lpstong

What classifies one as a Christian? To many it would be one who believes in Christ. Who will pretty much swear and die in the name Christ. One who will turn over their lives to Christ.

Therefore if a particular religion and its followers believe in Christ, why does other religions not classify them as Christians if they follow the above standards? Isnt this hypocritical of other religions. Being judgemental. Especially since God will be the one to determine whether a person is worthy to live him for believing in him.

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Brandon

I believe that your definition is pretty good. The term 'Chrisitan' was originally a derogatory term. The word Christian means "little Christ", as in the people that were following Jesus were little jesus's because they acted just like him.

I'm really not sure what you're saying here. What religions would believe in Christ other than Christians? Many believe that Jesus existed and even was a great man, but don't believe in Him as God.

Melos

There are Messianic (sp?) Jewish people who believe in Jesus Christ but are still Jewish. I'm not really sure how that works though.

I'm not quite sure what you mean either. If someone believe in and follows Jesus Christ as the messiah whatever, then they are Christian.

lpstong

I know a few religions who will classify other religions as not being christian. For many years some religions classified The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints( or nicknamed Mormons) and classified them not christians. Yet in all their scriptures all point to believing in Christ

Some also say this in part to the Jehovah Witnesses as well.

My questions is why do others throw stones when they dont know everything about the other religion. Judgemental like I said.

Not all Christian base religions believe that other religions are not Christian based.

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Brandon

Well in those cases, they don't believe that Jesus was God. If you talk to any Jehova's Witness, they'll tell you Jesus was A god, not THE God. That is probably a big reason why they are not considered Christian by others.

taiarain

In my opinion, a Christian is an adherent of a religion or faith system that believes Jesus of Nazareth was the christ of the messianic prophecies.

Therefore if a particular religion and its followers believe in Christ, why does other religions not classify them as Christians if they follow the above standards?

You are misusing the word "christ" in your post and causing confusion for others. Christ is a title, not a first or last name. While it has become common in modern vernacular to use christ or Jesus Christ to refer to Jesus of Nazareth, in this context, you muddle the discussion by using it as a name.

On to the point, however, acknowledging the possible existence of a human being that is known to his followers does not confer an agreement with the followers on their opinions of him. I believe David Koresh existed, that doesn't make me a Brand Davidian.

If, however, you are referring to religions such as Islam that confer Jesus of Nazareth the status of prophet, you are a little off in your assumptions. Believing that Jesus was a prophet is not equal to believing he was the christ. It also doesn't equate to believing in Jewish prophecies.

Isnt this hypocritical of other religions.

I can't imagine why you'd think that.

Being judgemental.

Who is being judgemental?

Especially since God will be the one to determine whether a person is worthy to live him for believing in him.


Ah, now I see who is being judgemental.

Taia

Lyricb

Taia, great post. People believing that Jesus existed, or even that he was a prophet, is legions different from accepting him as their savior.

DizzyDee

Actually I used to be a mormon, and you are just splitting hairs. Mormons are christian based on the definition linked above. To Mormons, Jesus is the Son of God, equally in authority and power and one with His Father. They view the three members of the "godhead" - Father, Son, Holy Ghost as three gods in one - very similar to the trinity, but you are right there are differences. They believe themselves to be christian, profess faith in Christ and to me that makes them christian.

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DizzyDee

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

mtatum4496

I had a feeling you and I had traveled some similar paths, Dizzy Dee.

I was an member of the LDS Church for nine years, then a member, elder, and pastor in the RLDS Church (which redubbed itself the Community of Christ in 2001) for fourteen years before leaving the latter day movement in 1998.

Over the years, I learned that any concept of the nature of God that did not slavishly agree with three-in-one concept of God was enough for some Christian groups to exclude other groups who saw God differently, no matter how close the similarites might have been. Thus, neither the LDS concept of three distinct personages (two of flesh and bone and one of spirit), nor the concept that was popular in the RLDS faith for years (two personages of spirit with the Holy Ghost being the combined influence of the two - this is based on the Lectures of Faith that were used widely in the latter day movement in the 1830's) would set well with these folks.

I've also seen groups excluded from the Christian camp because they refused to accept the Bible as the only valid scripture. Obviously, any of the fifty or so Latter Day denominations would not fit that bill, since all of them consider at least the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be scriptural. However, this idea has also been used at times to exclude Christian Scientists and Seventh-day Adventists (who don't have an extra book of scripture per se, but put a lot of stock in the writings of their founders).

Interestingly enough, I have seen folks who belong to churches that many do not consider to be "Christian" enough to be the ones who are more concerned with feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and helping people develop skills to improve their lot in life.

Now, as for me, I tend to not worry about this sort of thing. If someone tells me their religious preference is Christianity, then I assume they accept the teachings of Jesus in some manner. What that manner may be is their business, unless they start to tell me that I don't "measure up". Then we will have to engage in a tad of discussion

As a UU Christian, I find value in focusing in on the teachings attributed to Jesus and not feeling particularly bound by the ideas expressed in the Pauline epistles, etc. For me, such sections as John 17 and the Sermon on the Mount, as well as Jesus' good old fashioned common sense approach of "he who is without sin cast the first stone" define Christianity for me.

DizzyDee

All good points mtatum. I guess since I do not even consider myself christian anymore, I should just let those who claim it scrap it out for themselves

For me, if someone claims to be a Christian, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

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DizzyDee

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell