What makes a Christian a good Christian?

[holy king]

A good Christian is one who chooses to interpret their scripture in such a way that it makes them nice people.

so it's about looking for a moral system outside of religion and then interpreting the religion according to that system?

 

[Chazumi]

I dunno about being a good Christian, but I know that being a good person involves not being a dick. Let's not make it personal, k? Thanks.

Tolerance of others

 

[El_Machinae]

so it's about looking for a moral system outside of religion and then interpreting the religion according to that system?

Yeah, mostly. Though Christianity makes it easy, 'cause Jesus was generally a pretty nice dude.

 

[LucyDuke]

If the savior of baseball said that there was no such thing as a good baseball player, except he that created baseball what would your answer be then?

Honestly, my answer would probably offend those who followed baseball, so I'll keep it to myself.

Yeah, but it doesnt really conform biblically.

Maybe not in baseball...but in Jesus' opinion, yes you do.

The real question isnt do I see what you are getting at....the real question is do you see what JESUS was getting at?

If you do, then maybe, just maybe, your question in the OP is answered.

You've given me your answer, yes, and thank you! I'm still curious about what other people think, since they have answers more interesting than "there's no such thing as a good Christian".

'Doing well-enough' isnt what makes a person good.

Well, you've just said that there's no such thing as a good person. So I was just trying to express something without using the word you object to.

 

[Leonel]

Being a Catholic.

No! Being Greek Orthodox!

 

[holy king]

No! Being Greek Orthodox!

heretics. there's only one true church that goes back to jesus.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Being a good Christian isn't just being a good person who is a Christian.

 

[El_Machinae]

Yeah, it's not solely that. It's also being a person who actively tries to live as they believe they're supposed to. But, when making a choice on how to interpret, a good Christian will choose the nicer path.

 

[Gogf]

How could anyone in reading the bible even conceive that such a instruction from Jesus possible? Its so far removed from whats contained in the bible as to be impossible. Unless the person doing so were utterly insane of course - then he could claim anything under the sun, but it wouldnt make it the truth.

That's the point: Hitler was completely nuts. He thought it was his duty to purify the "master race." I don't think it's much of a stretch to imagine that he could have convinced himself that Jesus thought something similar. So the question is, is just trying to follow what you think Jesus wants enough to be a "good Christian," or does your interpretation need to be reasonably accurate? And if your interpretation needs to be accurate, who determines what the "true" interpretation is and how accurate someone has to be?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I would say that your interpretation has to be a correct one. Which means, essentially, that it is not feasible for anyone to judge who is truly a good Christian, but God.

 

[holy king]

I would say that your interpretation has to be a correct one. Which means, essentially, that it is not feasible for anyone to judge who is truly a good Christian, but God.

well, that... kind of puts an end to the discussion.

 

[MobBoss]

You've given me your answer, yes, and thank you! I'm still curious about what other people think, since they have answers more interesting than "there's no such thing as a good Christian".

So you would rather hear other peoples opinions than what Jesus himself said about it? I would have thought going to the actual source of Christianity as 'interesting' enough.

Well, you've just said that there's no such thing as a good person.

I didnt say it. I showed you biblically where Jesus said it.

 

[Leonel]

heretics. there's only one true church that goes back to jesus.

Which denomination originated closer to Jesus?

I rest my case.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Which denomination originated closer to Jesus?

I rest my case.

The Roman Catholic Church's claims to being the oldest church are theological, not historical.

 

[holy king]

The Roman Catholic Church's claims to being the oldest church are theological, not historical.

really? how so?

i mean it's the oldest thats still exists, right?

 

[MobBoss]

That's the point: Hitler was completely nuts. He thought it was his duty to purify the "master race." I don't think it's much of a stretch to imagine that he could have convinced himself that Jesus thought something similar. So the question is, is just trying to follow what you think Jesus wants enough to be a "good Christian," or does your interpretation need to be reasonably accurate?

I think it needs to be biblically sound.

And if your interpretation needs to be accurate, who determines what the "true" interpretation is and how accurate someone has to be?

Again, how many ways can you interpret it when Jesus says 'no one is good but God'?

 

[nonconformist]

Possible how? Explain to me how a person could biblically come to any such conclusion that the Jews should be murdered en masse and exterminated?

Aside from the sheer simple fact it directly violates the 'thou shalt not murder' commandmant and also Jesus own commandment of loving one another?

All that racial stuff in the bible, and who you're supposed to genocide and murder et cetera

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

really? how so?

i mean it's the oldest thats till exists, right?

There is no independent historical proof, say, that Peter was the first pope and that all popes derived from him; it is in essence an article of faith of Catholicism. That doesn't mean it can't be right, but it isn't necessarily right either.

 

[Lillefix]

The Roman Catholic Church's claims to being the oldest church are theological, not historical.

It's the oldest church because they believe it's the oldest church?

 

[holy king]

There is no independent historical proof, say, that Peter was the first pope and that all popes derived from him; it is in essence an article of faith of Catholicism. That doesn't mean it can't be right, but it isn't necessarily right either.

i'm sure there are independent historical accounts of bishops of rome long befor the first schisms?