* I believe that Jesus existed and was a very special person, spreading God's word - but I am not convinced he was the son of God.
(Please be gentle)
2007-05-27 13:15:16 · 44 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
'Dust in the wind' I haven't asked this question before.
2007-05-27 13:45:32 · update #1
I feel exactly the same. I do still consider myself a Christian though I have a hard time finding a community of "believers". Jesus was special and practically changed the world. So what do I do with that? I just keep on reading books.
Two great books I've read that have helped me out with my struggle; "Meeting Jesus Again for The First Time" by Marcus Borg and "Jesus: A Crisis in The Life of God" by Jack Miles. These did not help me "believe in Jesus" so to say, but helped to mesh the two seeming contradictions of being Christian and not believing that Jesus is the "only way".
I struggle with the idea of Jesus being the "Son of God", but at the same time, he never really referred to himself as such. Maybe "Son of Man" and that actually translates roughly to "human". Just because you don't believe in the divinity of Jesus, you can still apply the principles he taught.
It's a confusing place to be and a place I've been for the last ten years. It's even more of a struggle when I consider the fact that I may be going to seminary after I get my Bachelors degree. I took a class called Spirituality & Counseling last semester. The instructor asked for a show of hands at the beginnings of the semester to find out which faith his students were. His first: Agnostic? I raised my hand. His second: Christian? I raised my hand again. I asked him after class if I could be both Agnostic and Christian at the same time. He said that most good thinking Christians are.
We doubt and we question. Those two things in and of themselves are enough to help me in my daily struggles. I am a thinking, living and breathing human being and I will not take things at face value.
I think you're on the right track. All peace stems from the base of a question. Even if no answer is found, there is no time wasted in the searching. A Radiohead song quote: "If you get too far inside, you'll only steal my reflection." When the search begins, it is a search within. When the search ends, only then may we know the answers.
Keep searching, keep asking, keep listening and at least you'll eventually get to keep.
p.s. By the way, most Christians today should be considered to be following mainly the words of Paul and not Jesus.
2007-05-27 13:44:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
There's a great book by Lee Strobel titled "The Case for Christ", I think this would overcome your doubts about Jesus being the Son of God. That being said, no in the Christian faith you are not considered a Christian. Jesus Christ in the Christian faith is the whole basis for our salvation Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved you and your house", John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him(Jesus) should not die, but have everlasting life. I could give you many more scriptures along this line. I hope this helps.
2007-05-27 13:24:37 · answer #2 · answered by Rich 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm going to say no. Christian as you can see has the same root word as Christ (which is Jesus). If you believe in why and how he came to this world I would say you would be a Christian...but without Christ there would be no Christian church. The church is based on the idea that he was begotten by the father and then died for our sins. Without these core beliefs I would classify you as someone who believes in God. I wonder if you go to church? If so, which? If not, have you ever considered that you are simply a spiritual person?
2007-05-27 13:21:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Zeke, you have asked this same thing before. You cannot be a Christian unless you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, been born-again in him and recognize him as the path to God.
If you are seeking answers, I think you would do well to do some study of different beliefs and maybe talk to some people about what you are trying to find.
Don't try to be something you are not, not for the Christians here or so others will like and accept you. Find out what is truly in your heart and follow that path.
The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace, Peace and Love in Christ
Peg
2007-05-27 13:20:14 · answer #4 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You are not convinced about Jesus being the son of God. The Bible says he is the son of God, so your are also not convinced about the Bible. In addition, if Jesus is not the son of God, how could he die a sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of the world? He would have died only for his own sins.
To cut this short, you are not convinced about Jesus, the Bible, nor God's plan of salvation. That puts you on very shaky ground as a Christian.
2007-05-27 13:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Then by your own confession you are not a Christian. The whole salvation experience rests on who Jesus is and what He did. He is the only way to God. He is the only Son of God. He is the only sinless sacrifice worthy to shed His blood for man's sins. Jesus is who He says He is. God the Father spoke at Jesus' baptism and said "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." You either believe it all or not at all. I pray God will open the scriptures up for you and reveal the truth about Jesus. God bless you and keep you.
2007-05-27 13:25:02 · answer #6 · answered by Joyful Noise 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I was raised Christian, but I consider myself Muslim now. The difference between the two religions is that We believe Jesus was a high prophet like Mohammed. We do not think God Is human. God is to great to Have a son.
I think as long as you believe in God and try to do the right thing, you can't lose.
2007-05-27 13:20:37 · answer #7 · answered by BUSY BEE 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try looking into Judaism. I myself came from a Christian family, but never thought that Jesus was our Savior. I started looking into the Jewish faith. They believe in a God, but that Jesus wasn't the son of God. Check out a local synagogue and talk to a Rabbi.
2007-05-27 13:19:08 · answer #8 · answered by staroftheuniverses21 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No,you must believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and accept Him as you Savior. That is what "Christianity" is all about. Ask Jesus to come into your heart today! Tomorrow may be too late! May God Bless you!
2007-05-27 14:05:19 · answer #9 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A Christian is by definition one who follows the teachings of God's only begotten son, Jesus.
If you do not believe in him why would you want to call yourself a Christian?
2007-05-27 13:19:44 · answer #10 · answered by Chaplain John 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