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what makes a Christian?

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
As far as slavery goes, no matter how it goes, we all are slaves to death at the very least. If you don't believe that, ok, have a nice day. Your points against the scriptures show me you do not understand that (1) having slaves was the thing then and sometimes now in the form of keeping humans as slaves, and (2) societies were different to an extent. Anyway -- again -- have a nice day. :)

Try to put just an ounce of effort into steelmanning my posts. ;)

So, what I gather from your post here is that you believe scripture must be viewed in a historical context (I agree).

I would also gather that you're a Christian? So how do you know how to interpret your scripture? Did you use your own cognitive processes? Did a holy person tell you?

My point is that you, and all Abrahamics have to prop up their scriptures, they don't stand on there own. Given that you have to have the moral and ethical expertise to course correct the scripture, what do you really get from it? It seems like more of an anchor than a helper?
 

soulsurvivor

Active Member
Premium Member
What beliefs do you think makes someone a Christian?

I think it's all about accepting Christ as Lord:
  • Christ is God
  • Christ saves
Do you agree or disagree with this?

If so, why?

Can you think of anything else, that defines a Christian?
I think Christians would probably say that it is important to believe that Jesus was the ONE and ONLY begotten Son of God.

I believe that Jesus is One of many such Sons of God - so that probably does not make me a Christian.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I think its all about accepting Jesus Christ as Lord.
"You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." :) I think it has more to do with doing, than it does with just believing.
 

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
"You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." :) I think it has more to do with doing, than it does with just believing.
I think the one (doing) is and will remain a byproduct of the first. Like a horse drawing a cart. The horse being faith and the cart being works.
 

RestlessSoul

Well-Known Member
It’s all there in the Gospels, I think. Try to live according to Christ’s teaching, and you’re a Christian.

It’s just the Virgin birth and the resurrection I personally have some trouble with. Or would, if I thought taking those parts of the story literally were essential, necessary beliefs.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
...
Jesus also set us free from the temporary Constitution of the Mosaic Law for ancient Israel - Romans 10:4
...

Sorry, I disagree with that, I think he just set it in right perspective. All though, it may depend on what is meant with law in these:

Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter [literally, iota] or one tiny pen stroke [or, serif] shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
Matt. 5:17-18

As Paul also says, the law is good.

But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,
1 Tim. 1:8

But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
Room. 7:16
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
What beliefs do you think makes someone a Christian?

I think it's all about accepting Christ as Lord:
  • Christ is God
  • Christ saves
Do you agree or disagree with this?

If so, why?

Can you think of anything else, that defines a Christian?
actions are more important than labels. to believe jesus is to act like in accordance. it isn't a request to idolize, or hero worship. fawning, groveling, flattering won't save self.


Matthew 7:22
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Only that Jesus alleged teachings are so cryptic that no two self professed Christians agree what they mean. And your opinion is as good as the next "Christian's" opinion.
I think a lot of people would agree with you, and Jesus did inform that there would be fake 'weed/tares' Christians along with genuine 'wheat' Christians that they would grow together until the Harvest Time.
We know a harvest comes at the end of a long growing season. That spiritual growing season's end in now.
So, especially now at this point as Jesus said his 'sheep' would hear his voice.
MANY would professes to be Christian according to Jesus at Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 7:14
So, to me the 'wheat' would agree about what Jesus taught.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Sorry, I disagree with that, I think he just set it in right perspective. All though, it may depend on what is meant with law in these:
Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter [literally, iota] or one tiny pen stroke [or, serif] shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
Matt. 5:17-18As Paul also says, the law is good.But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,
1 Tim. 1:8 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. Room. 7:16
I wonder what is to disagree with "Christ is the end of the Law " as found at Romans 10:4 _____________
I find Jesus is speaking at Matthew 5:17 that Jesus says that he came to fulfill the Law.
I also find that Paul at Romans 7:6 said we have been delivered/released from the Law.....
Sure Paul could agree at Romans 7:16 the Law was fine after all the Golden Rule comes from at Leviticus 19:18.
So, Jews under the Mosaic Law if applied properly/ lawfully the Law was fine - 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Christians apply and consent to Christ's ransom as the means for salvation - Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:13
Please notice 'were' is in the 'past tense' that is used by Paul at Galatians 4:5
And Paul wrote at Ephesians 2:15 that Jesus abolished the Law....
Paul also wrote at Colossians 2:14 that the Law was erased.....
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
I think Christians would probably say that it is important to believe that Jesus was the ONE and ONLY begotten Son of God.
I believe that Jesus is One of many such Sons of God - so that probably does not make me a Christian.

