Christian DIR poll: Am I Christian?

[Eddi]

(((Christianity DIR)))

This thread is addressed to the RF Christians:

I am questioning whether or not I'm still a Christian, my beliefs have recently undergone something of a change...

I think that whether or not one is a Christian is ultimately a matter of what other Christians think

So to help me find out I'm asking here

I am curious as to whether or not I am truly a Christian, or whether my personal belief system is quasi-Christian, or on the fringes of Christinaity - or not at all Christian. I have prepared various responses in the poll attached to this thread.

Consider this:

• I have Jesus as my Lord
• I believe he died for my sins on the cross and then rose from the dead and ascended to heaven
• I have repented my sins
• I believe that the God who is described in The Bible exists
• I believe the bible is inspired by God
• I have been baptised - as an adult
• I try to go to church every Sunday
• I'm pretty certain I believe everything in the Nicene Creed
• I renew the baptismal promises each week (see below)

When I say these things I truly mean them.

However, I share some beliefs with Hinduism and believe in a form of Henotheism rather than strict Monotheism: Henotheism - Wikipedia

On RF my profile says I'm a "Henotheistic Christian Syncretist"

To quote my RF signature:

I believe in many deities but only worship those who make up the Godhead. Divine as they are, the others are not to be worshipped. I believe that The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are deities created by The Supreme Being, who are subordinate to him but who with him comprise the Godhead. I believe they are of the same divine substance as The Supreme Being. I believe "God" to be the title shared by all three members of The Godhead. I am therefore a Henotheist. I am a Syncretist because my personal faith contains certain elements that are commonly found in Hinduism.

I know this isn't Trinitarianism but I also know that not all Christians are Trinitarians...

Regarding Hinduism: I believe reality is like the Hindu concept of "Maya" and I also believe Karma is a thing and that reincarnation may sometimes occur. Amongst various other things.

But I came to these conclusions myself, rather than via studying Hinduism

If you have any questions regarding my beliefs I'd be happy to answer them

So... Do you think I'm a Christian?

I've made a poll

But I'd like to hear reasons please

I'd also be interested to hear what type/denomination of Christian you are

Thanks

 

[Estro Felino]

Since I am a Pelagian, I believe that being a Christian has to do with what the Gospel preaches, and not necessarily with what deities you believe in.
But since you asked, my answer is yes.

 

[Windwalker]

If identifying as a Christian has meaning for you, then you're welcome to call yourself that. It's not for others to deny that to you, because they can't tolerate diversity of beliefs.

For myself, I tend to not like labeling myself, other than to acknowledge that the Christian mythos and language are part of my vocabulary to both talk about, and in important ways related to the Divine. I certainly refuse to be beholden to doctrines or creeds of church councils, so that might mean I would not be accepted by certain organizations that insist upon those. But I don't accept their insistence as anything necessary to be believed in or adopted in order to have a real relationship with the Divine. They don't own God.

 

[Quiddity]

I tentatively say yes.

Ultimately, it's like a Catholic who grabs bits and pieces of other world views and is still catholic.

That is a difficult thing to answer because not everything you adopt conforms.

Sometimes, it ends up cannibalizing something you hold without even realizing it.

Not realizing makes me conclude that you are.

I wouldn't say anything but Christian.

Lots of Christians have bizarre things they believe and don't preface it.

 

[Kenny]

I have Jesus as my Lord

That makes you a Christian

I believe he died for my sins on the cross and then rose from the dead and ascended to heaven

That is part of being a Christian

I have repented my sins

That is what you do to become a Christian

I believe that the God who is described in The Bible exists

OK.

I believe the bible is inspired by God

That's good.

I have been baptised - as an adult

That shows you are a Christian

I try to go to church every Sunday

Doesn't make you a Christian but if you are a Christian, that should be part of your life.

I'm pretty certain I believe everything in the Nicene Creed

Ok

However, I share some beliefs with Hinduism and believe in a form of Henotheism rather than strict Monotheism: Henotheism - Wikipedia

No one starts Christianity with all their ducks in order or all the beliefs perfectly matching. However, if you believe something that is opposite the Bible, I would stick to "I believe the Bible is inspired" and go with what it says.

 

[nPeace]

(((Christianity DIR)))

This thread is addressed to the RF Christians:

I am questioning whether or not I'm still a Christian, my beliefs have recently undergone something of a change...

I think that whether or not one is a Christian is ultimately a matter of what other Christians think

So to help me find out I'm asking here

I am curious as to whether or not I am truly a Christian, or whether my personal belief system is quasi-Christian, or on the fringes of Christinaity - or not at all Christian. I have prepared various responses in the poll attached to this thread.

