| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/3/2006 6:25:21 PM | | Tony, I don't know of many verses stating that "Jesus is God", but I do know of one (I have to look it up, I wrote it on the corner of a page in my Bible) where God talks to Jesus and pretty much calls Jesus "God" | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/3/2006 6:44:58 PM | Sorry, don't mean to be a "butinsky" but ASB is right . Look at JOHN 10:30 , I think there are some other ones too, but I am not a bible scholar.
On topic : "Christian" can mean different things to different people. The semantics can vary , because we each have slightly different interpretions of " what is a Christian".
I personally, think a Christian is someone who tries to be like Jesus. Jesus is known for his great act of compassion towards mankind , and putting the welfare of others ahead of his own.
I also think a Christian is non-judgemental , and loving thy neighbor even if they are different than us.
I think a Christian will always take the time to help those in need with out expecting anything in return.
| |
|
| |
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/3/2006 7:33:37 PM | Thank you both artandsoul and xelsorsior for supporting and expanding on my views....
wiseone | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/3/2006 8:07:07 PM | Ahh Tony, I'd never want you to have nightmares. Just stating facts  | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/3/2006 10:11:01 PM | | A Christian will always take the time to try and convert you without respecting your own beliefs??? No?? | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/4/2006 10:45:39 AM |
A Christian will always take the time to try and convert you without respecting your own beliefs??? No??
uh...No.
I don't doubt that there are people who claim to be Christians , that do exactly that , but I don't think that is what being a Christian is about . | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/4/2006 4:36:17 PM | Thank you both artandsoul and xelsorsior for supporting and expanding on my views....
My pleasure, Wiseone. We "great minds that think alike" gotta stick together, don't we? Of course, our intellectual adversaries will not doubt counter that "fools seldom differ". Nevertheless, we press onward like Christian soldiers -- or so we like to think at least!  | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/4/2006 7:29:31 PM | When we are loved by our father or big brother in an 'agape' all encompassing kind of way,isn't our natural inclination to listen to what they say and take their advice. Well I think a Christian does the same thing...or tries to. I think 'being born again' means becoming aware we are loved by our big brother Yeshua and our father Yehowah. Babies have to learn to walk and to be toliet trained and to talk and think properly etc etc etc ...but if they are surrounded by a loving family they will grow up and flourish and reflect back the love that has been given so freely to them.  | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/5/2006 2:55:34 AM | I personally, think a Christian is someone who tries to be like Jesus.
That's it in a nutshell, Micxster. Thanks for the succinct, sweet and pure, undefiled definition.
All dogmas, doctrines and silly teachings to the effect that "all you have to do is accept Him as your personal Saviour and then He will do all the work for you" aside, this is what Jesus -- who, incidentally, never heard of a "Christian" while He was alive and walked the earth -- would say to those who take His name. Follow Him, obey His commandments, be like Him in your own way, do as He would have done in your position ... that's what a true Christian is and that's what a true Christian does! | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/5/2006 9:00:23 AM | Those who try to be like Christ?
Yes and No!
To define Christ is nigh impossible because the Bible does not allow it, one would have to understand that its passages have been slandered for most of its existence. The Creator knows this and so does Christ. It has become nothing more than a myth, a powerful and scary book. If the true facts were known every man woman and child would be liberated overnight. Can I prove it? No. Can anyone prove that I'm wrong? No. End of.
I am, however, full of admiration and sadness for those who try to grasp the concept of Christ. They are Christians without the truth of the real Christianity. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/5/2006 7:12:07 PM | | Anyone familiar with Nehemiah Gordons book in reference to the gospel of Mathew...I think...I don't have it but it seems worth a look see. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 4:35:44 AM |
I am, however, full of admiration and sadness for those who try to grasp the concept of Christ. They are Christians without the truth of the real Christianity.
...which is what, Skypoet? | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 4:54:35 AM |
I think he thinks it's ok to do things like that, because he's a christian and will be forgiven for his sins. I may not know everything, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way it works.
Your right, thats not the way it works. Sounds like you are more of a christian than him.
Being a christian does not automaticly mean you will be forgiven of your sins. You get forgiven of your sins through repentence. And the repentence process is not as simple as it might seem.
Anyway, he broke up with you because he wants to end the relationship. Don't dwell on it. It just makes you bitter. Move on. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 6:34:31 AM | Technically, entrance to heaven is gained by believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God sent to earth to save mankind. The Blood of Jesus will wash the sin from our hearts as many times as we ask. (In my case, lots and lots and lots...) Does living an un-Christlike lifestyle benefit a Christian? No. But, technically, is it required to get into heaven? Also no.
In an aside: Skypoet mentioned the common belief that the Bible should be taken with a grain of salt due to centuries of distortion. Personally, I believe God to be God of all things and that includes the preservation of His scripture. If the Bible is the one document meant to carry the story of Jesus, does it really make sense that God would allow it to be distorted beyond any use? | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 8:02:51 AM | On topic : "Christian" can mean different things to different people. The semantics can vary , because we each have slightly different interpretions of " what is a Christian".
