kene@orca.UUCP (04/03/84)
>Unfortunately, I can't see any way a non-Christian can decide which, if >any, is the real Christianity. I would like to take a shot at an objective, non-flaming response to this honest statement. These are my own personal guidelines for forming an opinion as to whether another person's Christian example is valid according to Biblical criteria. First let me list what does NOT (in and of itself) constitute a Christian: 1. Being a member of a church congregation -- Christian theology has for centuries made the distinction between the "Church Visible" and the "Church Invisible". The Church Visible refers to the earthly institution. The Church Invisible refers to the collection of individuals who have experienced a literal internal change through an encounter with Jesus Christ, a change which cannot be objectively measured by human perceptions. Merely being a member of a congregation does not necessarily mean that this encounter has taken place. 2. Saying "I am a Christian" -- There are lots of people in this country who say they are doctors who really have no such qualifications, and many people suffer from faulty medical advice. In exactly the same way, SAYING you are a Christian does not MAKE you one. The New Testament is loaded with passages warning against false prophets, hypocrites, and false brothers and sisters (i.e.; Christians). A few references... Matt. 7:15-23 2 Cor. 11:13-15 Jam. 1:26 1 John 2:4,9; 4:1 Another complicating factor is that of Christian maturity. Just as when a person is first exposed to a computer terminal and must work over a period of time to gain experience and expertise, so also a Christian starts out in a "baby stage" and must grow to increasingly mature perspectives. Sometimes these immature Christians are hard to deal with and at times can appear to contradict what we expect Christians to be like, but this is to be expected with any kind of "newcomer" and simply requires patience on our part. Yes, you will find the following kinds of people within the boundaries of the earthly institution of the Christian Church: -- Small-minded people who believe that the only "saved" people are those who doctinally agree exactly with them. -- Weak-minded people who use religion as a crutch. -- Devious-minded people who use religion as a means of personal gain. -- Immature people who want to stay immature for the rest of their lives. -- Self-righteous people who flaunt their ego before others. -- Self-seeking people who don't care what the Church teaches, but who just want to look "upright and decent" for their business, friends, etc. Often I have heard the charge that these modes of behavior (and others equally repulsive) are characteristic of Christianity. Any serious study of the Bible will clearly show that these are a far cry from what the Christian is called to be. Though individuals within the earthly institution may act this way, the TRUE Christian Church (the Church Invisible) does not have visible boundaries and consists of people who have been regenerated by the power of God. Hence, the Apostle Paul was prompted to say: "Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's [and women's] hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God". (1 Cor. 4:5) *** AT LAST ***** THE MAIN POINT *** So, how do I spell relief? How do I evaluate whether I think some individual is or is not a Christian? As already stated, it's impossible for me to know conclusively, but (in my endeavor to watch out for those false followers) I use guidelines such as these: --- Does the person fall into any of the aforementoned "repulsive" categories? If so, be careful....(see NOTE) --- Does the person's attitude reflect a change away from self-centeredness toward concern for others? --- Does the person actively seek growth and maturity in Christian awareness? Does he/she attend church services? Study the Bible? Pray? Seek fellowship and support from other Christians? Actively seek to give service to Christian concerns (i.e.; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. ... see Matt. 25:31-46)? --- Does the person exhibit LOVE (as defined in 1 Cor. 13) and the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:22,23)? --- MOST IMPORTANT - Does the person *increase* in these positive characteristics as time passes? _______________ NOTE: No Christian is perfect. All of us fall short from time to time. The important considerations are: -- What is the person's *consistent* behavior (not the occassional lapses)? -- What direction is the person going (i.e.; does he/she grow out of unbecoming behavior or stay in it)? _______________ These are the barest of guidelines to those interested in discussion. Whole books can be (have been) written on the subject. *PLEASE* don't think that I've attempted to be exhaustive. Ken Ewing [decvax,ucbvax]!tektronix!orca!kene
rcd@opus.UUCP (04/05/84)
<>
The base article from Ken Ewing is a very thoughtful appraisal of how one
might recognize a "real" Christian.
I found one shortcoming, in that when we get down to the bottom line many
of the characteristics of "Christians" seem to be what I would call
characteristics of "good people" in general. I would like to have this
relation understood in a sense that Christianity may be the factor behind
these characteristics without having people conclude that (when I'm
behaving myself!) I must be a Christian because of it.
If I can venture a guess, I think that something which has been bothering
the non-Christians in this newsgroup is this: On the one hand, the US is
labeled as a "Christian nation" because most of the people are considered
(or consider themselves) Christians. But on the other hand, when we get up
in arms and start flaming about the behavior of the typical "Christian",
the response is often, "Well, yes, but that's not really the way a true
Christian would behave" and if we pursue it, it seems that less than half
of the people who are labeled Christians are really considered Christian in
their behavior. We could use a little balance on this matter. I would be
perfectly happy with the statement that 20% of USAmericans are really
Christians. (Of course I forgive the occasional aberration of even the
most devout - we're all imperfect and trying. No problem there.) But now
I'm stuck without a concise term for "people who say they are Christians
but don't know what it's about, don't practice it, and don't particularly
try" (whew!) I have called these people pseudo-Christians from time to
time, but that's the best I can do. What are they, anyway?
--
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.
{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd