If the definition of a Christian was man made, then couldn't that very definition be changed, by man?

Answer 1

It could be and it should be.

The worst thing that has happened to religion was the printing press. Religion was passed down from generation to generation in the form of parables orally. These parables would change as the civilization changed so that the children could relate to the stories. When the parables were put in a printed form they could no longer change to keep up with the advancements in the world. The parables still had the kernel of truth and the basis of right and wrong but as people are wont to do they take the written word very literally. 1500 years later the parables that were intimately relevant to the people now no longer have meaning. Attendance has fallen off world wide in churches of many faiths and the "Church" does not have the gumption to change the written word of "GOD" so that believers have some thing to relate to.

If Man would change the parables that teach the young ethics and morality we may not have gangsters looking for a place to belong and politicians bathed in corruption.

But what do I know I am only a man not a god.

Answer 2

There are certain things that have manmade definitions but we are still not really able to change the definition because it has become a rigid designation. This means that the definition is so strongly held that it has become something above and beyond the ability for humans to change the definition. One example is water. Water is defined as H2O. This is a human definition but we cannot really change the definition.

Christianity is in some ways the same. There are certain aspects that are important to the definition of Christian. The belief that Jesus Christ was born and was both man and God is one of the important beliefs involved. Also, that He was crucified, died and rose again is important to the definition. Since these are important and cannot be changed without completely rendering the word meaningless it would be impossible to change the meaning of the word. It is just as simple to change any other religion's definition, or the definition of water. They are rigidly defined and cannot be changed.

Answer 3

If the definition of a christian was man made of course it can be change by man. But that's a big "If" ! What is the definition of a "Christian" - it means christ - like. If you read the bible and look at the character of Jesus you would know. Christians are reading, studying the bible to know how to live this marvelous life. Praying, fasting, showing love to one another, feeding the poor, visiting the hospitals, Jesus did this and more. But, of course an unsaved person can do this - but for a christian it's following in Christ footsteps because he had compassion. Christ came to seek and save those who are lost. As christians (christ-like) we're here to live the example of Christ, witness and tell other about this good news - which is the gospel of truth.

Answer 4

Christianity was started by the disciple's, simply meaning followers of Christ Jesus and his teachings, I don't think the definition of Christianity could be changed because it is a belief that followers have faith in, I do not see it as a man made substance, Christianity is simply a word used to verify ones belief that's all.

Answer 5

Christianity has scarcely remained the same from century to century. It HAS been altered, countless times - not just in its superficial, but in its most fundamental, aspects. Otherwise, it could not have lasted from century to century.

It's really not going to far to say that every "Christian" remoulds the religion is his own image.

But on an institutional scale, even the divinity of Jesus was not an official feature of the orthodox form of the religion until the Nicean Council, some 300 years after his death. And the debate hardly ended there. In fact, there is practically no point of doctrine or ethics on which every Christian sect has agreed. The argument that "those sects aren't really Christian" that dispute the notion of, e.g., the Trinity, or the Bodily Resurrection, or the Virgin Birth, or what-have-you, is simply the partisan opinion of one type of sect over another; and there's no ultimate means of deciding who's "correct."

If you say "But it's in Scripture!" I respond firstly by pointing out that the diversity of interpretation of Scripture is almost as great as the diversity of individual opinion; and secondly by reminding you that the four "canonical" gospels were arbitrarily chosen by the founders of the "catholic" form of the religion, that they bear all the hallmarks of heavy revison and editing, and that there are many other gospels of contemporary or only slightly later date that advance dramatically different opinions of the meaning of the religion - so again, there is no final means of deciding which, if any, is "correct."

Answer 6

Certainly, do you want to change your definition of a Christian ? Go ahead, it's a free country. That's how many things are changed. One person beging calling something by a name he put on it, before long others start using the name. In time it's accepted as proper.

Answer 7

Very well put and yes. Some people define being a Christian as one who goes to church every Sunday. Others define being a Christian as one who believes every freakin' word of the Bible without question. Another group of Christians will define themselves as a people who go to church on occasion and read the bible but, only believe that parts of it are true. Then there are Christians like me who define ourselves as having faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as one God. I don't need faith in a church. I don't need faith in a priest/preacher/minister. I don't need faith in my fellow man. I don't need faith in a religion nor group. I don't need faith in a Bible nor any other book(s). My faith is in God alone and nothing else matters to me. Why? Because, out of all of these, God is the only thing that is superior. Everything else was made by man. Everything is flawed except God.

JustGetItRight: What about the Jesuits?

Rose: Have you read the Gospel of Truth?
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/got.html

Answer 8

Well, you would have to change the word. Christian, when taken back into it's original context, literally translates "Christ-Like". This is how people referred to early followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and they were given that name by people outside the faith. You could start calling us whatever you want, whether you feel like using the words "Christ-like" is up to you. But I bet you have some words that require characters in order to display them on this forum

Answer 9

The definition of a Christian is not really man-made and the name has been around since the foundation of the church by Christ.

In Acts 11:26 we read that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch,” Members of the church honor Christ by wearing this divinely given name. In Romans 16:16, we read: “The churches of Christ greet you.” Christ said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The name “church of Christ” simply means that the church belongs to Christ for He is its purchaser and builder. Salvation is found only in the name of Christ (Acts 4:11,12).

Answer 10

The definition of a Christian is a person who believes in
the teachings of Jesus Christ (get it Christ - ian) and that
he is the son of God, died on the cross so that our sins
can be forgiven.

Some how being a Jesusian doesn't sound right.