The longer I live my life this question seems to become far more encompassing, far more inclusive than what people typical envision. The typical response will be that to be a Christian one must believe certain core beliefs, the acceptance of certain religious authorities, belief in the scriptures, certain cultural values, certain religious observations, practices, and the like, all followed to one various degree or flavor of the same basic thing. I would argue on the other hand that as Jesus himself said, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Jesus was not a Christian. Jesus did not follow Christianity. Jesus did not teach Christianity. Jesus followed God. Jesus taught the way of Love, the way of the Father. Jesus did not teach a religion. He taught what is to be a child of God, as he lived. "Follow me", is to follow the way of Love. It does not mean "Believe in these religious beliefs". It means believe in Love. Follow Love. Let Love lead you into all truth. And that truth is not church doctrines. "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother". Not whoever follows and believes in the right religion, the right set of beliefs.
Anyone, regardless of their differing beliefs, their differing practices, their differing theologies, or their differing religions, if they "Do the will of my Father in heaven", is a follower of Jesus. Regardless if they believe in him theologically. A follower of Christ, is one who loves his neighbor as himself. A follow of Christ chooses compassion over judgement. A follower of Christ loves the world as God loves the world. Christian in name has zero value. Someone can be a Muslim, a Jew, a Hindu, and Buddhist, and if they live with that Love, even if they never religiously accept various traditional Christian theologies and teachings, they already are and have been a follower of Christ, a follower of Love.
To me, it is far better to look at the heart and soul and spirit of another and recognize that "Spirit of Christ" in them, than to judge on what they believe or claim. I can see in many atheists the Spirit of Christ, whereas they would never claim any sort of religious beliefs. Yet they are more "Christian" than a very great many Christians. I see in many Buddhists they follow the way of Jesus, while never claiming religious beliefs in him; nor would that be necessary for them to do so if they are already living it in how they approach things. And so forth.
I have said for a long time, "It is better to call Jesus brother than to call him Lord". And this is why. If you can call him brother, then you are equally walking that path of Love, and it is irrelevant how you think or believe about theological questions, or the various rites and rituals you choose to help you serve Ultimate Truth, or God. To make it about the right beliefs and teachings to follow, is to miss the path altogether. To make it about Love is to see it and walk it, regardless of which walking stick you carry with you. To follow Love is to follow Jesus, regardless if someone ever even hears that name, they already know him and are his brother - and they his. To judge them, is to judge the brothers and sisters and mothers of Jesus himself.
Jesus was not a Christian. Jesus did not follow Christianity. Jesus did not teach Christianity. Jesus followed God. Jesus taught the way of Love, the way of the Father. Jesus did not teach a religion. He taught what is to be a child of God, as he lived. "Follow me", is to follow the way of Love. It does not mean "Believe in these religious beliefs". It means believe in Love. Follow Love. Let Love lead you into all truth. And that truth is not church doctrines. "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother". Not whoever follows and believes in the right religion, the right set of beliefs.
Anyone, regardless of their differing beliefs, their differing practices, their differing theologies, or their differing religions, if they "Do the will of my Father in heaven", is a follower of Jesus. Regardless if they believe in him theologically. A follower of Christ, is one who loves his neighbor as himself. A follow of Christ chooses compassion over judgement. A follower of Christ loves the world as God loves the world. Christian in name has zero value. Someone can be a Muslim, a Jew, a Hindu, and Buddhist, and if they live with that Love, even if they never religiously accept various traditional Christian theologies and teachings, they already are and have been a follower of Christ, a follower of Love.
To me, it is far better to look at the heart and soul and spirit of another and recognize that "Spirit of Christ" in them, than to judge on what they believe or claim. I can see in many atheists the Spirit of Christ, whereas they would never claim any sort of religious beliefs. Yet they are more "Christian" than a very great many Christians. I see in many Buddhists they follow the way of Jesus, while never claiming religious beliefs in him; nor would that be necessary for them to do so if they are already living it in how they approach things. And so forth.
I have said for a long time, "It is better to call Jesus brother than to call him Lord". And this is why. If you can call him brother, then you are equally walking that path of Love, and it is irrelevant how you think or believe about theological questions, or the various rites and rituals you choose to help you serve Ultimate Truth, or God. To make it about the right beliefs and teachings to follow, is to miss the path altogether. To make it about Love is to see it and walk it, regardless of which walking stick you carry with you. To follow Love is to follow Jesus, regardless if someone ever even hears that name, they already know him and are his brother - and they his. To judge them, is to judge the brothers and sisters and mothers of Jesus himself.
Exactly! Jesus said the way is narrow and few there are that find it. This is what that means. 
