NON-CHRISTIANS ONLY: What is a Christian to you? (Jesus Christ, follower)

[Poisonshady313]

MidnightBlue... my definition of a Christian has less to do with how a person actually acts, and more to do with what distinguishes them from a non-Christian.

It works, in a way, to unify them (from one perspective. Another might be "lumping them together"... but I prefer to remain positive)... Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Mormon.... whatever it is... so long as they believe that Jesus is more impressive than a prophet, they're a Christian (regardless of what particular doctrine they follow, if they follow anything at all, or how successful they are at what their own particular brand of Christianity considers being "saved).

That's my $0.02

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by Poisonshady313

MidnightBlue... my definition of a Christian has less to do with how a person actually acts, and more to do with what distinguishes them from a non-Christian.

Well, Katz's poll allows us to take both in to consideration.

Practically speaking, and in real life (as opposed to online), if somebody tells me he is "a Christian" and not something more specific like a Catholic, or even if I see one of those fish emblems on somebody's car -- you have to bear in mind that I live in South Carolina, now -- I tend to assume the following:

• He is an Evangelical or Pentecostal
• He believes Jesus is his "personal savior" -- a belief I disliked even when I was a Christian, BTW
• He's a Republican
• He's anti-gay

I realize that none of those things is universally true of people who self-identify as Christians, even in South Carolina, but they are so likely to be true (in South Carolina) that the assumptions are about as justified as assuming that anybody with sunglasses and a white cane is blind.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

I think it's presumptuous, especially for a non-Christian, to distinguish between "true" Christians and --- what? false Christians?

I don't try to distinguish between "true Christians" and "false Christians." I don't presume anything about the word Christian; look at my vote and my other posts.

In that post I was trying to answer what I at that time thought the question was.

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

I can also count on my fingers the number of Christians I know personally who come close to that definition, even if we assume it's possible to have an ongoing relationship with a dead man.

Jesus of Nazareth is a dead man. The Christ is a living deity (for those who are Christian).

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Jesus of Nazareth is a dead man. The Christ is a living deity (for those who are Christian).

For Christians, Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ are one and the same. Some Christians, like Jehovah's Witnesses, don't consider him a deity, either.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

For Christians, Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ are one and the same. Some Christians, like Jehovah's Witnesses, don't consider him a deity, either.

Jesus of Nazareth was born and then crucified. Christ was resurrected, conquering death and lives with us now. They are the same, and yet they are not.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by lilithu

Jesus of Nazareth was born and then crucified. Christ was resurrected, conquering death and lives with us now. They are the same, and yet they are not.

There may be some Christians who agree with that, but I think they'd be a distinct minority.

[Tau]

No other comments to make really other than my poll choice..That Christians are people whom call themselves Christians.

A name is just a name and Christians (in name) vary from saint to sociopath.

There was (for me) only ever one real Christian, and that was Jesus or Emmanuel the Nazarene as I prefer as it doesn't smack of assumed divinity.