Advice for Religion Student- Need Inspiration- Interview of a Christian

[EWaldron1988]

Hello,
I was brought up Catholic, however, I have not been practicing in awhile. I am actually taking a religion course in hopes of sparking something new. One of my assignments is to interview a religious Christian, and I thought there was no better place then this to get some ideas! I want to thank you in advance for your honesty and inspiration.

I would like to know how you became a Christian. Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life? Did you ever change denominations and why?

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian?

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life?

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today?

 

[seeking.IAM]

These are interesting questions bound to bring you varied and interesting answers. Here are mine:

Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life? I was brought up in a devout Christian nuclear and extended family. My dad was a minister. I like to say I became a Christian in spite of that, not because of it. I had my own spiritual experience as a teenager that left me with a sense of calling that I carry out today as a psychotherapist that is for me a Christian vocation.

Did you ever change denominations and why?
I changed denominations after over 50 years as a United Methodist. I wasn't mad at anybody and left with continuing high regard for the UMC. I left seeking a more reverential, historical, and liturgical worship experience and found it!

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian? To love the Lord Our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Be a disciple. Walk as Jesus walked.

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life? It brings me comfort and solace to know that God is in charge and has a plan. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble... (Psalm 46)"

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today? Dealing with divisions among the Body of Christ...all the non-essential things that prevent us from being one. And seeing Christians co-opt my faith and hijack the scriptures to advance a political agenda.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I would like to know how you became a Christian. Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life? Did you ever change denominations and why?

I was bought up in a Christian home but did not practice my religion until latter in life. I was not a bad person, but I was just afraid of what I might need to do if I became a Christian. Then one Saturday night I had a dream about hell, and I was told in the dream that if I did not become a Christian I would end up in hell. So that Sunday I went to church and became a Christian.

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian?

God is good, kind, and reasonable, all of the laws he has given are for the benefit of mankind. I believe that a person must firstly believe in Jesus, believe that He died and rose again to forgive us for sin, then the Christian must follow to the best of their ability the commands of Jesus. Although technically following commands does not save you, a person who is saved will follow God's commands.

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life?

I feel that God is with me all the time, to a degree, I really believe that He assists me by helping me in my work as a computer programmer. Sometime reminding me of things I may have forgotten, and the like.

His laws have also helped me to remain married. When I was first married it was a struggle, due to how different me and my wife were. Many times I could have left. But God's command to remain married helped me to get through the tough times. I now have a really good marriage, because of persevering due to God's command. I now have a deep love for my wife that I may never have experienced had I not followed God's word the bible.

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today?

Pressure in the world in general to reject Christian teachings.

 

[EWaldron1988]

These are interesting questions bound to bring you varied and interesting answers. Here are mine:

Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life? I was brought up in a devout Christian nuclear and extended family. My dad was a minister. I like to say I became a Christian in spite of that, not because of it. I had my own spiritual experience as a teenager that left me with a sense of calling that I carry out today as a psychotherapist that is for me a Christian vocation.

Did you ever change denominations and why?
I changed denominations after over 50 years as a United Methodist. I wasn't mad at anybody and left with continuing high regard for the UMC. I left seeking a more reverential, historical, and liturgical worship experience and found it!

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian? To love the Lord Our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Be a disciple. Walk as Jesus walked.

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life? It brings me comfort and solace to know that God is in charge and has a plan. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble... (Psalm 46)"

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today? Dealing with divisions among the Body of Christ...all the non-essential things that prevent us from being one. And seeing Christians co-opt my faith and hijack the scriptures to advance a political agenda.

Thank you so much for your fast reply! I really appreciate it. I really like all your answers and can relate with them. Thanks again and god bless!

 

[EWaldron1988]

Thank you so much for your fast reply! I really appreciate it. I really like all your answers and can relate with them. Thanks again and god bless!

 

[EWaldron1988]

I would like to know how you became a Christian. Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life? Did you ever change denominations and why?

I was bought up in a Christian home but did not practice my religion until latter in life. I was not a bad person, but I was just afraid of what I might need to do if I became a Christian. Then one Saturday night I had a dream about hell, and I was told in the dream that if I did not become a Christian I would end up in hell. So that Sunday I went to church and became a Christian.

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian?

God is good, kind, and reasonable, all of the laws he has given are for the benefit of mankind. I believe that a person must firstly believe in Jesus, believe that He died and rose again to forgive us for sin, then the Christian must follow to the best of their ability the commands of Jesus. Although technically following commands does not save you, a person who is saved will follow God's commands.

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life?

I feel that God is with me all the time, to a degree, I really believe that He assists me by helping me in my work as a computer programmer. Sometime reminding me of things I may have forgotten, and the like.

His laws have also helped me to remain married. When I was first married it was a struggle, due to how different me and my wife were. Many times I could have left. But God's command to remain married helped me to get through the tough times. I now have a really good marriage, because of persevering due to God's command. I now have a deep love for my wife that I may never have experienced had I not followed God's word the bible.

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today?

Pressure in the world in general to reject Christian teachings.

Wow what an interesting story! Thank you for your prompt response and inspiring answers!

 

[PloverWing]

I would like to know how you became a Christian. Were you brought up in the religion or did you find it later in life?

I was brought up in the Christian faith, and I have loved God for as long as I can remember. I made a commitment to Christ when I was 6, and was baptized about a year later.

Did you ever change denominations and why?

Yes: I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and was educated in Evangelical schools for K-12 and college. I am now Episcopalian.

My high school and college years were a time of great growth and challenge for me. When I was in high school, I believed in the inerrancy of the Bible and in 6-day, young-earth creationism; those beliefs did not survive my college education.

However, during my college years, I took a year-long course in historical theology that changed my life, by showing me how Christian doctrine had developed through the centuries. It gave a stability to my faith: I didn't have to rely on myself alone with my Bible, but rather I was part of a long chain of faithful, thoughtful Christians.

This, plus the discovery of liturgical worship, plus the need for a church in which I could ask difficult questions, led me to the Episcopal church.

What do you believe are the primary responsibilities of a Christian?

To love God with all of one's being, and to love one's neighbor as one's self. Jesus commanded us to treat our neighbors as we would treat Jesus himself, and I find that to be a good rule of life.

How does being a Christian help you in your daily life?

It gives me a sense of connection with the Great Artist who shapes the universe, and it gives me guidance in how to treat those around me.

What is the most difficult thing about being a Christian today?

Applying the general principles of the Bible's teachings to contemporary moral questions. It is not always clear how best to love our neighbors, especially when there are many conflicting values to balance in a particular situation.