What is a "real" Christian to you?

Question

A 'real' Christian to me is one who can recognize that even if the Bible is the word of God it was written by the hands of men and thus can be mistaken. A 'real' Christian is one who believes in the salvation of Jesus but doesn't refuse to educate themselves scientifically. This sort of person is tolerant and kind to all persons and would never call someone an "abomination" unless they had committed some sort of horrible crime.

How 'bout you?

*Aahotep* - I believe you may be mistaken in regard to your interpretation of my 'illogical' propositions. I say "to me" because I am voicing an opinion of what a "real Christian" is to me; I am not determining whether the Bible is the word of God or not. If YOU believe it is, then what are you considering a 'real' Christian to be. My question has little to do with whether the Bible is the word of God or not. Thank you for reading, though.

Answer 1

a person who believes all other religions are evil and that you can only go to heaven when you have Jesus in your heart. That person believes that they already got a ticket to heaven cos they are Christian. He or she believes that any inconsistencies and absurdities in the Bible should better be ignored or that fakes stories invented to justify them. That Christian will tell you that God created the universe in 6 days then rested on the 7 day. Thats how we got 7 days in a week, 7 up soft drink and 7 eleven stores. He or she will tell you that God manifests itself in three: the father, the son and holy spirit. 1 +1 + 1 =1.

Answer 2

It seems to me like you've had some pretty bad experiences with Christians trying to witness to you. I don't know you personally, but it really makes me sad that you think that all of us are looking forward to you going to hell. Sometimes we do know that we can't convince you, but we have to say that we tried. And I personally would not want to see anyone go to hell if I could keep it from happening. Just because we think it won't work doesn't mean that our attempts are insincere. There's a verse in the Bible that says that one person sows, one waters, but God provides the increase. Basically that means that means that a lot of people play a part in one person coming to Christ. We know that even if you don't just automatically become a Christian, what we said had an effect and and a purpose. I hope that if you don't understand this now, you will in the future, and that you will meet a Christian that genuinely cares about you.

Answer 3

Yes- One who follows the original teachings of Jesus is a real Christian. King Constantine and his click of scribes in 324 AD changed the original Bible and put together what we call the bible most main stream Christan's have today. But The original followers of Jesus called The Essenes hid a copy of the original New Testament in a Buddhist temple where Constantine wouldn't find it. It is now available in English with Historical Documentation. It is in complete alignment with the Vedas which Jesus was just reestablishing the Truth which had appeared to be lost. The Truth is found again for all sincere seekers of Truth. google gospelofthenazirenes.com If you want to Know what Jesus said not rascal Paul or other misconstrued ideas of Jesus. The Bible has even been changed within our lifetime through translation so just imagine how it could have been changed back then when women didn't read and only the higher ups in the church and government had copies. You be the Judge of its authenticity. The Gospel of The Nazirenes is the original New Testament.

Answer 4

I'm afraid that in your "question" and especially your "addendum," you reveal your real reason in posting this, which is to rant.

To me a "real" Christian is someone who exhibits the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control.
Remember "By their fruits you shall know them."

And BTW, a "real Christian" would even have compassion for the person who had committed some sort of horrible crime, and would not be calling anyone an abomination, and no, would not be calling gays or ANYONE "an abomination." There is only One Judge.

Answer 5

You said: "A 'real' Christian to me is one who can recognize that even if the Bible is the word of God it was written by the hands of men and thus can be mistaken."

The important words here are "to me". That's your opinion. It's also a logical contradiction: Either it's the Word of God, or it isn't. If it is, it's not mistaken. If it's mistaken, it's not the Word of God. Both propositions can't be true. Pick one.

In fact, a REAL Christian DOES accept that the Bible is the Word of God. Period. Given that it (both OT and NT) is the BEST attested of all ancient documents in existence, both in the accuracy of transmission and number of extant manuscript copies, it's not that hard.

Now, as for my take on it -- a Christian is a person who can attest to the following statement:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

(*catholic (adj) = universal. )

The behavioural issues you mentioned are certainly very important, but that's not what determines whether a person is or is not a Christian. Those issues may tell us how well (or otherwise) that person is growing spiritually, or following the Lord's teaching, but nothing more than that. A person can be a Christian (an immature or badly taught one) and not do those things; a person can do those things and have no faith in anything at all. That doesn't tell us a thing about what they believe in, or whether or not God is actively working in their life.

That's about it. It's not rocket science -- pretty simple, actually.

Answer 6

To "me" does not matter. "To God" is what matters. A Christian is a follower of the teachings of Jesus, who was the Christ. Salvation is not of Jesus but by Jesus. We are to study to show ourselves approved of the wonders of God. The bible is inspired of God, written by the hand of man and bears no mistakes. To think that it does is a mistake. You can not believe both. Why must the bible have errors? Is it so man can justify behaviors contrary to the precepts of God? God can't even inspire a man to write correctly? So who has more power? Man or God?

Answer 7

A "real" christian attempts to live as Jesus taught us. He can't necessarily believe that his source book is mistaken because then he is saying he is having faith in what he knows is wrong. He need not condemn others although he will condemn a behavior His major rebuke is for those who also call themselves Christian but do not live it.

Answer 8

well you lost me when you said the word of God has mistakes. A true Christian doesn't always have the "true" answers. I won't say that if you don't believe the Word of God is 100% accurate your not a believer because the Lord has a lot of children who are dysfunctional and barely getting thru His door and some with smoke coming off of them.

But I would say a true Chrisitan is someone who has asked the Lord into their heart, repented, and is bearing fruit to more of the likeness of Christ and it is clearly evident that they are not the same person they use to be. Problem some folks have is that they don't know who the believer was before they received Christ. So if you think they are not altogether now maybe you should of seen them before Christ to know that they really are His. We are a work in progress sometimes we grow, sometimes we fall back, and sometimes we just lay there. We are all in a relationship with God in this "matrix" were in until we see Him face to face. It is not easy being His and living in this crazy world. I love you all, as messed up as we all can be! Keep your eye on the prize.

Answer 9

I

A christian is a born again believer and you shall know them by their fruit. What would Jesus do? hmmmmmmm
I believe in the salvation of Jesus Christ and I am growing in grace all the time.
A true Christian is a trophy of Gods grace and doesn't beat others over the head with the word of God but respectfully stand for what they believe. They speak the truth in love.......

politely and respectfully disagree with you about the bible.
I am a real christian and i love much..
I have nothing to fear(as long as i have spell check). Real Science points to a real God.
The theory of evolution has holes all in it.
God has given me beauty for ashes. I am blessed happy and full filled.......... I don't judge or call people names unless i am sorely provoked( God and i are working on my temper)lol
If I miss him he will and has found me.He wraps me in his love and protects me from my stupid self at times....
I have my beliefs and i refused to argue.( I do have a little intense moments of fellowship with my love ones from time to time........................ You are entitled to your opinion and i am entitled to mine..........

Answer 10

A real Christian is a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. God doesn't TOLERATE SIN. With having said that, I can't tolerate others "calling" themselves Christians who are not, but want to PRACTICE SIN and wanting to belong to the BODY OF CHRIST. If they don't want to infiltrate the Body of Christ, then, I cannot judge them. But, we are just in judging within the Body.

Answer 11

In my PERSONAL opinion, a "real" Christian is someone who loves and serves the Lord with all of there heart. Someone who tries to live by ALL of the Bible. Someone who has and shows love for everyone.