a) I believe that the Bible was written by Man and not God
b) That as a consequence of a) the Bible is not 100% factually correct but that there may be some imperfections and inaccuracies in the text
c) That only the New Testament (and then, only the part detailing Jesus' life) has any real relevance and that 99% of the Old Testament is just (trying to put it politely) a load of old rubbish
d) That going to Church is not a neccessity to being a Christian (as most British churches are extraordinarily dull for a young person, like me) - the ones in the USA look much better and more exciting!
e) That God is "in" me (I think this is what is called the Holy Spirit?) insofar as I "know" what is right and wrong and I try to live my life by doing what I believe to be "right" (which just so happens to be most, if not all, of what Jesus says in the Bible when he went about preaching etc.)
P.S. These are my (current) beliefs - subject to change though as I grow older! :-)
2006-11-15 08:41:19 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You may be suprised if you examined the bible.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
It can prove itself to you as the word of God if you took the time to look into it.
God is a person separate from yourself. He has a name, purposes for mankind, the earth, for the future, and he holds out wonderful future prospects for all those who will listen to Him. We can only do this if we examine what he says to us via his word.
The scriptures have all the answers to any questions you may have.
Have a look at this link:-
http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/article_08.htm
If you want any more info please email me
:)
2006-11-16 02:05:49 · answer #1 · answered by New ♥ System ♥ Lady 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whether I think you can be a Christian or not is not of any importance. What matters is where you stand with God. In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, Jesus said that you must be born again, born anew, born of the Spirit or you cannot see the Kingdom of God. If you have not experienced this new birth by the Spirit of God then you can call yourself a Christian all day long and it doesn't change where you stand with God. You're either born again, or you're not.
And when you are born again, you are a new creature, created in Christ Jesus, with the ability to know the truth. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - John 8:31-32.
It is the new nature that takes place on the inside of the person that gives place to the reality of the Word of God. The Word of God is ceases from being fairy tales written by confused men that make no sense at all to the intellect and comes into plain view as to what it really is indeed: the Word of God given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. How is this? The scripture says that we are born again by the very Word of God! 1 Peter 1:23.
2006-11-15 17:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by Carol L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't think you can.
If you can't believe the whole lot, then you can't believe any of it. If you don't think it is 100% accurate, how can you be sure that the parts you believe are true?
Going to Church is not necessary for being a Christian, but it is a good thing to do as it helps you understand. But then, if you only believe 4/66 of the Bible is relevant, it isn't really surprising that you find Chruch boring is it? Oh, and I am only 20 and I don't find Church boring
2006-11-16 09:03:55 · answer #3 · answered by Kari 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends what you mean by written -- did God write through man or did man write about God.
Further, are you referring to the original text or the translation. Translations are by necessity imperfect, yet faithful to the text as far as it goes.
The O.T is actually far more interesting (to me at least) as you have found so far.
Being a Christian and having fellowship with other Christians is somewhat like for a swimmer to enter the water. But fellowship is not a building we have come to know as church, but church/fellowship is us who believe.
And therefore a Christan life is only exciting if in fact you live it not someone else for you.
E is a bit more tricky than I thought, but maybe try not to live/do things all on your own but pray.
God bless you
2006-11-16 21:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by Manfred 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Going to church is not a neccessity for being Christian but it is adviced for growing spiritually, remember the bibl is NOT about religion its about a relationship with the Lord... Live your life the way Jesus did! Follow the Ten Commandments ... Evangelize, spread the love of Jesus to all aroiund you learn to be more spiritual, ask the Lord to use your life to serve him.
And then you can still call yourself a Christian!!
2006-11-15 16:49:58 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're perfectly entitled to call yourself a Christian if you wish, no-one's interpretation of the bible is any more privileged than anyone elses. Take out of it what works for you.
Now you've thrown out the nasty OT junk, realise that the bit about Jesus is mostly a nice philosophy for life but lose the "supernatural" part, consider that what you "know" is right and wrong has no need of religion to be valid and you'll be on the way to enlightenment ;-)
2006-11-15 17:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is one thing that you don't address. Do you believe that Jesus is God? If so, then you are a Christian who has beliefs that are away from the mainstream. If you hang out with a bunch of people with similar beliefs, you can even call yourself a cult.
If you do not believe that Jesus is God -- but just a holyman, then you are either a Deist or a Jew or a Muslim, but not a Christian.
2006-11-15 17:05:00 · answer #7 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with most of the points you make and I am an ordained minister.
If everything in the Bible is literally true what about the parts that openly contradict each other? Some is certainly metaphore in my opinion.
Also there were no churches to Jesus built while he was alive in the form of a man.
"He's not the kind you wind up on sundays" - Ian Anderson.
You can praise God anywhere and a church is only worth going to if it relevant to you and your beliefs.
2006-11-15 16:52:45 · answer #8 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, you can. While I do not necessarily agree with all of your points, I think the United Methodist church might be a good fit for you. The pastor at one here in my city views the Bible as a collection of accounts of how different people have experienced their relationship with God. They are meant to give us inspiration in how our relationship with God develops.
2006-11-15 17:28:36 · answer #9 · answered by Guvo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can call yourself anything you want...but it doesn't make it necessarily so
The definition of a Christian is simple.
Definition: Christian
1. believer in Jesus Christ as savior: somebody whose religion is Christianity
Definition:Christianity
1.from teachings of Jesus Christ: based on or relating to a belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah, and acceptance of his teachings, contained in the Gospels
2006-11-15 16:49:01 · answer #10 · answered by kimandchris2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