I meant you and me hahahaha!
LOL. Totally missed that. Its been a long day, I'm a little slow tonight.
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What makes one officially Christian?
- Thread starter Smart_Guy
- Start date
LOL. Totally missed that. Its been a long day, I'm a little slow tonight.
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
Go read Matthew 5:18-19.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I don't need to go read Matthew 5:18-19. I've read it many times already. You're not a Christian and since this is the Christianity DIR, your perspective on Christian doctrine is irrelevant. As a Christian, I believe I have a fairly good understanding of what commandments God expects me to live. If you want to believe otherwise, suit yourself. (I'd be more than happy to debate you on an actual debate forum, just not here.)
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Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Absolutely. No one is a perfect disciple, so where do we draw the line in saying that in order to be a Christian, one must choose to follow Christ. Ideally, of course, everyone who identifies as Christian ought to make that a priority. In theory, that's a great "requirement"; in practice, not so much.
It is interesting how one persons Christian is another's heretic, or apostate. It seems that too many people are so concerned with making a judgment on another's relationship with God that I fear they inadvertently fail to see where their own may be lacking. ( BTW, this is in no way a reference to Deist or anyone in particular, just a general observation of different denominational views toward others.) Often times ,as we see in the Bible concerning the Pharisees, and Sadducees of Jesus time, the ones confident in their own holiness were the most spiritually bankrupt. Does that mean that I cant judge for myself what belief is true or false? Absolutely not. But that is my personal view, and does not give me or anyone else the right or authority to pass judgment on another for their personal and sincere faith. For me to do so would be to elevate myself in the same way that the religious authorities of Jesus time did to him. God forbid that I ever do such a thing. Katz, you are LDS ,I was raised a Baptist. Do I think you are any less a Christian than me? Absolutely not! I would actually concede that you are probably a much better Christian than I am. My point being that if the Apostle Paul could concede that he saw everything "as through a dim mirror", then surely I can be as humble. God knows our hearts and our sincerity. God will judge us. And I think that a lot of that will be based on the commandment that Jesus gave to us that 'we love one another.' I believe that if we keep that in mind and also as scripture says, "regard others as better than ourselves", we will all treat one another in a kind and compassionate way that God would approve.........Just a thought.
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
Actually, I was raised Baptist and spent 30 years in that denomination. I was saved and baptized at the age of 12. And if Christianity is all about following Jesus an his teachings on morality, then I am most certainly "Christian."
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
That's nice, but as I said earlier, that's not the defining factor, in my opinion. Christians should follow Jesus because they look to Him as their Savior. People who do not acknowledge His role as their Savior, despite the fact that they may try to live as He taught, are not Christians, as far as I'm concerned. They are moral, decent, good, charitable, loving, forgiving people who see Jesus as a good role model.
roger1440
I do stuff
That's a easy questionHello All,
In Islam, for example, believing that God is the only true god worthy of worship and Muhammad is his creation, slave and prophet, is what makes one officially and basically a Muslim.
What makes one officially Christian? I mean a Christian regardless to different sects, trends and denominations.
Please don't turn this into a debate among different Christian sects, trends and denominations. I'm looking for the most basic requirement to be Christian.
Thank you
Important note:
I would like to have answers from Christians only.
I believe the basic requirement to be a Christian is to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and his ransom sacrifice as the basis to be reconciled to the one true God. "So they said to him: “What must we do to carry out the works of God?” In answer Jesus said to them: “This is the work of God, that you exercise faith in the one whom he sent.” (John 6:28,29) such faith requires works consistent with that faith and obedience to the Christ. (James 2:14, Matthew 7:21-23)Hello All,
In Islam, for example, believing that God is the only true god worthy of worship and Muhammad is his creation, slave and prophet, is what makes one officially and basically a Muslim.
What makes one officially Christian? I mean a Christian regardless to different sects, trends and denominations.
Please don't turn this into a debate among different Christian sects, trends and denominations. I'm looking for the most basic requirement to be Christian.
Thank you
Important note:
I would like to have answers from Christians only.
... and such ' spiritual works ' to do as mentioned at Matthew 28:18-20 and Matthew 24:14 - before the end comes of all badness on earth before Jesus, as Prince of Peace, ushers in global Peace on Earth among men of goodwill.
Good points you mention ^ above ^ because a person can be ' Christian ' in name only - Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus' genuine followers would be engaged in the same active ' spiritual work ' as Jesus did - Luke 4:43; Matthew 24:14
The difference is Jesus' modern-day followers would carry out the work on a larger grand international scale ( as it is being done today ) before the end comes of all badness on earth.
As Jesus said - Acts of the Apostles 1:8 - so Matthew 24:14 is being proclaimed world wide today.
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
You are entitled to your opinion...but it is only a personal opinion, not doctrine.
McBell
Unbound
When/where did she claim it was anything other than her opinion?
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
When she stated that I was not a Christian, without knowing who I am or my background. That type of statement would imply doctrine, not personal opinion.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
No, you stated it. You identify as a Deist. Since when are the two synonymous?
A former Christian who becomes a Muslim is no longer a Christian. A former Christian who has converted to Judaism is no longer a Christian. A former Christian who has becomes a Buddhist is no longer a Christian. Why does this not apply to a former Christian who becomes a Deist?
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Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
Sorry, this is a DIR and not subject for debating. If you'd like to debate my beliefs, by all means start an appropriate thread or PM me.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in debating deism with you. Sorry. Maybe someone else would be.
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
You assume I am 100% classical deist...which would be incorrect.
I notice that now you've changed your name to "Neo Deist". What is the difference IYO between that and a Christian deist
Thana
Lady
Do you identify as Christian? If someone asked you 'Are you a Christian?' would you answer be yes?
Because if you're not willing to take the label then I'm not sure you belong on this DIR.
Personally I think you have to take the label, and all the negative connotations to go with it, otherwise you're eating your slice and the whole cake too and that's just not fair to those of us who accept the label and the hardships that go with it. The only exception would be Messianic Judaism, but I think that's fair because Judaism is more than just a religion.