how are we being seen?

[raaven]

Lately I have become very concerned with how Christians are seen in this country by non-christians. By postings and discussion boards I have noticed that we are pretty much dismissed as a joke or as a people who live by double standards who are quick to judge others. Most of the time in news stories we are the intolerant or the angry. How do we start to show our walk? I truly believe that the time of bringing people to Jesus by preaching to them is at an end. For too many times have the stories in the news been about a strong "leader" in the church that has gotten themselves sideways with money or sex or scandal.
I hear fellow Christians who say They are just picking on us because we are Christians. However don't we invite them to scrutinize our lives simply by declaring ourselves as Christian? The world holds us to a higher standard (as it should) Why then are we not holding ourselves to that higher standard? The bible does talk about leading people with our words but it talks more about By their fruits you shall know them. Too many of us want our walk to be between God and ourselves but the time has come to sacrifice the hidden. People have become jaded and our words are no longer enough, when we proclaim ourselves to be Christian we throw down the gauntlet and challenge people to examine our lives (all aspects of it). People are dying for something to believe in NOW is when God is calling us to give them a rock to hold on to keep from being swept away....

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Lately I have become very concerned with how Christians are seen in this country by non-christians.

? If you are concerned with how Christians are seen , by anyone,
then why are you using symbols not usually associated with 'Christians'
in the picture ?

 

[Sam91]

The book of 1 John explains this to u.

 

[High Fidelity]

Quite simply the few are being viewed as the many, so yes, we're likely viewed as hypocrites and ungodly but that's because the majority of Christians are and people generalise.

Scripture even tells us that the many will not make it to Heaven, so it's somewhat expected.

 

[Burl]

Every religion is stereotyped to some extent. I find it better to tell people I like Jesus and ask them what they think. The effective modern evangelist listens more than they speak.

 

[raaven]

? If you are concerned with how Christians are seen , by anyone,
then why are you using symbols not usually associated with 'Christians'
in the picture ?

And this in a nutshell is what I am talking about...You decided that I am a non christian because of my picture..fair enough but instead of viewing it as a chance to maybe reach out to someone who although not christian is truly seeking God and demonstrating "your walk" that it might have led me to Jesus, the first thing you did was to attack me make sure you were able to "put me in my place" and to make sure that all others who read my post knew that you had firmly called me out.
I don't know about anyone else but that response was enough to crush whatever desire I might have had to open to you and by proxy your faith because you not only made me feel exposed and small but you made me feel that I was the enemy that had no right to ask these questions. This saddens me because as a christian it tells me that you are more interested in scoring points then in possibly saving my soul.

Oh and the picture was created for me by a very dear family member who died soon after and I will never change it. Nice judgment on surface apperiances

 

[Rajni]

? If you are concerned with how Christians are seen , by anyone,
then why are you using symbols not usually associated with 'Christians'
in the picture ?

The pentagram was also used by Christians.
As for the raven, it has relevance in scripture; ravens took
care of Elijah (1 Kings 17:4, 1 Kings 17:6), and God cares for
them (Job 38:41; Luke 12:24).



-

 

[Rajni]

Oh and the picture was created for me by a very dear family member

Oh wow -- you're related to Akiko Watanabe?
An amazing artist; her paintings look so realistic.




-

 

[raaven]

The pentagram was also used by Christians.
As for the raven, it has relevance in scripture; ravens took
care of Elijah (1 Kings 17:4, 1 Kings 17:6), and God cares for
them (Job 38:41; Luke 12:24).



-

 

[raaven]

Madam it is an honor to make your aquaintance

 

[VanillaSunflowers]

And this in a nutshell is what I am talking about...You decided that I am a non christian because of my picture..fair enough but instead of viewing it as a chance to maybe reach out to someone who although not christian is truly seeking God and demonstrating "your walk" that it might have led me to Jesus, the first thing you did was to attack me make sure you were able to "put me in my place" and to make sure that all others who read my post knew that you had firmly called me out.
I don't know about anyone else but that response was enough to crush whatever desire I might have had to open to you and by proxy your faith because you not only made me feel exposed and small but you made me feel that I was the enemy that had no right to ask these questions. This saddens me because as a christian it tells me that you are more interested in scoring points then in possibly saving my soul.

Oh and the picture was created for me by a very dear family member who died soon after and I will never change it. Nice judgment on surface apperiances

Or,

From the Christian's perspective who sees an admitted Seeker's picture and reads Yeshu's remarks.
What an excellent nutshell example of the first post's member reasons for concerns about the world view of we the Saints.

It's one thing to share a personal perspective. It is quite an important other to read the observation unfold in writing before the eyes of believers in Christ. And others as well. It shows it isn't an unsubstantiated experience.

To the first question.
Imagine what it was like for the first believers shortly after Jesus left. The minority of converted Jews, even pagans, professing what was considered a new faith. And they themselves eventually to be called the people of the book. Because they found their God in scrolls or writings. Unlike the pagans who saw their creator everywhere they looked.

Not unlike we Christians. Who are told at our genesis we were created not only just a little below God's Angels. But were made unlike the Angels in his image and likeness. That would make that Spirit God both male and female.

Being. The dual complimentary spirits make for one complete and perpetuating nature by the will of nature and natures God. Male and Female created He them.

