The adjective "Christian"

[blackribbon]

I think that this is one of the most abused words in today's society. So much awful is done in the name of being Christian...especially judgemental attitudes.

I was talking to my mother the other day about the elections and she said something about at least Romney has "Christian" ideals....and I said "no, he doesn't...he isn't a Christian" (by the definition of one who takes Jesus as their Savior and recognizes Him as God and it is only through His innocent death that we can find our way back to God and Heaven some day.) He has Morman ideals...because that is what he believes. She had a hard time with this concept saying that other groups can have "Christian" ideals...and again, I disagreed. In order to be a Christian ideal, it has to be Biblical based (which means you can document it). And many religions do have similar ideas because they all started with the same origin. I mean, Abraham is the father to Jews, Christians, and Muslims...so an ideal can be Christian, Jewish and Muslim at the same time...

I have been having an interest "discussion" with someone who wanted to force their own modesty ideals on others in the name of being "Christian"...and we had a discussion here over where it was "Christian" of me to eat my lunch. I think I am starting to understand why non-Christians look so negatively on Christianity.....sad.

 

[Life2Christ]

Its because most Christians are gospel-ignorant. They don't read or study the bible.

 

[blackribbon]

My mom does read and study the Bible. I think it is a ego-centric thing. We tend to want to believe that what we understand to be true...or even worse, what we feel comfortable with....is what is true. Then studying becomes an exercise in proving what I already believe and not in actually learning.

So if I am not comfortable with walking into a bar (maybe, I am tempted there), then it isn't right for anyone else to..and that makes my decision "Christian". OR maybe someone I respected told me that it was wrong, so therefore, that makes it wrong and unChristian.

Why is it so hard for people to be willing to "think"? And why are people so offended when someone else asks questions and challenges their belief system? I mean, you could tell me all day long that water isn't wet and it wouldn't bother me in the least because I know it is. I think people don't like to think.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

as far as politics go, I find it almost humorous that some of my liberal friends post scathing articles about Romney mocking him and saying how aweful he is, but their "saint" never does any wrong. And these are intelligent people? I finally had to come to the conclusion that God is allowing their delusion because of the hardness of their hearts because nothing else makes sense.
I never get offended anymore when someone believes the crap they read on the Daily Beast or whatever liberal publication because I know that wrangling with words will not convince them to change their minds.

But you are right alot of wrong is done even in the name of christianity (of course not the same christianity we believe) that gives us a bad name. Westboro baptist comes to mind for one. And alot of people that don't believe think that everyone that believes in God is a "christian" which of course is not true at all.

Your discussion about modestly led me to think of a member that was recently telling us all we should not go to bars because it was "unchristian". My studying leads me to believe that we should not cause another to stumble, so we should not take someone to a bar (for example) if they are a previous alcoholic or it is a real temptation for them. And if they believe it is a sin to swim in a 2 piece bathing suit, we should not show up in one to go to the beach with them, but it does not make it a sin for us and the bible tells us that also.
Bottom line is alot of people don't read their bible. I find it the most fascinating of books myself personally.

 

[MennoII]

Yea, it is amazing that most (true) Christians have no idea of the Law of Liberty (Galatians 5:13-15; James 1:25;2:8-13).


I Peter 2:15-16
15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;
16) As Free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servant of God.

 

[dayhiker]

Ya, so many Christians are trying as it were to up each other in how they don't do this because they are a Christian when the owners manual says nothing about that being a sin!

Law of liberty ... yes, yes, yes ... Tit.1:15-16 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I don't think "Christian" should be an adjective. It should be a noun. It should be WHO we are, not some word to decribe how we act.

 

[blackribbon]

It is more an adjective describe ideas and ideologies....and something like a "Christian country" would be nice...(unfortunately, we are probably a post-Christian country)

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

It is more an adjective describe ideas and ideologies....and something like a "Christian country" would be nice...(unfortunately, we are probably a post-Christian country)

Well to me it's more of who I am. If someone was asked to describe me, they might use that as part of the description, but I cannot be separated from WHO I am as in being a christian anymore than I could change the color of my skin or my nationality. People DO use it as an adjective, I just think that should be the case.
It's not like I would say so and so is 6'1" has brown hair is white, and a christian.

And someday when we are all together with Christ we WILL have that Christian country (except it will be the world not just a country) when we are with Christ for eternity.