One of the questions sure to draw a wide range of impassioned opinions is this one: What exactly is a "Christian"?
Determining who is or is not a "Christian" requires that one first define the term "Christian."
So, what is Christianity?
According to Adherents.com, over 2 billion people worldwide identify themselves with Christianity, making it the most dominant religion in the world. That number, however, comprises a wide array of self-described “Christians” from Pope Benedict XVI to Billy Graham and from Jesse Jackson to Pat Robertson.
The best way to define “Christianity” is to look to the historical-grammatical character of the word itself. It originates from the first century offshoot of Judaism – an offshoot that centered on (and still centers on) the first century teacher named Jesus of Nazareth – otherwise known as Jesus “the Christ.”
The word “Christ” literally means “Anointed One,” and Christians universally believe that Jesus was (and, in fact, is) the “Anointed One.” The central point of Christianity is that Jesus of Nazareth is “the Christ.”
And who are the "Christians"?
According to the New Testament book of Acts, the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” in Antioch, an ancient city located on the left bank of the Orontes River in what is now Antakya in southern Turkey.
Followers of Jesus Christ quickly spread throughout the Greco-Roman world and beyond, founding churches and changing social orders in their wake. Their doctrines were informed by the teachings and prolific writings of Jesus’ apostles, a group of men personally chosen by Jesus to take his message into the world. Many of their writings became part of the New Testament Scriptures in our Bible today.
It therefore is logical to carry this over to today, and state that a “Christian” today would likewise embrace the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God. What’s more, it’s logical to assume that a Christian today would line up with the same basic theology of those first called “Christians” in the book of Acts.
Therefore, a “Christian” (whether first century or twenty-first century) is best understood as one who professes a belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and who has staked his or her entire life on that belief.
Evangelicals emphasize that becoming a true Christian requires a sincere, heartfelt decision to trust and accept Christ as one’s Savior. Going to church, reading the Bible, trying to pray, and doing good works are not enough. These things are simply the result of being a good Christian, but not the cause of it.
As one anonymous quote puts it: ““Faith makes a Christian. Life proves a Christian. Trial confirms a Christian. Death crowns a Christian.”
**The above article is written by the author from an evangelical perspective. Contrary or additional feedback is more than welcome in the discussion area.
The copyright of the article What Is a Christian? in Protestantism is owned by Brian Tubbs. Permission to republish What Is a Christian? must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Oct 7, 2007 10:23 AM
Pink
:
In your article of October 4, 2007, you wrote: . "<i>Evangelicals emphasize that becoming a true Christian requires a sincere, heartfelt decision to trust and accept Christ as one's Savior. Going to church, reading the Bible, trying to pray, and doing good works are not enough. These things are simply the result of being a good Christian, but not the cause of it. . "As one anonymous quote puts it: 'Faith makes a Christian. Life proves a Christian. Trial confirms a Christian. Death crowns a Christian'.</i>" . Not be be ornery; but, how does this equate to what Jesus taught?
Oct 8, 2007 6:32 AM
Pink
:
. Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) . http://www.emiledurkheim.com/ . Sociology is the study of man and his groups. As such, it takes no position one way or the other promoting one life style or the other; instead, its scholars seek understanding about our relationships with each other. . Emile Durkheim is the father of Sociology--its thought and study. In one of his papers, he defines Christianity in the following way: . <i>"The merits of Christianity are praised and we are discreetly invited to embrace them. But are we to ignore the fact that the originality of Christianity consisted precisely in a remarkable development of the individualistic spirit? Whereas the religion of the ancient city-state was quite entirely made of external practices, form which the spiritual was absent. Christianity demonstrated in its inner faith, in the personal conviction of the individual, the essential condition of piety. First, it taught that the moral value of acts had to be measured according to the intention, a preeminently inward thing which by its very nature escapes all external judgments and which only the agent could competently appraise. The very center of moral life was thus transported from the external to the internal, and the individual was thus elevated to be sovereign judge of his own conduct, accountable only to himself and to his God. Finally, in consummating the definitive separation of the spiritual and the temporal, in abandoning the world to disputes of men. Christ delivered it at once to science and to free inquiry. This explains the rapid progress made for the scientific spirit from the day when Christian societies were established. Individualism should not, then, be denounced as the enemy which must be combated at any cost."</i> . ---------------- . The above was copied from Page 86 in <b>Readings in Social Theory</b>; fourth edition; edited with introduction by James Farganis, Vassar College--New School University; McGraw Hill; Copyright 2004, The Free Press.
