What belifs make a Christain?

[Donray]

For me to ask a question in another topic I need to understand what beliefs a Christain must have to be called a Christian.

From my understanding in using this board, several online religious course, and my
knowledge on the bible I have come to the following:

There are only two beliefs that all Christians must have:

1: That Mary was a virgin and God created a baby in her.
2: Jesus was crucified and rose from bring dead.

It does matter if you think the bible is 100% true or 100% stories and myths.
It does not matter if ware magic underwear or not.
It does not matter if you are baptized or not.
It does not matter if your gay or not.
It does not matter what rituals you perform.
It does not matter if you belong to one of thousand Christain cults and main religions.
It does not matter if you pray or attend a church.

Nothing else matters.

Am I correct?

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 85 by Menotu]

But you're talking about Christians. The subject here is "What beliefs make a Christian?" A Christian has to believe in God.



.

Why?
And whom walks around with a list of names and checks who is or isn't a Christian by their definition?
And why do those people care?
Simply believing one's a Christian doesn't suffice?

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?



.

[Menotu]

[Replying to post 91 by onewithhim]

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?

That's your POV/definition, but it may not be for everyone.
Which is the point.
How can that be?
Because Christianity is a belief system. It's not a race, genetic indicator, etc. It's basically a club of people with shared (not the same) belief.
Some don't consider JWs and Mormons Christian, but they consider themselves Christian.
It's not as cut-n-dry as people like to try to make.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 91 by onewithhim]

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?

That's your POV/definition, but it may not be for everyone.
Which is the point.
How can that be?
Because Christianity is a belief system. It's not a race, genetic indicator, etc. It's basically a club of people with shared (not the same) belief.
Some don't consider JWs and Mormons Christian, but they consider themselves Christian.
It's not as cut-n-dry as people like to try to make.

But where does one get the definition of the word Christian? Is the definition subjective or objective? And who told you which one it was? Where should the source of the definition come from? Yourself? The Pope? Debbie from work? The Bible?

[Menotu]

[Replying to post 91 by onewithhim]

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?

That's your POV/definition, but it may not be for everyone.
Which is the point.
How can that be?
Because Christianity is a belief system. It's not a race, genetic indicator, etc. It's basically a club of people with shared (not the same) belief.
Some don't consider JWs and Mormons Christian, but they consider themselves Christian.
It's not as cut-n-dry as people like to try to make.

But where does one get the definition of the word Christian? Is the definition subjective or objective? And who told you which one it was? Where should the source of the definition come from? Yourself? The Pope? Debbie from work? The Bible?

Exactly.
When we see groups of like minded people worshiping the say deity, but can't all agree on this or that, how can we expect everyone to come to one consensus of a definition of the word itself, much less agree on it as a whole?
If I were a Christian in my belief, I don't much care for (speaking generally) your definition of the word or what you think a Christian is, believes, does or is. I walk the walk and talk the talk as I see fit based on my personal experience.
You don't think I'm a Christian? OK.
You do think I'm a Christian? OK.
Try telling some on here they're not a Christian when they say they are and watch the wrath of them and the MODS lol
Others won't much care for or of my definition.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 94 by Menotu]

So, what is the answer then? Where do we look for the definition of Christian? It has a source somewhere, doesn't it? Doesn't the source from where the word came from get to determine what the word means? If it is able to be changed from what the source determined it to mean, who has that authority? Who gave you the right to give your own definition for the word? Or did you just assume you can make it mean whatever you want?

[Menotu]

[Replying to post 94 by Menotu]

So, what is the answer then? Where do we look for the definition of Christian? It has a source somewhere, doesn't it? Doesn't the source from where the word came from get to determine what the word means? If it is able to be changed from what the source determined it to mean, who has that authority? Who gave you the right to give your own definition for the word? Or did you just assume you can make it mean whatever you want?

Larry says he's a Christian. I say he's not. Now what? What happens?

Does Larry have to change to fit my definition? He might, but that's highly unlikely. Should he change? Depends on who is asked, I suspect.

