FAQ.

draper · #1 22nd October 2003, 05:35 PM

Do you believe that Christians MUST agree with every part of the Bible to truly be CHristian?

For example my mom told me she is Christian but there are some things that she disagrees with, such as the Church's stance on abortions and some other things.

Is she truly Christian?

And not just her but are people who don't agree w/ every single part of the Bible truly Christians? Do you, as a Christian, disagree with any part of the Bible?

Rafael · #2 22nd October 2003, 07:18 PM

I don't disagree with any part of the Bible, but God is the only one able to judge the heart of another person and their intent. Love covers a multitude of sins, and it all pans out underneath His love.
People change their minds as they grow older and wiser, too. My mother feels the same way as yours, and comes from a time when women were treated rather poorly when pregnant without husbands. I think God's grace and understanding for each individual comes into play differently for us all; having been taught and given different things in life. Only God truly knows us.

CanD · #3 22nd October 2003, 08:03 PM

People aren't always going to agree with others in their Biblical interpretations. However, when something is so fundamental to the Christian beliefs - like thou shalt not kill and then saying that it's okay to abort (kill) a fetus, then you gotta wonder if they're missing the whole point of the commandment.

As for whether that makes them a Christian or not, the first step to becoming a Christian is Salvation. The rest means trying to follow Jesus and as everyone knows, that's not always an easy thing to do.

As was mentioned above, only God knows for sure whether someone is 'truly' a Christian or not, but behaviour can often speak volumes.

draper · #4 22nd October 2003, 10:16 PM

Hmph.

I've also heard that there are some more modern Priests who also don't agree w/certain parts of the Bible. Is that OK in your minds?

And I guess the basis of my Q was, 'Do you think its OK for a Christian to disagree with certain parts in the Bible and still truly want to follow Christ, just not in those parts?'

Rafael · #5 22nd October 2003, 10:49 PM

It depends on what parts.....

puck · #6 23rd October 2003, 02:05 AM

i have always said, to be a Christian you need only one thing. To believe that Christ is the son of God.
That is what I think is the definition of Christianity. This is why there are so many different Christian religions. I think you are asking if you mother is a certain denomanation of Christian. If you want to know if she is Christian, just ask her, "do you believe that Christ is the son of God?"

Peter · #7 23rd October 2003, 11:08 AM

to be a Christian you need only one thing. To believe that Christ is the son of God.

Mormons believe that Jesus is the son of God. But, so is Satan.

There are those who believe that Jesus is the created son of God.

There are those that believe that Jesus is the son of God but He himself is not divine.

Then there are those who believe that Jesus is divine and the son of God, but wasn't always divine, He grew into it.

Then....

Peace.

Peter

Karl - Liberal Backslider · #8 23rd October 2003, 11:14 AM

Christianity has never defined itself as "believing the Bible". It is about following Jesus.

And what does "believing the Bible" mean? I don't agree with AiG's concept of what "believing Genesis 1-11" means, but I still claim I believe it. It's a conceptual quagmire.

PRMan · #9 23rd October 2003, 11:20 AM

If you are a Christian and you are intellectually honest, you will attempt to follow the Bible whole-heartedly. So I for one have trouble with people who pick and choose which parts of the Bible they like. I don't think God intended it that way.

Others twist the words of the Bible into what they want to believe instead of what the plainest meaning is. We ALL do this on some points without even realizing it, because we were brought up interpreting it that way. Still, I think some things are pretty obvously ridiculous (such as saying that God never said anything against homosexuality).

But, these things happen because all of us, in our human nature, have a tremendous desire to "fit in". That's part of the human nature that Christ wants us to fight against! He's called us to be different than the world, even to the point of persecution and death.

I would suspect that people believe abortion is OK for any number of reasons:

1. They've been told it 100 times on TV, so it must be true, or at least it's politically correct and popular to support it, even the Republicans are starting to
2. All their friends are Democrats and believe that abortion is OK, so they have to also to fit in
3. They had a secret abortion at some point in their past and cannot come to grips with what they know in their hearts, that they killed a defenseless baby

Among others. I'm not sure the Bible enters into the equation for a lot of people. This is what Jesus calls building your house on shifting sand.

Rafael · #10 23rd October 2003, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by PRMan

If you are a Christian and you are intellectually honest, you will attempt to follow the Bible whole-heartedly. So I for one have trouble with people who pick and choose which parts of the Bible they like. I don't think God intended it that way.

Others twist the words of the Bible into what they want to believe instead of what the plainest meaning is. We ALL do this on some points without even realizing it, because we were brought up interpreting it that way. Still, I think some things are pretty obvously ridiculous (such as saying that God never said anything against homosexuality).

But, these things happen because all of us, in our human nature, have a tremendous desire to "fit in". That's part of the human nature that Christ wants us to fight against! He's called us to be different than the world, even to the point of persecution and death.

I would suspect that people believe abortion is OK for any number of reasons:

1. They've been told it 100 times on TV, so it must be true, or at least it's politically correct and popular to support it, even the Republicans are starting to
2. All their friends are Democrats and believe that abortion is OK, so they have to also to fit in
3. They had a secret abortion at some point in their past and cannot come to grips with what they know in their hearts, that they killed a defenseless baby

Among others. I'm not sure the Bible enters into the equation for a lot of people. This is what Jesus calls building your house on shifting sand.

Yes, well said Prman. The flesh desires to fit in with the world while the Bible tells us that to be friends with the world is to be enemies with God - pretty radical. The Bible calls us to put the flesh to death, which is what baptizm is a symbol of, and to live unto a new life led by the Spirit - not the flesh which is bound for death and corruption. Dying to self is impossible without the help of God because if goes against the nature we are born with - a nature to sin. That is why being born again is necessary; createing a new creature with a new nature. Yes, sin still dwells in the flesh, but the new man of the Spirit desires to follow God and please Him.
There really is no easy believeism, but grace abounds.