Getting Started with Faith

Where do I start if I want to learn about Christianity?

Start with the life of Jesus by reading one of the four Gospels. The Gospel of Mark is short and fast-paced, while the Gospel of John clearly explains who Jesus is. You don't need to read cover to cover—one chapter a day is plenty.

Use a free Bible app like YouVersion or Bible Gateway with a modern translation (NIV or NLT). Consider a beginner podcast, a book like Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, or talking to someone who follows Jesus.

Want a personalized starting point? Take our quiz to discover which biblical character mirrors your journey—your results include tailored recommendations.

Where should I start reading the Bible as a beginner?

Start with the Gospel of John—it's written to help readers understand who Jesus is. Then try Mark for a fast-paced account of Jesus' life, and Romans for core Christian beliefs.

For encouragement, read Psalms. For practical wisdom, try Proverbs. For the origin story, start with Genesis.

Use a readable translation (NLT or NIV), read one chapter daily, and don't worry if parts feel confusing—that's completely normal.

What is the Bible and why is it important?

The Bible is 66 books written by approximately 40 authors over 1,500 years. It's divided into the Old Testament (39 books, before Jesus) and New Testament (27 books, after Jesus).

Christians believe it's God's inspired Word, containing history, poetry, prophecy, and letters that tell one overarching story: God created the world, humanity broke its relationship with God, and God works to restore it through Jesus.

It provides answers to life's deepest questions about identity, purpose, death, and how to live.

What is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

The Old Testament covers creation through 400 years before Jesus—Israel's history, God's laws, poetry (Psalms, Proverbs), and prophetic writings. It establishes God's character and the promise of a coming Savior.

The New Testament begins with Jesus' birth and covers the early church—four Gospels, Acts, apostolic letters, and Revelation.

Think of the Old Testament as setup and the New Testament as fulfillment—together they tell one connected story.

Understanding Faith & Belief

Why does God allow suffering and evil?

There's no simple answer, but Christianity offers a framework. The Bible teaches suffering entered through human choice—turning away from God introduced brokenness. Much evil results from free will being misused.

What makes Christianity distinct is that God doesn't remain distant: in Jesus, God entered human pain, experiencing betrayal, injustice, and death. The cross shows God saying "I know what this feels like."

Christianity promises suffering isn't the final word—pain and death will be defeated, and nothing can separate us from God's love.

Is it okay to doubt God?

Yes. Doubt is normal and healthy. The Bible is filled with people who questioned God—David in the Psalms, Job in suffering, Thomas refusing to believe without evidence.

Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; unbelief is. Doubt means you care enough to ask hard questions. C.S. Lewis and Mother Teresa both experienced seasons of intense questioning.

If you're doubting, you're in good company. Explore your questions honestly and don't fear where the search takes you.

How do I know if God is real?

Many find belief compelling for several reasons:

  • A finely-tuned universe with physical constants precisely calibrated for life
  • Universal moral intuition—humans across cultures share a sense of genuine right and wrong
  • Historical evidence for Jesus, including the transformation of frightened followers into leaders willing to die for their testimony
  • Personal experience—billions report encountering God in prayer, Scripture, and daily life

While subjective experience isn't proof alone, the volume and consistency of these accounts is worth considering.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Being a Christian means following Jesus Christ—not primarily attending church or following rules, but having a relationship. It's believing Jesus is the Son of God, that his death and resurrection reconciled humanity with God, and choosing to live by his teachings.

This relationship begins with grace—God's unearned love—not human effort. Practically, it involves growing through Bible study, prayer, community, and living out faith in how you treat others.

It's a journey, not a destination.

Is Christianity the only way to God?

Christians believe Jesus is the unique path to God, based on his own words: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

This isn't arrogance—it's conviction that human sin requires a solution only God could provide. The claim is provocative, and it's okay to wrestle with it.

Christianity invites honest examination. The question isn't whether the claim sounds narrow—it's whether it's true.

What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?

Christianity has several distinct claims:

  • Grace over performance — God reaches down to humanity through Jesus; salvation is a gift, not a reward
  • A God who suffers — Jesus experienced hunger, grief, rejection, and death
  • Resurrection — Christianity stands on the historical claim that Jesus physically rose from the dead
  • Relationship over religion — Faith is a personal relationship with God, not just adherence to rituals

About Biblical Characters

Who are the most important people in the Bible?

Jesus Christ is the central figure—Christians believe he's the Son of God and fulfillment of the Old Testament.

Key figures include:

  • Abraham — Father of faith, whose trust in God's promises founded Israel
  • Moses — Led Israel from slavery, received the Ten Commandments
  • David — Shepherd-turned-king, known for passionate faith and human failures
  • Paul — Persecutor-turned-missionary who wrote half the New Testament
  • Peter — Impulsive disciple who became a church leader
  • Esther — Risked her life to save her people
  • Ruth — Loyalty and courage shaped Jesus' lineage
Which biblical character am I most like?

