What is a Christian?

jgredline · 03-10-2010, 03:22 PM

Hi Folks.
One of the biggest problems I see that affects me personally is this..
First, I hear the word Christian tossed around so much that it means nothing to most people. Sure people have an opinion.
For some, when they hear the word Christian, they think Hypocrite.
For others, they are filled with joy as they encounter a Fellow brother or sister in Christ.
Others, like myself are always skeptical when someone has the need to announce they are a Christian..
Still many and I mean many folks, flat hate Christians or the thought of them.

I would very much love to read what your thoughts are on this simple question and discuss it. My personal opinion means nothing, so I would also like
to share what the bible says one is.. Different people will have different opinions and that is fine. Lets discuss.

What is a Christian?

Last edited by jgredline; 03-10-2010 at 06:26 PM. Reason: clarification

GoremanX · 03-10-2010, 03:29 PM

A Christian is one who believes that Jesus was the son of God. That's as far as I've been able to go with that question. This implies that a Christian follows certain moral guidelines which have been passed down through generations. How a person interprets those guidelines varies widely, and I don't think there are any "correct" interpretations.

edit: to clarify, I don't think any interpretation is necessarily "more correct" than any others.

deadwolfbones · 03-10-2010, 03:30 PM

A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ.

SteveM · 03-10-2010, 03:31 PM

A Christian should be someone with compassion, someone that does good for others and is tolerant of other Christians and non-Christians. I don't know why some people become "too Christian" and start to behave badly. I think it has something to do with our primeval tribal instincts...trying to kill off tribes that are different than our own. Hopefully we will eventually mature enough to get past the our animal instincts.....something that fundamentalists love to tap into.

Clicker · 03-10-2010, 03:34 PM

A Christian to me is someone who follows the ideologies of one religion.

GoremanX · 03-10-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ.

If Jesus really did exist as he's depicted in the bible, I see nothing wrong with his ideals. That doesn't necessarily make me a Christian. The belief that he was the son of God is vitally important. If you don't believe that, you're not a Christian. You're part of a different religion.

gabriel_bc · 03-10-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ.

Amen. Preach it, brother!

Das Boot · 03-10-2010, 03:38 PM

It is a person that believes in God and Jesus. Where I'm from, there are a lot of people that call themselves Christians because they go to church and believe in God and Christ. Outside of that, it is mainly a presentation. Now, if you really want to know of a man's character you simply need to ask him how old his grandmother is.

GoremanX · 03-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by Das Boot

Now, if you really want to know of a man's character you simply need to ask him how old his grandmother is.

82 this coming May

Das Boot · 03-10-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

82 this coming May

Good for her, I hope she is healthy. Both of mine are dead - never knew them.

GoremanX · 03-10-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by Das Boot

Good for her, I hope she is healthy. Both of mine are dead - never knew them.

then you must have no character

Das Boot · 03-10-2010, 03:47 PM

Actually, she would have been 357 years old.

causey · 03-10-2010, 04:17 PM

Shouldn't a Christian be someone who not only believes in the historical existence of Jesus and in the--natural and maybe supernatural--facts told about in the Scriptures, but also has faith in Jesus in the sense that s/he strives to be like Jesus? A follower of Christ? That is, a person who follows Christ's teachings in practice? Someone who really takes those teachings seriously?

GoremanX · 03-10-2010, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by causey

buy also has faith in Jesus in the sense that s/he strives to be like Jesus?

I strive to live forever... is that the same as resurrection?

JeffJS · 03-10-2010, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by jgredline

Hi Folks.
One of the biggest problems I see that affects me personally is this..
First, I hear the word Christian tossed around so much that it means nothing to most people. Sure people have an opinion.
For some, when they hear the word Christian, they think Hypocrite.
For others, they are filled with joy as they encounter a Fellow brother or sister in Christ.
Others, like myself are always skeptical when someone has the need to announce they are a Christian..
Still many and I mean many folks, flat hate Christians or the thought of them.

I would very much love to read what your thoughts are on this simple question.

What is a Christian?

It's been My experience that whenever I hear someone say "I'm a Christian", that has been the case.

