World Events
Topic: What is a Christian to you?

#	Author	Message
1	Elderp Sat 4/26/2008 4:17p	I believe I am a Christian, not that anyone has to agree with me, but that is not the point of this thread. The point of this thread is to find out people's definition of what it means to be a Christian. I will start out with my belief. I believe to be a Christian is to believe Jesus Christ existed and is your Lord and Savior. Lord in that he was God's eldest spiritually born and only begotten of the Father (God the Father) and therefore chosen by God to rule over all mankind. Savior in that you believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sins by way of Atonement (the redemption of sins by taking on and paying for someone else's sin). Anyhow, that is my very short definition of what it means to be a Christian. Now what is yours?
2	RC Collins Sat 4/26/2008 5:46p	Anyone who follows Jesus Christ at their Lord and Savior. Sounds simple, but it all hinges on what someone means by "Jesus Christ," "Lord," and "Savior." And by following, I don't mean that the person will never stumble. But they will seek to follow Jesus, and when they mess up, they will repent and ask for forgiveness. Becoming a Christian should be evident in how it changes you. Jesus Christ = the Jesus Christ of the Bible, God the Son who took on a human nature in the incarnation, lived a sinless life, suffered and died, then was resurrected. Since there is only one God, Jesus Christ is not "a" god. He is God. He's the second "person" of the Trinity. Since the incarnation, He has had a human nature - human body and soul, in addition to His divine nature. Lord = God. The authority. The boss. We follow His commands. Savior = He did it. We don't work our way into righteousness or salvation. He has provided reconciliation between a holy God and sinful man. We accept His offer to exchange our sin for He righteousness, and are saved.
3	EighthDwarf Sat 4/26/2008 8:53p	I think a Christian is someone who believes that Christ gave us everything we needed to be saved. In other words, believing in Jesus and turning to him is everything. When you say you believe in Jesus but there are all these other things you need to do to be saved, that takes you away from it in my opinion. Muslims believe Jesus was a holy man and prophet. But they rely on Mohammad's words for their complete salvation. So they would not be Christians by me definition (nor anyone else's). Mormoms, in my mind, are similar. Sure you guys believe Jesus lived, did lots of good things, atoned for your sins (though not on the cross), etc. However, believing in him is not enough for you to be saved. You need the teachings of Joseph Smith (and subsequent prophets to save you). So in my mind, while you believe in Jesus, you don't believe that he did enough for you. I would argue that puts you closer to Muslim beliefs than Christian beliefs. But I know you don't see it that way. Likewi
4	EighthDwarf Sat 4/26/2008 8:54p	^^Hmmm, lots of typos. Sorry...
5	Elderp Sat 4/26/2008 9:21p	"I think a Christian is someone who believes that Christ gave us everything we needed to be saved. In other words, believing in Jesus and turning to him is everything." So do you believe that all you need is faith in Christ? Not to be too corrective, but I wanted to clarify something. To us Jesus Christ is the only one who can save us and everyone (even Joseph Smith) must be saved through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was not a prophet he was God the Son, the only begotten of the Father. Anyhow, I didn't want this thread to become "What the Mormons believe thread" or "What I think the Mormons believe thread." I know what I believe, I want to know what you believe a Christian is, or is that it, a Christian is just someone who rags on someone else who wants to believe in Jesus Christ (I am being fecisious). Anyhow, seriously, what do YOU believe is a Christian?
6	Mr X Sat 4/26/2008 9:48p	***So do you believe that all you need is faith in Christ?*** Most (many?) fundamentalist protestants seem to believe that.
7	ChurroMonster Sun 4/27/2008 2:38a	I think Mormons are as Christian as Obama is black. Obama is black but he's other stuff too. Mromons believe in Jesus but they believe in other stuff too. Consider this thread properly hijacked....
8	EighthDwarf Sun 4/27/2008 8:17a	<<So do you believe that all you need is faith in Christ?>> No, that's not what I personally believe. But I have been to many denominations of Christian churches for years and all the evangelical ones tell you that you are saved by grace and that if you believe and accept Jesus as your savior you are done. For Mormons, I believe you believe that Christ is the foundation of your church but if you really think about your doctrine you will see that faith in him won't save you at all. The things that save you are baptism (you do it because you turn 8 and your parents "encourage you to"), living "worthily" (obeying the rules of the church) and temple worship (something Christians would say Christ never did - at least the way Mormoms do). So where does Christ fit into the equation? I know you believe in the Bible and Jesus made a cameo in the BoM. But salvation in Mormonism does not come from simply believing in Jesus. You use Jesus to get your message across but in the end there is very little of his message that you follow.
9	Elderp Sun 4/27/2008 9:10a	"I believe you believe " Thank you! I don't agree with what you said but at least you changed it to your personal beliefs. I find it very discouraging when people say "you believe this" or "you believe that." It isn't like anyone has the ability to read minds so you have no idea what I believe. "The things that save you are baptism (you do it because you turn 8 and your parents "encourage you to"), " Isn't that what Jesus did? As far as being 8 I got baptized when I was 18. 8 is the minumum age but it is not a rule. The idea is that the person getting baptized needs to request it, just like Jesus did. "living "worthily" (obeying the rules of the church)" Hmmm, isn't that what Jesus did? I kinda recall a sermon on the mound speech in there somewhere too. " and temple worship (something Christians would say Christ never did - at least the way Mormoms do)." Where did Mary find her child teaching? Whose house is the temple? Hint: Luke 2:49 or John 2:16. I am being cynical, I know (something Jesus Christ wasn't), but the point is when it comes to the LDS church Jesus Christ is something I think we have locked tight. LDS people believe Jesus Christ was our ultimate example and that we should do everything he did. Like I said before you can tell me I am not a christian, but I will tell you I believe I am. The truth is I can rebute you till the cows come home but that is not why I created this thread. I want you to tell me what YOU believe a Christian is. Maybe you don't have a definition, not knowing is an ok answer in my book (just as long as you are looking for the truth). "I do not want you to think that I'm very righteous, for I am not. There was one good man, and his name was Jesus" - Joseph Smith (found in Documentary History of the Church chapter 5)
10	Elderp Sun 4/27/2008 9:13a	"Mromons believe in Jesus but they believe in other stuff too." So to you a Christian is someone who only believes in Jesus Christ?

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