Defining Christianity

[Sojourner1]

Feel free to read through the thread again. I have already accepted that "Christians" was equated with "disciples." Do you have evidence that any of these other terms was accepted in the Bible as having the same meaning? In addition, I don't recall you using any supporting scripture that attempted to compare "Christians" to "brethren" or any of the other terms you posted above. Which makes it ludicrous to throw that out as a reason for not being able to have a discussion about the definition of a Christian. No one is being stopped from posting such evidence other than a lack of effort on their part. Trot it on out and we'll see how it holds up. As it stands right now, you have not presented any scripture which supports a definition for what or who is a Christian.

Why don't you give me a list of the terms that you will accept as being equated with "Christians" (in addition to the term "disciples").

 

[Sojourner1]

Then who on planet earth decides who can be called "Christian" and who can't?
Who has the right to tell me that I am not Christian?

This thread is not about whether you are or are not a Christian. We've all been told numerous times that this thread is not about Mormonism.

 

[civilwarbuff]

So, Christians are not people who follow Christ as pupils and adherents? Interesting.

I can't have a discussion with someone whose sole defense is simply to deny evidence that is presented. You gotta do better than that....

 

[civilwarbuff]

Ran77
You are right, but you demanded scripture and that is what you got.
Christians are those who believe in Christ: 7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity....which you consent to.
Only Christians will see the Kingdom of God: Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So in order to see the Kingdom of God you must be a Christian and be born again:
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Is there any part of the bolded just above that you do not accept and why?
Afraid to answer the question?

 

[cloudyday2]

It seems like there are two approaches to the definition of Christian
(1) what qualifies or causes a person to be a Christian?
(2) what are the implications of being a Christian?

For qualifications, here are some possibilities:
(a) baptism
(b) conversion experience
(c) you understand and profess some creed
(d) theosis/sanctification
...

Looking at implications, here are some possibilities:
(w) you go to heaven instead of hell
(x) you can receive communion in "the Church"
(y) you receive charismatic gifts
(z) you grow fruits of the spirit
...

It's confusing.

 

[civilwarbuff]

I'm going to try this again. Thanks go to serious for helping phrase the OP so it will fit within the forum guidelines.

Many denominations use a statement of faith or some sort of creed to determine who is and who is not a Christian. One of the most common of these is the Nicene Creed, but it is far from the only one. While each aspect of the creed can be shown to have been drawn from an interpretation of a section of scripture, what seems to be missing is specific scriptural support for the concepts that are presented as an essential aspect of Christianity. Is there any scriptural support for a specific selection of core beliefs, or specific interpretations of these verses, which define what is necessary for salvation as opposed to simply ancillary beliefs which are left open for the individual and various denominations to interpret?

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

 

[civilwarbuff]

It seems like there are two approaches to the definition of Christian
(1) what qualifies or causes a person to be a Christian?
(2) what are the implications of being a Christian?

For qualifications, here are some possibilities:
(a) baptism
(b) conversion experience
(c) you understand and profess some creed
(d) theosis/sanctification
...

Looking at implications, here are some possibilities:
(w) you go to heaven instead of hell
(x) you can receive communion in "the Church"
(y) you receive charismatic gifts
(z) you grow fruits of the spirit
...

It's confusing.

This OP is not about defining Christian....please stay on topic.....

 

[popsthebuilder]

Do you accept the Christian Covenant as presented by Paul as sufficient? I think Smith says he will be overseeing the entrance of folks into Heaven. I think he calls into question the biblical account.

Thought Jesus was doing that.

 

[Ran77]

Why don't you give me a list of the terms that you will accept as being equated with "Christians" (in addition to the term "disciples").

I'd rather you just post the evidence you have that defines what and who is a Christian.

 

[Ran77]

This thread is not about whether you are or are not a Christian. We've all been told numerous times that this thread is not about Mormonism.

The thread is about defining what and who is a Christian. Nothing in the post you quoted made it about Mormonism. Where in the Bible does it define who can be called a Christian and who can not. The topic is also about what doctrines are essential to being a Christian. I feel she has made a valid point within the scope of the topic. If she asked why Mormon's are not Christians then you'd be correct in your statement. I'm looking for the parameters of Christianity that applies to everyone.

 

[Winken]

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

 

[popsthebuilder]

I'm going to try this again. Thanks go to serious for helping phrase the OP so it will fit within the forum guidelines.

Many denominations use a statement of faith or some sort of creed to determine who is and who is not a Christian. One of the most common of these is the Nicene Creed, but it is far from the only one. While each aspect of the creed can be shown to have been drawn from an interpretation of a section of scripture, what seems to be missing is specific scriptural support for the concepts that are presented as an essential aspect of Christianity. Is there any scriptural support for a specific selection of core beliefs, or specific interpretations of these verses, which define what is necessary for salvation as opposed to simply ancillary beliefs which are left open for the individual and various denominations to interpret?

