Proposed: A common definition for "True Christian"

[Gawdzilla Sama]

This was be "A Christian who follows exactly every edict attributed to Jesus Christ found in any version of the Gospels and associated texts in the Bible."

[Minimalist]

It's going to be a short list.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's going to be a short list.

Given the contradictions in the various versions I would say "impossible".

[Drich]

This was be "A Christian who follows exactly every edict attributed to Jesus Christ found in any version of the Gospels and associated texts in the Bible."

No..

following edicts has nothing to do with Christianity. However 'edicts' define religion.

Do you understand what I am saying/doing? I am separating the religion from the title only Christ Himself establishes.

Why?

Because Christ Himself says: 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Look at the list of things/works these men whom 'Christ does not know' have done. Furthermore look at to whom they are supposedly done for...

These men who seemingly perform miracles are the religious elite.

This means their is a sharp divide between what any religion says our most holy people are and to whom Christ says who even has the gift of salvation.

For instance if a man in the 'Church' performed any of the mircles in this list he would be herolded a saint maybe made pope. Christ says this man may not even be saved if one were to only look at his works.

So then who is 'Christian'/What is a true Christian?

It is not for us to decide or even claim. It is judgement of Christ. That said I do believe that most who do follow the teaching of Jesus Christ centered Christianity will find salvation, but I also believe that there will be many (what we in the church like to call) non-christians as well. Who are these people? literally God only knows. However I would believe that the list starts in the OT and goes out from there.

So then the question becomes how do we know if we are saved? By the grace known as the Holy Spirit. those who know and have received a measure of the Holy Spirit can find assurance in their salvation. Do all have this assureance who are saved? no Some do others (the strong) have been called to live in faith. Me I need a daily reminder to strengthen my resolve to those strong in the Faith. God knows what you need and will give it accordingly.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Ah, you're a cafeteria Christian. Got it.

[vorlon13]

Absolutely positively a "Cafeteria Christian" or a scripture cherry picker of any sort cannot be a "True Christian" as they hold themselves out to be the final arbiter over Christ's teachings.

One cannot follow Christ from a position of leadership over Him.


I'm bracing for some True Scotsman fallacy crap, but like Luther, I shall not be moved on this.

[Faith No More]

A True Christian is whatever one you happen to be talking to at the time.

[vorlon13]

I prefer my take on it because;

1) It is correct

2) It blows all the 'sincerely held beliefs crapola' out of the water when it comes to christers going to court to deny others their services because of those suppose inviolate beliefs.

[Minimalist]

Do you understand what I am saying/doing?

Do you?  Because that has never been apparent.

[Arkilogue]

Absolutely positively a "Cafeteria Christian" or a scripture cherry picker of any sort cannot be a "True Christian" as they hold themselves out to be the final arbiter over Christ's teachings.

One cannot follow Christ from a position of leadership over Him.


I'm bracing for some True Scotsman fallacy crap, but like Luther, I shall not be moved on this.

The bible has already been cherry picked to 66 books out of over 600.

"...work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

"Be thou a workman unashamed before God, rightly dividing the word of truth."

If you are to follow Christ, you must make his ways your own and work them as you are able. Accomplishment is good but orientation is better. Even when one inevitably back slides, one can still be pointed to the summit of the mountain.