While reading several answers to some of my earlier questions I've noticed that a number of Christians & non-Christians alike use the terminology, 'true christian.' So, in light of the darkness... what is a "true" christian?
If you reference scripture, do so as a 'reference' to make your point. Do not answer the question using only a scripture.
2007-07-05 05:49:08 · 41 answers · asked by blatinofreak 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Someone who walks the walk, and not just talks the talk...
2007-07-05 05:52:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 5⤋
No such thing. The term "true" is never clearly defined, and those who try to define it often end up putting their bias on display.
I hear a lot about how you can tell who is the "true Christian" by observing their "fruits". The problem is, of course, that most groups have plenty of charitable organizations and causes. Even the ever-contemptable Jerry Falwell sponsors charities that occassionally do some good.
Belief in God and/or Jesus is a common feature among Baptists, Christian Identity, Mormonism, Catholicism, Portestants, Adventists, Pentecoastals, and the KKK. All of the above insist that THEY are the "true" ones, and all of them can cite the Bible as "proof" of their claims.
Since there is no concrete, objective criteria, the claim of "this person is/is not a 'true Christian'" is a purely speculative opinion.
Unless someone is A) a telepath and B) actually knows for a fact what "God's" opinion of a "true Christian" is, no one can say who is "true" and who is not.
2007-07-05 06:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by Scott M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was thinking earlier of posting a question along these lines. A lot of times Christians use this to get out of having to answer for the words/actions of other people claiming to be Christians. I have to admit, I've done it once or twice myself.
We all have different ideas of how a "true" Christian would act, so I guess the definition is incredibly subjective.
In my opinion (which is in no way authoritative), a "true" Christian would seek to show love above else (it is the greatest virtue), care for God's earth, help the needy, etc. A lot of other people, however, think that the true Christians are the ones who follow all the rules to a "t".
So who's right, me or the legalistic crew? I guess neither. As I said, it's subjective. There will be as many definitions as there are answerers.
2007-07-05 05:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
The term 'True Christian' is what people generally use to describe someone who exemplifies the teachings of Jesus Christ in their words and deeds, rather than claiming to be 'christian' but doing whatever they feel like.
I have also met many people who, while claiming to be 'christian', are judgemental, hypocritical, spread hate and fear, fill their own childrens heads with nonsense and ignorance, and who do 'true christians' a grave injustice.
Although I do not believe in Jesus Christ (there may have been a man by that name who went around spreading good advice, but I absolutely do not believe in his supposed 'divinity'), I do not have a problem with people following his teachings as long as they aren't hurting anyone else. I have met many people to whom a 'personal relationship' with Jesus Christ has made it possible for them to overcome hardships and trials (though I don't think that Jesus had anything to do with it - more like the idea just gave them strength to help them focus on solving their problems).
On Yahoo! it can be difficult to differentiate between a 'true christian', someone claiming to be christian, or someone who is just trolling the boards looking for people to offend/elicit pissed off responses from.
2007-07-05 06:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Joe M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, only God knows the heart of man, and would know if someone is truly a Christian.
There are many however who take the name "Christian" but who have not decided to follow Jesus Christ.
The term "actions speak louder than words" would fit here.
In Jesus' words :
"And He summoned the crowd with His disciples and said to them, If anyone wishes to come after Me
he must deny himself
and take up his cross
and follow Me." Mark 8:34
So one who has repented, turned 180 degrees from following their own way, to submitting to the will of God, some one willing to lay down their life for their faith, some one who is following Jesus.
The way to do that is to read and study the Bible. Be in constant prayer, trusting and obeying God according to His Word.
If you have other questions along these lines feel free to email me.
2007-07-05 06:08:09 · answer #5 · answered by redeemed 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I may be way off on this question but I have found that a true christian uses scripture to answer questions, won't get into any real guts on any issue. Have faith or this is where faith enters the picture. Don't question. Believe just believe. What else do you have to live by. Attend services. Join church functions. Be apart of the group. Keep questions to yourself.