03-10-2010, 03:22 PM	#1
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	What is a Christian? Hi Folks. One of the biggest problems I see that affects me personally is this.. First, I hear the word Christian tossed around so much that it means nothing to most people. Sure people have an opinion. For some, when they hear the word Christian, they think Hypocrite. For others, they are filled with joy as they encounter a Fellow brother or sister in Christ. Others, like myself are always skeptical when someone has the need to announce they are a Christian.. Still many and I mean many folks, flat hate Christians or the thought of them. I would very much love to read what your thoughts are on this simple question and discuss it. My personal opinion means nothing, so I would also like to share what the bible says one is.. Different people will have different opinions and that is fine. Lets discuss. What is a Christian? Last edited by jgredline; 03-10-2010 at 06:26 PM. Reason: clarification

03-10-2010, 04:17 PM	#13
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Shouldn't a Christian be someone who not only believes in the historical existence of Jesus and in the--natural and maybe supernatural--facts told about in the Scriptures, but also has faith in Jesus in the sense that s/he strives to be like Jesus? A follower of Christ? That is, a person who follows Christ's teachings in practice? Someone who really takes those teachings seriously? Last edited by causey; 03-10-2010 at 04:36 PM.

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03-10-2010, 03:29 PM	#2
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	A Christian is one who believes that Jesus was the son of God. That's as far as I've been able to go with that question. This implies that a Christian follows certain moral guidelines which have been passed down through generations. How a person interprets those guidelines varies widely, and I don't think there are any "correct" interpretations. edit: to clarify, I don't think any interpretation is necessarily "more correct" than any others.

03-10-2010, 03:30 PM	#3
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ.

03-10-2010, 03:31 PM	#4
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	A Christian should be someone with compassion, someone that does good for others and is tolerant of other Christians and non-Christians. I don't know why some people become "too Christian" and start to behave badly. I think it has something to do with our primeval tribal instincts...trying to kill off tribes that are different than our own. Hopefully we will eventually mature enough to get past the our animal instincts.....something that fundamentalists love to tap into.

03-10-2010, 03:34 PM	#5
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	A Christian to me is someone who follows the ideologies of one religion.

03-10-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by deadwolfbones A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ. If Jesus really did exist as he's depicted in the bible, I see nothing wrong with his ideals. That doesn't necessarily make me a Christian. The belief that he was the son of God is vitally important. If you don't believe that, you're not a Christian. You're part of a different religion.

03-10-2010, 03:35 PM	#7
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Originally posted by deadwolfbones A Christian is someone who claims to adhere to the ideals espoused by the historical figure known as Jesus Christ. Amen. Preach it, brother!

03-10-2010, 03:38 PM	#8
Das Boot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sparkle City, South Cackalacky Photos: Gallery Posts: 689	It is a person that believes in God and Jesus. Where I'm from, there are a lot of people that call themselves Christians because they go to church and believe in God and Christ. Outside of that, it is mainly a presentation. Now, if you really want to know of a man's character you simply need to ask him how old his grandmother is.

03-10-2010, 03:39 PM	#9
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by Das Boot Now, if you really want to know of a man's character you simply need to ask him how old his grandmother is. 82 this coming May

03-10-2010, 03:43 PM	#10
Das Boot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sparkle City, South Cackalacky Photos: Gallery Posts: 689	Quote: 82 this coming May Good for her, I hope she is healthy. Both of mine are dead - never knew them.

03-10-2010, 03:45 PM	#11
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by Das Boot Good for her, I hope she is healthy. Both of mine are dead - never knew them. then you must have no character

03-10-2010, 03:47 PM	#12
Das Boot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sparkle City, South Cackalacky Photos: Gallery Posts: 689	Actually, she would have been 357 years old.

03-10-2010, 04:26 PM	#14
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by causey buy also has faith in Jesus in the sense that s/he strives to be like Jesus? I strive to live forever... is that the same as resurrection?

03-10-2010, 04:39 PM	#15
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by jgredline Hi Folks. One of the biggest problems I see that affects me personally is this.. First, I hear the word Christian tossed around so much that it means nothing to most people. Sure people have an opinion. For some, when they hear the word Christian, they think Hypocrite. For others, they are filled with joy as they encounter a Fellow brother or sister in Christ. Others, like myself are always skeptical when someone has the need to announce they are a Christian.. Still many and I mean many folks, flat hate Christians or the thought of them. I would very much love to read what your thoughts are on this simple question. What is a Christian? It's been My experience that whenever I hear someone say "I'm a Christian", that has been the case.