Oct 8, 2007 11:45 AM
Brian Tubbs
:
I wrote this article, knowing that you, Migisi, and some of the other critics here would disagree. The article was written with a wider audience in mind than merely those who frequent the discussion boards. There's little more I can say on this subject to try to persuade you that Jesus asserted his own deity during his earthly ministry and that he identified himself as the way to heaven. These things are, I believe, very clear in the Gospels - but you and others don't see it that way. So, we are going to have to agree to disagree.
Oct 8, 2007 1:18 PM
Pink
:
. <i>Jesus asserted his own deity during his earthly ministry and that he identified himself as the way to heaven.</i> . It's not a matter of the two of us agreeing or disagreeing with each other, is it? I think that was part of your point. . My personal opinion is that Jesus brought his Gospel to people on an "In the Here and Now" way of looking at things. I understand--at least I think so--that your idea is that his Gospel had everything to do with the after life as far as the idea of Salvation is concerned. That sounds a lot like a reworked idea out of the Catholic Church to me. . No offense. . :)
Oct 8, 2007 1:23 PM
Boanerges
:
<i>persuade you that Jesus asserted his own deity during his earthly ministry</i>
I thought it a well written article, Brian..
here is a link that will highlight some of Jesus' words, where He said them, and why...... hope the info finds its way to something meaningful, and noteworthy.....
The Days of Noah! - Are They Here? http://prophecyinthenews.com/articledetail.asp?Article_ID=210
Mount Hermon: Gate of the Fallen Angels http://prophecyinthenews.com/articledetail.asp?Article_ID=191
"During the ministry of Jesus, He and His disciples visited Caesarea Philippi (see cover photo) where the Jordan River springs forth from the slopes of Mount Hermon. In the cover photo, one can see the grotto and cave where Baal worship was in full swing. While observing these shrines, Jesus posed the question: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" (Matt. 16:13). Jesus was standing in the territory of His great enemy, Satan, and his idolatrous Nephilim. It was the area out of which the Antichrist would arise."
Oct 8, 2007 1:41 PM
Pink
:
. I didn't find any fault with your article. I thought it was pretty good and I drew attention to it by posting a reply. It roused my curiosity and I asked a question about how the quotation I cited equated to what Jesus taught. . :) .
Oct 9, 2007 1:07 PM
Brian Tubbs
:
Pink, I think Jesus' message had to do with BOTH the "here and now" and the after-life. Jesus did preach in Matthew, after all, that the "Kingdom of God is at hand." That's here and now. So, in that sense, I agree with you.
Oct 9, 2007 1:13 PM
Pink
:
. <i>"...Jesus' message had to do with BOTH the 'here and now' and the after-life"</i> . Can you say what you think Jesus' message had to do with the "here and now" of life? . And, my second question is, do you think Jesus believed that people's sins were justification for them being cut off from God? Can you give any reference to back up your opinion on your answer? Take your time, these are important questions. Brian specifically, but anyone? .
Oct 9, 2007 9:30 PM
Migisi
:
. <i>I wrote this article, knowing that you, Migisi, and some of the other critics here would disagree.</i> . Why did you think I would disagree with your definition of a true Christian? Why do you think it would it matter to me?
Oct 9, 2007 10:38 PM
Migisi
:
. <i>And, my second question is, do you think Jesus believed that people's sins were justification for them being cut off from God?</i> . Wouldn't it depend on whether the person was 'saved' or not? The 'unsaved' sinners are cut off. The 'saved' sinners are not. Isn't that Christian doctrine? . Jesus quoted Isaiah several times. No surprise, since salvation was the main theme of the Book of Isaiah. Therefore, I ~assume~ he'd have believed Isaiah to be correct when he said: . "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2 . But I could be wrong. But if a sinner wasn't separated from God, why did Jesus serve as an atonement?
