What is Christianity?

What is Christianity? I note you said "personal concept." In order to defend and/or define my "personal concept" of Christianity, I must describe Christ to you. In order to do this action justice, I need to know how to do this.

Its Sunday and I am home for a few hours before I have to leave, so I have some time to post. My first impulse in a post such as this is to refer the others to a variety of websites that explain the belief system which I have adopted. You are right that there is a difference between Catholic and Protestant...but it is a small difference theologically compared to Jehovahs Witness and either of the other two. There are lines to be drawn...theological lines if you will. Intellectually, that is.
In my last post, I brought up "personal concept." I was not challenging you, jar, but I was explaining that a personal concept is like shooting from the hip without referring to books and explanations, so I did have to think about it for a moment. In a nutshell, here it is:
All of my life, I was taught who and what God was. I also read a bit about what other people around the world had to say. My first personal experience with God came when my Uncle died. I had promised my Uncle that I would be there for his family and that he could stop worrying. While in the Hospital, there was a certain odor connected with his room....and the funny thing was, a couple of days later I was at work and it was about 753pm, and all of a sudden I smelt that odor and I sensed someone around me that was not there. I shrugged the experience off, but the next day I found that my Uncle had died, and that he had died at just before 800pm! Coincidence? Gods presence? I don't know for sure....The next incident began when I got saved. I KNOW that life changed for me that day. I felt the presence again, but this time it stayed with me. When I prayed, I felt warmth and comfort. I began to believe that God was truly close to me. All that was taught about Jesus being the only way to God, salvation through grace vs working towards holiness..all of these things were taught and some of them made sense to my inner unctions and some of them did not. I DID know that the Holy Spirit was within me and not just around me...I felt a communion with God! This occurred despite the church rather than because of the church. I saw a lot of problems in the church...human nature never changes. Lately, I have been challenged by the atheist intellectuals at Internet Infidels and to a lesser extent at this website, but I will not be swayed by the mere intellectual arguments which often do make good sense. The reason is because I believe that there actually is a type of a spiritual war going on among humanity and God and the evil, and I am convinced that what looks like the truth may not be the truth...it has to eel right. I can throw away all the religion in the world if I hang on to that inner unction that Knows that God is real.

A few more quick beliefs: A Christian is not a Christian by education. A Christian is not a Christian by dedication..(entirely). A Christian is a Christian by IMPARTATION. The early Church was full of the true power of impartation. This rapidly diffused into fewer and more anonymous people. The Orthodox and the Catholic split was later, and by that time the impartation and personal relationshhip with the Spirit of God had been largely replaced by religion and trappings of adornment and position within the church. This is why the church was in some ways corrupt at that time.This message has been edited by Phatboy, 10-22-2004 04:33 AM

Idolatry is a touchy subject. Protestants often claim that Roman Catholicism is rife with idols, yet Protestants have been guilty of personality cults, prayer hankies, and annointing oils....all of which can also be idolatrous. Some even say that Jesus is an idol that interferes with God. I draw the line at Jesus, who I believe is a Divine manifestation of God and Mary, who is a blessed but very human woman. Others would disagree....alas...A Christian by definition may be aligned with Chapter II of the Westminister Confession: Note that Mary is not a 4th member of the Trinity, hence, is an intercessor at best. The Protestant refutation of Mary as intercessor is this scrip: This message has been edited by Phatboy, 08-30-2004 06:23 PM

Catholics see salvation through the Church and the sacraments.
Protestants see salvation through the Word and through relationship with the Holy Spirit. Both are right, and Both have a piece of the puzzle. The Orthodox have some additional good points.
Jar, I was bored so I decided to resurrect this old post of yours.
Any comments from the Orange Hairy guy or the ubiquitous AdminJar? Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord! He loves each and every poster on this boooarrd.

I agree that God can and does reach all people and that they will be judged by their heart. The acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Savior and only way in will then be presented to them. Nobody with a good humble heart would reject Jesus and say that they had their "own" beliefs once Jesus was shown to be God incarnate to them. Its not a matter of some proclaimong Jesus and others proclaiming Buddha, entering through different doors. There is one doorman, but He loves all people and has already sent His Spirit to draw them in. I guess that what I am saying is that I believe that there is ONE way to God, but that this ONE way has Himself drawn ALL people unto Himself. I disagree with those who say that Buddha , Vishnu, et al are different manifestations of the Creator. It is not a matter of religious philosophies...it is a matter of the heart and of the character of God manifested ONCE for ALL. Jesus will be Himself to the Southern Baptist as well as the Hindu. The Muslim will not get a free ticket through "his" hookup Mohammed....it will again be Jesus as the guy at the door. I agree with you, jar, in that ALL people will get a chance at that door.
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P.S. For the sake of argument, if I found Buddha at the door instead of Jesus, I believe that God would be testing my heart and I would accept the love of the Holy Spirit. It would REALLY be Jesus, though! This message has been edited by Phatboy, 10-23-2004 06:14 PM

