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AJokerman

- 2 years ago

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Is a Christian a Christian....

If he or she quotes or uses in anyway the old testament to justify persecution of those who "sin" when one of the central tenants of Christ was the forgiveness of sins and the destruction of the pharisees - or the old testament. Is Bob Marley more Christian than the pope?

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I can call myself an antelope if I was so inclined. That doesn't make me an antelope, though.

Many people who use the label are not real Christians, because they do not follow properly the teachings of Jesus. They fail at their own religion, which is simply appalling. If one is going to be so steadfast in their beliefs, you would imagine that they would take the time to understand what they are touting. But... this isn't always the way of things. Sad, isn't it?

Ours is not to judge.
The idea is that the very intents of the heart, complete with full context, will some day be exposed with all games and delusions burnt away, and become the basis of all truly righteous judgement.

Us persecuting others is NEVER justified from a Biblical Christian stance. Any 'punishment' will be a person's own deeds from the heart, exposed and hung around their own neck for them to wear.
There IS a lot of 'vengeance' in the OT. But that is what "came before" a more excellent way was provided. A true Christian trusts when God says every misdeed will be revealed and receive it's just reward . . . and every misdeed earnestly repented of an made right (so much as we can) is stricken from the record.
The mindset of trying to judge or persecute others -- even in God's name -- screams "I don't trust that God will be able to do a good enough job so I'm helping the Old Guy out -- how awesome am I!!!"

It's actually anti-Christ.

I'm a Christian, but to me it simply means that I'm with Jesus. If you actually just look at the things he did and said, what he actually stood for (and ignore all the pompous and supernatural bullshit that got bolted on by all the subsequent churches), he was actually a really smart, simple guy with a superb clarity for explaining a really good way to live and get along with people and not be a waste of oxygen. It has nothing to do with believing in some old guy sitting on a cloud with puppet strings on the planet, and nothing to do with creation or anything out of this world or contradictory to science.

I heard a story about a church where I live (Melbourne, Australia) where the minister doesn't allow evangelism. His line is, 'of they need to find the church they can, God will bring the elect.' Too many Christians get so caught up with a "deep" faith, or proper doctrine and theology that they forget the obvious and the obviously true.

The law was there to highlight sin and show us that we are ALL scum - even the guy behind the pulpit. We cannot do good unless it is God (that doesn't mean non-Christians can't do good - a proviso I felt necessary, was discussing this with a friend this week - and this is entirely a Christian perspective - hence the bias, etc.).

The law still needs to make it clear that we are all losers, but then we also need to remember that God loves us anyway.

Great quote from my Bible teacher this week: 'The Bible is about honestly assessing the human condition, and God's plan to fix it.' (Paraphrased.)

Also, Jesus didn't "hate" the Pharisees - technically He was one (His theology aligned most closely with theirs, He too taught at Synagogues: He was called Rabbi - the Rabbinic movement coming out of the Pharisees after the destruction of the temple). Jesus' issue was - from what I see - is that they knew the problem backwards, but didn't know the answer - and so usually bs'd one: Jesus got annoyed, because He was the answer, and they couldn't get off focusing on the problem...

Here's the trick for any Christians reading this.

Step 1. Know and understand that you are scum - seriously, without admitting that you can never accept the answer: Christ.
Step 2. Let the Holy Spirit start a work to make you a 'new creation'.
Step 3. When you are raised to being only partial scum, don't mock those who are still scum: rather, help them to understand the answer: Christ.
Rinse and repeat.

Are you talking about the Westboro Baptist characters?

Being a Christian, by simple etymology alone, is "one who follows Christ". However, none of the people who call themselves "Christians" actually follow Christ. Pretty sad, really.

my problem is that most christians do not deny that sin exists - they identify and attempt to desrory that which they deem sin

I appreciate that, and i am glad that i have your respect, but, still, will you not admit that Christ preached the forgiveness of sins and that any christian, that is honest should support that.

First off, a Christian has no business telling someone else they are a sinner, we all are no matter if your a first pew regular attendee or a street junkie w***e. One is nor more right than the other. There is a reason the Bible says our best deeds are worth about the same as a bloody tampon.

Bob Marley and the pope are equal in the eyes of God. (however, in my eyes, I'll go with Marley hehe)

There are christians obsessed with the technicalities and there are christians who are more focused on making the world a better place. And many in between.

Christianity is an institution as well as a religion

Before this discussion begins, I think you should know that Christ was never about the destruction of the Old Testament. :-)

@AJokerman Phippsburg, Maine

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Is a Christian a Christian....

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Are you talking about the Westboro Baptist characters?

Prince_Of_Foxes

Being a Christian, by simple etymology alone, is "one who follows Christ". However, none of the people who call themselves "Christians" actually follow Christ. Pretty sad, really.

AJokerman

my problem is that most christians do not deny that sin exists - they identify and attempt to desrory that which they deem sin

AJokerman

I appreciate that, and i am glad that i have your respect, but, still, will you not admit that Christ preached the forgiveness of sins and that any christian, that is honest should support that.

Guitardds

perceptualwilderness

There are christians obsessed with the technicalities and there are christians who are more focused on making the world a better place. And many in between.

Christianity is an institution as well as a religion

ransomed

Before this discussion begins, I think you should know that Christ was never about the destruction of the Old Testament. :-)

Is a Christian a Christian....

Are you talking about the Westboro Baptist characters?

Being a Christian, by simple etymology alone, is "one who follows Christ". However, none of the people who call themselves "Christians" actually follow Christ. Pretty sad, really.

my problem is that most christians do not deny that sin exists - they identify and attempt to desrory that which they deem sin

I appreciate that, and i am glad that i have your respect, but, still, will you not admit that Christ preached the forgiveness of sins and that any christian, that is honest should support that.

There are christians obsessed with the technicalities and there are christians who are more focused on making the world a better place. And many in between.Christianity is an institution as well as a religion

Before this discussion begins, I think you should know that Christ was never about the destruction of the Old Testament. :-)

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There are christians obsessed with the technicalities and there are christians who are more focused on making the world a better place. And many in between.

Christianity is an institution as well as a religion