What is a Christian?

[Truth_Faith13]

We have had many threads where this question as come up - however I cant find one specifically on this question, so I thought now would be a good time to have one with the debates going on at the moment.

It is quite simple...

In your own view - what is your definition of a Christian, what must a person belief in, do, how must they live etc etc for them to be considered a christian in your eyes?

Be Nice Now!

 

[SoyLeche]

The best definition I have been able to come up with is:

"One who holds Jesus Christ as the highest (religious?) authority."

 

[FatMan]

I think of a christian based on one principle and only one - if they believe in Christ.

I don't buy into categorizations of "Christian behavior", "Christian Ideals", or "Christian gestures", because all of those things are subjective. If you believe in Christ, you are a Christian - period.

There are good Christians, bad Christians, practicing and non-practicing Christians, etc. But to answer the question posed - a Christian from the defined sense, is simply a person who believes in Christ.

 

[SoyLeche]

I think of a christian based on one principle and only one - if they believe in Christ.

I don't buy into categorizations of "Christian behavior", "Christian Ideals", or "Christian gestures", because all of those things are subjective. If you believe in Christ, you are a Christian - period.

There are good Christians, bad Christians, practicing and non-practicing Christians, etc. But to answer the question posed - a Christian from the defined sense, is simply a person who believes in Christ.

I've used that definition before - but then you run into the problem of what you mean by "believes in Christ". Believes that he existed? Believes he was a prophet? Believes he was the messiah? Believes he is God?

Muslims "believe in Christ" - would you consider them Christians?

 

[Bishka]

The best definition I have been able to come up with is:

"One who holds Jesus Christ as the highest (religious?) authority."

Agreed

 

[FatMan]

I've used that definition before - but then you run into the problem of what you mean by "believes in Christ". Believes that he existed? Believes he was a prophet? Believes he was the messiah? Believes he is God?

Muslims "believe in Christ" - would you consider them Christians?

Look - yours was much more succinct and a better definition, must you gloat about it??

After I posted mine, I saw yours and thought - "That's a better definition". But to be honest, I only said it to myself.

 

[SoyLeche]

Look - yours was much more succinct and a better definition, must you gloat about it??

After I posted mine, I saw yours and thought - "That's a better definition". But to be honest, I only said it to myself.

I'm just explaining part of what got me to my definition. I used yours for a long time

 

[FatMan]

I'm just explaining part of what got me to my definition. I used yours for a long time

So now you are saying you evolved into a better thinker than me? Will the insults never stop?

 

[SoyLeche]

So now you are saying you evolved into a better thinker than me? Will the insults never stop?

I think you are ugly too.

 

[wizanda]

Christian = Follower of Paul, John and Simon the Stone (peter)..........

Follower of Christ Words = Shouldn't have a need for any label.........

 

[FatMan]

I think you are ugly too.

I'd say you suck at picking basketball games, but I think you beat me in that, too.

 

[ChristineES]

A person who follows Jesus and obeys His commands. That includes Peter and Paul.

 

[SoyLeche]

I'd say you suck at picking basketball games, but I think you beat me in that, too.

Darn right Excel did!

 

[wizanda]

A person who follows Jesus and obeys His commands. That includes Peter (stone) and Paul.

Ok can you prove it, that whilst quoting their teachings, that you don’t contradict Yeshua's own teachings?

 

[ChristineES]

Ok can you prove it, that whilst quoting their teachings, that you don’t contradict Yeshua's own teachings?

I really don't have the energy to debate this now. I don't recall Peter ever contradicting anything Jesus taught. Paul did not contradict Jesus either, although he did teach things that Jesus did not. Those were probably some teachings he learned elsewhere.

 

[SoyLeche]

Ok can you prove it, that whilst quoting their teachings, that you don’t contradict Yeshua's own teachings?

Proving a negative like that is darn near impossible. Why don't you prove that some of their teachingd do contradict Yeshua's own teachings. That is an exercize that at least is theoretically possible.

 

[wizanda]

Seriously why is that impossible, in a court room you have testimonies from two opposing sides and see where the differences lay....being that the witness of Matthew Mark and Luke (+ the rest of the Bible) stand against the Pharisees John, Paul and Simon (stone).....
So it is Christianity (they made) versus Christ, to put it basically and then the rest of the Bible fitting and world peace if people could accept they maybe wrong for once….:angel2:

 

[SoyLeche]

Seriously why is that impossible, in a court room you have testimonies from two opposing sides and see where the differences lay....being that the witness of Matthew Mark and Luke (+ the rest of the Bible) stand against the Pharisees John, Paul and Simon (stone).....
So it is Christianity (they made) versus Christ, to put it basically and then the rest of the Bible fitting and world peace if people could accept they maybe wrong for once….:angel2:

Because you are asking someone to prove a negative. You are saying "Prove that their words never contradict his words". There are way too many words from both perspectives for that to be feasible (sp?).

If, however, you believe you have found somewhere that their words DO contradict his words, it is a simple exercize to point it out.

 

[FatMan]

Seriously why is that impossible, in a court room you have testimonies from two opposing sides and see where the differences lay....being that the witness of Matthew Mark and Luke (+ the rest of the Bible) stand against the Pharisees John, Paul and Simon (stone).....
So it is Christianity (they made) versus Christ, to put it basically and then the rest of the Bible fitting and world peace if people could accept they maybe wrong for once….:angel2:

Well, having Matthew, Mark and Luke and John, Paul and Simon dead complicates matters.

Furthermore, you would have people interpreting a translation and making varying degrees of inaccurate statements about said interpretations. Sounds like an exercise in futility to me.

 

[!Fluffy!]

The best definition I have been able to come up with is:

"One who holds Jesus Christ as the highest (religious?) authority."

:yes: