They can decide who goes to their Church but not who Christians are. They cant rule that Adolf Hitler was not a Christian or that Albert Einstein was one as they would like. They are just stuck with what they get.
2007-02-28 18:26:35 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This doesn't make sense. Is it nonsensical that Hindus should make the rules about who Hindus are? I'm not one, but there are rules that I would have to follow that THEY made up if I wanted to be one. Doesn't that make sense?
2007-02-28 18:30:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure that "people" can make up the rules but the Bible does appear to and how people believe or interpret the Bible can create beliefs or ideology. I would think that your example that "Adolf Hitler cannot be ruled out as a Christian" would be ludicrous since the Bible appears to be pretty clear on while actions do not make one a "Christian", it is clear that the actions of a person help show evidence of who a person is. Adolf Hitler's actions would tend to define the "person" he was which was clearly not in line with being "Christ-like", hence a "Christian".
And what is the real meaning by the statement "being stuck with what they get?" What point are you trying to make? That if Christians believe that being a Christian means dedicating your life to serving God and trying to be "like-Christ" in every way that anyone who calls them self a Christian is a Christian even if they do not meet that definition? That would be foolish. Maybe I can call myself a NASCAR driver because I drive really fast on the freeway, tailgate (I like to think of it as "drafting"), and I have the number 24 on my bumper.
2007-03-01 02:47:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ms Betty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me separate your question into three parts: A Christian church is a structure that members support. It has nothing to do the "elected" (saints) that you find in Paul's Epistle. Because churches are privately own, the members can make up rules for admissions. These rules are not biblical.
Adolf Hitler was not a Christian since he did not practice Christianity. In fact, by his actions, he renounced it. On the other hand, Albert Einstein was a Jew.
Christians are limited by the bible. The restriction can be found in 1 Cor 10:23-24. Moreover, God, not man, judges.
2007-03-01 02:38:10 · answer #3 · answered by J. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're right, we are stuck with what we get. But what should we do when some loser like Hitler is called one of us? Just accept that? Would you?
I don't make the rules on who is a Christian. Only God does. Perhaps we have no business saying other people aren't Christian just because we don"t like them.
Also, we aren't just stuck with each other, we are also stuck with everyone else, and commanded to love them all. So when someone doesn't appear to be doing that, we have a tendency to say such a person isn't a true Christian. ( Like Hitler)
2007-03-01 02:56:23 · answer #4 · answered by out of the grey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I'm not that concerned about who's a Christian and who isn't ... sure, I'll tell everyone that I'm a Christian, and if you want to hear more about it, then I'll be happy to share. If you're not interested, that's okay too. That being said, I'm definitely not overly concerned about who historically shared my faith. So what if Adolf Hitler was a Christian? He certainly isn't an accurate example of all Christians, even nonbelievers have to admit that. So what if Albert Einstein was an Atheist? He certainly doesn't accurately portray all Atheists, either. Why is that we believe that other human figures must be a part of our religion (or lack of) in order to justify its existence to the "other side"?
2007-03-01 02:33:08 · answer #5 · answered by ◦Delylah◦ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Uh,it's taught clearly in the Bible that merely saying 'I believe in God' does not make you a Christian,and that Christians have a resposibility to discern.
I do not claim that Albert Einstein was a Christian,but it's simply not true that Hitler was a Christian.His writings,and words,refute that claim.
http://www.christiancadre.org/topics/hitler.html
2007-03-01 02:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by Serena 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hitler was a Christian
Historical facts can be rewritten, and are all the time.
See history is written by the winners, and Christians have been lucky enough in the past to be the winners 60% of the time.
2007-03-01 02:31:56 · answer #7 · answered by Harmon 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think people "question" whether or not some of those folks are really Christians based on their actions. In the end, we all make numerous mistakes, but when somebody mistake that looks as if it literally slaps God in the face, you must question their heart. Of course, we don't really make the rules or own judgment - that's all God's role. But we can question actions just like it's written in James chapter 2. Forgive us for any misunderstandings. We aren't perfect either! Be blessed!
2007-03-01 02:34:24 · answer #8 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
On the one hand not everyone who labels themselves as Christian lives up to God's requirements of His people, but on the other hand Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". In other words, God doesn't want us to be judgemental of each other, but that still doesn't mean that we are exempt from His law and judgement.
2007-03-01 02:37:26 · answer #9 · answered by D.L. Miller 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why is it that we will judge Angels? Why is it that God decides who is to live in Heaven and who is to live in Hell, Hades, Death, Place of burning sulfur and final judgment Lake of fire? You should ask him the reasons why maybe if your lucky he will answer you before your soul leaves your flesh. The truth is truth, people make up a lot different things. But God can reveal truth to whom he chooses.
2007-03-01 02:40:36 · answer #10 · answered by chucky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