Not a christian...but I'm curious. Please answer...?

Question

Look at this article:
http://www.wgal.com/news/9594392/detail.html

How is this person a *real* christian?

doesn't it seem he is more materialized when it comes to his religion, than his beliefs? why would you put such a price on something that is SUPPOSED to be so "beloved"?

I have seen a lot like this in the christian religion - and it continues to make me dislike it more!
Christians: heres your chances to redeem yourselves....because if I wasn't too sure about the teachings of "god"...after reading this I would definitely disagree with christianity. (not that I don't already)
And, if you're gunna quote the bible, I'm not even gunna read your response, because that gets annoying.

answer away!

Seriously, everyone with attitudes needs to chill out - I'm being pretty damn nice here.
Caps lock OFF. thanks.

at this point - I don't care if he is christian or not. as I emailed to one of the responders - this is a test! I am looking to see who can back up what they believe with their OWN WORDS. not from some brainwashing peice of paper that has changed immensely over the years!
use your mind...PROVE TO ME your beliefs! I love debate, and love to talk about religion! why can't everyone put some things aside, and speak YOUR OWN truth!

come on now.

Answer 1

Is he a real christian? Tough call...there isn't much in that article about the man's personal life....but i can't imagine anyone selling a bible at so high a price for personal profit. Personally, my beliefs tell me that it's wrong to do so. Something that has such potential for human goodness shouldn't be made for profit. Granted they aren't given away either, but I'm 98% sure that where bibles are sold, most (if not all) profit goes towards a religious establishment.

As for proving my belifs in my own words...withuout using brainwashing stuff....

I'm a Catholic by birth. I've been baptized, confirmed, the whole 9 yards. But i find myself attending mass less frequently (i haven't gone in some time). My social conscience often conflicts with the more conservative views of the church (mainly gays, sex, and a few other things). But upon reading parts of the bible i interpreted it to mean other things than what my chirch taught.

Of course people didn't like that, but then it hit me...this whole Bible thing is a guide, and everyone read it differently. Granted some parts aren't open for debate, but most of it is metaphorical, or tries to prove a moral point.

People often forget that the Bible isn't a weapon, or a map. But rather it's a guide. It won't point you in a particular direction, but it can help you make up your mind.

Answer 2

The New Testament of the Bible is our belief.
Without the Bible all religions and what ever anyone says is just as good as anyone else.
The Bible is the platform of the belief.
Other wise zit-zitter is as good as zoot-zooter.
People try to use the Bible to convince others to believe.
They don't realize that the person they are talking to doesn't believe the Bible.

I am truly of the opinion that you are called, weather it is by being curious or some kind of experience. I for one can only look at it from my own experience. Others have their own, each of us is an individual.
There are however the actors, they aren't the real thing.
They used to be called hypocrites, play actors in the old days. This includes some pastors.
Another thing is that people have a strange idea that a Christian is perfect, he walks on water--that is not the case---we are people and we have our weaknesses just as everyone else in the world.
I hope that this was helpful.

Answer 3

First of all, I am not a Christian in the religious sense, second of all if I were, I wouldn't need this question and answer to redeem anything because Jesus Christ already did that no matter what I do or say and third... I didn't look at the link you provided, know why? Because of this bible passage. "None are righteous, no not one, all have sinned and failed short of the glory of God."

Christ was the end of all of this nonsense debate between good and bad Christians. Christians (as loathsome and erroneous as they can often be and as hypocritical as they are) are covered by the blood that Christ spilled for ALL OF OUR SINS.

The apostle Paul said of himself. "Wretched man that I am, that which I will to do , I do not do, and that which I do not want to do is what I do."

We all make mistakes honey pie... The difference between Christians and non Christians, religious and non religious is a heart that is repentant and a spirit that has a conscience in that it asks for forgiveness and KNOWS when it does wrong.

