literal belief and christianity

[sandandfoam]

I have questions regarding the nature of Christianity, I'm trying to get my head around it and would appreciate some feedback.


1
Can one view the Bible, particularly the new testament as inspired literature from which meaning can be created and be a Christian?

2
Does one have to accept the literal existence of Jesus to be Christian or can one say he exists in the bible and that's enough?

 

[nutshell]

I have questions regarding the nature of Christianity, I'm trying to get my head around it and would appreciate some feedback.


1
Can one view the Bible, particularly the new testament as inspired literature from which meaning can be created and be a Christian?

2
Does one have to accept the literal existence of Jesus to be Christian or can one say he exists in the bible and that's enough?

I'm afraid the answers to these questions will vary greatly depending on which Christians you speak with. Some will answer Yes and others will answer No.

Personally, I'm not a literalist, but I do believe in the literal existence of Jesus.

 

[sojourner]

I have questions regarding the nature of Christianity, I'm trying to get my head around it and would appreciate some feedback.


1
Can one view the Bible, particularly the new testament as inspired literature from which meaning can be created and be a Christian?

2
Does one have to accept the literal existence of Jesus to be Christian or can one say he exists in the bible and that's enough?

1. Absolutely.
2. One can believe what one wishes. "Do I follow Christ" is the question you should ask yourself.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I agree with Sojourner.... I would Add the question ...
How could you be a Christian with out believing in Christ.?

To follow his teachings you need to believe that they are "his" teachings.
To want to follow his teachings, you need to believe they are true.
The rest is up to you.

 

[sandandfoam]

How could you be a Christian with out believing in Christ.?

I don't know, I'm working this out but I think :-I will never know is this stuff true in the literal sense, however the message of Christ as presented to us in the Bible is something I can accept as true in so far as I can take meaning from it (I think?). I find this from Sojourner very helpful -

" One can believe what one wishes. "Do I follow Christ" is the question you should ask yourself."

And in answer to the above question, I think I can.
Does that make sense?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

How could you be a Christian with out believing in Christ.?

I don't know, I'm working this out but I think :-I will never know is this stuff true in the literal sense, however the message of Christ as presented to us in the Bible is something I can accept as true in so far as I can take meaning from it (I think?). I find this from Sojourner very helpful -

" One can believe what one wishes. "Do I follow Christ" is the question you should ask yourself."

And in answer to the above question, I think I can.
Does that make sense?

What you seem to be saying that what Christ teaches seems to be a reasonable and good way to lead ones life, and that this would be true who ever had taught it.
But you are not sure about the God head of Jesus.

This is a very reasonable position to take.

Many people take such thinking no further....
Others understand that actually "To do as he taught" is not quite so easy on its own.
This is where faith eventually comes in... the more you read, learn and listen to other Christians.... and try to understand... the more true it all becomes.
The choice is always your own....

 

[sandandfoam]

Thanks Terrywoodenpic,
I don't have any idea where this is going, when I started really thinking about it I did so from an atheistic point of view. I have tried to keep my mind as open as possible. I now find myself in the (for me) unusual position of thinking that belief in God is a rational position to hold. Even more surprising for me is that it seems to 'feel' right. This I find really surprising.
I seem to have an inbuilt resistance to the idea of faith but it also seems that that is just where my attempts to understand are going to lead me. Discussing such matters is of enormous benefit in trying to develop an understanding of them.

 

[Luke_17:2]

In answer to the original questions...

1. I personally believe so because my salvation is based on it.

2. Yes. You must. How can a metaphor save you?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Thanks Terrywoodenpic,
I don't have any idea where this is going, when I started really thinking about it I did so from an atheistic point of view. I have tried to keep my mind as open as possible. I now find myself in the (for me) unusual position of thinking that belief in God is a rational position to hold. Even more surprising for me is that it seems to 'feel' right. This I find really surprising.
I seem to have an inbuilt resistance to the idea of faith but it also seems that that is just where my attempts to understand are going to lead me. Discussing such matters is of enormous benefit in trying to develop an understanding of them.

Take small bites and digest them well...
There is no rush.

 

[sojourner]

In answer to the original questions...