2007-07-05 06:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by plyjanney 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not that difficult to know whether or not you are a true Christian. True Christians follow the teachings of Christ. It's simple, really. Jesus Christ taught us that we should live lives of simplicity, tolerance, compassion, non-violence and service to others. If you attempt to lead a life according to those precepts, taught so many years ago by Jesus, you are a true Christian.
Pseudo-Christians and "Bible-ists", on the other hand, may call themselves Christians, but their lives betray them.
Pseudo-Christians, despite labeling themselves Christian, don't follow the teachings of Christ. They lead lives of materialism, selfishness and disregard for the impact of their lives on their fellow man and the Earth on which we all depend.
a fulse christian is a
Pseudo-Christians are intolerant of the lifestyles of others.
Pseudo-Christians only have compassion for those who believe as they do, and they disregard Jesus' admonition against the sin of violence, including war.
Pseudo-Christians can also be called "Bible-ists". Bible-ists interpret some version of the Bible in whatever manner suits their beliefs. The Bible is not, as the Bible-ists would have others believe, the "Word of God".
2007-07-05 06:09:55 · answer #7 · answered by mcmahon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1.True Christians respect God's Word and respect God's son, Jesus Christ and don't water down God's Word with their own teachings or philosophies.(Matthew 15:1-11). They live by Biblical standards and principles.
2. They exult God's Kingdom as mankind's only hope and follow Jesus by advertising this kingdom (Luke 4:43).
3.They are "no part of the world", in a sense, don't accept the immoral or self-righteous philosophies accepted in society or its acceptance of debaucherous lifestyle. (John 17:14-16).
4.They are known by God's name (Psalms 83:18), used between 6000-7000 times in the original Greek and Hebrew writings, and use, honor, and vindicate it (John 17:6, Acts 15:14-17).
5.They are identified by their love among themselves, as an united brotherhood (John 13:34,35), for they believe God is love (1 John 4:8) There is no partiality regarding race, color, language, nationality, gender, age, ethnicity, social status, or health.
2007-07-05 06:18:34 · answer #8 · answered by rdb_tigers101 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A true Christian is one who has totally surrended their life to Christ and wants to obey Him in all they do. A true Christian will strive to do what is right, and lets the love of Christ shine through. There is an old song that says "They will know we are Christians by our love." This is so true. When a person allows Christ to enter their heart and life, His perfect love is manifested to the world by that person. Your walk with Christ allows your character to become like His character, and God's character can be summed up in one word: love. A true Christian is not bitter or hateful towards their fellow man, but kind and loving, just as Christ would be.
God bless, I hope this makes sense!
2007-07-05 05:56:27 · answer #9 · answered by musicalchik 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To me a "true Christian" is one who believes that God sent His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the salvation of everyone who chooses to believe in Him. Furthermore, I believe a "true Christian" should try his or her very best to live a life that is pleasing to God. To do this I feel that the first two commandments are extremely critical.
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
~Matthew 22:37-39 (New International Version)~
To me, "loving your neighbor as yourself" means to love everyone just as Christ loved...and that means EVERYONE: murderers, adulterers, slanderers, thieves, prostitutes, homosexuals, etc. So many Christians feel it's their duty to judge and condemn others who don't share their beliefs, but it really is NOT their place to do so. And a lot of Christians have this "holier than thou art" attitude, which totally makes me understand why so many are turned off by Christianity.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
~Matthew 7:1-5 (New International Version)~
And finally, so many Christians feel the need to push their faith in the faces of others and as a result it turns them away. One of my favorite quotes if from Saint Francis of Assisi, which says, "Go out into the world and preach the gospel, and when necessary use words." I think "true Christians" are the ones who truly attempt to live out this principle. If more people who call themselves Christians did this as well, I believe there would be much more harmony between them and those who don't share their beliefs.
2007-07-05 06:44:02 · answer #10 · answered by Kori spelled backwards is Irok 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe a true Christian is not someone who makes the big outward show of being a Christian, all self-righteous, but those who quietly lives the teachings of Christ. Letting their light so shine before this people, that they may see their good works and glorify their Father who is in Heaven.
A imperfect Christian is still making an effort - so don't think that calling one on hypocrisy somehow makes you perfect. We are all imperfect and should all be trying.
2007-07-05 05:56:21 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