Who is a Christian? My Take (Latter Day Saints, traditions, Lutheran, Jehovah's Witnesses)

[Father John]

In light of a couple of questions about my other posts, today I will discuss Who is a Christian?

You can probably receive at least as many answers to that question as there are Christian denominations in the world (well over 350 the last time I counted). Some will say, "unless you are born again, you are not saved." Others proclaim in a similar vein, "you must confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Still others declare that one must be baptized in the name of the Trinity - although even here there is disagreement whether it has to be by immersion, splashing, or sprinkling or at one age or another.

Many denominations claim they are the true Christians and others are impostors or mistaken or heretics or ... well, I know you understand. Roman Catholics believe that you must be obedient to the Pope as he is the direct line to Peter, to whom Christ willed the church. Mormons add a book to the Old and New Testaments about "latter day saints" and the appearance of Jesus to the New World. The Amish wish to remain in the old world, shunning distractions of modern technologies. There are Jehovah's Witnesses, Quakers, Shakers, Seventh Day Adventists, Charismatics, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Celtic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Unity, and even Gnostic Christian Churches - and many, many more in the United States alone.

Among these Christian views, there are similarities and outright opposites in beliefs. How, then, can all be Christian? And if some are not, how is that decided, by whom, and on what basis or fact?

These are troubling questions for those who seek absolutes and whose definitions are narrow. But the other side of the same coin also raises troubling questions: if all these are Christians and there are inconsistencies and incompatibilities between them, then is there any meaning to the term Christian at all?

I suggest we think of it in terms similar to "who is an American?" An American is more than just one who resides within the geological boundaries of the United States. There are certain things we hold to be true: freedom of speech and religion, equal rights, and the pursuit of happiness. But how we understand those rights varies widely and wildly among us! From abortion to the right to choose, from gay marriage to traditional marriage; from the role of government to the freedom from government; from the right to bear arms to freedom from crime; and many, many other issues upon which there are great divides. And yet we are all Americans, each feeling deeply that we are correct in our views.

The one thing that binds Christians together beyond all differences is the man, Jesus. Whether he was just a man or man-God to your faith, this person who lived 2000 years ago in the middle east and preached love above all else is the heart of the definition of Christian. We vary widely in how we understand him and worship in his name, but he defines us as Christian. The creeds and rituals and practices we employ can either help us or bind us; they can open our eyes or they can shut them; they can draw us closer as Christians or drive us apart.

As I noted in my earlier post, "An Eclectic Ecumenist," I prefer the more open interpretations that acknowledge that people with varying beliefs can still seek and find God. That doesn't mean I accept all their traditions and all their rituals and all their belief structures - far from it. I do not accept the Nicene Creed written in 324 AD as defining my faith, yet it is at the heart of some of the earliest organized churches and today's Roman Catholic Church. I do not accept the Book of Mormon nor do I follow the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. One cannot be all things to (or for) all people. But I am a Christian and I accept that these followers of Christ are also Christians.

So, if being a Christian has so broad a definition, what is the purpose of being a Christian? For me, it is to follow your faith in Jesus and to live your life so completely in that faith that when you die, you can truly say, "I loved God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my might, and my neighbor as myself."

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by Father John

In light of a couple of questions about my other posts, today I will discuss Who is a Christian?

You can probably receive at least as many answers to that question as there are Christian denominations in the world (well over 350 the last time I counted). Some will say, "unless you are born again, you are not saved." Others proclaim in a similar vein, "you must confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Still others declare that one must be baptized in the name of the Trinity - although even here there is disagreement whether it has to be by immersion, splashing, or sprinkling or at one age or another.

Many denominations claim they are the true Christians and others are impostors or mistaken or heretics or ... well, I know you understand. Roman Catholics believe that you must be obedient to the Pope as he is the direct line to Peter, to whom Christ willed the church. Mormons add a book to the Old and New Testaments about "latter day saints" and the appearance of Jesus to the New World. The Amish wish to remain in the old world, shunning distractions of modern technologies. There are Jehovah's Witnesses, Quakers, Shakers, Seventh Day Adventists, Charismatics, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Celtic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Unity, and even Gnostic Christian Churches - and many, many more in the United States alone.

Among these Christian views, there are similarities and outright opposites in beliefs. How, then, can all be Christian? And if some are not, how is that decided, by whom, and on what basis or fact?

These are troubling questions for those who seek absolutes and whose definitions are narrow. But the other side of the same coin also raises troubling questions: if all these are Christians and there are inconsistencies and incompatibilities between them, then is there any meaning to the term Christian at all?

