Definition of a Christian

Seebs mentioned preterists (and believes that they are probably Christians).

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I believe that is reference to affirmation of the historical creeds. Most creeds have a statement looking forward to the second coming of Christ in a real/physical manifestation. Since Preterists (Full, not necessarily partial) see the second coming of Christ as past (at the fall of Jerusalem) they wouldn't affirm the forward looking parts of the creeds.

That said, I'd side with the latter part of seebs post.

Peace.

Not living the Christian life would exclude a person from being a Christian. If a person does not wear the whole armour of Christ, he is either (a) not fully mature as a Christian or (b) a false brother or sister.

However, living with a person to whom one is not married would not necessarily be classified as a sin.

As to the point about accepting Buddhists et al, that would be a matter of examining whether the hearer's interpretation of the person's declaration means what it seems. One can accept that a person does not follow the Christ, but a different religion without actually deeming that religion to be valid. It comes down to whether the person concerned is endorsing the alternative religion, or merely upholding another's right to choose for the self.

The Bible is very clear that not all who first hear the Truth and say "I accept Jesus" actually do accept Jesus (accept His atoning blood as a cover for their sins and then, by the Spirit, put off the old self and put on the new self.) Read the parable of the sewer.

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Not the parable alone, but Jesus's own explanation of the parable of the sower. .... His explanation doesn't say that some will say they accept him without speaking truly. He says that some will believe for a time but when trouble arises, they will fall away. ( Luke 8:13 )

wow...either you're missing my whole point or...

The point of what I said is that someone who professes Christ but does not live it is either, as someone else said, new to the faith, or a not a Christian. It is not ours to condemn, but it is ours to rebuke with "all authority."

For more on "accepting with joy" and the dangers of false conversion, check out raycomfort.com and listen to some of his "hell's best kept secret" tapes.

Peace to all who seek it,
<><

Well now, if it comes to that, might be first better to try to bring the person to a proper understanding of the way things are to be done, rather than jumping right in and rebuking the person. If matters DO deteriorate to the point of forcing a rebuke ... "have nothing to do with such a one, do not even eat with him" should just about cover the appropriate response. And who knows, maybe what seems to be wrong when you first enter into discussion of the matter may prove in the end to be simply a matter of a misunderstanding.

I agree, though I would personally consider even a private and friendly conversation in which you tell someone that something they are doing is wrong a "rebuke." We are instructed to rebuke "gently" as well as with all authority.

Peace to all who seek it,
<><

Originally posted by Othniel

What if that person is currently living with a woman he's not married to and also says that Buddhism is a perfectly acceptable practice for some people because what's ok for them is ok for them?

Is he still a Christian?

Can we judge his actual faith?

Does not living like a Christian make one not a Christian or simply endager their faith?

Complicated issue here...

Peace to all who seek it,
<><

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Doesn't sound like an "unchristian" lifestyle to me. He's being tolerant of others. Assuming he's sleeping with the woman, well, he's probably sinning - but all people sin, and he may be sinning less than those who get married just to have sex, without any real intention of forming a serious relationship.

In the end, Christians should be identified by their similarity to Christ, not by their similarity to our culturally-filtered personal moral codes. Christ was very tolerant of others. Can we do less? (Well, obviously, we *can* do less, but I'm not sure that we *should*.)

So, accepting sin and living in it is similarity to Christ?

What about Jude 1


The sin and doom of Godless men

3Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4For certain men whose condemnation was written about[1] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord[2] delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.


Though I guess that's my question. You believes that we can continue to sin and still be godly. I'm curious if you can back up that Biblically for me?

Peace to all who seek it,
<><

Anyone who knownly lives in sin should ask themselves. "Have I really given my life to the Lord and really believe he's my Saviour"? As with the judging if he's going to your church here is some scripture that will answer that.

1Co 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Modern Day Definition of a Christian -
Someone who believes in God, believes in the same Jesus they saw in those cool movies, and dieing gets you to heaven.

Most mature Christians would say something pretty close to what is outlined in the Nicene Creed. But average Joe and Jane Christian wouldn't have a clue.

This is an old thread that has been revived.
Since the discussion was heading toward a debate, the thread has been moved here from QAC.