Am I really a Christian when...............?

Question

there is so much of it I just don't believe? I do not believe that we were created from Adam, I do not believe we lived to be 100's of years old and I do not believe the Book of Revelations as it has been proved to have been written in the 14th Century and is somebody's idea of a sick joke!!
I do however, believe that we go to heaven, that we should be kind and considerate to our fellow man and try to live a good Christian life. So does that mean I am not really a Christian as I don't go to church except for weddings and funerals? I do pray when the going gets tough though, so does that count?

Right, all you self righteous souls out there - I was baptised and so are my children. My husband recently died 4 months ago and I want to think he is up in Heaven with my father who also died 7 moths ago.
Channel 4 did a programme with Tony Robinson it was hitorically factual and the book of revelations was tested and was from the 14th century, end of story. We are not talking about the Dead Sea Scrolls here, and that's just a fact. Over the centuries people have altered our scriptures for their own ends - now that doesn't sound very Christian to me? For a start Mary Magdallane was not a hooker, though whether she was Jesus' wife is anyone guess, do I make my point? There is new evidence that Jesus told Judas to turn him in and he was not the deadly sinner we are all lead to believe?!!

I think at the end of our days, I'll take my chances with Saint Peter! May I remind you guys out there that we are SUPPOSED to be the good guys and NOT the ones who who tell people they are a heap of crap and can go to hell and damnation? You don't save sould that way folks, so look inward and see if you like what you see?

I can see why Robert Burns penned the poem 'Holly Willie's prayer' some of you want to look it up on the internet!!

Answer 1

YOUR MY NEW MORAL LEADER

Answer 2

There are many cultures around the world, even primitive ones, that have stories and legends about man's parents being situated in a park or garden. There are also many accounts regarding a global flood which God brought about preserving only a handful of people.

Scientists know that our bodies have the ability to live much longer periods of time. Our cells continually rejuvinate themselves, but scientists are unsure why this process slows down. By the time we die at 70 or 80, we have used only 0.01% of our brain. Why did God create us with a brain with such a huge capacity? It is very reasonable that Adam lived to 930 years old. Death was only mentioned as a result if Adam and Eve disobeyed God. If Adam and Eve had not sinned, they would still be alive today.

I am not sure that Revelation was written in the 14th century. It was written by the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos *before* he wrote his own gospel. If you can give me further info proving Revelation was written later, I'd like to take a look at it. I know Revelation is deep and heavily symbolic, but I have studied it several times and it concludes the Bible perfectly.

It is important to be good to our fellow man. Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ. I'm sure you would benefit from an honest-hearted study of the Bible, perhaps even the gospels as a start. I would also encourage you to pray for understanding, particular the deeper things of the Bible.

All the best!

------------

It is true that some translations of the Bible have been altered slightly, but these can easily be exposed. Did you know that there are possibly 6,000 handwritten copies containing all or part of the Hebrew Scriptures; the oldest dates back to the third century B.C.E. Of the Christian Greek Scriptures, there are some 5,000 in Greek (including Revelation), the oldest dating back to the beginning of the second century C.E. There are also many copies of early translations into other languages. So there are plenty available for comparison.

Answer 3

From what you have written, I can tell you have been exposed to some teachings that try to disprove the authority and accuracy of the scriptures.
No wonder you have a hard time believing.
I seriously recommend that you go back over wherever you got your information from, and look past it- to see WHAT the writers or teachers were REALLY trying to do.
I suspect you will find an atheist, twisting whatever "informational fact" they could into some story that would CAUSE doubt about the Bible, and the truths it contains.
Your second paragraph reveals that you believe doing "good works" will get you into Heaven.
That doesn't work. We need the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ.
Fact is, if there were ANYTHING a person could DO to obtain eternal life in Heaven, then Christ WOULD NOT have HAD to come and die on the cross for us.

Answer 4

Well really that is question that is between you and God... But I can tell you how believe... I don't think being a christian is saying a prayer or going to church on Sunday or even being a good person... I think it's a lifestyle change... a transformation of your life and your heart... It's a relationship with the Father... That in EVERYTHING I do I do it for His glory and seek His will.

One piece of advise that I would like to offer you is to be careful not to immediately believe everything that you hear. The bible says that "ignorance is no excuse." So study study study but most of all study the Word and use that as your guide to everything else. I have avidley studied the Bible and I've come accross many things that made me second guess what the Bible says, but it's then that I ask for His guidance and wisdom to discover an answer that lines up with what His word says... and He has always shown me something... But be careful not to believe everything that you hear and be careful not to be deceived...

So if i were you... I would set aside sometime just between you and God... were there are no other distractions... maybe turn on some worship music and tell God how you feel .... tell God that you are unsure of your relationship with Him... just pour it all out... everything that your feeling... He will hear you...

In the mean time... I will be praying for you... Salvation is never something to be taken lightly... And I will pray that God will give you all the answers that you are looking for... :)

Answer 5

I'm a Christian and ...

"I do not believe that we were created from Adam"

Me neither.

"I do not believe we lived to be 100's of years old"

Me neither. Well...people do live past 100, but you made hundreds plural, so I agree with that.

