What, EXACTLY, is a Christian?

[Zzyzx]

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What, EXACTLY, is a Christian?

Is it someone who:

1. Professes belief in Jesus?
2. Follows the teachings of Jesus a little? A lot? Completely?
3. Is baptized?
4. Goes to church?
5. Identifies with one of the 40,000 Christian denominations?
6. Lives a “Christian life�?
7. Acts like a Christian?
8. Believes Bible stories are true?
9. Keeps the commandments?
10. Confesses their sins, asks forgiveness, repents?
11. Is accepted by other Christians?
12. Believes that Jesus was resurrected physically? Spiritually?
13. Believes there is an afterlife and that their soul can go to heaven?
14. Claims to be (identifies as) Christian?

Apologist debaters and other Christians seem to have difficulty agreeing on what constitutes or is required for a person to qualify as a Christian.

Which of the above (or other items) are included in the definition of “Christian� and are required for membership?

Conversely, what conditions EXCLUDE a person from being a Christian?

[McCulloch]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

The answer to this question might vary depending on context. To an anthropologist, sociologist or historian, a Christian is one who identifies with a Christian cultural identity. To a philosopher, a Christian is one who believes certain things. To most Christians, it is one who is sufficiently close to the in belief and practice to be in that circle called "us". The radius of that circle varies from denomination to denomination as well as from individual to individual.

[catnip]

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What, EXACTLY, is a Christian?

Is it someone who:

1. Professes belief in Jesus?

I would be more specific and say a person who believes in Jesus Christ. There are a lot of people named Jesus especially in other languages, such as Spanish.

2. Follows the teachings of Jesus a little? A lot? Completely?

As much as possible. To follow his teachings completely would be difficult.

3. Is baptized?

As far as I know, it is a basic requirement by tradition and application.

4. Goes to church?

Maybe.

5. Identifies with one of the 40,000 Christian denominations?

Not necessarily, but usually.

6. Lives a “Christian life�?

Faith should be 24/7 and not just on Sundays.

7. Acts like a Christian?

When you ask this, I have to wonder exactly what you mean. A Christian should be compassionate, gentle, kind, generous, helpful, tolerant, patient, unselfish, etc. In Gal 5, Paul lists several qualities of one who is guided by the Holy Spirit.

8. Believes Bible stories are true?

This is not necessary for faith. We do not have faith in a book, we have faith in the living God.

9. Keeps the commandments?

This should not be difficult. However, I stress that for the Christian it is the Great Commandment and the Second that rule and encompass all the other Commandments and is applied in every situation.

10. Confesses their sins, asks forgiveness, repents?

Repenting and confessing sins are a necessary part of the process. To repent is not only to regret and confess our sins, but to commit to a spiritual way of life, turning toward God.

11. Is accepted by other Christians?

This question may have to be more specific. But acceptance by other Christians is not a requirement and there is nowhere that says it is. That is a worldly focus. It may be, actually, that one who is very committed may be rejected by others. Was Jesus accepted by all the Jews?

12. Believes that Jesus was resurrected physically? Spiritually?

I think either works. I go with a more spiritual take on the subject. I think what is more important now is the awareness that Christ is with us always.

13. Believes there is an afterlife and that their soul can go to heaven?

I believe that faith is for this life. We have to choose it NOW and live it NOW and benefit from it NOW. Jesus was not teaching an afterlife, but eternal life that begins NOW. (I beg your pardon for being repetitive. I am rather snooty about those who have an insurance policy faith for the "afterlife".)

14. Claims to be (identifies as) Christian?

Maybe not. There are a large number of Christians who no longer overtly define themselves this way. They reject the label, but not Christ. I refuse to give up the traditional claim. If someone, however, does claim to be Christian, that is something I leave between themselves and Christ.

Apologist debaters and other Christians seem to have difficulty agreeing on what constitutes or is required for a person to qualify as a Christian.

Which of the above (or other items) are included in the definition of “Christian� and are required for membership?

Conversely, what conditions EXCLUDE a person from being a Christian?

Judging other people is not something a person living in faith can do. We can discern doctrines and choose whose teaching/preaching can be listened to as Jesus did teach. Good fruit comes from good trees.

What is the purpose of judging? Is it to exclude? And who are we to exclude, i.e. not be loving toward? What did Jesus say to the Pharisee who would warn him against the prostitute? This is not a faith of exclusion--it is a faith of inclusion. I love you because you are created by God (in my cosmology) and so I must treat you as I would treat any neighbor, as myself. It is not my place to judge you.

A person excludes themselves merely by refusing to believe or by saying they are not a Christian. As you can see, I even believe that there are people of deep faith who refuse to call themselves Christian--but they may belong to Christ.

[PghPanther]

[Replying to Zzyzx]

That depends on what denomination, theologian or church.....or a given bible study group......or even down to what an individual Christian claims..............and they will all debate with each other knowing their soul is hanging in the balance of eternal judgment and consequences...and what a nightmare that is to watch on debating among theist who differ in essential salvation claims if you are a Christian...you could view the debate thinking you are solid in your salvation and by the end of it be so confused you don't know what your status is.

