There Are Two Types Of Christians, Which One Are You?

reply to post by Cuervo


Cuervo

I have several things to contribute here..lol

One, I really have an issue when people say "What would Jesus do?" Well, if you already know Jesus, you might already know what He would do. And if you don't you ask Him. When He refers you to the Bible, then by all means, read it. But there are times when we might not have our Bibles so being in an on-communicative relationship is very important. And there are times when someone says something and suddenly I remember "Oh, but that verse doesn't support it". Usually there are times when some Christians tell me that is not permissible, it is arguing text vs. text. And since I have to go on what I already know is correct, then I have to reject their position. Simple as that.

Now, since we have the Bible, it is a primary document for us to judge right from wrong, then it becomes even more important to know the author and what He meant. So that's why many things I cannot hold to when it comes to certain doctrines, because the Bible and context should follow each other and not just something we grab at a superficial level.

The Bible has many deeper meanings than what people know. One word can carry such intrinsic meaning that if you only looked at it on the superficial level, then you miss the deeper things. For instance, Mephibosheth living in Lodebar. On the superficial level it is about a crippled guy. But knowing that Lodebar means "the place of poverty" then it opens up more understanding not only of Mephibosheth but the interaction with David. This was a crippled guy living in deep poverty who was called by the king to come and live in the palace. So as I apply the Bible to me and my life, what does this mean for me? Poverty, whether it is spiritual or physical, is a place where many live at, but a king invited us to come to the palace to live, no longer in poverty. That reaches me in my life, and I seek to approach the Bible that way in every part of it. I just can't go on the superficial.

The other thing that bothers me is this..I forgot the second thing, let me think a bit where I lost my train of thought.

OptimusSubprime
reply to post by WarminIndy

 

First of all, this is brilliant! I couldn't agree more with this statement.

All Christians would jump in now and say they are the God-given ones, those who believe God instituted their religion and that's the path they follow. But if this should save a few Christians, let's see how to fix this mess. Removing Calvinism (John Calvin) and his ideas of Predestination, TULIP, Effectual Call and General Call, can we get back to Jesus?

John Calvin was an ex catholic priest and he was a false prophet. I can't help but wonder how many people have gone to hell because of the TULIP.

Anyway, I do not really like the label that claiming a specific denomination puts on people, but if I had to label myself I would say that I am an independent fundamental Baptist. Now I do realize that the IFB gets a lot of negative publicity, mostly because of the wackos over at Westboro. Westboro is SUPER Calvinist, which is their main problem. Anyway, back to me... I claim Baptist because Baptists did not form out of the Protestant Reformation, which to me is very important, because other brands of Christianity (Methodist, Lutheran, etc) are nothing more than "Catholic Light".

I personally believe that the modern Bible "translations" (NIV, ESV, etc...) have played a major role in forming the new version of false Christianity that exists today, and that is very unfortunate.

I'm not mad at you

I have met some IFB and you guys seem to have differing ideas as well. Isn't that the purpose of IFB is that you retain autonomy in your churches and not part of a larger organization that dictates to individual level churches?

Cuervo
reply to post by WarminIndy

 

Great thread. I hate to break things down into binary terms but, when I meet a Christian, I can usually quickly determine if I would consider them a "bad" or "good" Christian by one simple distinction.

Do they let Jesus define and guide them or do they use the bible to justify their already-established beliefs. That test alone is what makes me comfortably say that many non-Christians follow Jesus much more faithfully than many self-identified Christians.

First off, the Bible has quite a bit of wisdom packed into it. That doesn't mean it is to be taken literally, but it is a good place to start looking when you have questions. God doesn't always provide you with clear internal guidance. I know many in the alternative spiritualities like their Tarot decks. I prefer my Bible for helping me to understand what He's trying to tell me.

I'm sure maybe you've seen some of the things Enochwasright posts ... They're very interesting and thought provoking. That's the sort of guidance scripture should provoke.

The worst kind to me are the ones who let a completely separate non-religious ideology co-opt their religion and allow them to make others believe the two are inseparable. They are also the type to connect and cement other ideologies to "Satan". For example, "capitalism" equals "Jesus" and "Socialism" equals "Satan"... even if it makes no sense.

Socialism = theft not Satan. Actually, a perfectly Christian world was articulated quite well by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. It would look something like socialism except there would be no element of force to it which is what marks most earthly systems and makes them theft. And theft is a sin and only promotes greed and envy, other sins.

Do I really need to get into how bad it is to compel others against their will?

In general, I also believe that part of our fallen nature as humans is our animal side. It leads us to all manner of urges that, while natural, are also very damaging to us and those around us if we don't exert some control over them. Look at the seven deadly sins - pride, covetousness (also known as avarice or greed), lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. Most are related to base desires, our animal selves, our drive to be bigger and better than everyone around us, be the alpha critter. They necessarily interfere with our need to be loving, humble human beings. The commandment to love one another and do unto others.

When Christ died for our sins, he physically sacrificed his human self. Shed its blood and symbolically washed away its sins and its nature. He showed us the way to both to salvation through faith in him and to master ourselves.

reply to post by OptimusSubprime

John Calvin was an ex catholic priest and he was a false prophet.

Calvin wasn't a Catholic priest -- he was interested in the priesthood, but left the church. If anything, prior to his theological awakening, he was a humanist.

so how many of you Christians have guns?
And if you do have guns what kind do you like/recommend?

racasan
so how many of you Christians have guns?
And if you do have guns what kind do you like/recommend?

I do not have a gun.