I am bringing this topic back up for a moment of introspection, clarity, as well as response from the author. Some believed that salvation is achieved through trying our best to live up to the commandments. Others believe that salvation is a free gift from God.One side will argue that a human can never do enough to earn salvation. The other side will counter that we are still expected to try to do our best.Perhaps the key is found in the salvation itself. is it earned or is it given? key words: Freely Given. To quote an oft used phrase: "Its not about religion. Its about relationship."The question is then asked of whom the relationship involves. Are we expected to love God by loving others? Does a person have to know God in order to love God? Thus its not about us. Its about them. All of them.

Of course.

apart from the luxury of firing me, yes. Of course they must pay us. we punch the clock, do the work and they cut the check. Whats your point, Lad?

The way that I was taught, it is impossible to earn salvation. Salvation is a free gift.It is quite impossible to work hard enough to earn any favor or privilege with God, from what I've been taught.Jar has always maintained that we are charged to *try* to do our best...not in expectation of reward but simply because it is the "right thing to do".I suppose we could question whether effort and intent matter to God or not.

I had my answer, based on my belief. Were we simply content with our own answers, there would be no need for discussions. This topic attempts to reexamine the issue as to what Christianity is.I maintain that it is not a religion, but a relationship.

Is the idea of a living jesus a con? Is the concept a fantasy? Does anyone who believes(though cannot of course prove) that jesus is alive dishonest? In denial? Delusional?I realize that you believe that Christianity is about what we do.Is it dishonest to believe that God also may have done and/or is doing something? Does the fact that we cant prove it misdirect our attention? Are peas getting palmed in front of us?I will also agree that Christianity and politics are an unstable combination.

Is it possible for one to be a Christian and also be evidence based?Is not the real evidence within ones own soul and heart and not based on historical, archeological, or psychological facts?jar always asks us how we test for God. Indeed how can we? As for myself, I test within my own mind. Critics have much to say about this sort of behavior, but there are also many who fully understand my
method and would support my integrity regarding such a method.One mans honesty is another mans frustration.Is there a possibility of consensus, Esteban?Edited by Phat, : spell checkEdited by Phat, : No reason given.

One mans idea of "trying to do your best" may not agree with another mans idea.I believe that GOD will be the perfect judge but can WE agree on a consensus of what such a judge will be like? Will this judge himself need correction?

It is a controversial issue discussing GOD, Creator of all seen and unseen. Many times, we humans (the only animal who also has a larger brain capable of empathy and verbal communication that can be preserved) argue about the nature of such a GOD. Some Christians from some chapters of this vast club of many denominations and sects of Christianity believe that Jesus was a special human in that He was also in the beginning. I should clarify. Was, Is, and Forever, AMEN.Other Chapters of Club: Christianity affirm that while on earth at least Jesus was simply a human. No mention is made of Jesus BEFORE He came to earth---no matter whether He was born like the rest of us or whether --as legend and belief assert He was made man some other way.You say that His life and example was more important than His death, burial, and resurrection. Granted it is a common belief among many chapters that Jesus was born of a virgin and rose(or was raised) from the dead.Where you and I differ---or perhaps where our clubs differ---is that you claim that the death burial and resurrection is nothing special and that the Creator of all seen and unseen may do it for some or even all of us IF She so chooses.Your brand emphasizes individual responsibility as the primary lesson taught.My club emphasizes acceptance of grace by communion through the death burial and resurrection of this great teacher. I won't dismiss the beliefs of your club. Responsibility is an important character trait.Death, burial and resurrection---indeed salvation itself---if such a term can be understood and IF such a GOD could ever be understood---is not some farce and joke, however. It makes successful responsibility possible. Otherwise, this species is, in my belief, doomed. We will NEVER understand ourselves, our collective and individual purpose, nor our charge by ignoring the great teacher. Perhaps, however we will also never understand His death, burial and resurrection until and unless we also understand and appreciate His life. Finally--- My Club would assert that thankfully He often makes amends for us. Imagine if you needed to make 90 years worth of amends and were pardoned. Your obligation was between you and Him. Perhaps by virtue of the fact that He erased your obligation much the way the Shrewd Manager did for others, You would be charged to go and do likewise. Paying it forward is what I believe they call it these days.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.