Answer 4

Okay, first off did you read the article? It never said that the man was professing to be a Christian. He just wanted to sell the Bible for the right price. Personally I would have donated it to a museum or held onto it, but I wouldn't have been going through the trash to find it either.
But, you aren't looking for that answer are you? You are searcing for something that will make you feel good about yourself. You want something to help you"cope".
If you pray, sincerely, he will help you (God/Jesus that is). He can help you stop the self mutilation. Many times people search all their lives to find out what they needed was right in front of them, the love of God.
No one can make you change your mind. If you really have true questions I suggest you contact your local church and set up a time to talk to the pastor.
Also, there are a lot of "Christians" who talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. They are usually the louder insincere ones. I am sorry that they've given you a bad opinion of our Lord. God Bless you

Answer 5

I read the article and I didn't see anywhere, where he claimed he was a Christian. And he probably is more materialized than religious, and holding out for as much money as he can.. But it is just a old book. It's not like it belonged to God or Jesus. That is the only way I would want to own it. I love to read the word of God, and I can do that with any bible and a Strong's Concordance.

Answer 6

Ok nothing in that article indicates that the man is a Christian... and what does that have to do with evey other Christian in the world?
I think its funny that you dont want to read the responses where the Bible is quoted... how can you intelligently and informantly disagree with a religion if you dont want to read the basis from where it comes from? Thats just pride not intelligence. And that goes for ANY religion (I am a Christian but I make it a point to read more about other religions so I will not be misinformed or make untrue assumptions).
This article has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. Its about a random guy finding a piece of history in the trash, and the museums want to buy it- just like if he had found a Native American spearhead in the dirt. Please dont use any and everything you can find to deny who God is and what He wants from you. He wants you to know Him through RELATIONSHIP not religion, and true Christianity is a relationship with God through His Son, not a bunch of rules and regulations that you have to follow and hope you didn't make God too angry so you will get into heaven (thats what religion is). If you would like to know more about what freedom in God is like, email me! prtybrwneyez1

Answer 7

Hmmmmmmmm. I read the article, and I don't see anywhere in the article that the man identified his faith. Did I miss something?

It could be that he is not a Christian at all, just a guy with an
eye for rare antiques that got reeeeeeeeeeally lucky. In that case, we are not dealing with a problem with his faith at all! He is just a dealer in rare books. He isn't interested in the content, just the age and condition. As a merchant, that is consistent.

BTW, I'm not so fond of religious commercialism either. Neither was Jesus. It is a really bad form of manipulation and fraud: use somebody's religious feelings to make them feel guilty about not buying your religious-looking crap! I agree, there is far too much of this in the world today.

That doesn't detract from the teachings of Jesus. It just means there are people out there posing as disciples to get other people's money. We call them "con artists".

Answer 8

First of all, the article does not say the guy is a Christian, it said he is an electrician who found the Bible in a dumpster.

Secondly, even if he were a Christian, what's wrong with selling something of value, even if it is a Bible? It's not a sin to sell something that belongs to you, regardless of what some people say.

I'm sorry, I just don't see how this rises to the level of materialism.

A serious Christian.

Answer 9

I read the article, and it doesn't say anything about him being a Christian. That guy probably isn't even a Christian... that'd be my guess. If I had found that Bible, I wouldn't have done that.

But, to answer your question, ones "religion" doesn't really mean anything. The only thing that matters is if one has accepted Jesus as their personal LORD and savior (repent). Also, it IS wrong to be materialized, however we are all guilty of that in some way, shape, or form.

Answer 10

Finding that bible doesn't make him closer to God, nor does it make him a christian. The bible has nothing to do with it. So he found an old bible, so what. Is it a sign from God? Who knows.

Christians don't have to redeem themselves, Jesus does that. What do you want from us, that you don't want to hear from scripture?

I am not sure what about christianity bothers you, but if it helps, don't think of it like that, think of it as human beings putting their faith in God, and believing that Jesus died for all man's sins. All of them.

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, just let me know. Take care. I will say this, you are a lot closer to God than you think.