Countless times I have asked (not just on Answers) why some Christians are very rude to me, or say things like
How do YOU determine who is a true christian and who isn't?
2007-09-13 07:26:30 · 21 answers · asked by Moonlit Hemlock 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lion of Judah: I already know I'm not Christian.
2007-09-13 07:37:56 · update #1
Most people who take the trouble to accuse other people of not being "true" Christians happen to define a true Christian to fit in with their own exact beliefs. Yes, it's ridiculous. I don't agree with the actions of many Christians, but I'm not going to be so silly as to assume they're faking.
2007-09-13 07:34:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I looked at the website that Lion of Judah offered. Interesting. I suppose you could give this test to all your friends and people you meet so you will know how to identify them.
I have met very few people that I think have a Christian, or Christ-like, presentation of themselves. The ones I have would display the following:
They are not boastful, nor cruel, nor are they overly judgemental (things like murder, rape, etc., they are understandably against...there are other social issues, though, that they don't judge on). They are loving, kind, and are not offended at the drop of a hat. They are respectful of others, even if they don't believe as they do (this is in line with Jesus' instruction to the disciples to spread the good news, and if nobody listens, shake the dust of that town off your feet and move on...I don't recall him saying to pull out your sword and start killing til they believe).
In short, these folks have a belief that is so strong, they are not so intimidated by opposing views that they feel a need to be obnoxious about it. They have a sereneness to them that I admire.
I don't really spend alot of time determining who is or is not Christian...but there are people that I think fit the definition, and they have the qualities I mention above.
2007-09-13 14:48:47 · answer #2 · answered by Night Owl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A true christian adheres to the teachings of Jesus Christ and should be a walking talking example of Christ. They should have asked Christ into their lives, confessed their sin, believe he is the son of God and is alive today and live a life according to Christ. They should not judge others, they should walk their talk, not be a hypocrite and should love others regardless of their belief. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck. However, we are ALL flawed humans who make mistakes now and then. Christians are not and cannot be perfect. It gripes me when people who don't believe are ready and waiting for us to screw up - because we do sometimes - and then we never hear the end of it. It comes down to this: Love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself - all the commandments hinge on these two commands. Also, religion is not Christianity. People who are religious like lutheran, catholic, mormon, JW's etc. doesn't automatically mean they are a christian. Plain religion without being saved by Jesus Christ is just a bunch of man made rules and rituals. Merely being religious doesn't give you a free ride to heaven. You must be saved - You must be born again.
2007-09-13 15:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't judge any christian in the first place, its only God's job to do that. I agree with you, some christians can be very rude on here, I get indulted by other christians, and get called "not a true christian" because I don't believe in bashing atheist, and telling them they are horrible. Ill spread the word but not insult them and for that I get insulted by people of my own faith. Its ok though I don't need to judge here on earth. So if someone says they are a christian then I believe they are true, however I have my doubts if they insult other christians and just want to tell everyone that they are going to hell or something like that.
2007-09-13 14:42:35 · answer #4 · answered by Ally... 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
2007-09-13 14:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Christian by definition is a follower of Christ and his teachings, someone who professes Jesus as the Son of God and their personal Savior.
Because Christians are human and fallible (and as sinful as anyone else), sometimes we don't behave as Christ would in our actions. This is wrong. We all fail, but most of us still try to be like Christ, which means loving others more than ourselves and putting our faith into action, e.g. doing good works for others.
It does cause Christians pain when people who claim to be Christians don't act as such. If someone who claims to be a Christian says something to you that you believe doesn't sound like something a Christian should say, perhaps you should say something. It might help them to really look at themselves critically, which we all need to do.
By the way, I think the comment about "children without Jesus..." is ridiculous. I would never say or believe that. The children of believers can be just as wild and out-of-control as anyone.
2007-09-13 14:46:16 · answer #6 · answered by trish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can not say who is or is not a Christian. That is known only to the individual and to God.
As a Christian, I can say, that someone is acting in an unChristian manner. I can say that they are wrong in their view ( when I can show it Biblically). I can say they are not exhibiting fruits of the Spirit.
There are indeed many false phrophets among us, and we are to know them by their fruits, and some are masters in the art of deception.
When the deceivers are exposed it is a matter of being either a Christian or not a Christian. There is no such thing as an "unreal" or "true" Christian, either we are or we are not.
Just as an infant grows into babyhood, childhood, teen, young adult etc...we grow in maturity in our Christian walk.
An infant is still a real person, and the inexperienced Christian is still a real Christian. Instead of lableing this person as "not true", we should be assisting in their growth.
2007-09-13 15:08:52 · answer #7 · answered by †LifeOnLoan† 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not any of my business who is a (capital t) true Christian.
Christians like everyone else can be rude. But to say, "It's OK to be rude to you because you aren't a Christian," is simply the mark of an arrogant person. It's also contrary to the Gospel. Christ while on the cross forgave those who had him put to death.
The remark about self control in children shows a lot of ignorance about neurological differences.
It sounds like you have been listening to members of a fundamentalist cult, not mainstream Christians.
2007-09-13 14:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Zelda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you know your doctrine? If you are interested, you can take a little theological test. Following are 20 basic Christian Doctrine questions. All you need to do is write down the answers to the questions, and when you are done, click on the Answers Page at the end of this test and find out how you did. Of course, there are a lot more questions that could be asked, but these will serve as a sample.
Also, some of the questions deal with essential doctrines. In other words, if you deny them, then you are not a Christian. Do you know which ones are essentials?
http://www.carm.org/doctrine/test.htm
2007-09-13 14:34:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
No one knows but God. I would say that most of the time when someone believes they themselves are more of a Christian than someone else, they need to look at themselves because they aren't right either.
I can say that because I judge people sometimes and I'm usually guilty of something too. (At the very least I am guilty of judging others, and pride)
2007-09-13 14:53:28 · answer #10 · answered by Airmech 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