Border between Christianity and non-Christianity

[AnotherAtheist]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

 

[Whitestone]

Being a Christian is someone that has accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that He died on the cross to take care of our sin. Since the term Christian means to follower of Christ, they should also be activly trying to follow in Christ's footsteps. Such as keeping up with the bible, holding their temper, and making sure they have a good idea of what Christ commanded.

 

[dvd_holc]

The lines have been a much contested battle ground between Christians and non-Christian and also sub-boundaries in denominations.

Signs of Christianity are people who cling to the Creator God who redeemed and redeems the world from its bondage of sin through the covenants found in Jesus Christ and give the respect, praise, and admiration to God. Those who receive the seed of faith develop into produce specific life building service to the Creation through the power of God’s presence in reality. So then, those who are redeemed think of and actively do things for the benefit of others than himself/herself. Those who display a sacrificial love that was in Christ are living and doing things like Christ are Christ…not that we get it completely right and have some hardened rightness to our lives, but we live a kind forgiving gracious life because of the grace given us.


Eph. 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 8:31…Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control...

 

[PostTribber]

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." no one knows from where the Spirit cometh or goeth, but we see the effects of the Spirit in the life of that person He acted upon. the idea that we 'accept' Christ is a 'misnomer', as RC Sproul declares, "we don't accept Him, He accepts us!" as it is written, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." is our faith without works? faith comes by hearing the gospel, which is only possible after Jesus makes our dead 'spirit' alive as it is written, "the Son quickeneth whom He will." our 'faith' is then made possible if we "repent and believe the gospel." without repentance, we are without salvation. if we do not believe the gospel, we are without a Saviour. so the difference between the Christian and Non-Christain is "faith."

 

[PhilosopherD]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

The line would be drawn by their own character? A person being led by the Holy Spirit would be continuously open to bettering themselves through love and learning. A Christian is one who is on track to becoming a Christ-like person with a growing capacity for positive relationships with God and other people.

 

[calidog]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

Bible knowledge does'nt determine it. Rebirth in Christ is it.

 

[salida]

AnotherAthiest--

A christian must live it through and through by the help of the Holy Spirit. There nature will change and be christ like. If what they "claim" isn't according to how they live their life - than they arn't a christian but a phoney. If a duck walks like a duck than its a duck not a horse. If a duck claims that they are a horse - they obviously arn't.

There is a lot of "claiming" going on but their actions equals zero. Many people read want they want to believe in the Bible but if they read what they don't believe than all of a sudden it doesn't exist. God doesn't honor ignoring His Word. His Word is the only thing that has the power to save them supernaturally as its eternal. Giving into culture, man made notions equals nothing- its temporal and not eternal.

 

[ebia]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

There isn't an agreement on this. One tends to go around in circles trying to decide. The Nicene Creed is the closest the church has ever got to a minimal defining creed agreed to by everyone:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed
but even that (by it's very history and nature) excludes some who consider themselves Christian, and is really a test of orthodoxy, not of christianness.

 

[Emmy]

Dear AnotherAtheist. Christ is Christianity, and no Christ is non - Christianity. The border between the two is Christ Himself. To be a good person without Christ, is to be a good person, to be a good Christian, is to give the honour to Christ, and share His Love, Joy and Peace amongst all we know and meet. A good person will be liked and receive his or her reward by the people being helped, a Christian will help with heart and hands, and give the Glory to God. I say this humbly and kindly, AnotherAtheist, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[heron]

Are you asking to find out more about the forum rules, though, or
just generally?

 

[AvgJoe]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

In Jesus' first sermon, in Mark 1:15, He says to repent and believe the gospel. If a person has truly done those two things, then they are a Christian. If they have not, then they are not a Christian.

 

[Sharky]

Repentance towards God, faith towards Jesus Christ.

Repentance is defined as heartily ammending ones ways, completely abhorring the sin they once loved (Breaking any of the 10 commandments basicaly which is also called the Law in the New Testament) and changing their mindset. Basically you hate being evil and start being good.

Faith is defined as trust. Trusting in something you can't see. Trust like when someone says they want to give you a gift tomorrow. You have faith in them that they will give you that gift tomorrow though you don't have that gift yet. Same with Christ, you need to trust in Jesus Christ (God's Son, One of the three Trinity) who never breaks His promise that He will grant you eternal life (heaven, new body imperishible, eternal rewards etc). Hope that helps.

 

[tapero]

What are the true defining characteristics of Christianity. Such that someone who believes according to these guidelines is Christian, while someone who does not believe in these ways is not? For example, I would presume that someone who does not believe that Jesus was the son of God could not be Christian. But what if they believed pretty well everthing else in the old and new testaments?

Where is the line drawn?

The line is drawn at Christ.

Belief in Christ is what saves, is how we come to Christ.

Many make more distintinctions, but that is all that is needed, nothing more. And He changes our lives when we come to Him and we change when we come to him; some slower, some faster and we don't change in all areas of our life. And is a lifetime of change, as daily we face new things.

 

[heron]

Read some of Jesus' teachings -- they take away the title and get to the heart of the matter.

For instance, Jesus respected religious leaders enough to hang out in the temple and converse with them, but then reprimanded some of their oppressive actions and attitudes.

Jesus said there would be people who cast out demons and did miracles in his name, but neglected to connect with him.

His teachings keep us on our toes (--or they should anyway--).