Who is a christian and what does that mean

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Our good buddy Howard has informed me that the United Church of Christ aren't christians.

That begs the question of what is a christian and who gets to determine it.

Please identify your branch of christianity so Howard can let me know if you count as christians.

And, if you aren't christians by Howard's defintion/determination will you be open to conversion?

[BallHawk]

One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus

[HowardRoark]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

Our good buddy Howard has informed me that the United Church of Christ aren't christians.

Sorry. I thought you were talking about Unitarians. Ballhawk stated it. Pithy, but a lot behind it.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

Our good buddy Howard has informed me that the United Church of Christ aren't christians.

Sorry. I thought you were talking about Unitarians. Ballhawk stated it. Pithy, but a lot behind it.

Sure you did. I stated UCC and then wrote it out.

So, Unitarians, Pentecostals,etc. aren't christians? Why aren't they..they follow jesus according to what ballhawk stated. I don't see anything about the trinity in his description.

Are Catholics...they pray to saints you know.

[HowardRoark]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

So, Unitarians, Pentecostals,etc. aren't christians? Why aren't they..they follow jesus according to what ballhawk stated. I don't see anything about the trinity in his description.

Ty, you don't give a shit about any of this, so I don't even know why I respond. The teachings of Christ are in the Bible, read John 1:1, it talks about Jesus being God. There are plenty of verses talking about the Holy Spirit too. If you don't believe Jesus was God, you aren't believing the teachings of Jesus. He wasn't (or didn't claim to be) some "good guy" moral teacher or prophet. He claimed to be God. He either was or he wasn't. There either is a God or there isn't. Your little throw away lines show your intellectual laziness.

Unitarians don't believe Jesus was God.

Again, you really don't give a rat's ass, but that is accounted for too:

Psalm 14

1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

[mraynrand]

I thought the Bush theocracy was overthrown. Peace and serenity have returned.

[MadScientist]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

So, Unitarians, Pentecostals,etc. aren't christians? Why aren't they..they follow jesus according to what ballhawk stated. I don't see anything about the trinity in his description.

A lot of Unitarians are humanists who don't believe in a god. Definitely not a Christian denomination.

As far Christianity goes, the fact that there are such diverse sects that claim to be Christian, strongly suggests that Christianity is in many ways a reflection on the believers rather than a guide.

[Freak Out]

I thought the Bush theocracy was overthrown. Peace and serenity have returned.

We have a couple of months to go yet........but who's counting.

[Patler]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

Are Catholics...they pray to saints you know.

Catholics "pray to" saints not as one prays to God, but believing in an afterlife the Catholics pry to saints asking for their intervention with God with whom the saints are present. The saints are asked to intercede on the mortals behalf. There is only one God for a Catholic, but there are saints and angels who might lend a helping hand!

[texaspackerbacker]

One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus

Pretty close.

I would just modify it by inserting the word DIVINITY between "belief in" and "Jesus as Christ", and by changing the "or" to "and".

If you want more controversy or diversity of answers, Tyrone, you should as what are those teachings?

[Iron Mike]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

Are Catholics...they pray to saints you know.

Catholics "pray to" saints not as one prays to God, but believing in an afterlife the Catholics pry to saints asking for their intervention with God with whom the saints are present. The saints are asked to intercede on the mortals behalf. There is only one God for a Catholic, but there are saints and angels who might lend a helping hand!

Hmmm......and what does God say in John 14:6?

[mraynrand]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

Are Catholics...they pray to saints you know.

Some of them play bingo too.

[mraynrand]

Re: Who is a christian and what does that mean

What does God say in Ecclesiastes 6:2?

[HarveyWallbangers]

One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus

Actually, it's one who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. There aren't "many roads" that lead to heaven. Just living your life according to the teachings of Jesus does not make you a Christian.

[mraynrand]

One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus

Actually, it's one who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. There aren't "many roads" that lead to heaven. Just living your life according to the teachings of Jesus does not make you a Christian.

NOW he tells me - and after I gave away all my possessions.