define christian
What does being a Christian mean to you? (question for anyone to answer)
It is impossible for anyone to understand God with their brain alone. Before I had an experience of God and KNEW Him instead of just knowing ABOUT Him, my 'beliefs' meant nothing. Now I believe, because I have experienced Him, but my relationship with God is not based on theories, principles or beliefs, but on experience, knowing His love.
Domesticus
Re: define christian
You experienced God, eh?
Tell us more of this experience. I'm curious.
Re: define christian
You can read about it in the Bible, it is nothing new, and it is nothing weird.
For instance, I have experienced healing firsthand countless times (Jesus has authority over the physical world).
One single example of this was that I have had to walk this one mile stretch about twice a week, every week for the past.. I don't know.. 16 months or more. Almost always, I do it right after a meal and EVERY TIME I would get a horrible stomach cramp about halfway there. Then I took authority over the cramp and commanded it (with the power that Jesus gave us) to stop, and I have walked about 12 more times since then and not felt a single bit of cramp, despite still doing everything exactly the same, still walking after a meal, etc. It is completely unexplainable. But that is just one small example.
Beside this I talk with God. This sounds weird, but it is perfectly natural. I KNOW I hear God speaking to me. Not in some mystical way, or anything like that. Its just I ask a question, and the answer pops into my head.
I know God's love. God is Love, as it says in the Bible. I never understood this with my brain, it is impossible. But now I am beginning to understand it. But really, I find I can't explain it in words. Like I said, you need to know for yourself, it isn't something that can be comprehended by our brains.
Indefinitely Banned
Re: define christian
Such experience implies a subjective attribution of meaning to it, being that meaning "this is from God".
To return on topic. A Christian may be defined in two ways:
1) someone who is member of any Christian denomination.
2) someone who believes Jesus was the Christ, and the Son of God.
1 -> you can't define me a christian
2 -> perhaps, you can define me a Christian, depends on the meaning of belief you pick.
Re: define christian
If (1) was the case, then Christian has nothing to do with the Bible or following God, but rather being part of a religion. Religion is a man-made organisation and God never had anything to do with it.Originally Posted by Ummon
Deus Ex Machina
Re: define christian
And God as well. The divine Trinity, you see. Unless if that's what you meant by writing "Christ".
Patriarch
Re: define christian
someone who believes Jesus was the Christ, and the Son of God.
I'd say this one out of Ummon's defininitions is the correct one, as a Christian seems to me to point directly to followers of Christ, those who believe him as a prophetic and holy being as part of God.
Comes Limitis
Re: define christian
@op-- perception is a fascinating thing--- and it grants a good deal of control over ones environment and being if applied in combination with a god-concept or spiritual-concept
Re: define christian
Easton's Bible Dictionary:
Holman Bible Dictionary:The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
I hope that helps. ;-)(chrihss' shuhn) The Greek Christianos originally applied to the slaves belonging to a great household. It came to denote the adherents of an individual or party. A Christian is an adherent of Christ; one committed to Christ; a follower of Christ. The word is used three times in the New Testament. 1. Believers “were called Christians first in Antioch” because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ (Acts 11:26). 2. Agrippa responded to Paul's witness, “Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). He spoke of becoming an adherent of Christ. 3. Peter stated that believers who “suffer as a Christian” are to do so for the glory of God (1 Peter 4:16). A Christian is one who becomes an adherent of Christ, whose daily life and behavior facing adversity is like Christ.
later friend,
Gersh
Patriarch
Re: define christian
God never had anything to do with anything, but thats not the point is it? Christians generaly believe God inspired the Church and for catholics the pope is the voice of God on Earth, of course institution has to do with Christianity
Re: define christian
Sure He did...even you accept that there's a God in the depths of your mind, yet - you try to make yourself look smart and deny Him. You probably didn't even notice consciously that you used the term "God" so casually and naturally instead of "gods" or "divine being" or anything else. Keep telling yourself there's no such thing...maybe you'll accomplish like those from Aldous Huxley's book Brave New World and see it as a "truth" from constant repetition.
Vicarius
Re: define christian
This amazes me...
How do you know it was Him? Are you so sure that you can say unequivocally with no uncertainty that your "experience" was with God? Would you be able to differentiate between God and Satan? Would you be able to tell the difference between an Angel and a Daemon? Could you tell the difference between an advanced alien lifeform and God?
When people say things like this I always imagine them at Judgement Day being told, "YJBT"(You've Just Been Trolled)...
Like your first sentence said...it's beyond human intellectual capacity to comprehend the nature of a being that could create a universe...therefore, for mere humans to say, "I understand the nature of God"...
