When is someone not a Christian?

[Willamena]

Ok, so I know a gal who calls herself Christian. However, within her beliefs, she doesn't believe:

in the Biblical God ("and if he was real, he'd be NUTS.") She does believe in God, but not from the Bible, even approaching it as metaphorical
the Bible ("full of myths, and outdated rules")
in Heaven or Hell (reincarnation)
Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, or performed miracles
Jesus was the Son of God any more than we are as humans
Trust Paul, at all
The virgin Mary was a virgin
in churches as useful
in the Trinity

She's said she is a Christian, though, just different-thinking.

Sounds like she just doesn't take those things literally. Do you know if that's the case?

So, when is someone not a Christian? Can someone not believe in ALL these, and still be Christian (to you)? Would this lady most likely be?

I know you don't need to believe ALL of these, btw, but I'm wondering where the 'disbelief' line is?

Someone can not believe in those things literally and still be Christian, as long as they have defined some part of the world that they identify with the parts of the Christian myth that they believe in. If they don't believe in the Christian myth at all, then I'd start to wonder.

Also, sometimes "being a Christian" is just a demographic statistic.

 

[Willamena]

To be a Christian is to be in Christ.

That.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

Okay, it was a toss-up between putting it here or the Christianity DIR. I chose here because I'd like some suggestions from non-Christians as to what the person in question is.

Ok, so I know a gal who calls herself Christian. However, within her beliefs, she doesn't believe:

in the Biblical God ("and if he was real, he'd be NUTS.") She does believe in God, but not from the Bible, even approaching it as metaphorical
the Bible ("full of myths, and outdated rules")
in Heaven or Hell (reincarnation)
Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, or performed miracles
Jesus was the Son of God any more than we are as humans
Trust Paul, at all
The virgin Mary was a virgin
in churches as useful
in the Trinity


She's said she is a Christian, though, just different-thinking.

So, when is someone not a Christian? Can someone not believe in ALL these, and still be Christian (to you)? Would this lady most likely be?

I know you don't need to believe ALL of these, btw, but I'm wondering where the 'disbelief' line is?

Pretty much a Christian can be whatever a person thinks it is. Since the Reformation there are over 10,000 sects!

 

[Jacksnyte]

Okay, it was a toss-up between putting it here or the Christianity DIR. I chose here because I'd like some suggestions from non-Christians as to what the person in question is.

Ok, so I know a gal who calls herself Christian. However, within her beliefs, she doesn't believe:

in the Biblical God ("and if he was real, he'd be NUTS.") She does believe in God, but not from the Bible, even approaching it as metaphorical
the Bible ("full of myths, and outdated rules")
in Heaven or Hell (reincarnation)
Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, or performed miracles
Jesus was the Son of God any more than we are as humans
Trust Paul, at all
The virgin Mary was a virgin
in churches as useful
in the Trinity


She's said she is a Christian, though, just different-thinking.

So, when is someone not a Christian? Can someone not believe in ALL these, and still be Christian (to you)? Would this lady most likely be?

I know you don't need to believe ALL of these, btw, but I'm wondering where the 'disbelief' line is?

The one main factor in determining if one is a Christian is whether or not they follow the teachings of Jesus. All the other stuff is fodder for religious scholars to quibble over.

 

[Tom Terrific]

I've meditated on this quite a bit.

I think that a little misconception about God is just as significant as a huge mistake about God.

That being said, a person who seeks God will never fully understand God, so one who has a perfect confession stands on the same ground as one whose confession is imperfect or lacking.

So I think that there is no time that one is "no longer a Christian" based on belief.

There is a lot of wisdom in this.

I don't like to comment on Christianity, since I'm not a Christian; but you did specifically request the input of non-Christians, so here it is.

It seems to me that the essence of "being a Christian" consists of discipling oneself to Christ, however one conceives of such discipleship.

 

[Justin Thyme]

Fully agreeing with the Apostle's Creed, on some level, tends to be the general consensus of the definition of a Christian. That being said, as a Christian I feel I must accept it at face value when someone tells me that they are a Christian. There's that whole "Judge not" thing I keep reminding myself about.

 

[diosangpastol]

To answer the question, I believe you can be Christian if you follow Christs teachings. I feel that should be the only requirement. But if you don't believe the Bible where are you getting your info on Christ? Gnostic scriptures?

is a muslim who follows Christ's teachings, is he automatically a christian?

may i also ask what is the connection of gnostic scriptures on being a christian

 

[free spirit]

Okay, it was a toss-up between putting it here or the Christianity DIR. I chose here because I'd like some suggestions from non-Christians as to what the person in question is.

