Bottom Line: Define your Christianity...?

Question

it is fascinating to see how Christians disagree about what is, and is not, "Christianity". Some say the laws of the OT are thrown out by the NT, while others swear the whole book is the literal word of God and that every law applies. Some say the bible is metaphor. Some say the literal truth.

And each christian is very free with claims about other christians -not- being "christian". One respondent to an earlier question claimed Catholics and Christians need to be seen as distinct.

So which of you are "real" Christians and how do you define those who are "fake" Christians ('cause sometimes you all look alike to me ;-) ?

Some interesting answers, but not one from what I'd consider a "fundamentalist". Why is it they take a pass on questions like this, but chirp whenever there is a question about homosexuality?

Nope, I can't choose. Too many good answers here to select one.

Thank you for answering. I suspect a group of Christians (the Right Wing) was not heard here, which would have offered a different point of view. But I'm impressed to see so many true Christians.

Thank you.

Answer 1

I believe true Christians are those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and conduct themselves in a kind manner toward their fellow man. There are many Christians who do not behave in a Christian-like manner, and there are non-believers who behave "like a Christian". That is the bottom line to me. No matter what your beliefs are, it is the way you conduct yourself that makes you a Christian. Non-believers don't consider themselves Christians, but they are superior to Christians who conduct themselves in hateful and despicable ways because those supposed "Christians" should know better.

Answer 2

Well, honestly, I'm Catholic, but not of the stereotypical kind that pushes my faith on everyone around me. I'm fine with how other Christians and other religions believe too. I mean, with other Christians at least, we aren't all that different. For instance: we all believe in Jesus; We all recognize 1 Ever-lasting God (not sure about the Trinity though); We all recognize Mary as the mother of Jesus; We all have the 10 Commandments;....the list goes on.

In my opinion, yes we are quite a bit alike, and that gives us no real reason to feud. If one Protestant thinks I'm idolizing saints, let them think so, it's not going to change my beliefs. The people that go and throw hissy-fits about people having other religious views probably don't like excepting or respecting other people's views and choices. After all, we're all praising God, aren't we?

Answer 3

So many of your questions can't be taken on their own, but are interconnected, so I'll try this one on but understand that it will touch on some others.

God created. Why? Who knows? Why did He create the Law in the OT? I believe it was to demonstrate that nobody could live the perfect life, nobody could possibly fulfill the law to the letter, because we are all sinful people (Adam and Eve: Original Sin) after mankind's fall in Eden (read Genesis). So because all are sinful, yes, even at birth (not necessarily to be equated with being 'evil', but sinful) all will fall short of the glory of God.

Enter Christ, the Messiah, the fulfillment of the prophesies. He came to take on our sin and sanctify us. God's purpose in creating the law was to demonstrate our need for a Savior. It wasn't a mistake, it was a plan that required demonstrating to us that we had a need.

So why are there so many different beliefs? Well, Jesus never said "Form a religion and lots of rules of man" and He never said "It must be governed by a Pope, or a board of Deacons" or whatever. What Jesus said was, "Follow me". And then at the end, after His resurrection, as he was ascending into heaven, "Go and make disciples of all nations". Note He didn't say Kill anyone who doesn't believe like you do. He didn't even say, Go and be a Christian. Jesus wasn't a Christian, He was a Jew.

So although churches serve many purposes: worship, community, mission, evangelism; the fact that they are created by man means that they are inherantly flawed. Not their purpose, their purposes are holy. But their organization, their leaders, their members, we are all flawed, sinners. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try. It does mean we need to be humble as we share the gospel. The world seems to think that Christians should be or think they are perfect. A good follower of Christ, and a good Jew for that matter, knows that we are all sinful and need redemption.

So are their real and fake people of faith? Probably. Are most people who profess their faith at least trying to live it? I hope so. Are we perfect? Of course not.

We would all do better to put aside our minor differences and simply Follow Jesus.

Answer 4

To me, a real Christian is one who follows Jesus' teachings, and my view of following Jesus' teachings is basically treat others the way you want to be treated (the Golden Rule) and take care of those who are less fortunate than yourself, and be willing to help without question or judgment of how they got there. And more importantly, a true Christian doesn't judge other people because they know in their hearts that they're truly no better as human beings.

By that definition, you'll be more likely to find a genuine Christian volunteering in hospitals and food banks, rather than in leadership positions. A true Christian doesn't think of themselves as better or holier, and a true Christian won't embrace wealth or extort from other Christians as a condition for their salvation. A true Christian is unlikely to hold any type of leadership position, or judge another person's behavior. They're usually front and center anywhere where there's people in need and while they may share their faith, they won't disrespect yours in the process.

Answer 5

Definition of Christianity........
Christianity is not an ethical system calling us to a morally, more excellent life-it is Offering us a life the self itself cannot produce.

As far as the "fake" ones, your going to have them everywhere.

Answer 6

THis might sound a bit strange... scripture tells us that you can tell who is with us by the fruits of our labor.

If our work produces that which is good, then that is a good sign of a Christian.

Answer 7

um i'm not christian but I believe in the metaphors thing. and i believe the whole bible (if I choose to believe it at all). but i think serious mormons, like polygamists and stuff are just a cult, and I think the catholic church is too doom-and-gloom-y, and the rest of them are too Ned Flanders-y.
just my, you know, uneducated opinion.

Answer 8

Jesus defined real and fake Christians by their actions. Take a look at Matthew 7:21-23 and Matthew 25:31-46 (Jesus speaking):

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

"When I, the Messiah, shall come in glory, and all the angels with me, then I shall sit upon my throne of glory. And all the nations shall be gathered before me. And I will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and place the sheep at my right hand, and the goats at my left.

Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, "Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me."
Then these righteous ones will reply, "Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?" And I, the King, will tell them, "when you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!"
Then I will turn to those on my left and say, "Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry and you wouldn't feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn't give me anything to drink; a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me."
Then they will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?" And I will answer, "When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me." and they shall go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life."