1. I personally believe so because my salvation is based on it.

2. Yes. You must. How can a metaphor save you?

How can a book, or a human being save you?

 

[Luke_17:2]

How can a book, or a human being save you?

1. Quite simple. I believe Jesus had two natures: a human one, and His holy one: God. As a human being, he was subject to human limitations, frailties, and weaknesses. As God in the flesh, He was perfec, holy, knowledgeable in all things, and wise/

2. Jesus saves me: He lets me know through His word.

 

[sojourner]

1. Quite simple. I believe Jesus had two natures: a human one, and His holy one: God. As a human being, he was subject to human limitations, frailties, and weaknesses. As God in the flesh, He was perfec, holy, knowledgeable in all things, and wise/

2. Jesus saves me: He lets me know through His word.

Once again...how?

 

[Mr. Peanut]

Hi, allow me to share my thoughts on this. Take them or leave them, of course! Lots of people believe things like the virgin birth, deity, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and 2nd coming of Christ but are not saved. Shocking, eh? The demons believe all that and tremble. No, to simply believe that does not save. I believe one must believe in, believe on, that is trust in, rely on Jesus for eternal life.

Its like if you need to fly to Houston, you see the airplane, have the ticket, talk to the pilot and mechanic and everything, and believe that the plane can get you to Houston, but never board it. One must trust their life to the plane and pilot and get on the plane. Same with Jesus. One must completely trust him and nothing else to be saved. But, that is just what I believe, personally. Everyone is free to do with it what they will.

Cheers!

 

[Luke_17:2]

sojourner;

What do you mean "how?"?

 

[sojourner]

sojourner;

What do you mean "how?"?

How does your belief in the Bible save you? How does Jesus save you? What is the process? How does that happen? What's involved?

 

[Luke_17:2]

How does your belief in the Bible save you? How does Jesus save you? What is the process? How does that happen? What's involved?

My belief in the Bible doesn't save me in and of itself: my belief in the gospel message, and the salvation plan that is in the Bible saves me.

The gospel and salvation plan is this:

1. To believe thatt Jesus came to this world, died on the cross for me, and that God rose Him from the dead on the third day,
2. To confess with my mouth that this is true, and that I'm a sinner who deserves to die and go to hell,
3. and to ask Jesus to come into my heart and save me as my personal saviour.
4. To believe that Jesus' sacrifice is all that is required for me to be saved, and to go to heaven: basically, to trust in Him.

Do I pass? )(

 

[sojourner]

My belief in the Bible doesn't save me in and of itself: my belief in the gospel message, and the salvation plan that is in the Bible saves me.

The gospel and salvation plan is this:

1. To believe thatt Jesus came to this world, died on the cross for me, and that God rose Him from the dead on the third day,
2. To confess with my mouth that this is true, and that I'm a sinner who deserves to die and go to hell,
3. and to ask Jesus to come into my heart and save me as my personal saviour.
4. To believe that Jesus' sacrifice is all that is required for me to be saved, and to go to heaven: basically, to trust in Him.

Do I pass? )(

No. What I want to know pertains to steps 3 and 4. How do you think that works? How does "coming into your heart" save you? How does his sacrifice save you?

 

[angellous_evangellous]

No. What I want to know pertains to steps 3 and 4. How do you think that works? How does "coming into your heart" save you? How does his sacrifice save you?

I'd just be glad if Jesus did it and worry about how later.

We should expect God therefore to judge us according to what we do (which is "faith"), and hope that he "saves" us through Jesus Christ. The reduction of "faith" from meaning "what we do" to "what we believe" has been the greatest tragedy of Protestant Christianity.

For early Christian teachings on this topic see Apostolic Fathers Against TULIP - part of http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/christianity/50647-my-threads-against-calvinism.html

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

To follow his teachings you need to believe that they are "his" teachings.

Why would that be the case?

 

[Luke_17:2]

No. What I want to know pertains to steps 3 and 4. How do you think that works? How does "coming into your heart" save you? How does his sacrifice save you?

His sacrifice saves me because His blood washes away my sins, and therefore allows me to get into heaven.

The paramount part of salavtion is faith, and trusting in Him to save you, and to believe that He will do what He says.