what exactly is christianity

[Michael-pbs]

Hello all,

Didn't see an introduction section, so, I'm jumping right in

Brief intro: my name is Mike, going to college in NC this fall, travelled a lot with a military family.

My religious background is lacking -- Good, honest, family, with a strong emphasis on general values, but "god" is word that just isn't discussed. Although I do read a bit from time to time, I really don't know much about Christianity. Read some booklet the Jehovah's Wittnesses left at our house. And when a guy wanted me to "revert" to Islam last summer, I read a booklet called something like "Crucifixion or Cruci-fiction" by a guy named Ahmed Deedat.

Then one weekend mid-May this year I had plans to go out of town with a friend of mine, he bailed last minute, so I went alone. Found myself in the hotel reading Gideons Bible. Just finished reading the whole thing last night. (If you read between the lines, yes, I stole the bible from the hotel -- If that is the final factor in determining my eternity, well, it's interesting.)

I went into the bible with preconceptions, and I came out with most of them still firmly fixed. But I think my understanding of the bible could best be summed up by Karl in the movie Slingblade: "I read the Bible quite a bit. I can't understand all of it, but I reckon I understand a good deal of it. "

Honestly, I had some problems. At the start, there seems to be two different creation stories. Then there were birthright debates around the the time of Abraham which disturbed me for some reason. And then when the New Testament came around, I honestly have to say, I didn't see much evidence for a trinity. And I saw lots of, what shall I say, strangeness in the exact details of the crucifixion and resurrection.

But, all that aside, I know enough to see that the Bible is inspired words. And Jesus was one SUPER important player.

So, my question is, at what point does one cross from being a general theist who believes in one God and life after death? What exactly is a Christian?

Don't know if this is the best forum to bring up the question, but it appears to be the first intelligent forum I came into

If you managed to make it through all my babbling, I'd like to say thanks for your time

[ray kikkert]

Think nothing of it Mike. I am thank ful you have been candid in your comments here. I am always amazed at the different lives of folks, their backgrounds and their struggles here.

Mike, you have asked questions concerning certain points of the Christian faith and I hope you take the time to search this forums threads on the different subjects you asked about by using the search engine here and the like.

These threads are excellent sources of info and are conversings of many folks here on the very issues and questions you have asked.

If there are things of immediate attention you would ask of the folks here, please do not be shy to let us know.

[Brandan Kraft]

Hi Michael,

A Christian is quite simply one who has come to a belief in Christ's saving (past tense) work for His elect people. A Christian recognizes he has transgressed God's laws (in whatever form they might take) and rebelled against His Creator. Christ the God-Man came to earth as the baby Jesus, lived a perfect life under this law on behalf of a chosen elect people (not all men as is commonly taught). On the cross, He suffered and died on behalf of His people. When He died, according to the law of God, His people also died with Him. When He was resurrected, from God's perspective, His people also rose with Him (positionally). They were actually saved (past tense). In time, the Holy Spirit comes upon these elect sinners and reveals to them through the Gospel message that their sins were taken care of on the cross and that they are free from the curse of the law. These people are special in God's eyes and seen as PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS according to the merits of Christ. He conceived them in iniquity and created them in sin for the purpose of being glorified in their redemption.

Those that die not believing the Gospel message are simply those that Christ did not die for and were created for the purpose of being destroyed. God is glorified in both the damnation of sinners (those predestined for damnation) and the salvation of His elect people (those predestined for salvation). He is pleased with everything that happens, and so are we!

I'm glad you came to this forum. I will be happy to answer any questions you might have as I'm sure others will as well.

Brandan

[Michael-pbs]

Thanks all for the kind words and welcoming. (in retrospect, I introduced myself in a christian forum saying I didn't believe in the trinity, had my doubts about the crucifixition, and clearly implied that the bible is contradictory. I mean, those could easily be read as "fightin' words" )


Darth Gill, I spent last night poking around the web a bit for more info on my inquiry as to "what does it mean to be a christian", and, I feel your summary posted above is the best I've read. And, well, as mentioned, the kind words in response to what could be seen as hostile... that is very telling.

e.g. last year when a fellow was trying to convert me into Islam, I asked a similar question. I heard that the "islam" translated into English means "one who submits to God". So, I went to a web site he suggested, and I asked, as a monotheist who lives by the basic values of being honest and polite, am I a muslim? Instead of having the answer explained to me, I read through 3 pages of insults because something I said was found as being offensive to Muhammad (although I couldn't see how). Included in the replies were comments that could very easily be read as "Islam is about Muhammad, not God" and I was also told I was going to hell unless I converted. Needless to say, it wasn't very welcoming But I still contend that the words "muslim" and "islam" are cool titles

Anyway, will be lurking here for a while, reading some postings and looking for some links.

Again, thanks for the time.

[ashamoun]

Michael,
I don't mean to get off topic, but why are the words "muslim" and "islam" cool?

[InChristAlways]

But, all that aside, I know enough to see that the Bible is inspired words. And Jesus was one SUPER important player.

So, my question is, at what point does one cross from being a general theist who believes in one God and life after death? What exactly is a Christian?

Hi Michael. "Super player", lol.
That is a unique term for our Lord, but to really understand Jesus Christ and following Him, read John chapters 14-17 as if you are standing right there in front of Jesus, and read it deeply and slowly, digesting every Living Word He is saying[as with the rest of the Holy Scriptures]. Those are some of the most intimate chapters in the Bible concerning our Lord, and if you don't feel your heart being "uplifted" after reading them, then He hasn't touched your heart deeply enough yet.
Those chapters are, in essence, Christ-ianity and Eternal Life in Jesus, which is what our whole Faith and Hope is rested on. Blessings

John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if [it were] not [so,] I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, [there] you may be also. 4 "And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 " If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

John 11: 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

[GraceAmbassador]

From my web site http://embassyofgrace.net


WE TEACH THAT CHRISTIANITY IS:-

• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE GOD IS LOOKING FOR MEN RATHER THAN THE OPPOSITE
• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE AN OFFENDED GOD LOOKS FOR THE OFFENDER OFFERING PARDON
• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE AN OFFENDED GOD PROVIDED A SACRIFICE FOR THE OFFENDER AS A PROOF OF LOVE
• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE AN OFFENDED GOD ALSO BECAME THE SACRIFICE FOR THE OFFENDER
• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE AN OFFENDED GOD PARDONED THE OFFENDER BY MEANS OF HIS OWN SACRIFICE!
• THE ONLY FAITH WITHOUT A TEMPLE! GOD CHOSE TO MAKE US HIS TEMPLES
• THE ONLY FAITH THAT TEACHES TOTAL, UNCONDITIONAL AND PERFECT GRACE AS SOLELY AN INITIATIVE ON GOD'S PART!
• THE ONLY FAITH WHERE GOD DECIDED TO ABIDE IN US THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT. IS THE ONLY FAITH WHOSE FOUNDER ACTUALLY LIVES IN US!!!

Milt

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

A Christian is someone who the Creator of he Universe has chosen to reveal Himself to. It's really a simple concept to get your head around - It can be summed up as "I once was blind but now I see..."

In this world, we are taught all roads lead to God, and they do! HOWEVER, only one leads to everlasting life; that being the straight and narrow which leads directly to the Christ of the living GOD.

ps - I used to steal bibles from hotels too, but I have forgiveness for my sins by righteous merrits of Christ.