How non believers may view Christian's.

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ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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I have. I belive in the creed, been baptized, and try to follow him. Just so you know the apostles also weren't christian. They were followers of christ. Christian was just a name given to followers of christ. Now christianity follows the advisory and not followers of christ. To be religous is to be a bigot. The creed unifies us so we are bolth brothers.
Ahh, so it's the name "Christian" you object to. The New Testament said they were called Christians which simply means followers of Christ. They were called other things too; but I see no problem with the designation Christian. Now tell me all the reasons I'm wrong; I see you have a lot of issues you're working out, so I'll leave you to it.
 
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Ahh, so it's the name "Christian" you object to. The New Testament said they were called Christians which simply means followers of Christ. They were called other things too; but I see no problem with the designation Christian. Now tell me all the reasons I'm wrong; I see you have a lot of issues you're working out, so I'll leave you to it.
I do, because christian doesn't identify a follower of christ. Christianity identifies a religon. The fruit of religon is bad and follows the advisory, because it spreads hate and devision.
 
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Ahh, so it's the name "Christian" you object to. The New Testament said they were called Christians which simply means followers of Christ. They were called other things too; but I see no problem with the designation Christian. Now tell me all the reasons I'm wrong; I see you have a lot of issues you're working out, so I'll leave you to it.
Thanks for realizing im working out a lot of issues and being willing to give me space. Thats a very christ like thing to do.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
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And that brings me to my other point. That the Christian community has convinced me that god is not at work. Actually If I didn't know any better, I would become skeptical and believe that there is no god. Then christians want to turn around and get upset at atheist for not believing in their god. So athiest then try to point out that we don't belive because the fruit is bad. Is that their falt or christianitys fault. Why is the Christian community so offended by non believers pointing out their poor example. This is why the bar to be Christian shouldn't be low. All this really shows is christians really don't believe in what they claim to believe. A good start whould be for Christians to come together and stop fighting. Untill that happens you have no right to say god is at work.
If that is really what you believe, I have to repeat what I said earlier: It seems you REALLY need to find a better church.

We have service Sunday starting at 10am and Wednesday starting at 7pm (CST) if you're ever in southwest Tennessee.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
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Im not christian or making any claim about god. This is a christian problem not my problem.
A Christian is one who follows Christ, just as an Epicurean is one who follows Epicurus. If you believe Epicurus was correct you adopt his philosophy and try to pattern your life and choices after his. If you believe Christ was right you adopt his philosophy and try to pattern your life after his.

I am a Christian and proud to be one.

Sure there are other people who call themselves Christians but don't do anything anywhere close to what Christ did. That does not invalidate the term Christian as it applies to my life. If a few wannabe Christians made the term Christian useless, I could make all ducks repudiate the term "duck" if I claimed to be a duck but could not fly. Same logic.

Talking about greek philosophies though... You might be a Diogenian. I think the philosophy of Diogenes would appeal to you strongly. You seem to already believe it, even if you have never heard of him before.
 
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If that is really what you believe, I have to repeat what I said earlier: It seems you REALLY need to find a better church.

We have service Sunday starting at 10am and Wednesday starting at 7pm (CST) if you're ever in southwest Tennessee.
Whats the name of the church.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
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Whats the name of the church.
I can't tell the name of it in open chat. It's generally considered unwise to pinpoint your location when you're online.

It's a Pentecostal church in southwest Tennessee. If you're ever in the area, drop me a line and I'll guide you in. :cool:
 
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I can't tell the name of it in open chat. It's generally considered unwise to pinpoint your location when you're online.

It's a Pentecostal church in southwest Tennessee. If you're ever in the area, drop me a line and I'll guide you in. :cool:
Thank you sir.
 
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A Christian is one who follows Christ, just as an Epicurean is one who follows Epicurus. If you believe Epicurus was correct you adopt his philosophy and try to pattern your life and choices after his. If you believe Christ was right you adopt his philosophy and try to pattern your life after his.

I am a Christian and proud to be one.

Sure there are other people who call themselves Christians but don't do anything anywhere close to what Christ did. That does not invalidate the term Christian as it applies to my life. If a few wannabe Christians made the term Christian useless, I could make all ducks repudiate the term "duck" if I claimed to be a duck but could not fly. Same logic.

Talking about greek philosophies though... You might be a Diogenian. I think the philosophy of Diogenes would appeal to you strongly. You seem to already believe it, even if you have never heard of him before.
Thanks. My issue is christian identifies a religon and not one who follows christ. Therefore the meaning behind christian is different then what it ment in the 1st and 2nd century. I personally would not want to be identified as a follower of a religon. As a pentecostal do you consider presbyterians as brothers considering you branched off through wesly and dont accept the 5 points of calvinism and hold more to the Armenian doctrine.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,429
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Thanks. My issue is christian identifies a religon and not one who follows christ. Therefore the meaning behind christian is different then what it ment in the 1st and 2nd century. I personally would not want to be identified as a follower of a religon. As a pentecostal do you consider presbyterians as brothers considering you branched off through wesly and dont accept the 5 points of calvinism and hold more to the Armenian doctrine.
Why would it matter? Let them handle what they believe. I'm not their watchdog, nor is it my place to consider them as anything.

