What makes you a Christian is whether or not you really are in accord with biblical theology and whether you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

The quote by Walter Martin, "What makes you a Christian is whether or not you really are in accord with biblical theology and whether you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour," emphasizes that being a Christian is not merely about cultural identity or outward religious practices. Instead, it is about aligning one’s life and beliefs with biblical theology and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Martin highlights that faith and knowledge of Christ are the true foundations of Christian identity.

The origin of this quote comes from Walter Martin’s role as a prominent Christian apologist and founder of the Christian Research Institute. Known as the “Bible Answer Man,” Martin devoted his work to defending orthodox Christianity against what he viewed as heresies, cults, and deviations from biblical truth. His emphasis on biblical theology reflects his belief that only adherence to Scripture and recognition of Jesus as Saviour constitute genuine Christianity.

The quote also responds to a broader historical and cultural issue: the rise of nominal Christianity, where individuals may identify as Christians without embracing the core doctrines or living out a Christ-centered faith. For Martin, Christianity was not a label but a transformation of life rooted in Scripture and in a saving relationship with Christ.

Ultimately, Martin’s words serve as a call to examine the authenticity of faith. By grounding Christian identity in both biblical truth and a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ, he stresses that Christianity is defined not by tradition or affiliation but by a living and faithful relationship with God.