The No True Christian Fallacy

[orangebox21]

@Tonus, Rhythm, Baqal, Thumpalumpacus, Ryantology
So who is a Christian and what is a valid expression of Christianity?

A Christian is someone who believes in God. In most cases, the god that is described in the Bible. Anyone who doesn't fit in this objective description is not considered a Christian. End of story.

Very, very close. The Bible is the objective description of what a valid expression of Christianity is and who a Christian is. So what does the Bible say about mere profession? Matthew 7:21-23 and James 2:19. There are some people right now, praying to God, doing works in His name, believing they are Christians, and believing in the one true God, that are not Christians.

And valid expression? This question leads to the fundamental objection brought up by Baqal and Esquilax:

I doubt subjective descriptions of what a "valid expression" of Christianity is will ever lead us to proper conclusions.

Which means the statement you made, properly formulated, is "We must differentiate between a christian's individual action and an individual action as a valid expression of the things I approve of to draw valid conclusions."

I agree that when a person reads the Bible he/she interprets it, no argument here. The deeper question you've alluded to is: Is there an objective interpretation of scripture usable as a standard, or are all interpretations of scripture subjective and thus relative. If, as Baqal and Esquilax have postulated, it is up to an individual's (namely my) subjective interpretation then I agree there is nothing compelling at all. If on the other hand there is an objective interpretation of scripture then we have an objective standard, one that transcends personal interpretation. If the Bible is the word of God then He assigns the meaning. In other words, when God says something He means what He says regardless of what I think He means by what He says. So what your really asking is: Is what God means by what He says knowable?

What if they do the wrong doing in the name of Christianity?

Does the name 'federal reserve' necessitate the institute is federal?

Who's the mathematician with the sword?

I guess that is why we are to mind our P & Q's.

LOL. Well done, truly, well done.