While most would say something like 'a Christian is a believer in Jesus that follows his teachings', not everyone may agree to that. This sounds silly, but Christianity is a individualized belief system.

The answer is, as far as I can see it, irrelevant because no matter what definition you or I may adhere to (or think others should use), someone else may not.
And for them, what you or I say likely doesn't matter because their Christian life is theirs and theirs alone.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 91 by onewithhim]

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?

That's your POV/definition, but it may not be for everyone.
Which is the point.
How can that be?
Because Christianity is a belief system. It's not a race, genetic indicator, etc. It's basically a club of people with shared (not the same) belief.
Some don't consider JWs and Mormons Christian, but they consider themselves Christian.
It's not as cut-n-dry as people like to try to make.

It really is. Christ-following Christians know that they must all be of one mind and in agreement.

"Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (I Corinthians 1:10)

It's rather easy to figure out who the true Christians are. They are the ones that actually do what Christ commanded. For example: (1) Who do not join any military institution of ANY nation? ("I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." [Matthew 5:44) (2) Who do not get involved in the world's politics, but stay neutral? (Jesus said: "They [his disciples] are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." [John 17:16]) (3) Who go door to door just like Jesus taught his disciples to do, bringing the message of the good news of the Kingdom? ("This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." [Matt.24:14])

True Christians aren't like Mormons in ANY way, and they aren't like mainline churches. Mormons go out to talk to people, but do they talk about God's Kingdom? NO. Some other churches go out occasionally, but there is no concerted effort, and it is sporadic. ALL of them will support the nation's military, and they ALL get involved to some degree in politics. Why is it impossible to know real Christians?

[Menotu]

[Replying to post 91 by onewithhim]

No, the definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ, and Christ was very specific about how we must also love his Father, God. If one doesn't believe in God, how can he truly be a Christian?

That's your POV/definition, but it may not be for everyone.
Which is the point.
How can that be?
Because Christianity is a belief system. It's not a race, genetic indicator, etc. It's basically a club of people with shared (not the same) belief.
Some don't consider JWs and Mormons Christian, but they consider themselves Christian.
It's not as cut-n-dry as people like to try to make.

It really is. Christ-following Christians know that they must all be of one mind and in agreement.

"Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (I Corinthians 1:10)

It's rather easy to figure out who the true Christians are. They are the ones that actually do what Christ commanded. For example: (1) Who do not join any military institution of ANY nation? ("I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." [Matthew 5:44) (2) Who do not get involved in the world's politics, but stay neutral? (Jesus said: "They [his disciples] are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." [John 17:16]) (3) Who go door to door just like Jesus taught his disciples to do, bringing the message of the good news of the Kingdom? ("This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." [Matt.24:14])

True Christians aren't like Mormons in ANY way, and they aren't like mainline churches. Mormons go out to talk to people, but do they talk about God's Kingdom? NO. Some other churches go out occasionally, but there is no concerted effort, and it is sporadic. ALL of them will support the nation's military, and they ALL get involved to some degree in politics. Why is it impossible to know real Christians?

A good question.
Do Christians have a Christian version of gay-dar? Can they tell who is or isn't a Christian in the same room without interacting with them?
Some sort of mental link? Feeling of an energy?

Or is there a mental check list Christians have that they check off when they meet someone?

Or is that all too 'new age' for them?

[polonius]

Donray posted:

(quote)There are only two beliefs that all Christians must have:

1: That Mary was a virgin and God created a baby in her.
2: Jesus was crucified and rose from bring dead. (quote)

RESPONSE:

Precisely what historical evidence do you have that either occurred?

Or are they stories written 40 - 65 years after such "events" by non-witnesses?

[Menotu]

Donray posted:

(quote)There are only two beliefs that all Christians must have:

1: That Mary was a virgin and God created a baby in her.
2: Jesus was crucified and rose from bring dead. (quote)

RESPONSE:

Precisely what historical evidence do you have that either occurred?

Or are they stories written 40 - 65 years after such "events" by non-witnesses?

You don't need any proof for a belief. You simply accept something facts or no.