Can I call myself a Christian? Please help.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Hi Chanya,

I'm sorry you are struggling. I know how miserable that can be. I'm sorry too you feel like everything you have ever dreamed for your life is also gone. That is a hard, hard place to be. I've watched people close to me go through the same. It's heartbreaking.

A major reason for the existence of the church is to build up the believers. I want you to consider that church is not a place for perfect people. It is for the broken, the neglected, the hurting... I could go on. We need each other. I'm encouraging you, even in your disbelief, to find a place within your church where you can lay down your burdens.

When you are ready, and this may take time, I'd like you to consider something. I saw earlier where you were quoted as saying that you couldn't force yourself to believe. I understand what you are saying. I'd like to recommend a book, The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel. And then, I submit, you have a choice to make. I believe there comes a time where we must choose faith, in spite of circumstances or doubts. I know it makes no sense. Just please consider it.

God Bless you.

 

[amandita]

I'd like to recommend a book, The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel.

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel is very good, also. It helped me a lot when I was struggling with my faith.

I will pray for you, OP.

 

[Elder 111]

Hi guys, I have a question. I have been struggling a lot with my faith lately, and I want to preserve my Christian identity, but I'm wondering if I can even call myself a Christian anymore. Let me tell you a few things about myself. I'm a member of the catholic church, I have been to church a lot in my life, I seriously believe that Jesus Christ said some magnificent things to live by and is a great role model, and as such I'm his follower, but I'm not sure if he was the Son of God. Or if God even exists. I've had a major faith crisis in the last couple of years. I do, however, try to live my life in a moral way, I don't drink, smoke, party but I have failed morally when it comes to sex, but this is something I'm working on (getting out of that sin). Based on the following, can I at all call myself a Christian? Only serious answers please, since this is something that means a great deal to me and bothers my mind constantly.

I am impressed the question is not if you are a christian or not but if you would succeed in bearing the image and belief in God. I would suggest that you have not spend enough time with God, that all. This is not an easy walk and satan would not let up, neither would God. He was willing to die for you and nothing but you will take you from His salvation.
Make time every day for God, that's is all you need to do. You feel the way you do because God is calling you to a better relationship with Him. Note the following. Behold Christ and you will be change by Him.
2 Cor.3: 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
You have doubts because you have not been studying His word.

 

[sbvd]

I'd suggest moving this thread to a fellowship forum.

 

[Chanya]

I'd suggest moving this thread to a fellowship forum.

Why is that so important to you you have to post it more than once? Is it that difficult not to click on the thread?

Well, that puts an end to this thread, then, doesn't it? Atheists can't be Christians, punto. Best of luck to you.

Thanks! Likewise.

 

[Chanya]

Don't know, don't care. Do what you will with it, I've said what I have to say in this thread anyway.

 

[heymikey80]

Even if I do go to sleep, I'll still wake up knowing that what I dreamed about all my life is gone. It's all empty, including my faith.

Well, your faith didn't create God, so it didn't destroy Him when you rejected Him.

There're plenty of things in my life that I dreamed of all my life, that are gone. Simply because of His desire for my life. I appreciate the depth of feeling you've put on the issue, and believe me, you're not alone in that depth of feeling.

It's just the level of non sequitur of the reasoning puts it outside the realm of possibility. Reality doesn't change due to feelings. But -- you are definitely open to react to those feelings as your will decides.

 

[Lion King]

Chanya,

I hope and pray that one day you will smile and believe again. You are always welcome here.

When you return to the LORD, all the angels in heaven will celebrate. Don't worry, Father will always welcome one of His children back home:

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate." Luke 15:22-23

Let the sun shine, Let it all go , let it all out....

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Mod Hat On

This thread has been moved from Theology to Exploring Christianity. This is not a punitive move and should not be taken as such. Please continue to support and embrace Chanya.

God Bless

Edit: Several posts were removed in thread cleaning to keep the thread on topic.

 

[Edial]

...

Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

...

Not bad.
I like the old thought.
Much more depth and practicality than I read today.

It is their unbelievably long sentences I could do without ... and words like vexation.

Thanks,
In Christ,
Ed

 

[Chanya]

After much consideration, I officially consider myself an atheist.

 

[razeontherock]

Let's go back to this:

That makes sense, too. Thanks. What I'm asking is, if I sing Christian songs that proclaim Jesus, yet I personally have doubts, wouldn't I be a big hypocrite and deserving of God's punishment (if there really is a God)?