Agreed and this is the beauty of the New Testament teachings. As the Old Testament deals mainly with the "community" as a whole the New Testament presents a new covenant based on a "personal" level and therefore can indeed "mean different things to different people". | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 10:48:01 AM | ...which is what, Skypoet?
Which is what you won't find in the bible, unless you enjoy reading someone’s handiwork. Oh, it is pure; unmitigated and perverted. I believe it was intended to cause confusion, separatism, hate, fuel wars and to its credit that has been achieved. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 11:49:37 AM |
Personally, I believe God to be God of all things and that includes the preservation of His scripture. If the Bible is the one document meant to carry the story of Jesus, does it really make sense that God would allow it to be distorted beyond any use? And all God's people said "AMEN". Nicely said. I totally agree with this statement.  | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 1:52:15 PM |
I am, however, full of admiration and sadness for those who try to grasp the concept of Christ. They are Christians without the truth of the real Christianity.
...which is what, Skypoet?
Which is what you won't find in the bible, unless you enjoy reading someone’s handiwork. Oh, it is pure; unmitigated and perverted. I believe it was intended to cause confusion, separatism, hate, fuel wars and to its credit that has been achieved.
So why don't you enlighten us as to what exactly this "truth of the real Christianity" is? Furthermore, what makes you such an expert on it? As for your statements that the Bible is "pure, unmitigated and perverted, intended to cause confusion, separatism, hate, fuel wars and to its credit that has been achieved" ... bla, bla, bla ...what a bunch of pure, unmitigated nonsense.
One doesn't have to believe in the absolute inerrancy of the Bible to acknowledge that it has served as one of the principal inspirations for the self sacrificing humanitarian work of countless saintly and dedicated persons throughout the ages. As for "fuelling wars" and "hate", will this tired cliche of an "argument" ever stop being recycled by persons with an axe to grind against Christianity such as yourself and finally be thrown into the philosophical lake of fire where all such ridiculous arguments deserve to rot for eternity? Clearly, persons who "hate" and "fuel wars" are NOT following the principles that were taught by Jesus in the Bible. Isn't it a little unbalanced to dismiss with such evident scorn any book on the basis of persons or groups who are parodies of its actual teaching? Also, why not answer the question of the thread as to what a real Christian is instead of merely availing yourself of one more opportunity to spew your anti-religious poison? | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 2:19:36 PM | "Something that many historians have pointed out is that, before Christianity, the entire ancient world lived in a kind of religious harmony. No one persecuted anyone else for religion.
Christianity was from its very beginnings, it seems, a religion of great quarrels and wars, and it wooed the powers of temporal authorities, and made them part of itself in the hope of resolving through sheer force its many arguments."
Anne Rice
It has been my experience that the people I meet that most closely follow and actually live thier day to day lives by what is today considered to be Christian values are Pagans.
And some of the most hateful, harmful people I have ever encountered are the ones that most loudly proclaim themselves Christians.
If Jesus loved everyone, why can't the rest of us?
OK, I am off my soap box now ....... | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 2:55:19 PM | Also, why not answer the question of the thread as to what a real Christian is instead of merely availing yourself of one more opportunity to spew your anti-religious poison?
I have to concurr with this and arts other statements. Sky you do tend to go to extreme lengths in your bible and/or religion bashing.. Spewing is an apt description. I wonder why you even bother with the religion forum at all.. I for one find nothing enlightening in any of your posts...sorry...
And some of the most hateful, harmful people I have ever encountered are the ones that most loudly proclaim themselves Christians.
Blonde, thats too bad, but you have to remember you have not met every Christian. I for one in all my life have never come across an hateful Christian...some odd ones maybee. But I see from your post from you are from the States. The US is a whole bandwagon unto itself.. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 2:58:23 PM | Art, as always, a very articulate post! I would like to see the answer to your question as well. Skypoetone says in his profile that he's a Christian. But from his posts it seems to me that he has a genuine hatred of the Bible. Sky, I'm really not trying to gang up on you or anything. But your posts are so spiteful and even offensive sometimes, and I just don't understand why.
undercover blond, I couldn't agree more when it comes to people's behaviour. There are a lot, and I mean a LOT of people out there who call themselves Christians but act like spiteful, hurtful children. I find this very alarming. (Please note, I know lots of wonderful kind, selfless Christians too!) And I certainly know lots of people who are not Christian, but are extremely kind and giving. Indeed I suspect that there are considerably fewer actual Christians in the the world than the number who profess to be. But a true Christian lives his or her life striving to be Christlike. Sure we all mess up because we're not perfect. But we should be striving to be better, not resorting to poor behaviour.