"I do not believe the Book of Revelations as it has been proved to have been written in the 14th Century and is somebody's idea of a sick joke"

Huh? Then why did people in the 2nd Century write a lot of commentaries about it? That part of what you are saying simply doesn't make sense.
You had me up til that point, but where did you get that information from?

You can still be Christian based off what you said. Christianity is about a relationship with God and understanding that relationship and coming to that relationship through Jesus.

Now that you understand what you don't agree with, you can look at the stories in Scripture differently and begin to see how they make sense differently. You're actually further along in your faith development than you realize. You've stopped taking a literal approach to things and can now see the story and the message God is giving you through Scripture.

To quote Chris Farley in I don't know how many skits/movies, "For the love of God," (hehe...figured it was appropriate) learn that Revelation has been proven to be written around 95 AD with a fair amount still saying about 70AD. 14th Century?? Ack! :)

I'll star this to check back in case you have any other questions. But easier to E-Mail me to let me know you added more information or E-Mail me privately if I can help.

God bless and happy learning!
Matt

Answer 6

You are a Christian if you have accepted Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour. Its not up to me, or anyone else on here to tell you whether you are saved or not. Ask God not people..
I agree with you that some stuff in the Bible is hard to believe, the Creation story was one of the reasons I mocked Christianity and why I didnt believe in it. But we believe in a supernatural God who does the impossible. It comes down to faith, do you believe that God could create the world in 6 days?
Living a 'good' life wont get you into heaven. We receive eternal life through Jesus' sacrifice and the grace of God. Nothing else. The same goes for church; just going doesnt mean you are a Christian. Likewise not going doesnt mean you arent a Christian.
As for praying sometimes, in hard situations, that doesnt make you a Christian either, almost everyone has prayed when they're desperate I'm sure.
Nothing can make you a Christian except the decision of accepting Jesus into your heart and life. Have you done that?
Love in Christ..

Answer 7

Lady 49,
There were many good people killed in the flood of Noah's day. And possibly good in other judgment periods also. But they did not have an accurate knowledge of God. And that is the description of an unrighteous man, lack of accurate knowledge.

You may justify in your mind as many others are also doing that if they live a decent, law abiding life they will be safe when God destoys the wicked.
The scriptures say the way of a man seems upright in his own eyes but is the death of him afterward.
What does that mean?

You think you are right. But God's standards are much higher and so are his thoughts.

He has a special way he demands to be worshiped and if we refuse to comply we will die.

Lets say you were in school. The teacher has given you in writing a guideline on how the school year should go. There will be tests and reports and conduct that will determine your final grade.
But you decide to not look at the guidelines and do it your way.
At the end of the year, you fail, why? You didn't do it the teachers way.

We have to pick up the bible and find out how God wants us to live and worship him.

Lets always pray he gives us knowledge , wisdom and understanding to follow the right path. And the endurance to face each obstacle and perservere.

Answer 8

It is OK to search, but don't just believe whatever you see on TV!
For instance: In fact, the book of revelation was quoted as part of the NT by Anastasius (367), for instance. Even at the meeting of Church's bishops, year 393, revelations was included. QUESTION: How could a book from the 14th century been known at the 4th? ANSWER: It couldn't of course! Therefore, Revelations WAS NOT written at the 14th century.

In fact, we see most of Revelations cited in the works of the early Church fathers. We are talking about BEFORE the year 300.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

I receive the Lord at the age of 14 years. We have such a wonderful relationship. (sounded like too intimate)
1st of all... if you have faith in Jesus you will not be having so much doubts.
Does it really matter we are from Adam or Ali??
Sometime ago, the Lord spoke to through this verse.
John 3:12 - I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
If bible is so hard for you to believe and digest how you expect God to show you great things in life?
As you have mentioned about "So does that mean I am not really a Christian as I don't go to church except for weddings and funerals? I do pray when the going gets tough though, so does that count?"
Let me tell you even Satan knows God inside out does it make Satan a christian? A christian is someone who believe/love God and "feed God's lamb". I don't mean every Christian are holy and pure. If so, Jesus will not die for us already.

Just bear in mind, which I always remind myself. Jesus our Lord is God not the genie in the bottle that grant wishes whenever you want/need.

Answer 10

The bare bones of Christianity are a belief in God and the death/resurrection of Jesus. The rest is just doctrinal issues.

I think it is important to look at the Bible as it needs to be looked at- a piece of literature with different genres that can't all be read literally. But you shouldn't just discount it either, especially that stuff about Revelations you may want to study more.

I think the most important thing you hit on here was being kind to each other and trying to live a good life. Those things should be important to any Christian.

Answer 11

Whatever you believe is entirely up to you. I think you don't have to go with the bits you don't like. That is why there are so many different versions of Christianity out there. Religious leaders will argue over different views and debate intricacies of theology ad nauseum . You can still be Christian and not believe in Adam and Eve. You can still be Christian and believe in Evolution.

The further religions get temporally from their original inception the more inaccuracies can creep in, things change or are modified or people change and respond to different messages in their particular holy book. You have answered your question in your second paragraph. In the final analysis just treat others as you yourself would want to be treated and try to lead a good life is the answer.