What is a True Christian?

See the CNN article on this at
CNN.com - Falwell apologizes to gays, feminists, lesbians - September 14, 2001Here is a statement attributed to Falwell:

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On the broadcast of the Christian television program "The 700 Club," Falwell made the following statement:

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"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

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In the article Falwell is apologizing for this but then he says:

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But in a phone call to CNN, Falwell said that only the hijackers and terrorists were responsible for the deadly attacks.

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"I do believe, as a theologian, based upon many Scriptures and particularly Proverbs 14:23, which says 'living by God's principles promotes a nation to greatness, violating those principles brings a nation to shame,'" he said.

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Falwell said he believes the ACLU and other organizations "which have attempted to secularize America, have removed our nation from its relationship with Christ on which it was founded."

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"I therefore believe that that created an environment which possibly has caused God to lift the veil of protection which has allowed no one to attack America on our soil since 1812," he said.

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And this is an apology?It's pretty easy to see what kind of person Falwell is.

And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, "You helped this happen."Jerry Falwell, quoted by John F. Harris Sep 14, 2001 The Washington Post "God Gave U.S. What We Deserve, Falwell Says"

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Asgara
"Embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever....but get over it"http://asgarasworld.bravepages.com

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.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Jar, we're talking Christian here. The godly ought to be covered in a different thread altogether as it covers multitudes of gods and the sky's the limit to what might considered godly. Christianity as depicted in the Bible is totally exclusive according to the Christ of Christianity. Yah and you know what he'd tell them? He'd likely repeat his account of the rich man in hell or maybe refer them to one of the OT prophecies he was fulfilling, proving the existence of God and the supernatural dimension in the universe. And btw, maybe a brew, but not three. He'd caution them of the need for the need of soberness and moderation in everything. Specifically what did Jesus teach that contradicts Robertson and Falwell? Falwell once gave the shoes he was wearing to a man in need and went home barefoot as an example of his brand of Christianity.Why is it that I'm reading so much flat out nonsense in this thread by some of you people as to what Christianity is about? Maybe some of you need to do a refresher reading of the NT and get back to us in a couple of days about what you've discovered in the texts. So if Falwell and Robertson's good works don't qualify, what can you add to theirs yourself personally to rise above their record? And btw, while you're thinking about that, you might get your Bible condordance out or use google's and check out how important believing in Jesus as the Christ really is. It may surprise you to find that the rich young ruler to whom Jesus had a heart to heart chat with was a very meticulously good person, but his heaped up good works weren't enough. Total commitment to Christ as Lord was what Jesus required of him, even if it meant to sell all his goods and give to the poor. Jesus knew where his heart's desire was -- in his riches and Jesus made this request of him specifically of him to change that to making his heart's desire to Jesus as Lord of his life.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothing amuses non-theists more than seeing Christians argue amoungst themselves. Surely the strongest evidence that religion resides purely in the fallible minds of men.There are 33,820 Christian denominations (Michael Shermer, How We Believe, p253, from Gaustad, E S and Barlow, P L, New Historical Atlas of Religion in America).You guys sure don't get very clear messages from your God.

Mike the Whiz wrote:

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But if I didn't have the fruit of the spirit - I wouldn't be able to fulfill the law. A lot of people don't even know what the fruit of the spirit is, and haven't even read the NT, yet there are a lot of opinions being thrown around in this topic. Now if I have this fruit, then surely I can do no murder. If anyone understands me - let them reply.

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So what are we missing here, then Mike? I've read the NT, and have submitted to 6 seprarate Christian conversion experiences, and have been told that I have received this "Holy Spirit", and even know how to perform Glossolalia.I can do no murder (unlike the Christians soldiers over in Iraq at the moment) because I abhor the idea.Surely I must have this "fruit of the spirit"? Do I understand you?

Thanks, Ned and Asgara. My response to this is that I believe Falwell was remiss in making an apology atol. Specifically what in his original statement and expecially in his statement of apology regarding God's protection is contrary to the overall teaching of Biblical scripture on this? After all, isn't his job to teach scripture as it is and let the chips fall where they may? The great preachers of old often were imprisoned or killed for teaching the Bible messages, but they did what they needed to do regardless. My only fault with Falwell is that he called his explanation an apology, if indeed that's what he did.

Mmmm pardon, for interupting here, but six conversions and Glossolalia?? I've was converted once to Christianity 58 years ago and have never heard of the need for multiple conversions. And btw, whattaheck is this Glossalalia? Have I missed something in all these 57 years of daily Bible readings, weekly Bible classes and church services??

Glossalalia = Brad and Zsafira

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Hello Buz,Glossolalia is what Christians call speaking in tongues or gift of tongues. It is the technical term: do a google search.Multiple conversions? My point being, multiple Christians (of different denominations) have stated that I have received the holy spirit by submitting to their conversion experiences, praying and/or performing glossolalia.Surely then I know what the fruit of the spirit is and I can understand you?

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That doesn't make you a true christian, just a good one.

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So true Christians can be broken down into "good and bad?" Doesn't that contradict the following scripture?

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Mt 7:18
"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

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Because the bottom of msg 46 is definitely not showing good fruit.

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7:20
"So then, you will know them by their fruits.

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So is it unreasonable to expect decent behavior from one who proclaims to be a Christian?

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

That is correct!
And the people being filled by a demon spirit, I cannot speak for.
It gets way too complicated to discuss here, but you must ask yourself, and God if it is the true spirit.Again I must say I cannot speak for others, just myself and what I feel.
For me its pretty easy to tell which spirit I am filled by, due to the things I am driven to do.

Wow dude, you are wrong in a way.
You can't judge others like that.May I remind you of how Jesus taught us to pray, with the Our Father?
You must forgive others, in order to be forgiven. You might want to start there.

This is Jehovah witness, which I believe is guilty of: Jehvah witness's have changed the Bible to get rid of the Holy Spirit, thereby being guilty of couterfeit Christianity. They don't believe in it.
ALthough the Jehovah witness's lead a beatiful life, they are empty without the Holy Sirit, and missing Jesus's helper to us.Acts 1
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."You cannot be a witness to Jesus, until you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.Sorry if I offended you.

Just going by what my Bible says, there best guess is that he wrote it.
It's not that critical to believe that, in order to become a true Christian. IMO.