You need to actually specify the "specific core beliefs" so some can answer your question.

 

[Ran77]

I can't have a discussion with someone whose sole defense is simply to deny evidence that is presented. You gotta do better than that....

Discuss. Don't discuss. Your choice.

 

[civilwarbuff]

The thread is about defining what and who is a Christian. Nothing in the post you quoted made it about Mormonism. Where in the Bible does it define who can be called a Christian and who can not. The topic is also about what doctrines are essential to being a Christian. I feel she has made a valid point within the scope of the topic. If she asked why Mormon's are not Christians then you'd be correct in your statement. I'm looking for the parameters of Christianity that applies to everyone.

Is there any scriptural support for a specific selection of core beliefs, or specific interpretations of these verses, which define what is necessary for salvation as opposed to simply ancillary beliefs which are left open for the individual and various denominations to interpret?
Where in here do you see this is "about defining what and who is a Christian." You can stay on topic or we can let a moderator decide.....

 

[Ran77]

Afraid to answer the question?

I am not the topic. Whether I am or am not afraid to answer has nothing to do with the topic. If you have something to say about defining Christianity feel free to offer it, but I suggest you leave observations about me as a person out of the discussion.

As for answering your question, I have responded at least twice to what you posted. You have failed to deal with my comments.

 

[Ran77]

It seems like there are two approaches to the definition of Christian
(1) what qualifies or causes a person to be a Christian?
(2) what are the implications of being a Christian?

For qualifications, here are some possibilities:
(a) baptism
(b) conversion experience
(c) you understand and profess some creed
(d) theosis/sanctification
...

Looking at implications, here are some possibilities:
(w) you go to heaven instead of hell
(x) you can receive communion in "the Church"
(y) you receive charismatic gifts
(z) you grow fruits of the spirit
...

It's confusing.

I like your post. It has definitely given me something to think about. My initial gut-response is that I don't agree with what you posted. Rather than qualify I might suggest what parameters define a person as a Christian. And I think that the implications are not so defining as they are the natural results of being a Christian. But I can see how both might be used to build a better understanding of what and who is a Christian. Good job.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Whether I am or am not afraid to answer has nothing to do with the topic. If you have something to say about defining Christianity feel free to offer it, but I suggest you leave observations about me as a person out of the discussion.

This thread has nothing to do with defining Christianity per your own OP......

Is there any scriptural support for a specific selection of core beliefs, or specific interpretations of these verses, which define what is necessary for salvation as opposed to simply ancillary beliefs which are left open for the individual and various denominations to interpret?

But I do believe you are afraid to answer the question....this is the 3rd time I have asked and have yet to receive an answer to it.....

Ran77
You are right, but you demanded scripture and that is what you got.
Christians are those who believe in Christ: 7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity....which you consent to.
Only Christians will see the Kingdom of God: Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So in order to see the Kingdom of God you must be a Christian and be born again:
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Is there any part of the bolded just above that you do not accept and why?
Afraid to answer the question?

 

[Ran77]

This OP is not about defining Christian....please stay on topic.....

You are consistently incorrect about this. This is the first sentence of the OP topic.

"Many denominations use a statement of faith or some sort of creed to determine who is and who is not a Christian."

The first sentence in a paragraph is usually the topic sentence. It summarizes the main idea of the paragraph. The sentences which follow it are used to further explore the topic sentence and give a greater scope of definition. Ignoring the topic sentence to continually tell people to stay on topic isn't productive or accurate.

 

[Ran77]

You need to actually specify the "specific core beliefs" so some can answer your question.

I appreciate your concern, but what I have found over the years that if I were to presume to offer an specific "core beliefs" then one denomination or another will object that I have not represented them correctly. The core beliefs differ from the various denominations, making it impossible for me to address the Christian community as a whole. The best I can do is ask which doctrines are essential to being a Christian and see what is presented.

 

[civilwarbuff]

You are consistently incorrect about this. This is the first sentence of the OP topic.

"Many denominations use a statement of faith or some sort of creed to determine who is and who is not a Christian."

The first sentence in a paragraph is usually the topic sentence. It summarizes the main idea of the paragraph. The sentences which follow it are used to further explore the topic sentence and give a greater scope of definition. Ignoring the topic sentence to continually tell people to stay on topic isn't productive or accurate.

But that is not what you are asking.....
this is what you are asking.....

Is there any scriptural support for a specific selection of core beliefs, or specific interpretations of these verses, which define what is necessary for salvation as opposed to simply ancillary beliefs which are left open for the individual and various denominations to interpret?

It has nothing to do with this:

"Many denominations use a statement of faith or some sort of creed to determine who is and who is not a Christian."

So, stay on topic......