The question asking how many Christians believe in evolution made me think of this, because several of the answerers said that if a Christian believes in evolution in any way, they are not real Christians.
But of course, this issue can cover disagreements in other areas as well.
2007-01-09 07:45:24 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why these particular people make such claims is simple--they are part of the group of right-wing, or "fundamentalist" Christians. And part of what they believe is that any deviation from their religious or political ideology is "unChristian."
For my part, I can't judge the state of these people's relationship with Christ. But I--and you--can judgetheir words and actions. And the "right-wing" who express such intolerance don't follow Christ's teaching. Perhaps they are "true Christians"--but you'd never know it by what they do and say.
2007-01-09 08:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not use the term in an insulting way, but I believe that a True Christian bases his beliefs on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. These teachings include the belief in creation rather than evolution, as described in Genesis.
Yes, Jesus believed the Genesis creation account, as indicated by Matthew 19:4-6.
Therefore, a person who believes some other thing than creation is by default other than a Christian.
2007-01-09 07:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Abdijah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people have different ways defining what exactly a Christian is. You'll see a lot of "they're not true Christians" or even "they're not Christians at all" comments about people based on one doctrinal difference in beliefs.
I prefer the blanket statement of if a person believes Jesus Christ is their savior and redeemer, then their Christian - that simple.
2007-01-09 08:02:46 · answer #3 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person is either a Christian, or is not a Christian. Insecure believers find security in over-emphasising their claims of conviction. (Who are they trying to convince?) The issue of evolution is not the only one, as you indicated, for there are dozens of belief issues that give rise to arguments about being a "true Christian" as opposed to a "mere" Christian.
However, there ARE pseudo-Christians going around, most of whom are genuinely convinced they are Christians when they are not. Such ones are usually the most zealous in trying to convert others. There isn't space to go into the defining hallmarks of being a Christian here. Nor is it the business of Christians to judge who is and who isn't because that's God's job. But Christians are commanded to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. So any deviations from the gospel are to be exposed as such and in every generation there are groups arising with claims to "special" revelation. Invariably, those groups insist you must belong to their exclusive group to be saved. It's a crying shame, though, when Christians are so busy finding fault with fellow Christians that they allow the pseudo-Christians to cash in and win converts.
2007-01-09 08:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have seen that used here a lot and even to say that Roman Catholics are not "true Christians", of all things! There is just no limit to what can happen when the blind lead the blind. Takes them straight into heresy if you ask me. I will say no more since I am trying to be polite.
2007-01-09 08:04:36 · answer #5 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think some Christians believe that because they are afraid to admit they question things about Christianity. I have found every time I question something about Christianity that it makes me stronger once I discover the answer.
2007-01-09 07:50:41 · answer #6 · answered by laura michelle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually it was Christ who said "Many of those who say unto Me Lord, Lord shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father". This means that many church goers who call Jesus their Lord will not make it because they are only giving lip service rather than having a heart changed by His grace. So, Christians may be perfectly correct in assuming that those who don't believe what the Bible teaches are not true Christians.
2007-01-09 07:54:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a hard call and one we should not try and pin on any specific person.
If they are trying to do what God wants and get closer to Him, then they most likely are a Christian (it is up to God to judge them as to their real position, and it is up to the person to make sure they are right with God). We do need to keep warning everyone (in love) so they will not be overcome.
2007-01-09 07:53:13 · answer #8 · answered by tim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please be more precise; there is evolution and there is the theory of evolution. Evolution is a fact; we are generally taller than the Egyptians of a few thousand years ago, is an example of man's evolution. The theory of evolution holds that man evolved from apes. That view is bunk.
Do you understand the difference between them?
2007-01-09 08:01:51 · answer #9 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is theistic evolution. The only thing I know is that if you trust in Jesus Christ, you are saved Romans 10:13
2007-01-09 07:49:54 · answer #10 · answered by bbjones9 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