Ok, so I know a gal who calls herself Christian. However, within her beliefs, she doesn't believe:

in the Biblical God ("and if he was real, he'd be NUTS.") She does believe in God, but not from the Bible, even approaching it as metaphorical
the Bible ("full of myths, and outdated rules")
in Heaven or Hell (reincarnation)
Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, or performed miracles
Jesus was the Son of God any more than we are as humans
Trust Paul, at all
The virgin Mary was a virgin
in churches as useful
in the Trinity


She's said she is a Christian, though, just different-thinking.

So, when is someone not a Christian? Can someone not believe in ALL these, and still be Christian (to you)? Would this lady most likely be?

I know you don't need to believe ALL of these, btw, but I'm wondering where the 'disbelief' line is?

Your question is difficult to answer bacause Christianity is like a person growing up, you cannot tell when a boy becomes a man, adding to the difficulty is the fact that we are all psychologically different maturing at different ages.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to be disciplined by Jesus and if you submit to his discipline than you are a Christian even if you have submitted to him today. However that is not the end of the story because those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires and very few arrive to that level of Christianity.

 

[doppelganger]

It's pretty simple. Faith and its definition are a unavoidably a personal matter. If a person claims to be a "Christian" then he or she is a "Christian."

 

[Dezzie]

You are Christian if you follow the "rules" of the Bible... In my opinion, your friend is not a Christian.

 

[Justin Thyme]

is a muslim who follows Christ's teachings, is he automatically a christian?

If a Christian submits to God is he then a Muslim?

I think that the answer to both is "yes." If the claim of a specific religion isn't there look to the fruit. I will say that a very close friend of mine who adheres to Asatru is someone I consider a sister in Christ just because of her fruit.

 

[Jordan St. Francis]

When is someone not a Christian? It's difficult to say. If they deny it, certainly.

Once upon a time I would have said if they deny the Trinity, but I've since changed my mind. Anyone who professes sincere devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ and believes they encounter the divine through him, I can accept as a Christian even if I have my suspicions of nominalism.

But I suppose we only ever really know if someone is not a Christian when we hear this:

"I never knew you, depart from me you evil doer." (Matthew 7:23)

 

[diosangpastol]

If a Christian submits to God is he then a Muslim?

I think that the answer to both is "yes." If the claim of a specific religion isn't there look to the fruit. I will say that a very close friend of mine who adheres to Asatru is someone I consider a sister in Christ just because of her fruit.

How do you call your church/denomination/sect/group?

 

[Justin Thyme]

How do you call your church/denomination/sect/group?

I'm a Methodist, if that's what you are asking.

 

[Mike214]

I'm a Methodist, if that's what you are asking.

Obviously, every Christian submits to God, but through the mediatory intervention of Jesus.

 

[diosangpastol]

I'm a Methodist, if that's what you are asking.

you know what i am talking about.... what is the name of your church?

 

[Justin Thyme]

you know what i am talking about.... what is the name of your church?

I am a member of The United Methodist Church. Why do you ask?

 

[diosangpastol]

I am a member of The United Methodist Church. Why do you ask?

A Christian is a follower of Christ or belonging to the family of Christ. The Church is the body of Christ so naturally it follows that a Christian belongs to the body of Christ. Do you agree? If yes, then how do you become a member or belong to this body? In your case, how did you become a member of the United Methodist Church?

 

[Justin Thyme]

A Christian is a follower of Christ or belonging to the family of Christ. The Church is the body of Christ so naturally it follows that a Christian belongs to the body of Christ. Do you agree?

So far, I do.

If yes, then how do you become a member or belong to this body?

By following Christ.

In your case, how did you become a member of the United Methodist Church?

Basically I signed a membership card, but now we are talking two different things.

Christ's Church is not an earthly organization like the Rotarians or the United Methodist Church. Christ's Church is the collection of the followers of Christ. Folks can follow Christ without understanding that is who they are following if they are displaying Christlike qualities. Jesus said we are known by our fruits. If I see someone acting like Christ taught us to act and doing so out of their heart rather than to seek some reward I have to view them as a brother or sister in Christ, regardless of their stated religious affiliation. They are in the body of Christ.

 

[joeyhouchin]

Possibly if there homosexual
not in an offensive way