Hi,
I would like to hear peoples opinions on whether I was ever a Christian, if I currently am, and if I could be. Can a real Christian lose faith or severely doubt the existence of God? I'll give you a little background then:
I was brought up in a conservative Christian family and grew up in a evangelical charismatic church. I have believed in God since I can remember and prayed 'the prayer' young. At about 12 I started taking my faith seriously and at 13 I was baptised in the Holy Spirit at which point my parents said they saw a difference in me. At 15 I was baptised in water and loved God and tried to do what was right. At 16 I started learning how to defend the faith. At 17 I studies 'philosophy of religion' at school and was when I was most confident in my faith.
Then at 18 I started doubting, likely partly due to the fact that for a few months I disbelieved in evolution because of a book I read. I then realised how easily I had accepted the falsity of anti-evolutionism and that I could easily have many other falsehoods I could be believing. My theology slowly became more liberal as I tried to retain faith in light of evidence and reason. Then I went on to study philosophy at University and the process continued until now it seems there is only a 50% chance there is a God. With the rate of loss of faith of about 10-15% per year it would seem that I would have to consider myself agnostic or even atheist in the next year or so unless something changes.
I still consider myself Christian, but do you think I ever was a Christian? And anything else you wish to say.
Thanks
Do you want to follow Jesus? If so, then yes you're a Christian.
Our position in Christ is not determined by the level of our piety, the effort of our faith, having the right beliefs, thinking the right thoughts, doing the right actions, crossing the right t's and dotting the right i's. Our position in Christ is determined by the faithfulness of God through His promises given abundantly and freely through Jesus Christ.
Can one stop being a Christian? Of course. If you choose to no longer be one then you're no longer one.
However, if a person walks away from the Christian faith and later returns, they are not making a new conversion. Once baptized always baptized. If someone abandons their Christianity and faith in Jesus and later returns, then they've returned.
All the promises God has given through His Word and Sacraments are there, always and ever. We can turn our backs on them, but He never turns away from us.
If someone desires to return to the Christian faith they must only return, God as Father of the Prodigal runs out to meet every son and daughter and clothes them with His finest garment.
His love is without condition, His grace is unfailing, His kindness is without measure.
-CryptoLutheran