Consider this:

• I have Jesus as my Lord
• I believe he died for my sins on the cross and then rose from the dead and ascended to heaven
• I have repented my sins
• I believe that the God who is described in The Bible exists
• I believe the bible is inspired by God
• I have been baptised - as an adult
• I try to go to church every Sunday
• I'm pretty certain I believe everything in the Nicene Creed
• I renew the baptismal promises each week (see below)

View attachment 44901
When I say these things I truly mean them.

However, I share some beliefs with Hinduism and believe in a form of Henotheism rather than strict Monotheism: Henotheism - Wikipedia

On RF my profile says I'm a "Henotheistic Christian Syncretist"

To quote my RF signature:

I believe in many deities but only worship those who make up the Godhead. Divine as they are, the others are not to be worshipped. I believe that The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are deities created by The Supreme Being, who are subordinate to him but who with him comprise the Godhead. I believe they are of the same divine substance as The Supreme Being. I believe "God" to be the title shared by all three members of The Godhead. I am therefore a Henotheist. I am a Syncretist because my personal faith contains certain elements that are commonly found in Hinduism.

I know this isn't Trinitarianism but I also know that not all Christians are Trinitarians...

Regarding Hinduism: I believe reality is like the Hindu concept of "Maya" and I also believe Karma is a thing and that reincarnation may sometimes occur. Amongst various other things.

But I came to these conclusions myself, rather than via studying Hinduism

If you have any questions regarding my beliefs I'd be happy to answer them

So... Do you think I'm a Christian?

I've made a poll

But I'd like to hear reasons please

I'd also be interested to hear what type/denomination of Christian you are

Thanks

Sincerity certainly is a good thing to have, and I have said before on these forums, that there are many sincere persons out there.
It's good you believe the Bible, because that is where you can have an honest answer to your question.
Is it enough to be sincere? Does that make one a Christian? Is more involved than what you listed?
A few scriptures come to mind.
(Mark 10:17-23)

Spoiler: Read

17 As he was going on his way, a man ran up and fell on his knees before him and put the question to him: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” 18 Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good except one, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.’” 20 The man said to him: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth on.” 21 Jesus looked at him and felt love for him and said, “One thing is missing about you: Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.” 22 But he grew sad at the answer and went away grieved, for he had many possessions. 23 After looking around, Jesus said to his disciples: “How difficult it will be for those with money to enter into the Kingdom of God!”

Notice that there were many things about this man that showed his sincerity. So much so that Jesus looked at him with love. Jesus appreciated his sincerity.
However, Jesus said to the man, There is something lacking.
As we see in the reading though, that one thing, was a bit difficult for him, and he realized, he just was not quite ready.

Some times, there may be just that one thing, or two, or even three, things that causes a person to miss out on the blessings that come from following Jesus.

Did you observe though... the man believed that Jesus was Lord, but was Jesus his Lord? What do you think?

(Romans 10:1-3)

Spoiler: Read

1 Brothers, the goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are indeed for their salvation. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge. 3 For because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

Right at the outset, you notice that the apostle Paul felt love for the people he is speaking of.
'The goodwill of my heart', he says, 'and my supplications to God for them, are for their salvation.'

Paul loved them, and wanted them to be saved.
However, like the rich young man, something was missing.
"I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge. For because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God."

What were they lacking - What was missing?
Did you notice - Accurate knowledge.
...but they had a zeal for God. They were sincere. They went to the synagogue of the Jews. They were there every Sabbath. They believed in God.
They had a list of noble things, like the rich young man.

One thing was missing. Accurate knowledge of God.
What makes us Christian, is not sincerity; not believing in God; not going to church; etc.
If we have accurate knowledge for one thing, we will understand what is involved in being Christian.
If we are willing to follow Jesus, we accept his invitation to be one of his disciples - a Christian.
What do these involve?

Here is a short list with a few scriptures that show what is involved in being a Christian... This is by no means all, but a few basics.

Spoiler: List

Accurate knowledge of the truth - John 8:31, 32 ; John 17:3 ... gained through the Christian congregation - Acts 2 ; 7 ; 10 ; Romans 10:13-15
Following Jesus' examples and teachings - obeying his commands. Luke 8:1 ; 10:1, 2 ; Matthew 24:14 ; Acts 1:8 ; Timothy 4:1, 2 ...and making disciples Matthew 28:19,20
Associating with the Christian congregation which is united in love, and scriptural teachings. John 13:35 ; Acts 2:44-47 ; Hebrews 10:23, 23 ; 1 Corinthians 1:10

 

[metis]

I'm far more concerned along this line with how one acts versus whether (s)he is politically correct on such matters. After all, Jesus narrowed the Commandments down to Two: love of God and love of neighbor. All the rest is just applications of these Two.