Anyway one of the most widely accepted orthodox theology with many denominations would state: A Christian is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior by Christ's perfect atonement of the cross........and as such repented of their sin, been baptized with the Holy Spirit to dedicate themselves to spreading the gospel of his salvation to others.

and in no way will you get all Christians to agree on what I've just stated...........they will debate that to the point where they believe the other is going to hell for heretical beliefs.

Christianity has had over 2,000 years to get even their essential salvation story straight and they still can't do it.........that's some divine revelation huh?

It is the most obvious witness to the "lost" and primary evidence of the skeptical that this situation and behavior among claimed believers demonstrates there is nothing supernatural or divine to any of this stuff.........the whole thing ends up being........"my Superman story is more true than yours"

[Tired of the Nonsense]

.
What, EXACTLY, is a Christian?

Is it someone who:

1. Professes belief in Jesus?
2. Follows the teachings of Jesus a little? A lot? Completely?
3. Is baptized?
4. Goes to church?
5. Identifies with one of the 40,000 Christian denominations?
6. Lives a “Christian life�?
7. Acts like a Christian?
8. Believes Bible stories are true?
9. Keeps the commandments?
10. Confesses their sins, asks forgiveness, repents?
11. Is accepted by other Christians?
12. Believes that Jesus was resurrected physically? Spiritually?
13. Believes there is an afterlife and that their soul can go to heaven?
14. Claims to be (identifies as) Christian?

Apologist debaters and other Christians seem to have difficulty agreeing on what constitutes or is required for a person to qualify as a Christian.

Which of the above (or other items) are included in the definition of “Christian� and are required for membership?

Conversely, what conditions EXCLUDE a person from being a Christian?

Not being a Christian myself I find that I am unqualified to disqualify anyone else. And so I am forced to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian at their word. Oddly enough I invariably find during my discussions that there are apparently very few "true" Christians in the world at all, other than the very person I am talking to at that moment and those who believe exactly as he/she does.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

I don't think that all the criteria you listed is mutually exclusive of each other. I would think the largest factor, would be that Jesus was the Christ. People are not usually consistent in every part of their Christian walk either, depending on where they are at a particular point in their walk with Christ.

[bluethread]

Not being a Christian myself I find that I am unqualified to disqualify anyone else. And so I am forced to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian at their word. Oddly enough I invariably find during my discussions that there are apparently very few "true" Christians in the world at all, other than the very person I am talking to at that moment and those who believe exactly as he/she does.

I do not claim to be a Christian either, though many atheists want me to defend what those who claim to be Christians profess. That said, it is like being an atheist. What exactly is an atheist? We have been informed, in no uncertain terms, there are many and varied types of atheists. Therefore, the argue that it is wrong to speculate on that. I generally address the specific views presented by the specific individual. That is what I suggest one do when one talks to someone who claims to be a Christian.

[Elijah John]

Not being a Christian myself I find that I am unqualified to disqualify anyone else. And so I am forced to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian at their word. Oddly enough I invariably find during my discussions that there are apparently very few "true" Christians in the world at all, other than the very person I am talking to at that moment and those who believe exactly as he/she does.

I do not claim to be a Christian either, though many atheists want me to defend what those who claim to be Christians profess. That said, it is like being an atheist. What exactly is an atheist? We have been informed, in no uncertain terms, there are many and varied types of atheists. Therefore, the argue that it is wrong to speculate on that. I generally address the specific views presented by the specific individual. That is what I suggest one do when one talks to someone who claims to be a Christian.

What would one call someone who is Torah observant, and also believes Yahshua is Divine?

[Clownboat]

Not being a Christian myself I find that I am unqualified to disqualify anyone else. And so I am forced to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian at their word. Oddly enough I invariably find during my discussions that there are apparently very few "true" Christians in the world at all, other than the very person I am talking to at that moment and those who believe exactly as he/she does.

I do not claim to be a Christian either, though many atheists want me to defend what those who claim to be Christians profess. That said, it is like being an atheist. What exactly is an atheist? We have been informed, in no uncertain terms, there are many and varied types of atheists. Therefore, the argue that it is wrong to speculate on that. I generally address the specific views presented by the specific individual. That is what I suggest one do when one talks to someone who claims to be a Christian.

To the bold, can you list these 'many' differing types of atheists for us please?
I'll start you off with 'weak' and 'strong', you take it from there.

[bluethread]

Not being a Christian myself I find that I am unqualified to disqualify anyone else. And so I am forced to accept anyone who claims to be a Christian at their word. Oddly enough I invariably find during my discussions that there are apparently very few "true" Christians in the world at all, other than the very person I am talking to at that moment and those who believe exactly as he/she does.

I do not claim to be a Christian either, though many atheists want me to defend what those who claim to be Christians profess. That said, it is like being an atheist. What exactly is an atheist? We have been informed, in no uncertain terms, there are many and varied types of atheists. Therefore, the argue that it is wrong to speculate on that. I generally address the specific views presented by the specific individual. That is what I suggest one do when one talks to someone who claims to be a Christian.

What would one call someone who is Torah observant, and also believes Yahshua is Divine?

Good question. Every pigeon hole I have come across presumes other things not inherent in that designation. Personally, I consider myself a Torah submissive follower of Yeshua. I put it this way, because I am willing to be open regarding what HaTorah and Yeshua actually require. That said, regardless of ones views, I think the best approach is to address the specific points presented by the specific individual, regardless of how the person is categorized by himself or others.