Heh, I think my screen name pretty much covers it. 
Well, while it’s true non-Christians can enter churches, if somebody regularly “sits in church”…participates in public ritual worship and believes a general set of Christian beliefs, he’s a Christian, right?
Only if that general set of beliefs conforms to what the person being asked the question believes are critical.
Many modern evangelicals hold that only 20-30% of all church members are “Really Christians”.
Yeah, but shouldn’t it be up to the individual believer to make that distinction. Lets say Ed Episcopalian is sitting around being an Episcopalian. Pete Pentacostal says, “Episcopalians aren’t ‘really Christians’”, but that doesn’t mean Ed has to use Pete’s standards in judging himself.
Just curious, what do you think a Christian is? Does it agree with the Bible’s definition: a follower or believer in Christ? One who’s accepted Him as Savior believing He died for their sins?
Although there should be some kind of evidence or fruit in a Christian’s life, Christians aren’t perfect. It’s not just about a list of do’s and don’ts even thought some of that is important. It’s about a relationship with the Lord through His provision, Jesus Christ.
Heck, H4E! That’s not even the definition you use for Christian.
Okay, so maybe I didn’t explain it very well. A Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They believe that He died on the cross for their sins, and rose from the dead. It’s a heart belief, not just a mental assent; it’s a personal relationship. Knowing Christ and having Him in the heart, normally produces some kind of change or fruit in the life. That’s the best I can do.
Welcome back, His4ever.
So, what’s this, your fifth or sixth return after threatening to leave forever?
Jesus only had one.
You still don’t use that amended definition either, H4E. Care to try again?
Bryan, I’m not going to say anything anymore about leaving. I’m coming and going as I desire to. I come once in awhile to see what’s happening. If I see anything I want to respond to, I do. If not, I don’t. I have 3 or 4 other boards I spend time on.
Monty, Nope. What’s the point, you’ll find something wrong with it. I’m not perfect. Look to God’s word, the answer’s there.
Have a nice day.
The point is you said above what you think the definition of Christian is. You have already proven on this board that you do not use that definition.
Let’s go with Version A of your definition:
Examples:
Catholic: “A follower or believer in Christ?” Yes. “One who’s accepted Him as Savior believing He died for their sins?” Yes.
Latter-day Saint: “A follower or believer in Christ?” Yes. “One who’s accepted Him as Savior believing He died for their sins?” Yes.
Let’s go with Version B:
Examples:
Catholic: “A Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.” Yes. “They believe that He died on the cross for their sins, and rose from the dead.” Yes.
Latter-day Saint: “A Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.” Yes. “They believe that He died on the cross for their sins, and rose from the dead.” Yes.
The truth of the matter, H4E, is that the definition you actually use here for “Christian” is “those who my preacher or some other bigoted liar has not told me isn’t Christian.”
No. Attending church does not make a person a Christian any more than eating donuts at Winchell’s makes a person a police officer.
John 3 says:
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life.
This is the corrupted definition of Christian that the churches and especially the fundamentalists have foisted upon humanity. “You better believe what we say or you will go to Hell.” Frankly, it gives Christianity a bad name.
This definition creates an atmosphere that fosters the opposite of what Christ was about.
Jesus reached out to all people. He offered acceptance to all people.
The above definition is a narrow and chauvanistic definition. It creates a situation where (most) people are not accepted as equals. “Christians are better.” This definition divides and alienates people.
Ask yourself if these are your goals:
To love your neighbor.
To treat others as you wish to be treated.
If they are your goals, if you strive for these things, then you are more Christian than those who think that you are not.
Bad news to atheists, Muslims, Hindu’s etc.: If you have these goals, you might also be a Christian.
Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I AM the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” John 8:24
Jesus did indeed reach out to all people; unfortunately many did not accept his offer.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:17-18
It is by the name of Jesus Christ… Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 3-10-12
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:19-20
For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Galatians 3:21
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not die but have eternal life.” John 3:16
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no god.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none
besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is
no other.
Isaiah 45:5-6
I dunno what Winchell’s is, but what about the second part of my definition…“believes a general set of Christian beliefs”. And since you can’t know what someone believes, if they say they’re Christian, shouldn’t you take their word for it?
ooh ooh ooh! Monty - not according to what our friendly Elders tell me (even after I’ve physically escorted them off my property)… Get real (yes, it’s me again) - What you have posted above is a transparent “comparison” of beliefs…
The Bishopric is not Christ…
wearywitch: How about getting a grip on reality. Plus I will appreciate to not tell me lies.
Now that I’ve pointed that out, weary; try reading what I posted for comprehension. I was addressing the fib H4E had posted–both versions of it. I addressed what she said was the defintion she said she was using and contrasting it with the actual definition she does use here.
There’s not a single competent missionary who would assert that the Catholics aren’t Christians.
[qutoe](even after I’ve physically escorted them off my property)
[/quote]
This is the lie to which I referred earlier. All you have to do is say, “Please leave.” No miracle, and no “physical escorting off the property.” Well, maybe you consider walking with them to the sidewalk to be physically escorting. In that case, you are in the minority.
I had no doubt it was one of my two boardstalkers.
No kidding. That’s why it’s a true posting.
Nor do Latter-day Saints believe the Bishop and his two Counsellors to be Christ. Care to try again, this time with a sane and true posting?