Originally posted by Adam_PoE
"You know, you can call a shovel an ice-cream machine, but it's still a shovel, Mom and Dad. Uh, and you can call a lie whatever you want, but it's still a no-good stinkin' lie!"
Unless you use the shovel to serve ice-cream with, I suppose.
And the larger, more accepted groups can think what they like; I repeat that there is only one who can say with authority who is Christian and who is not, and even if it turns out he exists, he isn't talking.
Originally posted by Gregory
Unless you use the shovel to serve ice-cream with, I suppose.And the larger, more accepted groups can think what they like; I repeat that there is only one who can say with authority who is Christian and who is not, and even if it turns out he exists, he isn't talking.
The contrapositive of this is if God does not exist, then there are no true Christians.
That's untrue.
Christianity is JUST a religion....once again. No God is really needed, just the beleif in one.
The "rules" of Christianity CHANGE all the TIME...the Bible has been editted and re editted throughout History, and the Church(es) have evolved over the centuries as well.
For someone to argue that they are REAL Christians, and someone else is NOT, is a flawed and non-factual argument.
I still stand behind the truth that anyone who Identifies as Christian IS ONE...
I wouldn't define 'true' Christians by their denomination. I look at each individual and it should be apparent in the way they live and a few key beliefs:
1) Belief in God
2) Jesus as the son of God and accepted as Savior
3) Loving other people
4) That Jesus died and rose again
5) Belief in the Bible as the Word of God
I see those five as essential. If you don't live by the first four the Bible makes it perfectly clear that you will not receive salvation.
it's understandable that there are so many different denominations of Christianity, but that is because human personality comes into play. the ceremonies might be different, and some of the teachings might be taught differently (i honestly dont know about the minor denominations) but the message (if truely Christian) should be the same.
I am Apostolic Armenian Christian, and i could care less what the next man believes in (as long as it promotes morality 👆 )
Faith is much more important than the Religion.
Originally posted by Adam_PoE
The contrapositive of this is if God does not exist, then there are no true Christians.
No. The contrapositive of this is that if God exists, there is nobody who "can say with authority who is Christian and who is not." This is true, but what authority have I pretended to? All I've done is given my opinion, albeit forcefully; I even added "I would say" to one of my comments so that nobody could claim I'm pretending that it's anything but my opinion.
* however, there are some religious organizations that rejects the divinity of Jesus, but still claims to be Christians... you can ask mr.jury about that...
* i disagree that there are bad Christians... if they are bad, then they are not Christians because Christian follow the laws of Christ... laws of love, faith and hope...
* Christians should not have different types or kinds... Christians are blatantly described in the Bible and those not qualified in it are not Christians... 😉
Re: Who Is a Christian?
Originally posted by Adam_PoE
In the United States, there are over 1,500 denominations, organizations, and non-denominational groups that identify as Christian.Suppose one is given a description of each of the over 1,500 groups who identify as Christian, and is then asked to sort them into those groups that are truly Christian and those that are not.
Some will consider all of the groups to be Christian, some will consider only one of the groups to be Christian, and others will consider some of the groups to be Christian and not others.
This begs the question, "Who is a Christian?"
Re: Who Is a Christian?
Originally posted by Adam_PoE
In the United States, there are over 1,500 denominations, organizations, and non-denominational groups that identify as Christian.Suppose one is given a description of each of the over 1,500 groups who identify as Christian, and is then asked to sort them into those groups that are truly Christian and those that are not.
Some will consider all of the groups to be Christian, some will consider only one of the groups to be Christian, and others will consider some of the groups to be Christian and not others.
This begs the question, "Who is a Christian?"
All of those who *love* Christ, express *love* to their bretheren, and follow his(Christ's) word are Christians. No denomination, nor prideful admission to one testifying themselves as being a Christian is necessary.
Originally posted by Adam_PoE
In the United States, there are over 1,500 denominations, organizations, and non-denominational groups that identify as Christian.Suppose one is given a description of each of the over 1,500 groups who identify as Christian, and is then asked to sort them into those groups that are truly Christian and those that are not.
Some will consider all of the groups to be Christian, some will consider only one of the groups to be Christian, and others will consider some of the groups to be Christian and not others.
This begs the question, "Who is a Christian?"
I would guess, anyone who calls themselves so. I can't really see anyone has any more of authority to decide who is Christian and who is not, apart from the person themselves.
(Don't get me started on Pope!)
Originally posted by peejayd
* i disagree that there are bad Christians... if they are bad, then they are not Christians because Christian follow the laws of Christ... laws of love, faith and hope...
So whereas Jesus says you should forgive your neighbors seven times seventy transgressions, and Paul explicitly states what action you should take towards Christians who have behaved badly, you believe that bad behaviour should result in immediate excommunication from the faith? Interesting. Love you neighbor until he starts embarassing you, I guess.
Originally posted by Gregory
So whereas Jesus says you should forgive your neighbors seven times seventy transgressions, and Paul explicitly states what action you should take towards Christians who have behaved badly, you believe that bad behaviour should result in immediate excommunication from the faith? Interesting. Love you neighbor until he starts embarassing you, I guess.
Well, Paul and Jesus do not agree then. Is Jesus an untrue Christian?
First, as has been pointed out, but not very clearly, is the difference between Christ and Jesus. There are many who submit to the teachings of Jesus, but don't consider him "the Christ". Then there are many who believe that he is the Christ. And then there are many people who think that Christ is his last name.
Since the very basis of christianity is the belief that Jesus was the Christ, I'll assume that a true christian is one who follows the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. However, the big problem with this is that not one record of his teachings that have not been interpreted by other men who had their own agenda actually exist. So that leaves no choice but to have the majority of christians to decide upon an individual or group who has the divine authority to cherry pick those surviving gospels to represent his teachings as best they can.
Now all we need are a group of christians that can agree on what Jesus said and how he said it and we'll be half way there.