No talking snakes, no people living to be 300 years old, no arks, people getting turned into salt,etc... but a belief that Jesus lived the way people should and set a good example (minus getting nailed to a cross, that's weak).
Can I be a christian if I don't buy into the hocus pocus?
2007-11-26 13:59:12 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely. In the church that I go to, science and religion go hand in hand, and we refer to Jesus as our "way-shower". We do not believe in "Flying Jesus" and the resurrection or "Zeus walking" and the Jesus is God stuff. We study the way that he lived his life and how he taught others to live theirs. We look at religious books that people write as carrying some important truths that can help humanity, but also some misguided statements of hatred and separation in them. We look at holy books as things to gain possible incites from, not "The Word of God." As a Biblical scholar, I write many articles for my church about how to look through the mythologies of these holy books to find basic eternal truths about humanity and how to interact with others from them. These churches are out there, you've just got to look for them. They are more difficult to find because none of them believe in conversion, evangelism, or other coercion methods.
2007-11-26 14:13:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Friend,
In order to accept Christ Jesus...we have to accept all that He was and is. He is the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End.
Christianity isn't a belief, behavior or religion. It is a "personal" relationship with the "living" person of Jesus Christ who was the only acceptable sacrificial Lamb of God, who could take our sinful place on the cross in our place. He paid debt, we could not pay.
Jesus Himself said that no one is good (by themselves). However, it is only by the Power of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart of mankind to have a hunger and desire to live for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
John 3:1-6 says, 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
And then there is the fact that "no one" is "good." Mark 10:17, 18 says, And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
It is also important to note that... no one can follow the 10 Commandments 100%. Why? Because the 10 Commandments were never given to mankind to follow. They were given to us to show us how sinful we are and that we NEED a Savior, Jesus Christ.
Hope this little bit of info has helped.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Matthew 11:28
Sincerely in His service,
lostnsavd...
2007-11-26 22:25:16 · answer #2 · answered by lostnsavd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
2007-11-26 22:27:48 · answer #3 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Christianity is founded upon what you do not have yet. FAITH
In order to be saved from your Sin & the Wrath of God, you must believe with your whole heart that Jesus Christ rose from the Dead. If you refuse to accept this Power of God, then He will show you His power on judgment day.
2007-11-26 22:16:06 · answer #4 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cannot be a Christian if you think paying for the sin of the whole world (including yours) and raising himself from the dead in an eternaly glorified body was weak! Quit using that name in vain. You want nothing to do with my Christ, why bother taking his name with you? For political gain? You're selfish and you deny the power of God. All that you want is a title. That name Christ happens to be my savior and my big brother who paid for my sins on that cross WILLINGLY. I bet you wouldn't be strong enough to leave immortality behind and die on the behalf of the entire world who had sinned against YOU! What's more than that, I'd like to see you perminantly ressurect yourself in glory and make the claim that all power is given you in heaven and earth! you call my savior weak and you want to bare his title in yours? That's just sick!
2007-11-27 19:12:21 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew P (SL) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All it takes to be a Christian is to accept Christ died on the Cross for you and the sins you committed. It has very little to do with how you live your life although Christ does want us to imitate His example. A Christian realized they are a sinner, realizes Christ died on the cross as a punishment for our sin, not His. He then rose from the grave to fulfill scripture and remain in each of us. Faith and acceptance of salvation is more than belief.
2007-11-26 22:05:39 · answer #6 · answered by Scott B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes!
You only need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and willingly died for your sins.
You only need to believe that after His death God resurrected Him as was promised.
You only have to believe you are a sinner and will never deserve to go to Heaven based on your actions but trust Jesus when He said all who follow Him will have eternal life.
The rest is secondary. Important but secondary.
2007-11-26 22:17:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anthony M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't pick and choose the parts of the Bible that you want to believe. What you are calling hocus pocus are things that God does all the time. God does miracles all the time and besides, what kind of God would he be if he couldn't do miracles.
So I say NO..
2007-11-26 22:02:19 · answer #8 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you start by believing in Jesus or wanna live life like Him, then i think nothing is worng with that, we are free to live and follow examples, if you feel christian that way, i say you give it a try:] i dont wanna creep you out but little by little, if God works in your heart, you'll understand more and more...
2007-11-26 22:04:39 · answer #9 · answered by fresh 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope. Unless you confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness and profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you cannot be Christian.
John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:6, 7 - That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 - Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born gain.
2007-11-26 22:03:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