Is a Presbyterian going to stand behind our pulpit and preach? No.

Are they invited to our church dinner? Sure!

I'm not really concerned with who I consider a brother or not a brother. Don't really care what they think about me either. Please pass the potato salad.
 
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Why would it matter? Let them handle what they believe. I'm not their watchdog, nor is it my place to consider them as anything.

Is a Presbyterian going to stand behind our pulpit and preach? No.

Are they invited to our church dinner? Sure!

I'm not really concerned with who I consider a brother or not a brother. Don't really care what they think about me either. Please pass the potato salad.
Lol ok. This is the heart of the issue im discussing. You bolth belive in the creed but if you told your pastor your considering converting to presbyterianism im sue he would not be in your corner. Different doctrine and different belife. You bolth should be supportive of each other because your core beliefs through the creed are the same and you bolth want to follow god. Your brothers.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
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Lol ok. This is the heart of the issue im discussing. You bolth belive in the creed but if you told your pastor your considering converting to presbyterianism im sue he would not be in your corner. Different doctrine and different belife. You bolth should be supportive of each other because your core beliefs through the creed are the same and you bolth want to folliw god.
I know what I believe, I know why I believe it, and no Presbyterian friend is going to shake my belief.


But if the Presbyterian friend keeps arguing about the part we disagree on every time he sees me, I will probably start not wanting to talk to him any more. We can only be friends if he doesn't argue a lot.
 
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I know what I believe, I know why I believe it, and no Presbyterian friend is going to shake my belief.


But if the Presbyterian friend keeps arguing about the part we disagree on every time he sees me, I will probably start not wanting to talk to him any more. We can only be friends if he doesn't argue a lot.
Lol, yah they love to argue over stuff that has nothing to do with salvation and following christ don't they.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
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Lol, yah they love to argue over stuff that has nothing to do with salvation and following christ don't they.
No idea. We don't argue about it.

I used to think all Church of Christ argued a lot. All the ones I knew about sure did like to argue. Then I found out a cool cow*rker I had known for three years was Church of Christ. Well... That shoots my theory in the foot. I sure am glad I learned he was a cool dude before I found out he was Church of Christ.
 
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No idea. We don't argue about it.

I used to think all Church of Christ argued a lot. All the ones I knew about sure did like to argue. Then I found out a cool cow*rker I had known for three years was Church of Christ. Well... That shoots my theory in the foot. I sure am glad I learned he was a cool dude before I found out he was Church of Christ.
Well if im in the area I'll reach out. Thanks for sharing.
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
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Jesus bar wasn't low. Why is the pastors bar low?
hey there, please forgive me if i was terse the other day. i sense you're really frustrated and i didn't mean to add to it.

i don't know (because i haven't been there) what the pastor's saying. i do agree merely walking an aisle without a heart change doesn't make anyone a Christian. i believe when you referenced "the narrow path", you were talking about this?

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mt 7:13-14)

what the Lord is telling us is that there are lots of ways to get to hell, and only One Way to avoid it. HE is the narrow gate; we must enter by Him. does that make sense?
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,927
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Making an absolute truth claim is ok but those who follow the one teaching the truth claim must reflect their mastor, or its not a truth claim.
i think the truth claim of Christianity isn't altered by people's behavior. it stands as is.

Belife without action is just theory.
faith without works is dead, eh? :)

yes, those with faith in Christ will bear fruit.
a caveat: it may not appear so at all times to you, or to me. there will be growth spurts, and dry seasons. we have to allow for these things with patience, and grace for our fellow believers. yet we can know our Lord Jesus began a work in His people, and He will be faithful to complete it.

Paul adjures us in Philippians to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling... not everyone else's. :giggle:
 
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hey there, please forgive me if i was terse the other day. i sense you're really frustrated and i didn't mean to add to it.

i don't know (because i haven't been there) what the pastor's saying. i do agree merely walking an aisle without a heart change doesn't make anyone a Christian. i believe when you referenced "the narrow path", you were talking about this?

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mt 7:13-14)

what the Lord is telling us is that there are lots of ways to get to hell, and only One Way to avoid it. HE is the narrow gate; we must enter by Him. does that make sense?
Thanks for the apology. I'm not trying to get on anyone's bad side or be a hindrance, just so you know in the first and second century they didn't walk down aisles, they walked to their death. That Jesus requirment to follow him is to die. Correct, the only way is through Jesus Christ. What this means is that only Jesus Christ knew and was able to reveal the father.This wasn't even revealed in the Old Testament.
Jesus christ also replaced yahweh as lord. Most people don't even know what it means to accept and follow someone as their lord. The reason why they make it so easy now for someone to become a Christian is because their interested in growth, conversion, and profit. This has nothing to do with following Christ. During the first and second century they were very selective about who they chose to represent god. Now just about anybody has a pass to represent god. This is a problem, and this is not walking the narrow path. The requirement to be saved according to the Christian faith now, is not how we are taught to be saved according to Jesus and the apostles.