That's exactly what Faithprint helps you discover. Our free quiz matches you with a biblical character based on your personality, how you process faith, and where you are spiritually.

You might be bold like Peter, an honest doubter like Thomas, curious like Nicodemus, or courageous like Esther.

After taking the quiz, you'll receive a full profile with strengths, struggles, story parallels, and personalized next steps. It takes 5–7 minutes with no right or wrong answers.

Who was Thomas in the Bible and why is he called "Doubting Thomas"?

Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. After Jesus' crucifixion, when others said Jesus had risen, Thomas refused to believe unless he could see and touch the wounds himself (John 20:25).

When Jesus appeared and invited Thomas to touch his hands and side, Thomas declared "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

Thomas wasn't a skeptic rejecting faith—he needed to process things his own way. Jesus met him where he was, showing that doubt and faith can coexist.

Who was Peter in the Bible?

Peter was a fisherman who became one of Jesus' closest disciples and a foundational church leader. He's portrayed as passionate, impulsive, loyal, and deeply flawed.

He walked on water but sank when fear overtook him, declared Jesus as Messiah but was rebuked moments later, and denied Jesus three times during the arrest.

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter, asking "Do you love me?" three times—once for each denial. Peter then led the early church through its most dangerous days. His story proves your worst moments don't define your life.

Who was Paul in the Bible?

Paul (originally Saul) actively persecuted Christians before encountering the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus—an experience that left him temporarily blind (Acts 9).

After his conversion, he became the early church's most prolific missionary, traveling thousands of miles establishing Christian communities. He wrote 13 New Testament books including Romans, Corinthians, and Philippians.

Paul's story demonstrates radical transformation—if the church's greatest enemy could become its greatest advocate, no one is beyond grace.

Who was Esther in the Bible?

Esther was a young Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai who became queen of Persia. When an official named Haman plotted genocide against all Jews, Mordecai challenged her: "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).

Despite knowing that approaching the king uninvited could mean death, Esther revealed her identity, exposed the plot, and saved her people.

Her story resonates with anyone facing moments where doing right requires tremendous personal risk.

The Faithprint Quiz

What is the Faithprint quiz?

Faithprint is a free personality-style assessment matching you with a biblical character based on who you are, how you think, and where you are on your faith journey.

Similar to Myers-Briggs or Enneagram, but grounded in biblical stories. It takes 5–7 minutes with approximately 25–35 questions. You'll receive a full character profile with strengths, struggles, story parallels, plus personalized Bible reading plans and recommendations.

Designed for everyone—believers, skeptics, seekers. No sign-up needed.

How does the Faithprint quiz work?

The quiz measures several dimensions:

  • Belief Spectrum — Skepticism to deep faith
  • Action vs. Contemplation — Doer or thinker
  • Community vs. Solitude — Processing with others or alone
  • Certainty vs. Questioning — Comfort with doubt
  • Emotional vs. Intellectual — Feeling or logic
  • Leadership vs. Following
  • Obedience vs. Rebellion

Your combination maps to a biblical character whose personality and journey mirror yours, plus a "journey stage" indicator (Seeker, New Growth, Committed, or Mature).

Do I need to be religious to take the quiz?

Not at all. The quiz is for anyone—deeply committed, casually curious, completely skeptical, or somewhere in between.

No trick questions, pressure, or judgment. You don't need Bible knowledge. Questions are about you—your personality, instincts, how you think and feel.

Many non-religious people find the results surprisingly insightful because biblical characters are deeply human and relatable across any belief system.

Can I share my Faithprint results?

Yes! Every result generates a unique, shareable link with a custom social preview card showing your character match.

Share directly to social media, copy the link for friends, or bookmark it. No account or login required—your results live at a permanent URL you can access anytime.

Spiritual Growth & Practice

How do I pray if I've never prayed before?

Prayer is simply talking to God—honestly, in your own words. Find a quiet moment and say what you're thinking: thank God for something good, ask for help with something hard, or express what you're feeling. There's no wrong way.

If you want structure, the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) covers the basics: acknowledging God, asking for needs, seeking forgiveness, requesting guidance.

Don't worry about feeling awkward—honest, stumbling prayers are more meaningful than polished, empty ones.

What does it mean to have faith?

Faith isn't blind belief without evidence. The Bible defines it as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)—confident trust in God's character based on evidence, experience, and relationship.

Like trusting a chair will hold you based on past experience, Christian faith builds on historical reliability, witness testimony, and transformed lives.

Faith isn't the absence of doubt; it's choosing to trust even when uncertainty remains.

