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Defining Christianity
- Thread starter Ran77
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- Apr 5, 2007
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Again, no red herring as I'm actually addressing the OP. I see you've chosen not to. Not much I can do about that.No need. As I previously stated, I'm quite happy with the direction of thread. Feel free to pursue this red herring. However, I feel that I have sufficiently responded to your claims and don't see any need to provide any more.
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- Jan 27, 2004
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I'm sure that one of the definitions in the English language for Christian does mention that they are believers in Christ (a pretty logical conclusion).
Here is the definition of the Greek word, Χριστιανός (translated Christianos) from Strong's:
ΧριστιανόςChristianós, khris-tee-an-os'; from G5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:—Christian.
An unidentified name that marks them as followers of Christ. If I'm not mistaken, this verse takes place before Acts identifies the first use of the term Christian. Once again, this is a mortal attempt to interpret this passage to mean "Christian." Don't get me wrong, I have already stated that I don't feel that follower of Christ or those who believe in Christ is inappropriate for the definition of Christian, but I would like to see specific support for it in the scriptures. What you are providing is your interpretation of the material to arrive at that definition.
But let's go ahead and argue that "believers" and "followers" can be equated to the term "Christian" - how do you then demonstrate what and who is a Christian (follower/believer)? From everything I've seen the groups who have been identified by one denomination or another as not-Christian all believe in Jesus and follow Him.
This isn't a mortal attempt to interpret a passage, it's a logical conclusion based on looking at Scripture in it's entirety and understanding how it all fits together.
Groups that are identified as not Christians even though they say they believe in Jesus and follow him is based on the fact that they believe in a different Jesus than the One who is revealed in Scripture. They have changed the gospel of Christ. Here is what the Bible has this to say about those who teach a different Jesus and a different gospel of Christ:
2 Cor. 11:3-4 "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-- you may well put up with it. (you will have to endure it, or you wear it beautifully, and some do)."
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You have basically just defined an interpretation. So that argument results in a backfire. And unless you are an immortal my statement is correct.
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1) No mention of them not being Christian. It only states that you may have to put up with it. This is a matter of mortals interjecting their own doctrines into what is written in the Bible. Exactly what I have been claiming all along.
2) What we are really dealing with is a claim that a gospel is different from the one taught by Jesus which is based on the interpretation of mortal man. I choose not to leave the decision of what Jesus taught and what He didn't teach to the interpretation of man. This is hugely a matter of mortals interjecting their own doctrines into what is written in the Bible. Thank you for giving us an example of what I have been addressing in this thread.
What I would like is an authoritative source (the Bible) that identifies which teachings are of Christ's gospel and which ones are of a different gospel. All you, or any mortal, can provide is their opinion on the matter. It just so happens that I'm not inclined to take your word on this matter. I don't trust your opinion - no insult meant, I don't trust the opinion of any mortal in this matter.
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- Jul 10, 2012
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From now on I expect to be addressed as "St. Cloudyday II - the Blunderworker".
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- Jan 27, 2004
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1) No mention of them not being Christian. It only states that you may have to put up with it. This is a matter of mortals interjecting their own doctrines into what is written in the Bible. Exactly what I have been claiming all along.
2) What we are really dealing with is a claim that a gospel is different from the one taught by Jesus which is based on the interpretation of mortal man. I choose not to leave the decision of what Jesus taught and what He didn't teach to the interpretation of man. This is hugely a matter of mortals interjecting their own doctrines into what is written in the Bible. Thank you for giving us an example of what I have been addressing in this thread.
What I would like is an authoritative source (the Bible) that identifies which teachings are of Christ's gospel and which ones are of a different gospel. All you, or any mortal, can provide is their opinion on the matter. It just so happens that I'm not inclined to take your word on this matter. I don't trust your opinion - no insult meant, I don't trust the opinion of any mortal in this matter.
1 Jn 4:1-3 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every Spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Heb 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.
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The first quote doesn't support your previous claim about different doctrines and the second quote doesn't define different doctrines in any way.
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- May 28, 2015
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Paul teaches that to the natural man scripture is foolishness because scripture is spiritually discerned....What's your point?
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I have no more interest in paying heed to someone telling me what another person meant than I am in accepting the interpretation of scripture by mortals.
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- May 28, 2015
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Paul teaches that to the natural man scripture is foolishness because scripture is spiritually discerned....I have no more interest in paying heed to someone telling me what another person meant than I am in accepting the interpretation of scripture by mortals.
I rest my case.....
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- May 28, 2015
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No, you prove his message.....Exactly the reason I don't take any stock in the interpretation of scripture by mortals.
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