Agree or disagree: "The last Christian died on the cross"?

Question

This was Friedrich Nietzsche's opinion. I've heard so very many assertions that "so-and-so isn't a True Christian" or "that's not the behavior of a True Christian" and it's got me wondering whether maybe Nietzsche was on to something.

Insults and rants will be ignored; good arguments (for and against) will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Oh dear. I was hoping for discussion on what a True Christian (tm) is; instead I got a lot of quibbles about whether Jesus was a Jew and exactly what instrument of torture caused his death. Sorry, people, we've missed the mark here. But because you took the trouble to answer, I'll put this one to a vote, with thanks.

Answer 1

Yes. Christianity is not what it should have been. If Christ was alive today, he would laugh at christianity because it's not how he wanted us to understand it.

Answer 2

A Christian is a follower of Christ. Anyone who is a follower of Christ generally tries to live their life like Christ. I personally don't think I have the authority to judge someone and say they are not a Christian. As a Christian, each person has their own relationship with Christ and as with most relationships, there are ups and downs. What exactly constitutes "Christian behavior"? I am not perfect, but strive to follow Christ and have made alot of mistakes.... this is why I have a personal relationship with Christ.
Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins because I am a sinner. No, I don't believe the last Christian died on the cross.

Answer 3

Well, Jesus was a Jew, first off. Christianity wasn't coined a religion until after his death. On the other hand, those in the Council of Nicea in 323 A.D. decided on the canon of the Bible, basically what made a Christian. They took Jesus' Good Idea and gave it a Belief Structure. Since His idea was undoubtedly perverted for political and personal gain, he's the last one to follow the absolute word........ making him the First and Last Christian.

Answer 4

Just when many of us are really debating the issue over Christianity in our country, along comes a man who puts that statement to the test.

Rev. Gregory Boyd is an Evangelistic Preacher with one of the largest mega churches in the US. Recently, during a televised funding drive this was his opinion on mixing State and Church:

The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute “voters’ guides” that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please could’t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”
“America wasn’t founded as a theocracy,” he said. “America was founded by people trying to escape theocracies. Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn’t bloody and barbaric. That’s why our Constitution wisely put in a separation of church and state.

“I am sorry to tell you,” he continued, “that America is not the light of the world and the hope of the world. The light of the world and the hope of the world is Jesus Christ.”

It is estimated that his speech cost the church millions in donations. Christianity lives. WWJD

Answer 5

I personally think he's spot-on.

While I'm not a Christian, I have seen the hypocrisy in many people who claim to be christian only when it's convenient for them, and then blame other people of godlessness and "not being a good christian", such as my friend whose parent hangs pictures of jesus on her wall while smoking, drinking, and being married to the man she cheated on her (original) husband with.

I'm not one to judge, and neither is the judgemental "christian" parent, so I don't mean to imply that I am capable of that sort of thing. But honestly, I haven't met one person who, knowing what I know about the Bible and how a christian is biblically supposed to live, fits the description.

Sorry if that comes out strangely. But I mean well. =)

Answer 6

Disagree. Even in the bible it is clear that Jesus was first and foremost a jew. He said "I come only to the lost children of Isreal". He was also Circumstised. There are numerous other references to, and indications of, his jewishness. Far from being the last Christian Jesus died before the first Christian (i.e. those who claim to teach in his name) Came along.

Excellent discussion point though.

Answer 7

. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?—Deuteronomy 7:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14.

learn morehttp://www.watchtower.org/

Answer 8

I read your question and came here to call you on plagiarizing Nietzsche's ideas................but your explanation saved me the trouble.

Oh and by the way, Jesus was resurrected, can't go around quoting some verses and leaving out others.
His famous quote for "there's nothing new under the sun"
He got that from the bible.
Find god, Nietzsche died insane and alone.
Trust me I've tried living like him, its not fulfilling.

Answer 9

Nietzsche, a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of traditional morality and Christianity, is not someone who would, in my opinion, but the ultimate authority per se, on Christianity. Just a thought =) Prayers =)

Answer 10

Disagree. I think that there are people who have lived in this world that have truly followed the examples of Jesus and were definately show it. Mother Teresa, St. Terese, St. Francis, Martin Luther King, Jr just to name a few that I can think of.

But that's just my humble opinion as a Hindu based on what I've read. And I do know people that aren't famous whom I interact with in my day to day life that I also see Jesus's teachings being displayed in their actions (they don't go around shouting that they're Christians or trying to convert people, but you can see the teachings of Jesus in their actions and how they treat people).

Great question. Thanks.

Peace be with you.

Answer 11

If there was such a thing as a true christian, it would have by definition be either none of or only one of the organised religions, given that each of the major christian divisions in reality consider themselves to be the "true" christian religion.

If this isn't the case, try to get a protestant to go into a roman catholic church and vice versa. There will be lots of "wherever you pray to god is good" arguments, but the reality from experience of christians (as other theists) is that they believe their version of bible, prayers, church, etc. is ideologically superior and the correct version.

Talking of a true christian is as fallacious as talking of a true breed dog.