are raised up there to learn about our triune God)].
God bless you and be with you.
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