Defining oneself

[AmabaelRose]

I'm not obsessive about labels, but for my own sake it's nice to know where it is I fit in.

Is belief in Jesus as God/Son of God and having him in your life all you need to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in certain doctrines to be considered a Christian? Truthfully if I am one, then I'm a rather unorthodox one.
I think my major sticking point is that after spending so long as a Pagan even though I think I would be happier on a more Christian path, there are certain doctrines that seem essential to the faith that I don't want to force myself to accept just to take on that label.

 

[LiberatedChick]

I'm not obsessive about labels, but for my own sake it's nice to know where it is I fit in.

Is belief in Jesus as God/Son of God and having him in your life all you need to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in certain doctrines to be considered a Christian? Truthfully if I am one, then I'm a rather unorthodox one.
I think my major sticking point is that after spending so long as a Pagan even though I think I would be happier on a more Christian path, there are certain doctrines that seem essential to the faith that I don't want to force myself to accept just to take on that label.

A Christian is a follower of Christ. So I'd say belief in Jesus and trying to follow His teachings is enough. I can't think of any doctrines you'd have to accept to call yourself Christian...there's definately some that I don't accept.

 

[dvd_holc]

I'm not obsessive about labels, but for my own sake it's nice to know where it is I fit in.

Is belief in Jesus as God/Son of God and having him in your life all you need to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in certain doctrines to be considered a Christian? Truthfully if I am one, then I'm a rather unorthodox one.
I think my major sticking point is that after spending so long as a Pagan even though I think I would be happier on a more Christian path, there are certain doctrines that seem essential to the faith that I don't want to force myself to accept just to take on that label.

Yes, a person who believes and subsequently follows Christ are his followers, his bride, and his people. And, my faith that Jesus is the Son of God is rooted in the understanding of the nature of the Messiah.

 

[bethdinsmore]

According to John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, etc . a Christian is one who has made the decision to rely only upon the Christ of the Bible to pay for all his sins and to get him to Heaven one day, without relying at all on his good works or promises. (If a person disagreed with any of those points, I do not believe they would be saved, and therefore would not be called Christians or believers in the Bible's meaning of the words. For example, if they believed Jesus was only a good man.)

An example would be Unitarianism. If a person believes those teachings* rather than the Bible's teachings about salvation, I do not believe they would fit into the Bible's usage of "Christian".
*as stated in www.contenderministries.org/unitarianuniv.php

A disciple is a Christian who consistently follows the Lord. The more they understand other doctrines as well and believe them, the more effective they will be. (You don't have to be a disciple to be a Christian, but you do have to be a Christian to be a disciple.)

Aloha in Jesus

 

[hlaltimus]

I'm not obsessive about labels, but for my own sake it's nice to know where it is I fit in.

Is belief in Jesus as God/Son of God and having him in your life all you need to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in certain doctrines to be considered a Christian? Truthfully if I am one, then I'm a rather unorthodox one.
I think my major sticking point is that after spending so long as a Pagan even though I think I would be happier on a more Christian path, there are certain doctrines that seem essential to the faith that I don't want to force myself to accept just to take on that label.

His very name is "Truth"! He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". If you want in on Him, then forget about forgetting about what truth is. You will know Him in proportion to your grasp upon biblical truth because as His very nature is truth, that necessitates parity on your part.

 

[Deb7777]

I'm not obsessive about labels, but for my own sake it's nice to know where it is I fit in.

Is belief in Jesus as God/Son of God and having him in your life all you need to be a Christian? Does one need to believe in certain doctrines to be considered a Christian? Truthfully if I am one, then I'm a rather unorthodox one.
I think my major sticking point is that after spending so long as a Pagan even though I think I would be happier on a more Christian path, there are certain doctrines that seem essential to the faith that I don't want to force myself to accept just to take on that label.

Hi AmabaelRose, welcome, you can definitely accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and follow his teachings. Since there is different intrepretations of Jesus teachings, one example, the Eucharist, I suggest you go to the Congregation Forum and see what teachings the faith communities believe. The Catholic Forum has a FAQ , I believe its important to belong to a faith community of believers in your walk with the Lord, God bless.