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Author
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Topic: What is a True Christian?
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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What is actually necessary to be a Christian
is pretty much covered, IMHO, in Matthew Chapter 22, Verses 36-40.
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. As I see it, there are three things needed, to love GOD, to love others and to love yourself. There is no need to believe in the Literal interpretation of the Bible, but rather to learn from it and understand its message. IMHO, it is really that simple.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 10 of 329 (110019)
05-23-2004 3:08 PM
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Reply to: Message 9 by Brian
05-23-2004 3:02 PM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
brian writes: Haven't you just described a true Muslim? Yup. And Jew. And Hindu.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 9 by Brian, posted 05-23-2004 3:02 PM | | Brian has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 11 by Brian, posted 05-23-2004 3:26 PM | | jar has not replied | | | Message 13 by Trixie, posted 05-23-2004 4:23 PM | | jar has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 16 of 329 (110035)
05-23-2004 6:43 PM
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Reply to: Message 13 by Trixie
05-23-2004 4:23 PM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
I tend to agree BUT... (there is always that but) I see Christianity as a subset of the GODLY. If Christ returned today, I think he would happily sit down with many of our Atheist members and share a brew or three. He'd most likely even, as was his wont, stand a few rounds for the house. But he would flat put a hurting on the likes of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. The best that they could possibly hope for is a serious asswhopping. So professing a belief in Christ is nowhere near as important, IMHO, as what you do. There will be many who proclaim loudly that they are Christians but that will find the way closed to them, while many who may even deny the very existance of GOD may will find seats next to the Lord for the main event, Falwell gets fed to the Lions.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 13 by Trixie, posted 05-23-2004 4:23 PM | | Trixie has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 19 of 329 (110069)
05-24-2004 12:51 AM
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Reply to: Message 18 by Buzsaw
05-24-2004 12:44 AM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
Many believe as you do. And I would agree that a believe in Jesus as part of the Triumverate is defining characteristic of being a Christian. edited to add second paragraph. This message has been edited by jar, 05-23-2004 11:58 PM
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 18 by Buzsaw, posted 05-24-2004 12:44 AM | | Buzsaw has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 30 of 329 (110119)
05-24-2004 10:24 AM
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Reply to: Message 29 by MonkeyBoy
05-24-2004 10:00 AM
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Re: Yes!
I find the term True Christian usually comes up when someone wants to seperate a Christian out from the rest. For example, there is no doubt that Hitler was a Christian who believed completely that he was doing Christian acts killing Jews and that Nazi Germany was a Christian Nation. Now that is highly offensive to some Christians. So many respond by saying "He was not a TRUE Christian. And this is where the definition of what makes a Christian becomes important. Did Hitler profess Christ? Yes he did. Did he believe that he was doing Christian works? Yes he did. So based on most of the answers here so far, he qualifies as a Christian. That is one reason that I believe it is necessary to move beyond a simple definition of Christianity to one of Godly. If you look at the two commandments that I mentioned in my first post in this thread, perhaps I can explain further. When asked what the two great commandments were, Jesus responded
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Here, Jesus is not speaking to Proto-Christians. Here, Jesus is speaking to the Jews, and to all other groups as well, to Pagan and Gentiles, Jews and Proto-Christians. Here, Jesus is saying "This is it in a nutshell. This is how to live your life." And under those conditions, Hitler failed. Whether he was a Christian or not, he failed.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 29 by MonkeyBoy, posted 05-24-2004 10:00 AM | | MonkeyBoy has not replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 40 by riVeRraT, posted 05-24-2004 5:48 PM | | jar has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 33 of 329 (110126)
05-24-2004 11:21 AM
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Reply to: Message 32 by Buzsaw
05-24-2004 11:06 AM
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Re: Falwell, Bakker and Robertson
are certainly Christians. They are also ungodly and as I have said before, should Jesus return they can hope for nothing less than an asswhopping. They are Christianity at its worst and pretty sorry excuses as Humans to boot. Help, it's fallen and I can't get it up. 
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 32 by Buzsaw, posted 05-24-2004 11:06 AM | | Buzsaw has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 36 of 329 (110134)
05-24-2004 11:52 AM
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Reply to: Message 35 by Percy
05-24-2004 11:30 AM
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Re:
Percy askes...
