(April 17, 2014 at 5:21 pm)Confused Ape Wrote:(April 17, 2014 at 4:47 pm)Lek Wrote: Christians and atheists are alike in that they have numerous differing opinions among themselves. One thing that means is that people think for themselves. If you read the bible you find there are certain passages that are very clear and easy to intrepret while others are less distinct.
That's what distinguishes a Christian from a non-christian - our belief in Jesus as our savior and the son of God. A "christian atheist" is not a christian.
Christian atheists must have thought for themselves when they came up with their own theology. There are some Christians who don't regard Roman Catholics, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses as Christians.
Is Roman Catholicism and Christianity the same thing?
Quote:No, Roman Catholicism and Christianity are not the same thing. Christianity is properly defined by certain doctrines that are revealed in the Bible. It is not defined by simply saying that as long as you believe in Jesus, you're a Christian. Mormons believe in Jesus, but their Jesus is a brother of the devil in the pre-existence. The Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses is Michael the Archangel. So, just saying you believe in Jesus doesn't make you a Christian. This is why the Bible tells us who Jesus really is, God in flesh, creator of the universe. Likewise, there are essential doctrines, and if any of those essential doctrines are violated, then a church would only appear to be Christian but not really be Christian.
(April 17, 2014 at 4:47 pm)Lek Wrote: Jesus never said you must interpret all the scriptures in the same exact way in order to be saved. There are correct and incorrect interpretations for every verse in the bible and the more you study it, the more the Holy Spirit will show you. It wasn't meant to be easy.
I've done Bible studies with Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Missionaries from both told me that if I prayed to God and really listened he would tell me that Mormons/Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth. This suggests that the Holy Spirit must be very confused over those less distinct passages. Maybe it's just as well that Jesus didn't insist that all the scriptures have to be interpreted in the same exact way.
Roman catholics and protestants disagree over numerous points of doctrine, but if a catholic and a protestant both believe that Jesus is the son of God and have faith that he is their savior, that is what makes them both christians. The bible nowhere even remotely says that Jesus is the brother of the devil or is Michael the archangel. If that is someone's belief, I would question whether or not he or she is a christian. Of course I can't get into their heads and hearts. I can state what I feel, but I can't determine the true state of any other person.
To Jacob: Atheists are dumb too. Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
