What is Christianity?

Are the intelligent design "scientists"--in your opinion---any more insightful as to the nature of reality than the secular ones? (I refer to the beliefs of websites such as Ken Hams "Answers In Genesis")Is understanding a special gift from our Creator given to a select group of people? Do believers have any more knowledge or wisdom than unbelievers (or non-believers)In the context of Evolution versus Creationism is there even a consensus among Christians as to how the past history of this planet came about?Edited by Phat, : added jabberwocky

My club believes that Jesus is GOD and that Jesus forgives us for a lot of things that we do on a daily basis. Granted---as you may have said before a time or two---we were given only the gift of the knowledge between good and evil and are expected to correct ourselves...using prayer as an acknowledgement of our sins and shortcomings. I would argue that GOD gives us the desire to admit we are wrong(through self awareness of our shortcomings)but yes....you are correct in that I believe He lets me off the hook. He lets all of us off the proverbial hook if we but acknowledge Him for Who He Is.Im not saying that my belief is written in stone---apart from believing that GOD is living and active and that Christians are in Communion with GOD.Perhaps some place the responsibility for correction on themselves while others place it on GOD.

I think that Admin simply wants to differentiate between being a Christian and being a Christian who also has a basic belief in creationism versus evolution/critical science. Seeing as how the topic in this thread is the former, I see Moose's point. Strictly speaking, (even for a literalist) the teachings of christ are limited to the Gospels. Red Letters for some. The rest of the Bible is either written through help of the Holy Spirit or at worst through ulterior motives of latter day franchise planners. I opt more towards the former. Good question. Jesus was Jewish, but I feel that His message transcended Judaism...either in that time or currently. We are all products of our culture, our upbringing, and our personal choice and intention.You once brought up the observation that I preferred fantasy over reality. This insinuation could be true of much of the culture-at-large.Then again, any of us could be wrong. What does YOUR Chapter teach?AbE: I also recommend readers checking out The evolution of the Great Commission over time.. You will see the same arguments over there. At EvC, some of us argue and debate the same stuff ten years running.... Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

I said that the entire Bible was likely authored by the holy Spirit. Jesus was not alive on earth at the time the other books were written. Whether the Bible was authored by Christ or The Holy Spirit is a matter of semantics. Same GOD.Human authors wrote it. It did not simply drop from the clouds. The question is the source of their inspiration. Be it Jesus Christ? Be it The Holy Spirit?

Rocky, I really empathize with your efforts thus far. You stepped into an online forum that has scores of old arguments and discussions. I respect your questions and assertions and I beg you to be patient with all of us.We here at EvC seek to bring people together rather than tear them apart.Hang in there!

Critical thinking also challenges a lot of what many churches and denominations are taught. some would ask how it is even possible to be obedient to the Creator of all seen and unseen or how we ants on this dust speck of a planet would even be able to talk with GOD or whether it was important. Others base their entire life around a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and/or The Holy Spirit in order to even be able to function on a daily basis.For me, Jesus is alive today! I don't have to be a Christian in order to do good works, but I believe that without a personal relationship with Jesus it would be irrelevant whether I was a Christian or not. Thus for me, (and in my Club) GOD cares whether or not I seek to have a relationship.Only through Christ is this possible.

I'll have to give this one some thought.And by people do you mean people whom I know and who know me or people--strangers walking down a street, perhaps..?

Seems we all have differing ideas on what it means to be a Christian. In examining this old topic from the first post--You started the topic in 2004 with this opening line.

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It's pretty obvious that many of the posters here are Christians, yet seem to hold vastly different ideas of what Christianity means. Perhaps it would be good if those who called themselves Christian defined their personal concept of Christianity.

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This is not meant as much as a debate as a question and answer session.

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Admins, it is requested that any posts of the type "You're not a real Christian" be sanctioned.

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If someone does not accept another's beliefs, fine. But this is not the thread to attack them, rather present your case for your own beliefs. Let the readers make their own decisions.

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Posters should accept questions related to their belief and give reasoning for their particular position, but hopefully this will not descend to quote mining the Bible or other sources since there are quotes to support any and all positions. Rather it is hoped this will be a logical discussion of positions held.

