Christians...

Originally posted by Regret
I am not considered a "Christian" by most "Christians". This is due to my beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My question is for anyone that feels themselves capable of denying another individual of classifying themselves as Christian.
What is it that leads you to believe yourself in a position to make such a statement?

As a nonChristian, it always seemed rather straightforward to me: if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are Christian. Period. The rest is detail and commentary.

Then again, never underestimate the human propensity to divide people into "us" and "them."

Originally posted by Mindship
As a nonChristian, it always seemed rather straightforward to me: if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are Christian. Period. The rest is detail and commentary.

Then again, never underestimate the human propensity to divide people into "us" and "them."

True. But acceptance of Christ means accepting everything about him. One can't just take the bits and pieces that they like. It's all or nothing, either/or...one either chooses God, or they choose this world according to the scriptures.

James 4:4

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Originally posted by Thundar
True. But acceptance of Christ means accepting everything about him. One can't just take the bits and pieces that they like. It's all or nothing, either/or...one either chooses God, or they choose this world according to the scriptures.

James 4:4

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Everyone takes bits and pieces, even you. I would bet that there are parts of the writing about Jesus that you reject.

But he didn't even quote Jesus, he quoted James. And there are other writings of James that are much different then the ones in the bible.

Originally posted by Mindship
Then again, never underestimate the human propensity to divide people into "us" and "them."

Originally posted by Regret
I am not considered a "Christian" by most "Christians". This is due to my beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My question is for anyone that feels themselves capable of denying another individual of classifying themselves as Christian.

What is it that leads you to believe yourself in a position to make such a statement?

Who Is a Christian?

Originally posted by debbiejo
But he didn't even quote Jesus, he quoted James. And there are other writings of James that are much different then the ones in the bible.

* whoa, wait... you reject Saint Paul's epistles, and Saint Peter's... now, Saint James'? what other books/letters in the Bible do you reject? and how come you always stick in the Old Testament? that's only for all Israel, my friend... 😉

Originally posted by peejayd
* whoa, wait... you reject Saint Paul's epistles, and Saint Peter's... now, Saint James'? what other books/letters in the Bible do you reject? and how come you always stick in the Old Testament? that's only for all Israel, my friend... 😉

She rejects everyone. 😉

Originally posted by peejayd
* whoa, wait... you reject Saint Paul's epistles, and Saint Peter's... now, Saint James'? what other books/letters in the Bible do you reject? and how come you always stick in the Old Testament? that's only for all Israel, my friend... 😉

OT is only for Jews?

then what prophecy did Jesus fufill?
whos god was he talking to?
what religion did he grow up with?
why mention Jesus was "of the house and lineage of David"?

If you ignore the OT you ignore half the bible (its like the backstory of God)

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
She rejects everyone. 😉

Oh and why can't we take all words of James............want me to post them?

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
OT is only for Jews?

then what prophecy did Jesus fufill?
whos god was he talking to?
what religion did he grow up with?
why mention Jesus was "of the house and lineage of David"?

If you ignore the OT you ignore half the bible (its like the backstory of God)

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
OT is only for Jews?

then what prophecy did Jesus fufill?
whos god was he talking to?
what religion did he grow up with?
why mention Jesus was "of the house and lineage of David"?

If you ignore the OT you ignore half the bible (its like the backstory of God)

* i did not tell anyone to ignore the Old Testament... what i meant was, the laws in the Old Testament, particularly those of Moses... those are for all Israel... 😉

Originally posted by peejayd
* i did not tell anyone to ignore the Old Testament... what i meant was, the laws in the Old Testament, particularly those of Moses... those are for all Israel... 😉

you said they are ONLY for all Israel (was it a typo?)

Originally posted by Thundar
True. But acceptance of Christ means accepting everything about him. One can't just take the bits and pieces that they like. It's all or nothing, either/or...one either chooses God, or they choose this world according to the scriptures.

James 4:4

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Nothing Suzumiya-san mere enjoys the conflict created by multiple religions and beliefs.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
you said they are ONLY for all Israel (was it a typo?)

* yes, my bad... i stood corrected, i reiterated the laws, and not entire Old Testament... the law of Moses are for all Israel... but there are laws from Moses which were changed, amended amd perfected by Jesus... and those laws of Christ are the ones that should be obeyed in our time... i accented on this part because of ms.debbiejo's rejection of the New Testament... 😉

Originally posted by Regret
All love no matter where, when, how it occurs is of God, if it does not, it is not love.

All love, as described and defined within the bible, comes from God.

Originally posted by Thundar
All love, as described and defined within the bible, comes from God.

Originally posted by Regret
You keep qualifying my statements. If something termed "love" does not fit the definition, it is not love, and has been labeled improperly. My definition of love is a wholly selfless feeling, it is what I would term the "pure love of Christ." If love is in any manner selfish, it is not wholly love.

Which again, would be "love" as defined within the bible(1 Corinthians 13: 1-13). I'm not trying to be purposely nitpicky, I just believe that as a Christian, it is important to make this distincition when discussing the concept of "love" with non-Christians. Most non-Christians will give worldly definitions of love when engaging in debate or discussion, and this can really confuse things.

I've read arguments in other threads like the following:

"I love my boyfriend and I'm gay, so even though I'm gay and not going to change my sexual behavior, I still know Christ because I know love."

If one doesn't make the distinction between God's love and the World's love right away, they'll end up engaging others in convoluted arguments like the one referenced above.

So instead of giving my own definition, I always feel it's easier(and more accurate) to give God's. It cuts to the heart of the matter, making it a lot easier to discern who truly is your loving friend, and who truly is your hateful foe.

* and Jesus also commanded His followers to love their enemies... so, is it correct for me to say that any religious organization that kills people is not of God? 😉