I want this discussion to be as open-ended as possible. Also, since I’ve been accused as being opinionated and consistent in my violations of protocol, I will do little in terms of imposing my views on this thread. But without doubt I consider myself a Christian.
What’s wrong with being opinionated?
Uh, why do you want to know? And what does “opinionated and consistent in my violations of protocol” mean?
It means that people thought I was a jerk.
You realize we only know you based on your posts -
That makes me feel a lot better, so based on my posts you think I’m a jerk.
It’s not personal. Unjerk yourself or figure out an explanation.
I’m Christian and generally happy to discuss my beliefs, but your topic is too open-ended. Is there something more specific about Christian belief you’d like to discuss?
I think the “what” is not hard to understand. People struggle with the “why.”
You have no idea what I think - I am pointing out that we only know you based on your posts - so if ‘people here’ think you are a jerk, the onus is on you to change that perception.
Or refute it.
Why we are alive? Why what? Be more specific.
You’re being disingenuous here - “why they believe” not “what they believe” - but you want to be you…next time read the whole sentence.
Why they believe? This is what separates us from the atheists.
IMO the goal for Christians is to be God-centered and not self-centered. I know this is a gross simplification, but I’ll start with that.
So the first question we need to ask, is what does God want me to do?
God wants you to send me all your money.
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty; maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God; eternally begotten of the Father; God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God; begotten, not made; of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
I can’t speak for all Christians, or even all Christian who profess to follow the same faith but here’s my answer.
I believe that Jesus preached as described in the Bible. I believe that this is the most succinct expression of Christianity you’ll ever find:
Matthew 22:37–40
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
(Roman Catholic missal)
My pastor says the same thing. I agree wholeheartedly.
No offense but I don’t get the love thy neighbor as yourself vibes from you people. Are you sure you don’t have other motivations? And I’m not thinking of exploiting someone else.