Fret not, because Satan is also a son of God.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
How do you know?
Thank you for your question because an inquiring mind wants to know.
One clue is found at Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8 that the gospel would be declared world wide on an international scale.
As a witness to the 'nations' is now basically accomplished.
Never before in mankind's long history has that happened to the global extent it is now being completed.
Even modern technology has made rapid Bible translation possible.
Remote translation offices translate on location so people have Scripture in their own mother tongue or native language.
The Harvest Time is also now because we see Luke 21:11 fulfilled, and more-and-more each day of Revelation 6:8
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
........It’s just the Virgin birth and the resurrection I personally have some trouble with. Or would, if I thought taking those parts of the story literally were essential, necessary beliefs.

In order for Jesus to balance the Scales of Justice for us he would need a sinless Father.
No human since father Adam's fall could have a sinless son.
That is why God sent His sinless pre-human heavenly Son Jesus to Earth for us to be born sinless.
ALL the resurrections in the OT and ALL the resurrections Jesus' performed were physical resurrections.
Since we have not seen physical resurrections it is understandable one could have trouble believing.
However, without the Resurrection Promise there is No reason for religion or to listen to God for that matter.
A reason why we are all invited to pray the invitation to God for Jesus to come - Rev. 22:20 - is because Jesus is to come and bring an end to 'enemy death' for us on Earth - 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Isaiah 25:8
 

Heyo

Veteran Member
Thank you for your question because an inquiring mind wants to know.
One clue is found at Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8 that the gospel would be declared world wide on an international scale.
As a witness to the 'nations' is now basically accomplished.
Never before in mankind's long history has that happened to the global extent it is now being completed.
Even modern technology has made rapid Bible translation possible.
Remote translation offices translate on location so people have Scripture in their own mother tongue or native language.
The Harvest Time is also now because we see Luke 21:11 fulfilled, and more-and-more each day of Revelation 6:8
Are you aware that Christians have said that for about two millennia (with the same or similar reasons) and how ridiculous such prophesies look to outsiders (and most Christians)?
 

InChrist

Free4ever
What beliefs do you think makes someone a Christian?

I think it's all about accepting Christ as Lord:
  • Christ is God
  • Christ saves
Do you agree or disagree with this?

If so, why?

Can you think of anything else, that defines a Christian?
I agree and would also add trusting/ believing in Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. This results in one being born again to new life in Christ.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Are you aware that Christians have said that for about two millennia (with the same or similar reasons) and how ridiculous such prophesies look to outsiders (and most Christians)?

How could modern technology be used 2,000 years ago__________
Jesus gave the global Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8 assignment 2,000 years ago to go spread the gospel internationally.
Plus, Jesus likened that both genuine 'wheat' Christians would grow together with the fake 'weed/tares' Christians until the Harvest Time. - Matthew 25:31-34 is still ahead of us.
So, to me when you say most Christians that would be the MANY Jesus mentioned at Matthew 7:21-23

2,000 years ago, nor 1,000 years ago were we at the 'final phase' of Matthew 24:14.
Wong calculations, wrong guesses does Not make the Bible as wrong, just the calculations or guesses as wrong.
Never before have we been so close to the ' final signal' as brought out at 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 when the powers in charge will be saying, " Peace and Security...." which saying will prove to be the precursor to the coming great tribulation of Revelation 7:14
 
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