"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important"

C. S. Lewis captures the gravity of religious truth claims in his observation about Christianity's importance. The core assertion is binary: if Christianity’s claims are false, if God does not exist as described, if Jesus was not divine, if no afterlife awaits, then it loses all relevance beyond perhaps cultural or historical curiosity. There would be no divine mandate, no salvation, no ultimate purpose attached to its doctrines, moral teachings, or rituals. Engaging with Christianity in this context would amount to centering one's life around a myth or delusion, which, upon realization, ought to be dismissed fully.

Conversely, if Christianity is true, its implications become staggeringly consequential. Belief and action pertaining to Jesus and his teachings would determine eternal destiny. Moral choices, spiritual commitments, and the very meaning of life would hinge on this reality. The offer of redemption, the nature of humanity, and the presence or absence of hope all depend upon these claims. Eternity, according to Christianity, hangs in the balance. Infinite stakes create infinite importance; no pursuit or duty could supersede seeking to understand, respond to, and live in accordance with such a claim.

The sharp edge of Lewis’s statement lies in his rejection of lukewarm engagement. He points out that Christianity cannot be “moderately important.” Yet, many live as though belief or disbelief is an accessory, perhaps deserving a nod at holidays, requiring perfunctory attendance, or being relevant just one hour per week. Lewis contends that such moderation is illogical; the truth or falsehood of Christianity should provoke either total commitment or total disregard. By confronting comfortable indifference, he compels everyone to a decision: weigh the truth claims and act decisively, for anything less is inconsistent with the magnitude of what is being claimed. The real danger, then, is not fervent belief or open rejection, but apathy in the face of a question with such momentous potential consequences.