I asked if one can be a Christian without believing Jesus died for our sins (substitutionary atonement) and that one goes to hell unless one accepts Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior. I find it interesting that the quick flood of answers overwhelmingly suggests that you place your faith in Christ's death without even mentioning his life and teaching. Do you not know that substitutionary atonement is only one theory of atonement within orthodox theology? Don't you know that there are valid Christians who emphasise Christ's life and teaching; that atonement lies in living a Christ-centered life? Don't you know that it is valid within Christianity to trust in God's love for us more than in religious formula, like the old sacrificial system and attributing Christ's death to it, as Paul did to help the Jews transition from law to grace? Do you reject these persons as not being saved, just because they do not internalize theological ideas and concepts just as you do?
2006-11-23 11:41:45 · 9 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
this is not a question about Christ's death. it's a question of whether being a Chritian demands that belief.
2006-11-23 12:37:12 · update #1
Hmm. So perhaps you are saying that there is more to the Atonement than meets the eye, that in addition to believing in the power of Jesus Christ to atone for our lives, that we have a responsibility as well. I agree with the answerer Darius who said we also must add the element of the Resurrection in, because Jesus Christ's Atonement covered not only spiritual death - or sin, but also physical death, and all the infirmities and weaknesses we may pass through in this life. If I read your intention wrong, then perhaps we could all study the Atonement in more detail. I would think Christians who have not studied the Atonement and why it was possible through the fact that Jesus Christ was the Son of God may have more in-depth study to do.
2006-11-23 14:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is the only mediator given between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6)--this isn't a "formula" but a relationship. And it's impossible to live a "Christ-centered life" unless one is first expunged of sin by grace through faith--not by some "formula." A person can do "good works" but still not seek forgiveness for their sins, and since salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, "good works" will not save them, no matter how much they imitate Christ. What matters isn't what they do but whether or not their sins are forgiven. I fail to see how this is a "formula."
2006-11-23 12:03:52 · answer #2 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, its not that we place our faith in the death of Christ, but in his resurrection.
Jesus' life and teachings show us that he was a good man. It shows a life that we should try to emulate, and follow the teachings that he gave. A person could follow Jesus' life, emulate it his entire time on earth, but still die, unsaved, a sinner.
We are born sinners. Throughout our lives, because of our human nature, we sin. We do those things that God does not want us to do. So, we are deserving of God's wrath. We deserve to pay the penalty. Eternal seperation from God.
Of course, these are God's laws; if you sin, you must pay the price. God is just and abides by his laws. God is also our father, and loves us. He came to earth, in the body of a man, lived a perfect life. He then gave his life. He paid the price for every single person's sins, from Adam to the last person to ever be born on earth.
He rose from the dead, to show that he was, indeed the son of God.
So, it is not Christ's death that we put our faith in, its God's love, that he came to earth, lived a perfect life, sacrificed himself on the cross for all our sins and was resurrected.
From what I can tell, you are trying to remove his death from being a christian. You cannot do it. The entirety of Christ's life, his teachings, his death and resurrection, all of these things must encompass being a christian.
2006-11-23 11:53:00 · answer #3 · answered by Darius 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesters question dealt specifically with Christs death. If you wanted a more involved answer, you should have asked a better question.
2006-11-23 11:46:56 · answer #4 · answered by Mav here! 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I didn't see your question, but I imagine if you asked about believing in His death for our sins, you got answers about His death. If you had asked about believing in His life, you might have got more answers about believing in His life.
Sometimes we get zapped for not answering the exact question! lol
2006-11-23 11:54:13 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
so according to u everybody who won't accepts christ go to hell won't be enuf room to fit few billions ppl
2006-11-23 11:48:33 · answer #6 · answered by george p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ANYONE CAN BE A CHRISTIAN.
NO ONE CAN BE A BELIEVER IN THE GOSPEL WITHOUT JESUS.
THE GOSPEL IS JESUS.
CHRISTIANITY IS JUST A BELIEF...MUSLIM-JEWISH--PROTESTANT-CATHOLIC.....ALL DON'T FOLLOW JESUS...
ONLY MESSANIC JEWS FOLLOW JESUS.. HENCE THOSE JEWS ARE BELIEVERS...
ORTHO JEWS WHO FOLLOW OLD TESTAMENT AREN'T SAVED BY GRACE AND FALL SHORT OF KINGDOM-SAYS JESUS...
2006-11-23 11:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by cork 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That was a well thought out and phrased question... unfortunately, I don't think that I can add anything else to it.
2006-11-23 11:48:11 · answer #8 · answered by Chris R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are giving me a headache.
2006-11-23 12:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