As a Christian, what specifically do you believe? And why? (Jesus Christ, tradition)

Immortal Awakened · #1 10-22-2005, 08:38 PM

Please define 'Christian'.

As a Christian, what specifically do you believe? And why?

I've heard many Christians assert that they are a true Christian, while simultaneously suggesting that many others who profess to be Christian aren't truly Christian.

Or if you are not a Christian, what is your impression of Christian beliefs? What specifically is a Christian?

I'm agnostic myself, and I can't get a specific definition of what constitutes a true Christian from Christians when I ask. I really don't see any difference between a true Christian and a false Christian, whatever they each may be.

What makes you a true Christian (if this is your profession), as opposed to a false Christian?

Katzpur · #2 10-22-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immortal Awakened

Please define 'Christian'.

As a Christian, what specifically do you believe? And why?

I've heard many Christians assert that they are a true Christian, while simultaneously suggesting that many others who profess to be Christian aren't truly Christian.

Or if you are not a Christian, what is your impression of Christian beliefs? What specifically is a Christian?

I'm agnostic myself, and I can't get a specific definition of what constitutes a true Christian from Christians when I ask. I really don't see any difference between a true Christian and a false Christian, whatever they each may be.

What makes you a true Christian (if this is your profession), as opposed to a false Christian?

I'm so glad you asked!

I believe myself to be a Christian because I worship Jesus Christ as my Savior. He is, according to my belief, the only begotten Son of God and the only means by which we might be reconciled with God. I try to honor and obey Him in all I do and try to live my life in accordance with His example. I would never presume to tell someone else who professes to be a Christian that they aren't "the real thing" and that I am, although I've been told that many times myself.

Immortal Awakened · #3 10-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I'm so glad you asked!

I believe myself to be a Christian because I worship Jesus Christ as my Savior. He is, according to my belief, the only begotten Son of God and the only means by which we might be reconciled with God. I try to honor and obey Him in all I do and try to live my life in accordance with His example. I would never presume to tell someone else who professes to be a Christian that they aren't "the real thing" and that I am, although I've been told that many times myself.

Okay, thank you. That's nice that you don't judge others to be false Christians.

Why do you believe these things, if I may ask?

jonny · #4 10-22-2005, 09:09 PM

I'm a Christian because I believe in Christ and follow his teachings. I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and that he died for my sins. I believe that it is only through Christ that I can be saved.

For many this isn't enough. Most Christians from other faiths who I've discussed this with have told me I'm not a Christian because I'm a Mormon. Honestly, their judgement doesn't matter to me. The only judgment on the issue I care about it Christ's judgement. If he doesn't think I've led a Christian life worthy of living with him, which I have always tried to do, I'll probably be more comfortable in hell.

I guess in the end it will all work itself out.

Immortal Awakened · #5 10-22-2005, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny

I'm a Christian because I believe in Christ and follow his teachings. I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and that he died for my sins. I believe that it is only through Christ that I can be saved.

Okay, thank you.

Quote:

For many this isn't enough. Most Christians from other faiths who I've discussed this with have told me I'm not a Christian because I'm a Mormon. Honestly, their judgement doesn't matter to me. The only judgment on the issue I care about it Christ's judgement. If he doesn't think I've led a Christian life worthy of living with him, which I have always tried to do, I'll probably be more comfortable in hell.

I used to be Mormon, but I'm agnostic.

Quote:

I guess in the end it will all work itself out.

Katzpur · #6 10-22-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immortal Awakened

Okay, thank you. That's nice that you don't judge others to be false Christians.

Why do you believe these things, if I may ask?

I don't know that I can explain it very well. It's just something that deep, deep inside me rings true. I almost feel as if I were born believing in God. I can hardly even remember specifically being taught that He exists, although I did learn at a very young age that He answered my prayers. I learned for myself, through an almost funny, but very powerful experience, that I could talk to Him and He'd listen. I've actually tried to conceive of Him not existing and I simply can't do it!

As for being a Christian and a Latter-day Saint, I was born into the faith I now embrace. But I would consider my parents (my dad, especially) to be quite "liberal" by typical LDS standards. He taught me that I shouldn't just accept everything I ever heard taught from the pulpit as fact, and that I should figure out for myself what to believe. My dad taught at the University of Utah. One of the courses he taught was "Intellectual Traditions of the West." It was a course that dealt with philosophical thought through the ages. He was quite a deep thinker and encouraged me to question, stressing that it was by questioning that we learn. If he hadn't specifically taught me to doubt, I don't think he would have been as successful a father as he was. (We buried him twelve years ago today.)

Over the years, I've questioned, doubted, read, studied and prayed -- and have come to the decision that I am where I belong. I hope that answers your questions.

Deut 13:1 · #7 10-22-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Over the years, I've questioned, doubted, read, studied and prayed -- and have come to the decision that I am where I belong. I hope that answers your questions.

Have you ever studied the Oral Law that goes hand-in-hand w/ the written?

Katzpur · #8 10-22-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binyamin

Have you ever studied the Oral Law that goes hand-in-hand w/ the written?

No, I haven't.

Todd · #9 10-22-2005, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immortal Awakened

Okay, thank you.

I used to be Mormon, but I'm agnostic.

I agree with Katzpur and Jonny's explanation on this. I believe that in order to be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus died for your sins so that we might live eternally.

There are many different disagreements between the Christian denominations. Many of which are trivial. Example: One denomination might believe you can drink alcohol, and another might not. I don't think these are major issues. If you believe Jesus died on the Cross for your sins, and that he is your salvation, then you are saved. However, I can't judge who is saved and who is not....that's up to God.

Romans chapter 9 through 10 sums up my belief on this topic.
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

greatcalgarian · #10 10-23-2005, 12:53 AM

(1) Believe there is a bible God as defined in OT
(2) Believe in Trinity as espounded by the council around AD 400
(3) Then there is a variety of faith and beliefs required to be a true Christian such as to accept Jesus as your personal savior, to be baptised, to attend church every Sunday, to practice communion of drinking wine and eating bread, to evangelize, to study bible.
P.S. I am not a Christian, but that is what I understand what a true Christian has to be, the minimum requirement.