My last tagline was someone else's nifty play on words about the Truth that G-d reveals His will as we do His will. It's never wrong to do your best. Examining ourselves to see where we fall short is also a good thing, called humility. This can be likened to the process of growth where a tree grows it's roots downward. (Also why one of the first posters reccommended you read a book called "the dark night of the soul.")

Keep living! This alone tends to bring us closer to G-d. And that's what I think it is, a question of degrees.

 

[razeontherock]

Even if I do go to sleep, I'll still wake up knowing that what I dreamed about all my life is gone. It's all empty, including my faith.

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." (From Matthew 5 - that shoe fits)

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Check)

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." (Room to grow here?)

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat." (This is still over the horizon I guess?)

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world." (Not so far off as you might think!!)

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." (Included just because I really, really like that one)

I do know just how you feel. You'd be surprised to find out how many here do ...

 

[Elder 111]

After much consideration, I officially consider myself an atheist.

After much time not spent with God you feel disconnected from Him. Just like any friend, don't see them or talk with them soon you forget them, there no longer exist in your thoughts but I assure you they are still around some where.
For all of us, including myself, we will have no relationship with God without constant communication. You failed to feed you faith and it feels as if it is dying, ah but is the Resurrector of the dead and the healer of the sick.
Chanya God loves you, take up your bible and read every day with pray.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

After much consideration, I officially consider myself an atheist.

You are still young yet and have a whole life ahead of you. May your new path lead to more happiness, peace and joy in your life. Are you still on CF?

 

[Achilles6129]

I took a look at the Gospels today, but that was the first time in a seriously long time, so I would say almost never. I guess I'm afraid I will find things that will hurt my faith even more.

I tried to answer your entire OP in post #15 of this thread. Anyways, you will actually find that Jesus Christ answers all of the questions you have or may have or the fears you speak of that your faith will be hurt even more.

The key is in a concise analysis of the words of Jesus Christ, since he deals with virtually everything in the entire Bible. I pointed out the way to prove the Bible true in post #15, by Jn. 7:16-17 (and there are many other verses like this one as well).

Anyways, I see you've decided to become an atheist. Like I said in post #15, I've seen many people leave Christianity for whatever reason. The real reason I personally believe people keep having their "faith" shattered is because they're actually not obeying the real gospel of Jesus Christ to begin with. Consider the following verse:

"24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Mt. 24:24

Ever wonder why it's not possible to deceive the elect? Because the elect have firsthand experiential knowledge that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and hence the entire Bible is true. I'll just quote one verse (but remember Jn. 7:16-17):

"5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." 1 Th. 1:5

The NT is actually filled with verses like these. Anyways, since this is what you have decided, hope it all works out for you.

 

[joyusdays]

Do you have Christ in you? Call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved. He is not angry at you. He loves you. A faith Crisis is not greater than Christ. Even if we are not faithful He is.

Now that is encouraging...even for an old Christian like me! We all go through dry valleys and need to be uplifted...Thank you!

 

[Emmy]

Dear Chanya. Jesus Christ is our Saviour, Master and Friend. In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " the first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Our neighbour is: all others, friends or not friends. Paul tells us in 1) Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-8, what love is. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love. Jesus told us: " Ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around us. God will see our sincere efforts and will approve and Bless us, and we are showing our Love to God by following His Commandments to love. We might stumble and fail often, Chanya, but we will get up and ask God`s Forgiveness. God will forgive us, as we will forgive those who transgress against us. We have years to get better and better, and Love will change our lives,too. Slowly but surly, we will change into the children/sons and daughters, which our Heavenly Father wants to live with for eternity. Jesus our Saviour is also The Way, He will lead us back to God where we came from, and who made us in His image. God is Love and Love will lead us on. Christians are the only representatives which God has in this world, and Love/Agape is the Mark that we belong to God. I say this with love and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Matariki]

I'm gonna post this because I think you need to hear it:
Paul Washer - What is the Gospel - YouTube

Its a little on my part, but its a message whether you want to regard yourself an Atheist or not that would benefit you and your understanding of Christianity, so that in the future you will not despise us for not telling you the truth of the matter. Whether you accept the gospel or not is a matter between you and God, it is a personal one that no one should interfere with.

Seek and you will find him.
God bless you my dear and may your heart find peace.

Edit: I see that the OP hasn't signed in for quite some time, I will pray for her.

 

[Rick Otto]

I'm thinking about the unbeliever in identity crisis: "Can I realy call myself an atheist?"
Whose permission do we realy need?
Before reading anything else, read the dictionary.
I've done it a few times. Not cover to cover, & including a lot of skimming & skipping, it can still upgrade one's sense what realy is what.