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What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 2:26:46 AM
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Rev_22_4
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/26/2008
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I was going through this forum and I noticed that some people would actually say that certain groups of people are not Christians. I thought to myself, "How can they say such a thing about people they don't even know? People who are just as sincere in their beliefs as everyone else?" As I read their posts, it occurred to me that maybe they had a different idea about what a Christian is. I know what my idea of what a Christian is but, I would like to get ideas from other people about what a Christian is. Maybe I am missing something.
I apologize if this has already been discussed. I tried to use the search but I got an error page.
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 9:22:41 AM
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timf
Posts: 700
Joined: 10/20/2006
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How can they say such a thing about people they don't even know?
It is easier for people to make black and white statements than qualify their words with shades of gray. One trades accuracy for ease of communication. Most people understand that when you are talking about the qualities of a group, there are few instances when what is said will apply to 100% of the people in the group.
A problem exists in describing the salvation status of an individual in that it is difficult to measure someone and determine their salvation if we cannot see into the heart. This problem is only made worse as one talks about group characteristics.
Statements about groups tend to be generalizations concerning estimates of probability. In regard to Christianity, one might say that there could be some saved Mormons, but the likelihood of salvation may be inversely proportional the the amount of false doctrine.
Another explanation for the description of a group as "not Christian" can be made from official declaration of a group. For example, some Muslims might declare that the forgiveness of sins does not even exist and certainly is not to be found in Jesus. It would be fair to say that such a group is not Christian.
One might find many reasons for describing another group as "non-Christian".
1. The official position of the group is antithetical to Christ. (ie. Muslim, Hindu, etc.)
2. The members of the group live lives that are inconsistent with Biblical principles.
3. A group of Christians practice false or bad doctrine that hinders their life in Christ.
While it would be nice if everyone who wrote an opinion used razor sharp clarity as they expressed themselves, the reader does occasionally have to exercise some discernment in the determination of the writers meaning.
People who are just as sincere in their beliefs as everyone else?
Christianity is about truth and both Jesus and the Bible are truth. Sincerity may be a laudable trait, but it does not define truth. It would be better if sincerity were put into the service of the search for truth as this would lead all Christians closer to Christ. Sincerity put into the service of tradition, ritual, and custom can tend to direct the Christian away from his Lord.
1. Christians can snipe at each other and condemn each other as being further from the truth.
2. Christians can come together in peace and unity that accepts all error and elevates feeling good over truth.
3. Christians can adopt humility and ask the Lord to draw them closer in truth and come together in true unity.
Rather that responding indignantly to other Christians who we perceive as insulting us, we may want to consider counter-proposing to them what they feel would be corrective steps to a path of truth. For example, a Christian who says my playing cards is wrong and a sign that I am not a true Christian could be challenged to answer the following questions;
1. Does the Bible specifically or indirectly prohibit card playing.
2. Is my card playing leading me away from my Lord.
3. Is my card playing harming other Christians.
4. What work for the Lord is not being done because of my card playing.
5. Is your condemnation of me helpful or hurtful to the pride it might raise in yourself.
6. Are you concerned that I may be spending too much time in recreation at the expense of my spiritual life.
7. Do you think that prohibitive lists may lead to the danger of Phariseticalism.
There are people who just condemn others for not following the rules they follow and it may not be possible to reason with them. However, for those whose comments are from true concern and their own sincere desire to help us, we might be able to reason together and both draw nearer our Lord.
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 9:31:21 AM
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funny_girl
Posts: 787
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A Christian is a follower of Christ Jesus. People were first called Christians in Antioch, if my memory serves me right.
A lot of people in the US think and say they are a Christian but couln't be further from Him. The Bible says that you will know them, a true disciple of Christ, by their fruit and their love for one another. Is the person in question walking in faith and obeying His commands?
I have an interesting pen pal that I met last fall. 93 years old, attends church regularly, and gives to the poor. When I met him at his church I would have never questioned his salvation and heart broken when he told me he was not a born again believer. How could that be? Such a sweet, kind, giving, compassionate man yet wrote me that he doesn't believe as I do as he is a doubting Thomas.
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"...bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known yet regarded as unknown...poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Corinthians 6:8-10
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 9:45:43 AM
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URForgiven
Posts: 604
Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Rev_22_4
I was going through this forum and I noticed that some people would actually say that certain groups of people are not Christians. I thought to myself, "How can they say such a thing about people they don't even know? People who are just as sincere in their beliefs as everyone else?" As I read their posts, it occurred to me that maybe they had a different idea about what a Christian is. I know what my idea of what a Christian is but, I would like to get ideas from other people about what a Christian is. Maybe I am missing something.
I apologize if this has already been discussed. I tried to use the search but I got an error page.
A Christian is one in whom the Spirit of God has been restored through their acceptance of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the answer to the true problem of mankind...we are dead and we need life. The wages of sin is death; all have sinned, all need life. Jesus Christ alone has life.
That's what a Christian is. As to why people judge others, on these forums and off? I would say that it is because they have added to the simple message of Christ...they have made themselves part of the equation. They have hobby horses that they feel are necessary, and when others disagree with them, they must not be Christians at all. These are the ways we invent to keep ourselves separate. It is the opposite of "having one mind."
"Christ in you, your only hope of glory!"
Christianity IS Christ. The instant you forget that and think it is about you, then all sorts of error will creep in.
Peace
_____________________________
The sin of the world is unbelief.
"I am a Believer, it is impossible for me to be an unbeliever."
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 10:54:35 AM
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irishgurl
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Joined: 4/22/2008
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James 4:11-12 states: "My brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and critizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge of it. One only is the Lawgiver and Judge who is able to save and to destroy. But you, who are you that you presume to pass judgement on your neighbor?"
I think this sums it up wonderfuly!
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 5:43:49 PM
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figmentPez
Posts: 2601
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: TX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: timf
1. The official position of the group is antithetical to Christ. (ie. Muslim, Hindu, etc.)
Let me add some groups that are antithetical to Christ: Mormons (deny that there is only one God), "Oneness" Pentecostals (deny that Jesus Christ is the begotten Son of God, because they use a definition of "begotten" that is contrary to scripture), Jehovah's Witnesses (deny that Jesus Christ is Go).
All three of these groups promote some thing that they call "jesus christ", but in all three cases the idol that they are proclaiming is not the God who is presented in scripture. These groups, and many more like them, are preaching anti-Christ. They are saying "here is the Christ", but do not believe them, because they are proclaiming an antichrist.
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/29/2008 6:43:03 PM
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drmark
Posts: 3184
Joined: 7/10/2006
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The definition of a Christian seems very clear to me from 1 John 3:13-14 - "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death."
So, surely we can tell when someone or some group is NOT Christian, but it may be much harder to tell when they really are true Christians. How long can someone fake love by doing what is right? More specifically, it is essentially impossible to say anything about someone's true spiritual condition from an electronic discussion board without any independent validation.
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: What is a Christian? - 4/30/2008 9:22:01 PM
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CropDuster
Posts: 60
Joined: 4/28/2008
From: Minnesota
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Earnest disciple of Christ. Someone who lives constantly in the universal of Jesus Christ.
_____________________________
"If you rightly bear your cross, it will bear you."
Thomas a Kempis: The Imitation of Christ
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RE: What is a Christian? - 5/1/2008 4:18:42 AM
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GrapeApe
Posts: 8909
Joined: 6/5/2006
From: the Land Where My Jokes come From.
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'What is a Christian?' by Shane Hueman.
_____________________________
your love cuts like a knife into the darkest part of me.
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