Being God is a spirit think of it , if the masculine image is off putting, as, male and female did the spirit create them.


I like your raven. It reminds me of Da Vinci's Vitruvian human.

 

[VanillaSunflowers]

Oh wow -- you're related to Akiko Watanabe?
An amazing artist; her paintings look so realistic.




-

I didn't know Akiko had passed away. God's mercies upon her.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

And this in a nutshell is what I am talking about...You decided that I am a non christian because of my picture.

No, I didn't expect you to be not a Christian based on the picture.
I figured as love hopes for the best that you were a relatively new or young 'christian' who didn't (and doesn't yet) know about the

how Christians are seen

aspect of your choice of pics.
Your posts make that clear though that you're not really concerned (the op says you are, but now you've said otherwise) about "how Christians are seen". (from a "Christian perspective).

Even by non-christians, not just by 'christians' ....

 

[VanillaSunflowers]

Maybe show concern for your lack of learning what you did not know about the image Raaven has in their profile. While continuing to make presumptuous judgments about their Seeking our Lord so as to set an example of one who claims to have found him does when they encounter a Seeker.

Remember the blessing of God the ravens were to Elijah? In 1 Kings 17:3-6. You can take no issue with the raven then.
And the pentagram as it is today known is far older than what some consider to be its pagan origins. So called pentagram images have been found in neolithic cave etchings. Well before anyone could hope to ascribe witchcraft to that source.

Further, the five points of the pentacle have long been seen as the wounds of Christ by many a Christian. As well as the five elements that make God's creation pulse with blessed life. Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Holy Spirit.

And finally, Jesus was the anointed. Christos.
The "C" in that for those who are in his hand having been redeemed for his sacrifice are known as Christians. That's a capital C that reflects the Christos Christ we adore. Not the lower case c that the non-believers use in order to communicate disrespect for the facts of Christ's teachings.

You'll notice Christian Forums capitalizes the C in Christian in the faith block from whence we may choose our religious affiliation when we register.

Please respect the C. Thank you.

 

[YCGP]

I think that now is the time to lead with our own lives and let others learn from our actions. How we communicate with ourselves and with others during bad times is of utmost importance. People look for something to get them through hard times, and if we are hypocritical or have a bad attitude during those times that everyone experiences, then we are flashing a sign that says: 'this [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] doesn't work' or there is no real value in it.

In our modern times the need for instant gratification and excitement (think of how loud music is getting) is undeniable. We need to show people through our actions and how we communicate that there is gratification to be had from faith, believing, praying, connecting with like-minded individuals about something positive.

As far as excitement goes, they should release more art with God in it. It would be appropriate to show sin as well, but the key would be to put an emphasis on what is right and to make that exciting in itself. For example, a movie about soldiers who find God.

This is what we need! Positive examples and positive outcomes that show is the value of living with God!

 

[Victor E.]

Lately I have become very concerned with how Christians are seen in this country by non-christians. By postings and discussion boards I have noticed that we are pretty much dismissed as a joke or as a people who live by double standards who are quick to judge others. Most of the time in news stories we are the intolerant or the angry. How do we start to show our walk? I truly believe that the time of bringing people to Jesus by preaching to them is at an end. For too many times have the stories in the news been about a strong "leader" in the church that has gotten themselves sideways with money or sex or scandal.
I hear fellow Christians who say They are just picking on us because we are Christians. However don't we invite them to scrutinize our lives simply by declaring ourselves as Christian? The world holds us to a higher standard (as it should) Why then are we not holding ourselves to that higher standard? The bible does talk about leading people with our words but it talks more about By their fruits you shall know them. Too many of us want our walk to be between God and ourselves but the time has come to sacrifice the hidden. People have become jaded and our words are no longer enough, when we proclaim ourselves to be Christian we throw down the gauntlet and challenge people to examine our lives (all aspects of it). People are dying for something to believe in NOW is when God is calling us to give them a rock to hold on to keep from being swept away....

We remain seen, by being unseen. We remain heard, by being unheard. We remain genuine, by being imposters.

here's the Scripture in question 2 Corinthians 6.

 

[YCGP]

We remain seen, by being unseen. We remain heard, by being unheard. We remain genuine, by being imposters.

I don't get it.

 

[Victor E.]

I don't get it.

It means the closer you are to God. The more "the world" will hate you.

 

[YCGP]

What does the imposter part mean? Does it mean we are supposed to be imposters?

 

[W2L]

Politics have done much harm to our faith over the centuries. Bad Church leaders have not applied the true doctrine of Christ properly, and have lead the Church into error, which now is used to criticize our faith. We see this in crusades, wars, slavery and many other such things. If true teachers would have taught true doctrine, the Church would never have been stained by this. Politics have no place in the Church. We are not a nation but a heavenly kingdom. Politics are not sound doctrine.

The same flawed doctrine still leads us astray as well, and we believe that arguing with each other on the internet is true faith but its not. WE argue for our denominations flawed doctrine.

There is no way to erase the past, and we are in what the bible calls perilous times. (2 Timothy 3)

Nothing will convince atheists hat God is real, all we can do is pray. THe best thing we can do is put away division and actually live like the Church of Acts 4 did. They shared all things and were filled with the spirit. They actually cared for each other. However, denominationalism and politics stand in the way.