What is the meaning of life according to the Bible?

The Bible teaches humans are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), giving every life inherent dignity. Life's meaning includes: knowing and loving God, loving and serving others, stewarding the world, and participating in God's restoration work.

Jesus summarized it: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Lasting fulfillment comes from relationship with God and others, not achievement or accumulation.

What happens after death according to the Bible?

The Bible teaches physical death isn't the end. Every person has a soul that continues, with a future resurrection where all stand before God.

Those who placed faith in Jesus experience eternal life in God's presence—described as joyful, peaceful, free from suffering (Revelation 21:4). For those who reject God, Scripture describes separation from his presence.

The Christian view gives weight to how we live now—our choices and response to God matter eternally.

What are the seven deadly sins?

Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.

While this specific list doesn't appear grouped in the Bible, each sin is addressed individually, and early Christian teachers formalized the list as a framework for understanding destructive behavior.

They're "deadly" not because they're unforgivable, but because each represents a heart pattern leading away from God. Pride—placing yourself at the center—is considered the root of nearly every other sin.

Common Concerns

Why are Christians sometimes hypocritical?

Because Christians are human. The Bible's heroes lie, cheat, betray, and fail. Peter denied Jesus; David committed adultery and murder; Paul persecuted Christians.

Christianity doesn't claim to produce perfect people—it claims imperfect people need grace. When Christians behave hypocritically, it contradicts their message but confirms Christianity's diagnosis of human nature.

Hypocrisy is a legitimate concern that's caused real harm. Jesus had his harshest words for religious leaders who preached one thing and lived another. Consider whether followers' failures should determine what you think about Jesus himself.

Can I be a Christian and still believe in science?

Absolutely. The perceived conflict is largely a modern misunderstanding. Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Faraday, and Francis Collins (Human Genome Project leader) were all devout Christians who saw science as exploring God's handiwork.

Science investigates how the natural world works; faith addresses why it exists. The Bible is theological, not a science textbook. Christians hold various views on creation and evolution while affirming core truths.

Many find that science's revelations about the universe's elegance point toward an intelligent creator.

Is the Bible trustworthy and historically accurate?

The Bible is among the most scrutinized ancient documents. Evidence includes:

  • Manuscript evidence — Over 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts (most ancient works survive in fewer than a dozen)
  • Archaeological confirmation — Hundreds of discoveries confirm biblical people, places, and events
  • Early dating — Written within decades of described events, within eyewitness lifetimes
  • Hostile witnesses — Even critics acknowledged basic historical facts

By standards applied to any ancient text, the Bible holds up remarkably well.

Do I need to go to church to be a Christian?

Technically no, but practically it matters. Being Christian isn't defined by attendance, and many have genuine faith without regularly attending. But the Bible describes faith lived in community.

Paul uses a body metaphor (1 Corinthians 12)—individual parts can't function independently. Church provides encouragement, accountability, shared worship, and service opportunities.

If traditional church feels unwelcoming, "church" comes in many forms—house churches, small groups, online communities. The goal isn't a building; it's genuine connection with others pursuing Jesus.

What does the Bible say about mental health?

The Bible speaks extensively to emotional and mental pain. Psalms contains raw expressions of anxiety, depression, and despair. Elijah experienced what reads like severe depression after great success (1 Kings 19).

Christianity affirms humans are whole beings—body, mind, spirit—and caring for all three matters. Seeking professional help isn't weak faith; it's wise, like seeing a doctor for a broken bone.

The Bible offers comfort: you're not alone, God is "close to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18), community bears burdens, and suffering isn't the final chapter. Faith and therapy are complementary, not competing.

About Faithprint

What is Faithprint?

Faithprint is a free website where anyone takes a personality-style quiz and gets matched with a biblical character reflecting who they are and their journey stage.

It's a warm, modern, non-judgmental starting point for exploring faith—whether deeply committed, casually curious, or openly skeptical. You receive a full character profile with insights, strengths, struggles, and personalized next steps.

Not affiliated with any church or denomination. Completely free, no sign-up required.

Is Faithprint affiliated with a church or denomination?

No. Faithprint is independent and non-denominational, not connected to any specific church or organization.

Content draws from broadly held Christian beliefs spanning traditions. Our goal is simply to meet people where they are and provide thoughtful, trustworthy content for their next step—whatever that looks like.

Is Faithprint free?

Yes, completely. No hidden fees, premium tiers, or paywalls. The quiz, character profiles, reading plans, and all content are 100% free.

Do I need to create an account to use Faithprint?

No. Take the quiz and view results without creating an account, logging in, or providing personal information.

Results are saved at a unique URL you can bookmark or share.

Still have questions?

Take the quiz to discover your biblical character match, or reach out to us directly.

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