Can Christianity be objectively defined?
score:4
As already discussed on meta.C.SE here and here, the short answer is probably "no", except to say that one who identifies himself as a Christian is a Christian.
Of course the long answer depends on the perspective of the person answering the question. It is for this reason we have essentially decided this question is off-topic on this site.
And as an aside, let me add what might be some consolation for anyone who does not like this answer:
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15 NIV
In this context, brother or sister means other Believer. Christians have a responsibility to hold all other Christians accountable for their actions.
Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 NIV
As this "this letter" was written to Christians, we can also draw that the context here is other Christians.
Other verses say similar things, about holding other Christians accountable.
What this means is, we, as Christians, have a responsibility to hold all other professing Christians (whether they pass our litmus test or not) accountable for their actions.
Was David Koresh a Christian? I suspect he would not have passed the litmus test of many people on this site. However, the fact that he considered himself a Christian is enough that, if any of us had conversed with him, we could have done so in the context of two Christians.
Upvote:3
To answer this you have to kick out your basic premise that Christianity is in fact a religion.
I always thought it was a religion until the Pope told me it wasn't. He said it wasn't a lofty idea or a result of an ethical choice. Believe him or not, but the fact that the head of the biggest organized group of anything in the world would say this pretty amazing.
In this sense, a Christian is one who seeks to encounter Christ and nothing else.
Think of it this way, when you stand before God to be judged, will you be judged as a Methodist or a Catholic or a Mormon, or will you be judged as a follower of Christ?
(maybe, because the measure by which you measure will be measured against you)
But in heaven, we'll all be Christians. Even the Hindus and the Muslims and the Pagans and the Atheists and the Buddhists who, through their actions (and through their ignorance of Christ) sought Him out in their daily lives even though they didn't know it.
More post
- 📝 Reason for drawing water at unusual time
- 📝 Who if any Evangelicals still believe that Adam was created with "a perfect knowledge of God" and everything else?
- 📝 Google calendar for catholic holdiays/holy days of obligation?
- 📝 Are there any other books, divined by God, regarding Christianity?
- 📝 How would the Bible advise a Christian to cope with fear?
- 📝 What's the proof for the existence of Angels as well as angelic hierarchy?
- 📝 If Jehovah's Witnesses believe they should use Jehovah to be accurate why don't they use Jesus' real Hebrew name?
- 📝 Were celebrations for the 400th Anniversary of the Reformation held in Germany during World War I?
- 📝 If Christ had a complete human nature, how come his human nature wasn't totally depraved as ours is?
- 📝 How did Matthew conclude that Isaiah 7:14 refers to Jesus?
- 📝 Do they use icons in the Roman Catholic Church?
- 📝 Is there a consensus among Christian scholars or apologists as to which Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled?
- 📝 Was there doctrinal difference between Lollards and Waldenses?
- 📝 Is illegal downloading a sin?
- 📝 If everyone has a fair chance to be saved, then how is this reconciled with Romans 10:11-17 & John 6:44?
- 📝 Are there official guidelines for mortifying the flesh in the various Christian denominations?
- 📝 Does Eph 3v10 hint at Gods supernatural purpose for creation, humanity and our history?
- 📝 Do any denominations teach that humans exist before birth?
- 📝 Revelation 18:4 - Should we leave Babylon if we are in the "Great Babylon"?
- 📝 Can you explain the conflict between 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Isaiah 43:25?
- 📝 How did the Virgin Birth of Jesus prove to be a “sign” as prophesied in Is 7:14?
- 📝 How do Protestants understand major differences in doctrine between denominations?
- 📝 Calvinism: alternatives to evanescent grace?
- 📝 Will Jesus reveal himeself to anyone with the name "Isa"
- 📝 Why did ancient catechumens delay baptism as long as possible?
- 📝 How can the "Son of Man" passages of Matthew 24 be interpreted as a fulfilled prophecy?
- 📝 The bronze snake in numbers and the serpent Lucifer
- 📝 Which Reformation theologians used the analogy of water and ink for sin?
- 📝 What is the biblical and historical basis for the belief that the Second Coming of Christ hasn't happened yet (as of 2021)?
- 📝 What is the difference between icons and idols in churches that permit icons?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Can Christianity be objectively defined?
- 📝 Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
- 📝 Can seeking arguments against Christianity strengthen Christianity?
- 📝 How can apologists argue that if Jesus did not rise again then Christianity and the Church would not have lasted, when other religions have?
- 📝 Do Protestant Trinitarians believe that Christianity can be 'proved' without faith?
- 📝 Is Christianity the sum of the actions and beliefs of its adherents or a set of actions and beliefs defined by the Bible?
- 📝 What does the Catholic Church think about God being defined as "that than which nothing greater can be conceived"?
- 📝 Can theology still be defined "the science of faith"?
- 📝 Can God be defined as the idea of seeing everything through the method of thinking you have right then?
- 📝 Can there be free will in heaven?
- 📝 Can I believe in evolution and still be a Christian?
- 📝 Why is Christianity considered a monotheistic religion?
- 📝 If the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” how can a Christian fight in a war?
- 📝 How can the Son not know what the Father knows?
- 📝 How can the sun be created after day and night?
- 📝 How can we trust the Bible after it has been translated to another language?
- 📝 How can one overcome lustful desires?
- 📝 Can man judge whether God is fair?
- 📝 How could Jacob wrestle with God if no one can see God and live?
- 📝 What reasons does Christianity give for "Why There Must Be A God?"
- 📝 What Bible verses suggest that humans can become angels?
- 📝 Can a Christian choose to walk away from his or her salvation?
- 📝 What are some countries where you can be imprisoned for reading or owning a Bible?
- 📝 Can an atheist go to heaven?
- 📝 How can I tell the difference between the Moral law and other laws in the old testament?
- 📝 Can people speak in tongues today?
- 📝 Where can I find out more about other people rising from the dead, when Jesus died on the Cross?
- 📝 Believing that Christianity is "probably" true vs. being fully convinced that Christianity is definitely true?
- 📝 How can a loving God make a deal with the devil?
- 📝 Can a Catholic priest adopt a child?