hanzosbm
Premium Member
What is a Christian? A seemingly simple question, but with an incredibly elusive answer. The problem is, like with any word, the meaning depends on the agreed upon definition. But then that begs the question, 'agreed upon by whom'?
From the time that Jesus was walking the Earth there were people disagreeing about his message. The church did their best to eliminate any different views during the middle ages, but owing to human nature, differences in opinion will always exist. These days, the larger, more mainstream churches all seem to recognize each other as slightly different takes on Christianity, but how far away from the mainstream can ideas go and still be considered Christian. While the blue lodges do not concern themselves with the specifics of a man's beliefs, several appendant bodies do, so the importance of the label and who does and doesn't fall under it becomes a practical one.
So, what makes a person a Christian? Christ-like behavior? Believing in Christ as a savior? Believing in Christ's teachings? And if so, based on whose interpretation of his teachings?
What are your thoughts?
From the time that Jesus was walking the Earth there were people disagreeing about his message. The church did their best to eliminate any different views during the middle ages, but owing to human nature, differences in opinion will always exist. These days, the larger, more mainstream churches all seem to recognize each other as slightly different takes on Christianity, but how far away from the mainstream can ideas go and still be considered Christian. While the blue lodges do not concern themselves with the specifics of a man's beliefs, several appendant bodies do, so the importance of the label and who does and doesn't fall under it becomes a practical one.
So, what makes a person a Christian? Christ-like behavior? Believing in Christ as a savior? Believing in Christ's teachings? And if so, based on whose interpretation of his teachings?
What are your thoughts?