But as several of us Christians are also American, it is our Constitutional Right to have guns. Do you understand our prevailing document of law the Constitution?

My not having a gun is a personal choice. Another Christian having a gun is their personal choice and a right guaranteed to them. I cannot say they do not have a right to have a gun and neither can you complain about their right.

Many non-Christians have guns as well. So take it up with them also.

reply to post by WarminIndy


I am fine with people having guns – I have a gun

I was just curious about Christians having guns, that just seems odd to me

racasan
reply to post by WarminIndy

 

I am fine with people having guns – I have a gun

I was just curious about Christians having guns, that just seems odd to me

It is their Constitutional right, that's all.

And it is a personal choice.

There are as many different types of 'Christian' as there are individual Christians. You'll never meet two with the exact same set of beliefs, from the 44,000 different and incompatible denominations throughout the world.

But if you think you need even more division, have at it hoss...

I'm a New Testament Christian. Heck .. I might even go so far as to say I'm probably a Gospel Christian. Everything else isn't nearly as important.

reply to post by FlyersFan


A Gospel Christian...

Is that a legit sect?

Prezbo369
There are as many different types of 'Christian' as there are individual Christians. You'll never meet two with the exact same set of beliefs, from the 44,000 different and incompatible denominations throughout the world.

But if you think you need even more division, have at it hoss...

So which type have you met the most in those 44,000 denominations you claim are out there?

I suppose you don't realize they are not all necessarily different views, but minor ones, like whether or not to eat fried chicken on Sunday.

The little differences don't make us different, the big differences are what does that. And of those 44,000 denominations you claim, are not really denominations so much as they are simply names applied to individual churches. But within all of those churches and denominations, there are two types. Either one is spiritual or one is fleshly.

Akragon
reply to post by FlyersFan

 

A Gospel Christian...

Is that a legit sect?

No, that is all Christianity.

Don't you know what Christianity is by now?

WarminIndy

Akragon
reply to post by FlyersFan

 

A Gospel Christian...

Is that a legit sect?

No, that is all Christianity.

Don't you know what Christianity is by now?

lol no... no one does

Not even the participants of the religion...

When theres 40k different favors, it can't really be defined

Akragon
A Gospel Christian...
Is that a legit sect?

- What is a 'legit sect'?? Who has authority to say what is 'legit' and what isn't??
- Does someone HAVE to belong to an organized group?
- Why can't someone like the message of the gospels and reject the OT mythology?

reply to post by WarminIndy


yes I understand its their right according to the laws of your land to have a gun – its just I thought you guys are supposed to answer to a higher law


Luke 6:29
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

This is in the bible – right?
And the one who said it that would be Jesus Christ – Christ as in where the name Christian comes from – so this is the source of my confusion regarding Christians with guns

FlyersFan

Akragon
A Gospel Christian...
Is that a legit sect?

- What is a 'legit sect'?? Who has authority to say what is 'legit' and what isn't??
- Does someone HAVE to belong to an organized group?
- Why can't someone like the message of the gospels and reject the OT mythology?

hmm... perhaps according to the majority one should belong to a group of sorts

according to Paul all scripture is "God breathed"... and since he seems to be as important if not more so then Jesus in most Christians sects... I would say to be a "Christian" according to most Christians, the OT is required

What do I know though... apparently I don't know what a Christian is

racasan
reply to post by WarminIndy

 

yes I understand its their right according to the laws of your land to have a gun – its just I thought you guys are supposed to answer to a higher law


Luke 6:29
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

This is in the bible – right?
And the one who said it that would be Jesus Christ – Christ as in where the name Christian comes from – so this is the source of my confusion regarding Christians with guns

And there you go, He didn't say what to do when they hit the other cheek or what to do when they hit your kid's cheek.

But Jesus did say that if you hurt children, then it's better if a millstone were hung about your neck and you were tossed into the sea. The Mafia I think took that to mean grown people to throw in water with cement blocks....

But Jesus was very approving of defending one's child from harm.

it's the revenge factor, not the defense factor. No Christian is permitted to seek revenge. Revenge belongs to God, and God will avenge. But we do have a right of self-defense of our homes. Jesus did also say that the thieves can only rob the house if the strong man of the house is bound.

I do believe Jesus would approve if a husband were to shoot someone who was in the process of raping his wife. But the Christian can't go seek revenge for it, if the law is designed for that.

reply to post by WarminIndy

He didn't say what to do when they hit the other cheek

Wouldn't forgiving someone up to 77 times apply there?

WarminIndy

And there you go, He didn't say what to do when they hit the other cheek or what to do when they hit your kid's cheek.

er… yes he did

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other

But Jesus did say that if you hurt children, then it's better if a millstone were hung about your neck and you were tossed into the sea. The Mafia I think took that to mean grown people to throw in water with cement blocks....

So are you saying the Mafia are like Christians?
personally I’m all for protecting children – I wouldn’t order them sacrificed or dashed on rocks or anything like that

But Jesus was very approving of defending one's child from harm.

it's the revenge factor, not the defense factor. No Christian is permitted to seek revenge. Revenge belongs to God, and God will avenge. But we do have a right of self-defense of our homes. Jesus did also say that the thieves can only rob the house if the strong man of the house is bound.

I do believe Jesus would approve if a husband were to shoot someone who was in the process of raping his wife. But the Christian can't go seek revenge for it, if the law is designed for that.

edit on 11/9/2013 by WarminIndy because: (no reason given)

Just to be clear I’m am all for self defence – but then again I am not very meek either

But I am wondering, if you guys aren’t taking Christianity very seriously then why should anybody else?