Pursuing this too far would take us off topic, but I guess we could explore whether a true Christian accepts a literally inerrant Bible. I do not believe that is off topic at all. And I think that it is important to learn some of the beliefs in that area. I would imagine that those who consider themselves Christians will fall into two distinct camps, those who believe that a Christian Must take the Bible literally, and those who believe that a Christian Must Not take the Bible literally. That is an important distinction and one that I think needs to be made. I doubt that it can be resolved but I do think that it is the bottom line crux of all of the disagreements.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 35 by Percy, posted 05-24-2004 11:30 AM | | Percy has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 49 of 329 (110215)
05-24-2004 6:54 PM
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Reply to: Message 39 by riVeRraT
05-24-2004 5:45 PM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
Actually, I doubt that many atheists will have to proclaim Christ as their saviour, or even acknowledge him to be saved. My best guess is that when Jesus returns, he will look them up. Odds are, far higher percentage of atheists will get to heaven than Christians.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 39 by riVeRraT, posted 05-24-2004 5:45 PM | | riVeRraT has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 51 of 329 (110218)
05-24-2004 7:43 PM
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Reply to: Message 50 by Unseul
05-24-2004 7:39 PM
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Re: subrate and substandard
fits me to a T. Which is kinda neat. That seems to be the kinda folk the Big Guy liked to hang out with.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 50 by Unseul, posted 05-24-2004 7:39 PM | | Unseul has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 63 of 329 (110272)
05-25-2004 12:33 AM
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IMHO, there is no doubt that Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are Christians, but I also believe that they are examples of Christianity at its worst. Fortunately they are not typical of more than a tiny but vocal minority of Christians.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 69 of 329 (110282)
05-25-2004 12:57 AM
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Reply to: Message 68 by Buzsaw
05-25-2004 12:54 AM
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Re: Tad off topic
Glossalalia = Brad and Zsafira
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 68 by Buzsaw, posted 05-25-2004 12:54 AM | | Buzsaw has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 111 of 329 (110779)
05-26-2004 10:38 PM
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Reply to: Message 109 by riVeRraT
05-26-2004 10:13 PM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
riVeRraT writes: I am really starting to dislike the expression "true Christian" as it could have too many meanings, one of them being contradictory. IMHO one of the problems is that too often Christian is used to refer to something external when it is actually internal. I'm not sure that when the term is used to mean a mass, a church, a state, a nation or a people that it has much meaning other than as a designator. Christianity is a very personal relationship between the individual and GOD. It is an open friendship, intimate and boundless. It is a way of life and a way of living, no more, no less.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 109 by riVeRraT, posted 05-26-2004 10:13 PM | | riVeRraT has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 114 of 329 (110783)
05-26-2004 11:08 PM
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Reply to: Message 113 by riVeRraT
05-26-2004 10:45 PM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
riVeRraT writes: Would you agree that alot of "religions" today could be considered false prophets, and only help satan in his quest? I don't know. And I'm sure that I am not qualified to judge more than from the superficial outward behaviours. I really can't tell except by what they show and demonstrate through their actions. They must testify and their actions testify for them. I personally believe that if they say they know the one true answer, or that they have the one true path, then they are most likely not Godly. IMHO, if they place the Bible above God, then they are probably not Godly. If they condone hate for others, whether those of another religion, nation, sexual orientation, race or sex, then they are probably not Godly. GOD is not bounded by our beliefs. GOD is and was and will be. If GOD chooses to speak to humans as Allah, then GOD will so speak. If GOD reaches some through Jesus, then he will do so. If GOD wishes to reach people through the teaching of Buddah then he will teach. If he touchs people through Brahma the Creator, then that is how he will appear. GOD is and was and will be.
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 113 by riVeRraT, posted 05-26-2004 10:45 PM | | riVeRraT has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 118 of 329 (110800)
05-27-2004 12:30 AM
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Reply to: Message 117 by Buzsaw
05-27-2004 12:18 AM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
Buz I wonder if you are not confusing what is needed for a Christian to be saved with what is needed for salvation?
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 117 by Buzsaw, posted 05-27-2004 12:18 AM | | Buzsaw has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 422 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 130 of 329 (110862)
05-27-2004 10:11 AM
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Reply to: Message 120 by riVeRraT
05-27-2004 8:48 AM
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Re: What is actually necessary to be a Christian
Yes I am a Christian. But that really isn't saying much is it?
Aslan is not a Tame Lion
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 120 by riVeRraT, posted 05-27-2004 8:48 AM | | riVeRraT has not replied |
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