I suggest we think of it in terms similar to "who is an American?" An American is more than just one who resides within the geological boundaries of the United States. There are certain things we hold to be true: freedom of speech and religion, equal rights, and the pursuit of happiness. But how we understand those rights varies widely and wildly among us! From abortion to the right to choose, from gay marriage to traditional marriage; from the role of government to the freedom from government; from the right to bear arms to freedom from crime; and many, many other issues upon which there are great divides. And yet we are all Americans, each feeling deeply that we are correct in our views.

The one thing that binds Christians together beyond all differences is the man, Jesus. Whether he was just a man or man-God to your faith, this person who lived 2000 years ago in the middle east and preached love above all else is the heart of the definition of Christian. We vary widely in how we understand him and worship in his name, but he defines us as Christian. The creeds and rituals and practices we employ can either help us or bind us; they can open our eyes or they can shut them; they can draw us closer as Christians or drive us apart.

As I noted in my earlier post, "An Eclectic Ecumenist," I prefer the more open interpretations that acknowledge that people with varying beliefs can still seek and find God. That doesn't mean I accept all their traditions and all their rituals and all their belief structures - far from it. I do not accept the Nicene Creed written in 324 AD as defining my faith, yet it is at the heart of some of the earliest organized churches and today's Roman Catholic Church. I do not accept the Book of Mormon nor do I follow the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. One cannot be all things to (or for) all people. But I am a Christian and I accept that these followers of Christ are also Christians.

So, if being a Christian has so broad a definition, what is the purpose of being a Christian? For me, it is to follow your faith in Jesus and to live your life so completely in that faith that when you die, you can truly say, "I loved God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my might, and my neighbor as myself."

You missed Lutheran and Non-denominational. I know you can't list them all do to there are over 100,000 different Sects of Christians. (Quoting my professor) Christian is a general term and I think the major differences between the groups are that they believe in something different because the Bible is easy to get confused.
I forgot to add that in early Christian history using the word Christian was a derogatory word to some groups.

[rsalgado]

I am grateful that you didn't try to actually list the religions that you think are not Christian. I too feel that it doesn't matter what religion you are. You are Christian if you follow the teachings of Jesus and imulate him in everything you do.

[Alanboy395]

A christian, to me, is anybody who has asked for forgiveness for their sins, believes in The father son and holy spirit, strives to follow in jesus ways, and asks to be forgiven when they dont. I think anyone who does that is truly saved.

[groove1]

Originally Posted by rsalgado

I am grateful that you didn't try to actually list the religions that you think are not Christian. I too feel that it doesn't matter what religion you are. You are Christian if you follow the teachings of Jesus and imulate him in everything you do.

Yes, and the New Testament specifically says (Acts I believe) that the church should not be seperated.

[Father John]

Originally Posted by groove1

Yes, and the New Testament specifically says (Acts I believe) that the church should not be seperated.

And yet the very author of Acts went with Paul and separated from the BROTHER OF JESUS!

Interesting, huh?

[Alpha8207]

The way to be called a Christ follower or 'little' Christ (Christian) is described in the Bible.

Some will say, "unless you are born again, you are not saved." Others proclaim in a similar vein, "you must confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Still others declare that one must be baptized in the name of the Trinity

Every single bible I own says those things. Not some random person speaking to me...it's in the Word.

Can you be a Christian and not believe the Bible?

I don't think so.

My Lord and Savior is described there and His sacrifice is made clear.

Father John, didn't you say that Jesus is not the Sacrificial Lamb?(somewhere yesterday??)

<I need to find it....I also need to find that false prophecy regarding the stock market>

[Marks]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

Father John, didn't you say that Jesus is not the Sacrificial Lamb?(somewhere yesterday??)

<I need to find it....I also need to find that false prophecy regarding the stock market>

That doesn't surprise me at all. And that's why I'm thankful for the ignore list feature.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Your own bible says "Judge not that ye be not judged" yet christians continue to point the finger at people around them to segregate who is a christian and who is not.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

Your own bible says "Judge not that ye be not judged" yet christians continue to point the finger at people around them to segregate who is a christian and who is not.

.... but not to be confussed with conviction. There is a difference.

If someone feels guilty because of what I say, and what I say is Biblically correct, and spoke with an attitude of grace as in 2Tim :4 ... that's conviction. However if I condemn you directly... that is an act of judgement and has no place in any discussion... especially with a non believer.

Jesus's life was spent among sinners... for He came for the unrighteous, not the righteous. Christian's should not be segregating themselves from others, but must build hedges in their lives.

I have felt the sting of judgement... and more from Christian's than non Christian's.
Mat 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

On the other hand... Non believers are more likely to mock me... and that doesn't hurt at all.

Job 15:6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you.










Job 15:6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you.