You're no Christian

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In 40 plus years as a follower of Christ , I have enjoyed different " denominations " at different times , I love a good black gospel type meeting , a nice charismatic C of E gathering in a magnificent Gothic cathedral , or a small group in a poor run down urban city shop front , the main question is , " is Jesus there ?"
The only ONE thing in life that is important " IS JESUS THERE ?"

If Jesus has to be there for a church to be Christian, then an atheist like me is going to conclude that Christian churches don't actually exist.

 

[David1967]

You promise to follow Christ and Christ promises to resurrect your dead arse on the last day.

So, what have you got to do in order for Him to resurrect the rest of you?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The only religion that I am sure says that all other religions are not true Christian is the Jehovah's Witness religion.

The Catholic Church teaches that other religions and denominations are true to the extent that they agree with the Catholic Church... which, IMO, is the same message with a different spin.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

A question for the Christians who are giving narrow definitions for "Christian": are you willing to abide by this definition consistently?

IOW, are you willing to abandon arguments that you live in a "Christian nation"? Are you willing to abandon arguments for your religion that hinge on its popularity?

 

[Sonny]

The thread said they are called "not Christians" for things they don't do. It's seems people are more disqualified by things they do do.

Good post! Spot on. Let me explain this a bit. A true Christian will never contradict the clear teachings of the Bible. The basic but sacred doctrines and beliefs, taught in the Bible, are what makes Christianity unique. If some fella or group decides they are Christians but start adding more doctrines to their beliefs that go against the Bible then, clearly, they can't be Christian- they defiled that which makes Christianity, Christianity. W/o being too specific let's say a church teaches it is a Christian church. But it starts teaching as doctrine (and writing, publishing) that there are people, say, who live on other planets. The Bible teaches that life, as we know it, began on earth with Adam and Eve and life will end at the Tribulation. It also says that Jesus died on this planet 'once' for all men. So we have a problem. Either God/Jesus lied (Jesus a sinner?) or that group is lying. Jesus couldn't die on earth and once for ALL people if people live on other planets. Which group would you believe, those who teach as God's word things that contradict the Bible or the Bible? You can't believe both, certainly, and the Bible is the standard for what a Christianity is. The other group, with teachings of men, is not Christian bc it teaches aberrant theology. This is how pseudo-Christian groups are found out. Never contradict the Bible's clear teachings (Scripture).
There are test that can be applied to groups to see if they are Christians. A few are, Deut. 18:20-22, Matt. 7:13-23, Matt. 24, 1John 4:1. Now, I'm not attacking any group. I am only saying how to know if a group is a Christian group or not. There are rules and requirement s for being a Christian- or anything else. Welders don't plumb houses, Electricians do not weld metals together, and those who go against Christian values, doctrines and beliefs are not Christians.

 

[Kemosloby]

So, what have you got to do in order for Him to resurrect the rest of you?

Depends on what other pieces he can find I guess.

 

[savagewind]

A question for the Christians who are giving narrow definitions for "Christian":

I don't know. Am I?

are you willing to abide by this definition consistently?

There are three points of view. God's (Heaven), my own and everyone else's. I am willing to abide by my definition of "Christian" consistently except for the one aspect which is the actual title that I don't believe is blessed.

IOW, are you willing to abandon arguments that you live in a "Christian nation"?

In case I understand the question correctly, my answer is yes. I do not live in a Christian nation imo.

Are you willing to abandon arguments for your religion that hinge on its popularity?

Yes, I have no other choice. Do I?

 

[Sonny]

The Catholic Church teaches that other religions and denominations are true to the extent that they agree with the Catholic Church... which, IMO, is the same message with a different spin.

Well, the Catholic church has some strange beliefs and practices. Christian churches do not agree with a lot of Catholicism. I don't believe the sacrament is literally Jesus' blood/body, for example. There are others as well.

 

[Sonny]

In my opinion, any denomination that believes in Jesus as a divine person and his most basic teachings (Jesus as the son of the only god who, because of his death, allowed for mankind to be saved from Hell) can call themselves Christian. I say this because of the label itself, Christian as a word just means "of or relating to Christ," so to be a Christian, one's beliefs must be Christ-related. Any further qualifications, I feel, aren't necessary to be Christian by definition. A "good" Christian maybe, but that's really an entirely different debate.

What about those groups that profess to know/accept Christ but teach, as doctrine, things that go against the Bible in huge ways?

 

[Sonny]

I don't think I have ever really met a true Christian?.

How would you know if you have or not?

 

[savagewind]

What about those groups that profess to know/accept Christ but teach, as doctrine, things that go against the Bible in huge ways?

Like Jesus never said to go make people into disciples for him?

 

[Sonny]

Everybody has their own standards and everybody thinks their standards are the standard.

True but, the Bible is the historically accepted standard of a Christian. Those who profess Jesus but teach (or, justify) aberrant doctrines are deceiving themselves- they are not Christian. This is where personal research into both Christianity and their church's beliefs/teachings come in to play.

 

[David1967]

How would you know if you have or not?

Well, The bible says that its by their "fruits" (actions) that you will know them.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Well, the Catholic church has some strange beliefs and practices. Christian churches do not agree with a lot of Catholicism. I don't believe the sacrament is literally Jesus' blood/body, for example. There are others as well.

Catholic churches ARE Christian churches.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

How would you know if you have or not?

As I mentioned earlier in the thread: the wallet card signed by God.

 

[David1967]

As I mentioned earlier in the thread: the wallet card signed by God.

Where did you get that?

 

[Skwim]

Where did you get that?

I got mine in the GODS-R-US store at the mall.


.

 

[Sonny]

Its not a word, its an inner experience,
for me personally truth is never found in any religion, religions are made up on someone's beliefs that are then

organized, to try and organize truth is to kill it.

True religion is found only within each one of us, organized religion separates us from each other, it is violence.......your religion is wrong, mine is right, that is violence.

Christianity is not an experience, it is a way of life.
Isn't Physics organized truth? Truth, when learned or discovered, grows and becomes greater and spreads when organized. Truth is what all of us depend on and use everyday. There is a great speech/article on truth. I may post some of it for you a bit later.
True religion is based on faith and facts. Religion that is not true is as you describe, men fooling others into believing that he is God or speaks for God. True religion never changes from its original teachings. That is where pseudo-religion comes in.

 

[Sonny]

Who do I acknowledge as a Christian: Any one who claims Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and claims the title of Christian.

Now does that mean that they are good Christian? No! They could be totally not following Christ in their behavior or particular beliefs, which would make them a very bad Christian. But I'm still not going to deny their relationship with the Savior but calling them "not Christian". Instead, I would encourage them to better their beliefs and actions to become more like the Savior.

That POV is exactly why so many cults and pseudo churches exist today. Not every church/religion can be true. They all teach such diverse beliefs that God would be an idiot and mental to have done that. There can be and are hundreds of different religions but there is only one Christianity. And, like all aspects of life, there are certain requirements that determine what and who a Christians is.

 

[savagewind]

That POV is exactly why so many cults and pseudo churches exist today. Not every church/religion can be true. They all teach such diverse beliefs that God would be an idiot and mental to have done that. There can be and are hundreds of different religions but there is only one Christianity. And, like all aspects of life, there are certain requirements that determine what and who a Christians is.

Just please know that you are beginning to look just like Jehovah's Witness to me.