Re: define christian
But then you're saying that it's not within an omnipotent God's power to be able to put within a finite mind's understanding that of His nature. So you're trying to state something you believe you yourself understand about the nature of God.
later,
Gersh
Re: define christian
The fruit of the spirit is: Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control. ALL of which I have when I am with God. "You will know them by their fruit" it says. When I feel complete peace without any doubts and know I am completely conscious and not like.. dreaming, and when I feel love and compassion for people without a selfish reason, I know that is God. satan can masquerade as an angel of light, but he cannot bring real love joy and peace to a person.
I have not the shadow of a doubt that I know God's love.
It is beyond human intellect. It is in the heart. I know it without my brain. And I do not understand everything about God, it is a great mystery.Like your first sentence said...it's beyond human intellectual capacity to comprehend the nature of a being that could create a universe...therefore, for mere humans to say, "I understand the nature of God"...
Vicarius
Re: define christian
Ok, my point was that if Satan exists I think he'd be able to trick you. You are clearly saying that you can tell the difference between God/Devil...therefore Satan can't trick you...ok...
No, I can see a god doing something like that. My point is that even if that happened a human still couldn't say for certain that they understood what happened.But then you're saying that it's not within an omnipotent God's power to be able to put within a finite mind's understanding that of His nature. So you're trying to state something you believe you yourself understand about the nature of God.
In essence it sounds like you're saying that a gods message would come with an Authentication Code so you know you can trust the information, while a devils would lack the code and arouse suspicion...
I'm saying that I think the messages could be indistinguishable...according to most christian dogma the devil is a trickster...so why couldn't he trick some people into thinking they were talking with god?
I just think if you believe you have a soul that can be damned...listening to voices in your head because they make you feel warm/fuzzy inside is probably not a good idea...eternal damnation is too big a price to pay because you "thought" god had been talking to you for all these years
Last edited by morteduzionism; May 14, 2007 at 03:15 PM.
Vicarius
Re: define christian
If you believe then why you ask philosophical definition are you sophist ? Or sooner not up into the matter...
Re: define christian
Well, you know if that voice is telling you something that is supposed to come to pass and doesn't...that it's a lying voice, much like the OT way of determining a false prophet. And the other...
The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. [Psalms 37:31]This is getting into Christian theology (and I'm sorry if you don't agree), but in the times of the Old Testament - God had to write on stone tablets for stony hearts. But with the coming of His Son and through the Holy Spirit which is given to believers - God has written on the hearts of men the law of spirit and truth. This passage illustrates a stony/darkened heart..."Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. [Isaiah 51:7]
Everybody is without excuse...everyone, especially the "righteous" (through Jesus Christ) has the knowledge of God evident within them, especially His laws. Murder, stealing, lieing, etc. - all within us and almost every single one of the basic Ten Commandments is law within most countries/places. I believe it's quite obvious to know the voice of God versus the voice of Satan...even if you say: "well how do you know that the nature of the person isn't the other way around?" Then, well...my response would be similar to Shakespearean Romeo & Juliet: "What's in a rose and would it not smell as sweet by any other name"? (loose paraphrasing of it)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. [Romans 1:18-23]
later,
Gersh
Vicarius Provinciae
Re: define christian
Biblically a Christian is a sinner who has been released from his or her sin by the washing or cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed once only at Calvary some two thousand years ago. Biblically that person is renewed by the revealing of God's wrath against sinners thus producing in the sinner deep repentence, followed by conviction through the revealing of what Christ did for them on the cross and then the conversion itself.
Paul explains it as justification by faith of Jesus Christ and is unto all and upon all them that believe. Since only God can justify it follows that He alone institutes and processes the whole experience through the individual actions played out by each of the Godhead. In other words no act of man brings any of that about nor can he since until the very point of conversion he or she is still in effect a sinner.
Jesus said to one Jewish leader that He was surprised that he the leader did not understand this when told that a man or woman must be born again if ever they are to see heaven. The man quite in ignorance asked how it was that a person can return to the womb yet this man had studied the scriptures as many still do with no understanding of God. Even the disciples asked the same thing to be told that with men it is impossible yet with God all things were possible.
The lad Garnier has shared his own experience with God, something I too can relate with and it comes as no surprise that some should mock him for they have mocked me too. It is par for the course for any that God has laid His hand on. He will experience much more in his walk with God and if part of that is only mocking so what. He has something more precious than any mocker has.
Re: define christian
Why? Because you say so?
It astounds me how some people seem to think the Bible was written with the express purpose of being incomprehensible.
Last edited by David Deas; May 16, 2007 at 06:17 PM.
Sponsored by the Last Roman
Re: define christian
The Bible isn't meant to be incomprehensible! God also, can be understood but not completely. Just like I cannot know everything about a person here on earth, say, you for example. There's no way I could know everything about you including your thoughts, your desires, your feelings etc.
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