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Our beloved Asgara added this caveat:

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Christians -
Post your thoughts and beliefs WITHOUT knocking the beliefs of your fellow posters

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My beliefs are the sum of my experiences. I have always taken an interest in yours since you articulate them so clearly, as I shall quote. Others argue that we are to at least follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in order to be Christians.Personally, I have always believed in church and fellowship of the brethren. I grew up that way. Whenever I would ask Dad why we went to church, however, he would simply say "Because it makes you feel good."
Others of us have different opinions on how to determine what to think---apart from what our parents thought. As for myself,(Phat) The church I grew up in was a bit uncomfortable for me, because I was expected to socialize and i am by nature a notorious loner. It may have made Dad feel good to be there but not so much myself. After that, in my early twenties, I was even in a cult.(so they say ) which followed a man named Victor Paul Wierwille. I was doing drugs at the time and would go to their little home meetings high as a kite! They had lots of propaganda and I read it and absorbed it, however. I never took it seriously,however. Only after I was born again in 1993 did I begin to really feel what I thought it meant to be a Christian. I question that whole experience---including many "Chapters of Christianity" to this day. Perhaps you feel as if I dont have enough gumption to state my own beliefs enough or that I simply listen to what others teach (or sell )Comments?Edited by Phat, : fixit

This topic is really "What Is Christianity To Me"?I can't say what itr is for any of you---though I strongly believe that GOD, Creator of all seen and unseen and Who Is a Spirit chose to commune with me. I don't claim to be special, but I felt as if a major change occurred at one point in my life..which was that I became aware of an inner joy which seemed to transcend my daily feelings and spoke to me within my conscience.I have no way of knowing if this feeling was because of any other explanation, and though I have talked with many who had similar experiences, I have found few at this particular forum who had such an experience.Critics have said many things about me and my experiences, and I realize we will not discuss them here. It means that being in a room with a lot of people who all sing to the same GOD or the same idea of GOD gives me a sense of community...not only with them but most importantly with the GOD I believe in.In other words, I wouldn't feel comfortable in a union meeting or a building picnic or a low country boil. People don't have a shared experience that I can trust nor relate with. Fellowship of the brethren can only happen if we all believe in the same God. The promise is to whosoever. It is important to believe, in my opinion. I cant be in communion with a room of people who 20% believe in Loki, 15% in the US Dollar, and 35% in random chance. We may all have smalltalk discussing football, the weather, or how important it is to recycle, but i have never given my whole heart to any of those things. The Spirit just isn't there.(in my opinion)jar does have a point in that i honestly would have a tough time differentiating between this feeling of Spirit and warm fuzzies.I could definitely tell whether I had a bad burrito or not, however.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

I see your point, but need to explain mine. The issue is not difficulty in getting along with my fellow man. The issue is being on the same page regarding GOD.

Great story!

For starters, a real Christian needs to at least acknowledge that jesus is alive...someplace.

I like your analogy! You claim I've never tried to explain this but whenever i do I get told im tossing word salad.I'll try yet again.I believe that Jesus is GOD. GOD made man. Not in the sense that Jesus was a GOD. Not in the sense that Jesus could never die. Not in the sense that Jesus was superman.I believe that Jesus was and is GODs way to communicate with humanity. Specifically me, of course. Everything is about me. Im told to love others as I love myself, however...so lets say everyone...rather than just me.It is impossible for a human to understand GOD, as it is for an ant to understand you or I. IF GOD became an ant, however, the problem would be solved. Do I make any sense so far?

See this is what I've never understood. How can I give up trying and then suddenly be able to not only try but succeed? I still have trouble loving my neighbor as myself. I am still selfish. Granted I DO throw myself on His mercy---quite often I might add.Granted I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me---so the scripture says. But what does it mean? I can't suddenly run a 40 yard dash in under 4 minutes---nor can I stop gambling.It has been said that the reason is because I prefer fantasy over reality. And yet I refuse to say that i am powerless. How can one be powerless and yet be able to do all things through Christ who strengthens them? Why is it wrong for me to try and do my best?

IF the authorities actually had the ability to spot a real Christian they may ignore the churches...there would be few to arrest.They may well go after the atheist who turned the other cheek or helped the poor. Think about that one for a change! Edited by Phat, : AbE: Spare Change