11 Jul '14 08:33>
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemWhatever you're on, I'll have the same, thank you. 😛
So, there could even be such a thing as a "Christian Atheist".]
Originally posted by divegeesterFor me there are two definitions of a Christian. The dictionary definition which is anyone who professes to be such. So there are 2 billion or so Christians in the world by the world's definition. My own personal definition [and the one which accords with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles ] is anyone who makes the following of Christ commandments his life's priority. Whether or not you are a Christian by my definition I cannot say because I do not know you well enough.
They are positive adjectives, but I wouldn't pally them to myself; does that mean in your view I am not a Christian?
Originally posted by divegeesterYou are very mistaken to state ..following him was a straightforward but costly affair of leaving ones work and physically walking after him.
I agree. This is an interesting point. When Christ was on earth, following him was a straightforward but costly affair of leaving ones work and physically walking after him. However that is what the disciples did, there were those who did not follow Christ but were still (if you like) saved. Consider the thief on the cross for example. So what does it mean to follow Christ in the contemporary world?
Originally posted by divegeesterWhen Christ walked the earth the disciples never called themselves Christians...
I agree. This is an interesting point. When Christ was on earth, following him was a straightforward but costly affair of leaving ones work and physically walking after him. However that is what the disciples did, there were those who did not follow Christ but were still (if you like) saved. Consider the thief on the cross for example. So what does it mean to follow Christ in the contemporary world?
Originally posted by Rajk999Can you even say if YOU are a Christian "by your definition"?
For me there are two definitions of a Christian. The dictionary definition which is anyone who professes to be such. So there are 2 billion or so Christians in the world by the world's definition. My own personal definition [and the one which accords with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles ] is anyone who makes the following of Christ commandments his ...[text shortened]... or not you are a Christian by my definition I cannot say because I do not know you well enough.
Originally posted by galveston75However, the Watchtower believes that judgment applies to everyone but Jehovah's Witnesses. I am not buying into that?
“CHRISTIANITY exists only where the memory of Jesus Christ is activated in theory and practice.” (On Being a Christian) With those words, Swiss theologian Hans Küng states a self-evident truth: Genuine Christianity exists only where sincere individuals put Jesus’ teachings into practice.
What, then, if individuals or institutions claim to be follower ...[text shortened]... is judgment: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”—Matthew 7:22, 23.
Originally posted by galveston75Christian Charites are the best in the world
“If You Have Love Among Yourselves”
One condition Jesus sets is this: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”—John 13:34, 35.
Jesus requires his followers to have genuine love for on ...[text shortened]... writes former Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu, “espoused the same faith. Most were Christian.”
Christian charitable organizations rank highest in terms of using donor money toward charitable projects and services, according to a recent Forbes study.
The Forbes study ranked the 200 largest U.S. charities based on three criteria: fundraising efficiency (the difference between income and expenditures), charitable commitment (amount of funds directly diverted to charity) and donor dependency.
Four out of the five charities that received a perfect rating in both fundraising efficiency and charitable commitment are Christian organizations.
The central body for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Britain and a spiritual healer’s organisation were the charities about which the Charity Commission received the most complaints in the two years to March 2012.
Originally posted by galveston75A sincere welcome back to the forum from me Galveston.
What Did Jesus Actually Teach?
It may come as a surprise to some that Jesus actually said that his followers should be “no part of the world, just as [he was] no part of the world.” (John 17:15, 16) Why would Christ encourage his disciples to take such a stand? Jesus’ beloved disciple the apostle John provided an answer. He wrote: “The whole world is ...[text shortened]... -known fact that the focus of Christ’s teachings is love of God and of neighbor.—Mark 12:30, 31.
Originally posted by divegeesterAre you saying that your question, "who here can help me know if I am a real Christian?", is rhetorical, that you already know you are a real Christian?
Are you waiting to be asked to divulge this wisdom?
Originally posted by RJHindsYes giving to anyone in need physical items is required by Jesus, not wrong there. What else did Jesus "command" his followers to do? Are you seeing only one side of the coin?
Christian Charites are the best in the world
[b]Christian Charities More Reliable Than Others, According to Forbes
[quote] Christian charitable organizations rank highest in terms of using donor money toward charitable projects and services, according to a recent Forbes study.
The Forbes study ranked the 200 largest U.S. charities based on three ...[text shortened]... ://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/the-charity-commission-and-jehovahs-witnesses-is-the-game-finally-up[/b]