What does it mean to be a true Christian?

[Primordial Annihilator]

Bertrand Russel ... the atheist?

A good man in any case.

Anyone who despises nuclear weapons gets my vote.

 

[Midnight Pete]

You're joking.

Bertrand Russell was not a Christian.

 

[Primordial Annihilator]

You're joking.

Bertrand Russell was not a Christian.

I know he wasnt a christian...but that doesnt stop him from being a good person.

 

[Midnight Pete]

I know he wasnt a christian...but that doesnt stop him from being a good person.

Of course not! But it seriously limits his ability to comment on what it means to be a true Christian. C.S. Lewis or Mother Theresa would have been a better choices, IMO.

And I despise nuclear weapons.

 

[Primordial Annihilator]

Of course not! But it seriously limits his ability to comment on what it means to be a true Christian. C.S. Lewis or Mother Theresa would have been a better choices, IMO.

And I despise nuclear weapons.

Yes I agree with you, a non christian is rather unqualified to decide what is and what isnt a christian.

I am glad you despise nuclear weapons, they are an abomination, proof that science/technology alone is not going to save humanity.

 

[Midnight Pete]

It means renouncing all your wealth and living in the service of the poor, the needy, the outcast.
It means turning the other cheek and living without violence.
I've never met a true Christian.

Jesus was the only true Christian to ever walk the Earth. The rest of us are just poseurs compared to him.

 

[Midnight Pete]

I am glad you despise nuclear weapons, they are an abomination, proof that science/technology alone is not going to save humanity.

:yes: Knowledge (science) is power, and nuclear weapons are one extreme example of how that power can be used.

 

[GrsshppR]

Sad to see how white washed and milk toast 'what it means to be a christian' has become.
I'm with the one that said I have never met a true christian.
Basically, what most people think it is, its talking about God, living a good life and going to church.
I think this whole thread is an out rage. So, really, its just up to each one of us to decide how to be a christian. Whatever you want, its cool, just do it. Is there really no standard?
The Bills receiver, who claims to be a christian, blamed God because he dropped a ball.
Is he a christian?
George Bush claims Christianity.
Is he?


"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. "

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt.18:3&version=NASB#cen-NASB-23731Abecome like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "


Its not what we say that matters but what He says and only what He says.


GrssR

 

[Reptillian]

So Pete and Annihilator, you disagree with Russell's definition of a Christian as someone who at the very least believes in God, immortality, and that Jesus was divine/the best of men? Care to specify why you don't agree?

I disagree with your suggestion that Bertrand Russell can't define a Christian because he isn't one. After all, I don't have to be a criminal, mathematician, banker, or airplane pilot to know what any of those things are. Christians always say that being a Christian is something people radiate...like a light shinning in the darkness...it should be obvious. So even those who aren't Christian should be able to tell who is/isn't one and understand what makes them different.

Follow up question, is being a Christian more a question of belief or action in your definition? Is a Christian defined more by what they believe or by how they behave?

 

[Primordial Annihilator]

So Pete and Annihilator, you disagree with Russell's definition of a Christian as someone who at the very least believes in God, immortality, and that Jesus was divine/the best of men? Care to specify why you don't agree?

He can know what labels people attach to Christians, anyone can do that.
What he can't know if has never been one is what being a Christian is.
It's more than just articles of faith.

Follow up question, is being a Christian more a question of belief or action in your definition? Is a Christian defined more by what they believe or by how they behave?

I think my answer above reveals I think action is what I reckon to be the defining quality.

 

[Primordial Annihilator]

Sad to see how white washed and milk toast 'what it means to be a christian' has become.
I'm with the one that said I have never met a true christian.
Basically, what most people think it is, its talking about God, living a good life and going to church.
I think this whole thread is an out rage. So, really, its just up to each one of us to decide how to be a christian. Whatever you want, its cool, just do it. Is there really no standard?
The Bills receiver, who claims to be a christian, blamed God because he dropped a ball.
Is he a christian?
George Bush claims Christianity.
Is he?


"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. "

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "


Its not what we say that matters but what He says and only what He says.


GrssR

We will know them by their deeds/actions.....