To all non-Christians here...define a Christian

Kutte said:

True Christians are rare, indeed. Going to a "Christian Church" on a regular basis doesn't make one a Christian.
As some responses to this thread already indicated, a true Christian is one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ and those rules are tough to follow. That's why there are so few true Christians. They encompass attributes such as to "love your enemies", "do good to those which hate you", "bless the ones that curse you", "pray for those who do you physical harm".

If you truly can live up to these rules, then you are a Christian.

Kutte

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And if one were to do those things, but not identify as a Christian or believe Jesus was a messiah or god, then what would they be?

The belief that some cosmic Jewish zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.

A Christian is someone who believes that they are following the teachings of Jesus and calls themself a Christian. A good Christian (IMO) is one who actually focuses on the two commandments Jesus gave to his disciples. "Love God and Love one another."

What most Christians are really doing is following Centuries of tradition and lore which is only loosly based on the teachings of Jesus. It is a religion redesigned to build empire, not to live as Jesus lived.

LittleLambofJesus said:

Greetings. Just a simple question.
I would like to ask all non-Christians here what their definition of a Christian is. Thanks

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The term "christian" is a man-made title to encourage bigotry and arrogance against those that do not fit under their descriptions of "christian".

Jesus Christ was a JEW!!! He lived a jewish life or he would have been stoned to death. The term "christian" separates and divides people into oposing and combative groups of followers of Jesus!

Anybody that lives a life following the teachings of Jesus Christ can call themself a Christian!

I would say a Christian is someone who identifies as a Christian and/or perceives himself to follow the teachings of Yeshua Bar Yôsēp̄, known to many as "the Christ", as either God, demigod, guru, philosopher, rabbi or teacher, or simply a good man.

I suppose "a Christian" can also be someone with the name Christian.

Aethelfrith said:

I would say a Christian is someone who identifies as a Christian and/or perceives himself to follow the teachings of Yeshua Bar Yôsēp̄, known to many as "the Christ", as either God, demigod, guru, philosopher, rabbi or teacher, or simply a good man.

I suppose "a Christian" can also be someone with the name Christian.

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Thank you for your response. Jesus was the Christ promised to the OC Hebrew Isrealites.
We must come to their Savior/Redeemer to be called a Christ-ian.

http://www.scripture4all.org/

John 1:41 Is finding this one first the brother the own Simon and is saying to him "we have found the Messiah/messian <3323>"(which is being translated/interpreted the Christ/cristoV <5547>).

Textus Rec.) John 1:41 euriskei outoV prwtoV ton adelfon ton idion simwna kai legei autw eurhkamen ton messian o estin meqermhneuomenon o cristoV

3323. Messias of Hebrew origin (4899); the Messias (i.e. Mashiach), or Christ:--Messias.
4899 mashiyach maw-shee'-akh from 4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the Messiah:--anointed, Messiah.
5547. Christos from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

5547 Christos from 5548; TDNT - 9:493,1322; adj
AV - Christ 569; 569
Christ = "anointed"
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God 2) anointed

Greetings LLOJ, my good friend, it's been far too long since the last time I've posted here. I hope all is well with you and yours.

LittleLambofJesus said:

Just a simple question.
I would like to ask all non-Christians here what their definition of a Christian is. Thanks

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As many have said, any who wish to call themselves a Christian is welcome to do so, and unless I have compelling reason to say otherwise, I am happy to agree wih that self-designation.

That having been said, as far as what I believe defines a Christian? With all due respect to believers and followers, my honest belief is that a Christian is one who has created and maintains a relationship with Jesus and/or Deity. Not just in word, but in action; a living, breathing, growing, developing, and healthy relationship that culminates in spiritual growth and wisdom. In fact, I can apply that very same belief to adherents of ANY religion.

Just to give a couple of quick examples; I once asked a person why they loved Jesus, and their reply was "Because he's the son of God." I was appalled! That's like asking someone "Why are you friends with so-and-so?" and having them answer "Because his father is Bill Gates." On the other hand, I once asked someone the same question of a person, and they replied "Are you kidding? You want to hear about what kind of person he was?" and proceeded to regale me with stories of his compassion and encouragement. Not so hard to see the difference, is it? But then, this goes along with my general belief and philosophy that religion is a verb, not a noun.

Brightest blessings,
-- Druweid

Penumbra,

Regarding your question:

And if one were to do those things, but not identify as a Christian or believe Jesus was a messiah or god, then what would they be?

Response:

An individual who lives up to the teachings of Jesus Christ, although this person may be turned off by what he sees as "Christians" values by referring to them as fake Christians.

Kutte

Druweid said:

Greetings LLOJ, my good friend, it's been far too long since the last time I've posted here. I hope all is well with you and yours.

As many have said, any who wish to call themselves a Christian is welcome to do so, and unless I have compelling reason to say otherwise, I am happy to agree wih that self-designation.

That having been said, as far as what I believe defines a Christian? With all due respect to believers and followers, my honest belief is that a Christian is one who has created and maintains a relationship with Jesus and/or Deity. Not just in word, but in action; a living, breathing, growing, developing, and healthy relationship that culminates in spiritual growth and wisdom. In fact, I can apply that very same belief to adherents of ANY religion.

Just to give a couple of quick examples; I once asked a person why they loved Jesus, and their reply was "Because he's the son of God." I was appalled! That's like asking someone "Why are you friends with so-and-so?" and having them answer "Because his father is Bill Gates."

On the other hand, I once asked someone the same question of a person, and they replied "Are you kidding? You want to hear about what kind of person he was?" and proceeded to regale me with stories of his compassion and encouragement. Not so hard to see the difference, is it? But then, this goes along with my general belief and philosophy that religion is a verb, not a noun.

Brightest blessings,
-- Druweid

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Greetings Druid and thank you so much for your input here. I have missed you dear friend.

You bring up something interesting. No longer was it necessary for the OC Jews/Israelites to offer up worldly sacrifices, but rather "spiritual" sacrifices.
I love these 2 verses in relation to that.

Thank you for responding and may you and yours have a blessed and safe Memorial day weekend holiday dear friend.

Matthew 5:16 Thus let shine! the light of ye before the men, that they may seeing the ideal works and should be glorifying the Father of ye, the in the heavens.

1 Peter 2:12 The behavior of ye in the the nations having, ideal, that in which they are speaking against ye as evil-doers, out of the ideal works being spectators they should be glorifying the God in day of visitation.

LittleLambofJesus said:

Greetings. Just a simple question.
I would like to ask all non-Christians here what their definition of a Christian is. Thanks

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I'd like to say "Someone who follows Christ" but even I have Jesus as part of my God-structure, so that doesn't really pan out. Therefor I'd expand to say "Someone who follows Christ and identifies themselves as a Christian" and I'd have to leave it at that. What each person identifies themselves as, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they know what their relationship with God truly is. I can't assume otherwise.