What makes someone a Christan?
- Thread starter Elta
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That would explain my fondness for Guinness and workers' councils.
I have to say that I never got the emphasis on eternal punishment that I guess some denominations emphasize - we did talk about eternal rewards but not so much the fire and brimstone. And kids are usually going to question things anyways.
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
Insufficient. The bible actually states that Satan and the demons of hell know all of this about Jesus....it does not make them Christian.
A Christian is also someone who tries to follow Christs beliefs and teachings.
Okay, let me rephrase that . . . humans who believe those things.
(I don't like making an emphasis on following the beliefs part of the definition, as it turns it from a sociological classification to a judgment call, and makes "Christian" a radically different label than any other. If I want to describe someone's inner character, or how their actions relate to Jesus' message, "Christlike" is better than "Christian" in my view.)
(Remember, too, that Jesus never used the word "Christian" - he spoke only of his disciples, or those who followed him.)
(I don't like making an emphasis on following the beliefs part of the definition, as it turns it from a sociological classification to a judgment call, and makes "Christian" a radically different label than any other. If I want to describe someone's inner character, or how their actions relate to Jesus' message, "Christlike" is better than "Christian" in my view.)
(Remember, too, that Jesus never used the word "Christian" - he spoke only of his disciples, or those who followed him.)
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
While I tend to agree more along your lines there, there are still those that will disagree....
For example, Thomas Jefferson called himself a 'true christian' although he did not believe in the divinity of Jesus.
But like you I tend to believe that belief in Christs divinity a must for a christian.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
Christian (n): somebody who fits the below 3 criteria:
- Believes that Jesus Christ is the son of God
- Believes that Jesus Christ died for our sins
- Believes that he/she is a Christian
Seems to be a pretty good definition.
Bigfoot3814
Deity
I remember LucyDuke started a thread that got really good responses, especially from Erik Mesoy. I'll see if I can find it.
EDIT: Yeah here it is: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=280270
And here's Erik Mesoy's post (that I contributed to!): http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6974126&postcount=183
EDIT: Yeah here it is: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=280270
And here's Erik Mesoy's post (that I contributed to!): http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6974126&postcount=183
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
And I would add,
- Actively commits to the teachings of Christ and tries to follow them.
Because if you dont, then by definition you think people like the Lords Resistance Army out of Africa are Christians while they still engage in hugely non-christ like activity. I tend to think its really hard to legitimately call yourself a christian when your cutting the arms and lips off a person....
RedRalph
Deity
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
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the Lord will forgive
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
I'm a bit foggy about "Believes that he/she is a Christian".
What is there to believe? Isn't it simply: "I am a Christian", when you checked the boxes on the other 2 and want to be a part of it? I mean, you are or you aren't. But that makes the criteria a little redundant.
Not trying to be nitpicky here.
What is there to believe? Isn't it simply: "I am a Christian", when you checked the boxes on the other 2 and want to be a part of it? I mean, you are or you aren't. But that makes the criteria a little redundant.
Not trying to be nitpicky here.
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
Maybe. Maybe not. The state and sincerity of the heart is a factor. Someone who purposefully sins thinking they can simply ask for forgiveness later is facing an uphill battle on that one.
Ergo...anticipated forgiveness is not an excuse to commit sin. Never has been.
@Ziggy. If I tell people 'I am black' does it make me black? No? Neither does simply stating 'I am a christian'. Anyone can call themselves anything they desire. It doenst make them one.
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
I do indeed think they are Christians.
Just by naming them Christians I am not implying they are representative for Christianity, or exemplary, or anything like that. To me it is simply a denomination without any value judgement attached.
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
Well, the analogy would fit if you were indeed black. Just like someone who fulfilled the first two criteria from Warpus' post.
Also I'm fairly sure that they themselves are rather convinced of being Christians, however much one disapproves of their interpretation of Christianity.
You are correct.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
That's just too vague of a definition to be helpful, though. I mean, first of all, you're going to have lots of disagreements about what exactly it means to "commit to the teachings of Christ". It might be obvious to you, but there are tons of Christian denominations out there, so there will be disagreements. The second problem with a vague definition like that is that there is no authority to settle once and for all what exactly that means.
If you could break what you wrote down into very specific things that Christians should do/believe, that would be far more useful.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
Well, I believe there are self-labelled Christians out there who do not believe in the divinity of Christ. There are also people out there who believe in Jesus' divinity, but do not view themselves as Christians.
The intersection of those two sets gives us a fairly accurate set of Christians, IMO.
Masquerouge
Deity
While I agree that it makes sense to question the Christianity of people who commit murder and atrocities, it just pushes the question one step back, actually.
What are the teachings of Christ?
