Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I was going to make this a poll, but polls are so difficult. No matter how hard you try, you dont provide enough options to suit everybody. But having just been told for the gazillionth time that I am not a Christian, I would like very much to hear where you draw the line and why. Personally, I dont exclude anyone from the Christian family who sincerely considers himself to be a Christian. But a lot of other people do and for a variety of reasons. The following criteria seem to be the most often mentioned:
1. A Christian must look to Jesus Christ for salvation and worship Him as Gods Only Begotten Son.
2. A Christian must accept certain core doctrines above and beyond a belief in Jesus Christs divinity and power to save. Im thinking of such doctrines as sola scriptura, sola fide, the Trinity, the need for baptism, requirements for salvation, etc.
3. A Christian must pattern his or her life in accordance with Jesus example of loving ones enemies and treating the entire human family with compassion and respect.
4. A Christian must be born again. Once such a person becomes a Christian he is assured of salvation no matter what.
Could we please discuss these four criteria, and any others you believe apply? I would also like to know where everyones definition comes from, be it from the Bible, the teachings of his or her own denomination, from a personal conviction, etc. And please, lets not get into which denominations are or are not the genuine article. Lets stick to a discussion of what a Christian is.