As opposed to many questions here from non-christians, I am in no way attacking Christians, I am seriously inquiring.
Since the death and resurrection of Christ (2000 years?), has any Christian actually attained true Christhood? If so, may I ask who? If not, may I ask why not?
I have yet to see or hear of it, and it seems like blind faith (falsification) if it is not something that is attainable.
2007-04-26 16:18:27 · 16 answers · asked by Lucian Black 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What's "true Christhood"? Being another son of God?
Edit: see? three thumbs down - clearly people think that being a son of God is blasphemous. If you want people to emulate, maybe Christ is a good person after whom to pattern your life but then so is Mohammad or Lao Tzu or Horatio Alger. Christ never was meant to serve as a model of behavior, only as a messiah - that is the lesson today, grasshopper.
And come to think of it, being 30 years old, hanging out with 12 guys and having everybody swear you are neither gay nor married to a prostitute isn't really a great position to be in either. Not saying you *couldn't* copy it but I'd rather try to emulate Einstein (sure, it's an impossibly high goal but there's gotta be a lot of outcomes short of that goal that are pretty good).
Good luck.
2007-04-26 16:21:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't know what you mean by "attaining true Christhood".
We are to grow more and more like Christ here on earth (Romans 8:29), but it is not a destination that we will have arrived at before we meet Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:12). So your notion of Christ-likeness being falsible because "No one attains it" is based on a false premise if you mean perfection here on earth.
Because Christ-likeness is a journey and not a destination, you will have Christians on different legs of the road at any given time-some will just be starting, others will be further along. Some will even be side-tracked for a time.
I have known a few people who were very far along in that journey and could honestly say they were very much like Jesus. You would probably never meet them because they are out ministering to people who want and need them.
2007-04-26 23:39:34 · answer #2 · answered by biblechick45 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You actually mean Christ like. Not Christ hood. All born again Christians, are called Christ-like. The early Christians after being converted during Paul's Evangelical conversion of heathens or Gentiles who worshiped false Gods, where known as Christ like and latter on as time went on, the word evolved to Christians.
Only Born again followers of Christ are true Christians. There are a lot of religions (man made), calling themselves Christians, but a true Christian is some one who invites the infinite God Man (Jesus) into his or her heart, and by doing so, has a personal relationship with Jesus. When we have a personal relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit, fills us completely, not partially. We are guided by the Holy Spirit, in our words, thoughts and deeds. Be mindful, the only way this is possible, unlike other religions is Jesus Christ is the only man that after death, rose from the grave, which means he lives on. Being alive after 40 days with his followers the living Christ rose into heaven and is preparing a place for me, and other born again Christians. He intercedes for me for all my sins, Why is that? well it is pretty simple. He died for your sins and mine, on the cross and took our sins away as a perfect sacrificial lamb. Unbelievers can not even imagine that this is attainable. Yes it is by faith, that we have accepted our Lord Jesus as the savior, and through him, he is the only way to the father. Why not, in the scriptures it was foretold that he would come, and his people will deny him, crucify him, and that he will rise from the grave after three days. In the Old Testament, it all came to pass, and exemplified in the New Testament. As we know it, the Bible has with stood the test of time, and all the proficiencies have come true, and all none believes eventually will learn that Christ Jesus, is Lord of all. Most will learn when it is too late.
What does it mean to be Christ like after being spiritually re-born?
Love your Neighbor like yourself
Love the Lord with all your heart.
You see to be Christ like, we must also learn to Love one another first and to Love our Lord equally. Many religions do not teach Love. Many religions teach hate, because we do not believe in their idolatry. Next to Jewish people, Christians are the most persecuted people in the world. Because we will not deny Christ as Lord.
2007-04-27 00:05:39 · answer #3 · answered by John P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being Christ like has two implications. First, no one has ever been Christ-like if you mean being sinless. I mean, nobody lives life without doing something wrong, something against the nature of God.
On the other hand, anyone who is in Christ (i.e., believes in Him) is like Christ in that he/she is made sinless through Christ. That means that all my wrong doings are taken away in the eyes of God.
Even if sins are taken away, the person will continue to live in tension between the world (flesh) and God (spirit). True Christ likeness will only be achieved in the next life, not on earth. It is both attainable on one hand, and unattainable in another way. But ultimately, it is attainable for all in the End.
2007-04-26 23:27:47 · answer #4 · answered by ctrl-alt-delete 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No mortal has, or ever will, attain "Christhood". That's not even what Christianity is about.
Although we see Him as the perfect example, we will always be imperfect. That is why His sacrifice is so significant. If we believe in Him and the Gift of God, forgiveness in His name, we may approach God because of Jesus' perfection and sacrifice. His "Christhood" allows believers to come freely to God.
It will never be on our own merits. It is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ out Lord.
(Yeah, that's what that means)
2007-04-26 23:25:46 · answer #5 · answered by dave 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no... no one can 'achieve' true Christhood.... we are to strive to be more like Christ. it isnt a goal to 'become' Christ, but to be Him to others by our words and our actions....
some may say that 'mother theresa' was close(just an example).... the catholic faith bestows a title on certain people after they die, deeming them as close to 'christlike' as they can get.... not that I agree with anything the catholic church does... just an example of how some denominations pick a few here or there to set 'above' others
it isnt being Christ that we have our faith set on.... it is salvation in Him.... it is thru Him that we are saved from ourselves... and have hope in tomorrow and the future.... eternity without sorrow or suffering...
2007-04-26 23:25:44 · answer #6 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We don't set out to attain Christhhod. We want to live our lives in service to Christ and to glorify Him and lead as many people to give their lives to Him also.
2007-04-26 23:25:16 · answer #7 · answered by BERT 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christ-like does not mean being Christ, it means being LIKE Christ. No-one can be his equal, we should strive to be as much like Christ as we can. Not being him. And yes, I know a few people who are doing their BEST. I'm not one of those people but I hope one day, I can be more like Christ.
'With God, all things are possible..'
2007-04-26 23:24:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
the person that has the most humility is the person that has attained the closet of being Christ-like
2007-04-26 23:22:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is only one person that is Christlike and that is Christ. The bible states in the New Testament "We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"
2007-04-26 23:24:15 · answer #10 · answered by Ronda G 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