And regarding your quote about pre-Christian society, I have to really disagree with that. There were lots and lots of wars. And lots of civilizations where gang rape was considered the norm, and human sacrifice was part of regular worship. Since the fall of man, there has never been a peaceful earth. What's intersting is that the quote seems to claim that Christians are responsible for religious persecution. Yet how many apostles were martyred for peacefully sharing their beliefs? And many Christians over the generations have also been murdered for their faith? As well, the Jews have been persecuted for centuries, and certainly long before Christ walked the earth.
Regarding peace- first of all, peace at any cost is not something I support. If you saw someone committing a gross injustice, let's say molesting a child for example, would you not do everything in your power to stop it? Or would you sit by and quietly watch in an attempt to 'keep the peace'? No, sometimes making a stand for what is right is required. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 4:41:37 PM | "So why don't you enlighten us as to what exactly this "truth of the real Christianity" is? Furthermore, what makes you such an expert on it?"
If I told you that the Bible was meant to enlighten all people, not just a few, you would probably say it's down to the individual to grasp it though study. I can assure you there's nothing wrong with my powers of concentration or the ability to comprehend. I believe the truth of real Christianity will never be know to mortal ears, it's buried beneath deceit. We never stop learning. Even as a teacher I am not too proud to admit there are things I learn from those I teach. One thing I learned is to listen to students, another was to take account of what I heard.
"As for your statements that the Bible is "pure, unmitigated and perverted, intended to cause confusion, separatism, hate, fuel wars and to its credit that has been achieved" ... bla, bla, bla ...what a bunch of pure, unmitigated nonsense."
And you can prove that it isn't?
I'd love to see it.
"One doesn't have to believe in the absolute inerrancy of the Bible to acknowledge that it has served as one of the principal inspirations for the self sacrificing humanitarian work of countless saintly and dedicated persons throughout the ages."
Do you suppose that for those who DON'T read the Bible they cannot be humanitarian? Do we have to be indoctrinated to be dedicated, self-sacrificing men and women, and that these individuals never existed? Are you really of this earth?
"As for "fuelling wars" and "hate", will this tired cliché of an "argument" ever stop being recycled by persons with an axe to grind against Christianity such as yourself and finally be thrown into the philosophical lake of fire where all such ridiculous arguments deserve to rot for eternity?"
Strangely you didn't like my flowery words, now you accuse me of using tired old clichés... boy do you whine! Let's start with good old "lake of fire"... better still go cook yourself in it!
"Clearly, persons who "hate" and "fuel wars" are NOT following the principles that were taught by Jesus in the Bible."
You are right, Jesus didn't... but the cretins who rewrote the Bible did.
"Isn't it a little unbalanced to dismiss with such evident scorn any book on the basis of persons or groups who are parodies of its actual teaching?"
Hey, big little fella, if I want to sound scornful about something I passionately care about and I see as lies, I bloody well will.
"Also, why not answer the question of the thread as to what a real Christian is instead of merely availing yourself of one more opportunity to spew your anti-religious poison?"
A real Christian would show some respect to a lesser mortal for one. If I were a real Christian I wouldn't need telling that. I come here not to "spew" but to enlighten those who need love through understanding, it is so obvious you do too... not so different are we? | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 6:05:07 PM | | You are right!!! Sounds like he was trying to get you to submit to him without his having to support his position. That is what cult leaders do - get followers to submit without question so they can have their way with them. But to address the question in a round-about way: some say that a Christian is siimply one who believes that Jesus is the son of God. I say that belief is not enough - we must believe and live our lives according to the scriptures. The phrase "live our lives" would take volumes to explain, but in your case - he did not treat you right and without judging him, but rather discerning the nature of the spirit being within him - according to his actions, he has a lot to apologize to you for, and to ask your forgiveness. If he ever does then you, of course, should forgive him - if you haven't already without his adking. But forgiving him does not mean that you should even consider taking him back. | |
|
| What is a Christian
Posted: 1/6/2006 6:54:59 PM | Actually bluberry, if you study ancient Rome before the reign of Constantine (Rome being the height of modern civilization at that time) various religions lived in somewhat harmony. Jews lived side by side with Romans. They were considered a minority, but allowed to worship their God in peace while the Romans followed their own beliefs.
It was when Constantine converted to Christianity and gradually declared it to be the only legal religion in the Roman Empire that documentation of religious persecution begins. This is also supported by the Gospels of Thomas and Barnabas (which are missing from the "modern" versions of the bible but extremely interesting reading for those that think that the bible as we know it today is the only version that ever existed).
Please understand, i am NOT bashing Christianity. I honestly feel that the basic tenements of Christianity are beautiful and quite logical. Unfortunately, what few realize, is that Christianity moved beyond those basic tenements centuries ago and became a political movement to gain and retain control of the people, and there are many aspects of it that were added along the way and then proclaimed to be the word of God. As well as manuscripts that were “lost” and are now mainly forgotten. This is what caused me to doubt at an early age that the bible was actually “The Word of God” and to discover that in many ways it is more the very edited version of the teachings of the prophet Jesus. | |
|
Home
login 
