A definition

[ScioVeritas]

The word " Christian" is thrown around a lot and I'm wondering how people here define it?

Specifically, the question for debate is : what makes someone a Christian? Also where/what does your definition come from?

[ScioVeritas]

No, it simply means that one must 'drill down' a step in the hierarchy, and identify the specific Christian belief system under discussion. Given the wide variety of such beliefs, and how irritated I get when I get lumped into 'the set of all Christians' when someone starts criticizing this "Christian" belief or that one, I figure that such a step can only improve serious discussion.

After all, there's a rather large difference between the beliefs and practices of Orthodox Christians, Calvinist Christians, evangelical fundamentalist Protestant Christians and Restorationists.

So we have to add the adjectives to winnow down to the group we are discussing; one or two descriptors that would save a WHOLE bunch of angst and strawman accusations; how could that hurt?

And this was the original reason for my question. To point out that the term "Christian" is too generic a term and in a forum such as this where semantics are important and every statement is evaluated I think it would lead to more meaningful discussions if those adjectives were added so we all know exactly what specific set of beliefs/practices are being discussed.

[Korah]

[Replying to post 31 by ScioVeritas]
I disagree.
Having been everything from agnostic (and not a Christian at that time, I'll admit), Methodist, Arian, Vatican II Roman Catholic, Traditionalist Roman Catholic, Catholic Charismatic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and inquirer at any number of other "Christian" bodies, I find it meaningful to include them all when I say "Christian". Where I find it meaningful to distinguish is where I want to state that I am NOT like certain Christians--like where I have never been a Fundamentalist, Calvinist, or Adventist, all of which horrify me. But I don't deny they are Christians, even good or true Christians, but from my vantage point of highly educated ENTP Retaliator, I feel obligated to distance myself from some or most of their doctrines.

[ttruscott]

From the OP:

The word " Christian" is thrown around a lot and I'm wondering how people here define it?

Specifically, the question for debate is : what makes someone a Christian?

Best I can tell, it's an inability to accept the homosexuals as human beings.

Joey this is sooo wrong I don't even know what to call it.

Christians believe that EVERYONE IS A SINNER adn ALL SIN IS OF ULTIMATE DISVALUE TO GOD!!!

This meand no ones sinnis les sthan anothers and to pray, "Thankyou GO dfor no t making me like those sinners, and that tax colletor!" is the epitomé of self righteousnes s, not true righteousness.

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 32:

I find it meaningful to include them all when I say "Christian".

Good luck with that.

I got lied on for even attempting to include those who declare their Christianity.

[Korah]

[Replying to post 27 by Korah]
Too late to revise my Post #27, but some modifications are needed. Sidney Rigdon was never a Presbyterian (Baptist preacher, but maybe as Calvinistic there anyway)--I think I recalled Alexander Campbell, founder of the Church of Christ. See Wikipedia's excellent article on Restorationism and on Sidney Rigdon. Also I emphasized New York too much (that was Joseph Smith), when states south were more involved (like West Virginia). Adventism proper split off from William Miller after 1844 failed to bring the Second Coming. Rather later came Russellism, the Bible Students, and yet much later came Jehovah's Witnesses, but Restorationism covers all the Adventists and off-shoots and also the earlier Mormons and yet earlier Disciples of Christ (Campbellites).

[Genevieve]

My definition is pretty straightforward and comes from Acts 2 (and I'm quoting from memory so please forgive any errors):

Peter replied, "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

If you've done all of that you're a Christian. If you haven't then you're not, tho you may be a God-fearer or Jesus-follower, or something else like that. But this is just my own dividing line, I understand that the definition most people use is much more broad. I'm not interested in arguing with anyone over who is a "true" Christian. It really makes no difference to me what people call themselves or how anyone else uses the word. But this is the definition that is clearest to me.

[Genevieve]

[Replying to post 22 by dianaiad]

I agree with Dianaid's classification of Christian for most purposes, and is probably a good generalization for this forum.

[Stonez]

The word " Christian" is thrown around a lot and I'm wondering how people here define it?

Specifically, the question for debate is : what makes someone a Christian? Also where/what does your definition come from?

A Christian is anyone who has faith in God through the story of Jesus Christ.

The similarities among Christians is that Jesus was born of a virgin, Was the Jewish Messiah who died for our sins and was raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God.

I think pretty much all Christians sects today would believe that?

[Haven]

A Christian is anyone who has faith in God through the story of Jesus Christ.

The similarities among Christians is that Jesus was born of a virgin, Was the Jewish Messiah who died for our sins and was raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God.

I think pretty much all Christians sects today would believe that?

There are actually plenty of theologically liberal Christians who would reject the virgin birth, the Jewish Messiah claims, the substitutionary atonement ('died for our sins'), and the resurrection. There are even some (like John Shelby Spong and Atheist Quakers, for example) who would reject the literal existence of God altogether. It's really hard to identify any doctrines that all Christians hold in common. Maybe a belief that Jesus was, in some way, a special person?

[arian]

The word " Christian" is thrown around a lot and I'm wondering how people here define it?

Specifically, the question for debate is : what makes someone a Christian? Also where/what does your definition come from?

For me, these following verses describe "what makes someone a Christian":

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now

“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?�[f]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

And this following verse would describe where and when it started, NOT the Church of Desciples that followed Christ's teachings, but the name Christian;

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

We are also warned that:

Matthew 7:15
(You Will Know Them by Their Fruits)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

Matthew 24:11
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

This started while Jesus was teaching and preaching, but around 325AD an official church was dedicated in the name of the false prophets and false gods, replacing our one and ONLY intercessor Jesus Christ with Marian worship, where people repetitiously pray to an idol called Holy Mary to intercede for them. Here our Holy Heavenly Father was replaced by an earthly 'holy father' the Pope, and not by deeds of righteousness, but by force, by the edge of the sword they created a religion with their own gods and called it 'Christian', .. but we have been warned as I shown a few of those warnings above.

So we have those few Disciples who follow the teachings of Christ whom if you met would call Christians of which I am the least, and then we have the rich and powerful militant Christian Religion disguised in about 40,000 denominations who worship deities who divine for them from the supernatural realm.
Yes, the leaders of this religion study 'theology' in schools of Divinity and Trinity Colleges which is the study of many gods, and get their degree in divinations and become 'diviners' to all the demonic spirits whom they worship as gods. One of the most famous plural deities (demons) is Legion, the only plural deity mentioned in the Bible, the one Jesus Himself cast out of a few possessed men, this deity identified himself as 'Legion' "for we are many!" about two thousand strong.

Now you know why the name "Christian" is thrown around so much, it is to delude the true meaning of 'Christian, or Christ-like' to an almost totally achieved point where (as some here already pointed out) now it is now practically meaningless.