Are there other marginal christians out there?

Question

I believe in the God, Jesus, and Holy spirit.
I believe we are the temple of God and to treat body (and mind) accordingly.
I believe in God who is good and fair (benefit of the doubt) and that the world may end (when, don't ask).

I accept all of science, all of human activities that yield fruitful knowledge and realize we must reason, question, and perform humanly activities.

Yet, I don't quite accept the literal interpretations of certain portions of bible and really do not * feel* anything for certain characters of the bible (because not all were the thinking types who gain most admiration). I really don't feel quite up to par with biblical knowledge, yet have no reason to reject christianity. In fact, I aspire toward knowing God and communing with Him on a very personal level through prayer and reflections. ....and I am satistfied to an extent. I do not desire to memorize and fill my head with scriptures. I am busy with life. I am not a bible scholar.

Yes, my family is christian. I once was a pubicly declared atheist/agnostic and although my family was unaccepting I still believed in atheism strongly. Then after years of mull and not really liking the atheist company, I have come to a decision. I am now a publicly declared christian by rediscovery and choice. It is good to be christian. I really enjoy the lifestyle.

THEN, is my 'MARGINAL CHRISTIAN' terminology wrong? Did I mislabel myself? when I compare myself to other christians, I always feel I question too much compared to them. i find myself feeling like I don't quite fit the bill, as most christians simply obey and don't question. Yet my heart wants to understand and reason...I desire to come to God earnestly.

I grew up in the church (so I am familiar with the bible scriptures), then left the church for a good 13 years. Then I returned by my own will and seeing some goodness in God.

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a marginal Christian. A man has accepted the atonement of Christ and been made new or he is not a Christian. If this life has more meaning then you don't have faith and it is by faith we say we are made new.
Those that love and seek God's truth will receive a gift from God called faith, it is through faith we receive revelation from God and a personal relationship with him.
If you accept Jesus and his atonement the changes that you speak of will come from God.
Being saved is not a one time be all end all.
We are saved
We are being saved and
We will be saved.

Edit Yes, I would hope you are labeling yourself wrong.
We are all still growing as Christians revelation comes from God it is not by our wisdom we know God but by his revelation.

Answer 2

I want to talk on the part where you said you are, "satisfied to an extent." To say that means you are lacking something. You say you believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but are you saved? You say you are not a bible scholar, but do you know God's word at all? I believe God is trying to tell you something.

Answer 3

As far as I can tell, you are very much a mainstream Christian. Even though they are very vocal, the Christians who think the Bible is literally scientifically and historically accurate, memorize chunks of the Bible and see a conflict between faith and science are very few.

Answer 4

No reason to reject Christianity? How about a lack of any scientific/objective evidence that any of its central tenets are true? Also, you realize that you're probably just a Christian because your parents were, right?

Of course, if you are willing to accept those tenets of Christianity 'on faith,' then if you have no reason to reject Christianity, you also have no reason to reject Islam or Judaism, yet you do by being Christian because they are mutually exclusive.

So why the double standard? Your stance is doublethink (holding two or more contradictory ideas in your mind at once) whether you realize it or not. Personally, it sounds to me like Christianity is your 'safety blanket,' that you're one of those people who believes 'just in case' and/or simply because that's what you were brought up in.

Moderate Christianity makes even less sense than fundamentalist Christianity (and I bet someone like you knows exactly how little sense THAT makes, right?), for the reasons above. If you disagree, feel free to explain yourself to me through e-mail--I have no intention of 'yelling' at you then not allowing you to respond.

Answer 5

Keep growing in the Lord. Here is a simple hurdle for your discernment; The scriptural old testament is the law of Moses, not Genesis-Malachi. (Difference; Can one have the law of Moses, before Moses was born? (i.e. Genesis)). (The law of Moses is also referred to as the old testament; 2 Cor. 3:13-14 KJV).

Answer 6

The kingdom of God is within you and all around you, not in temples of wood and stone.
You are on the right path. Keep walking.