what does christian mean anyway? doesnt it mean a follower of christ.....a man? arent "we" supposed to be followers of god and not man? i am, in no way disrespecting jesus....just posing a question that if we point out the jw belief that jesus was gods son, then he was sent to earth to prove that god does exist and that we should follow him (not just as a means of salvation, which can only be given thru god anyway).....besides if "jesus" is in heaven right now, his name isnt jesus anymore.....so i dont understand why so much emphasis on jesus when god is the one to be worshiped....should this be called something else besides christianity....what is it called when u r a worshiper of god?
what is the definition of a christian?
by sinamongurl 51 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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mouthy
John 6 :28 tells us the work of God is to believe in the one HE sent >Jesus( dont read it in the JW bible it is ( other)added in brackets)
If a big company like "THE BAY"that is owned by the Father of the company- He then said to HIS son. "You take over" & folk would not bother to go to the ONE the BOSS installed but kept going back to the BOSS" Who do they think they are. ???The BOSS could say " You have ears but you did not hear me I told you LISTEN TO MY SON!!!! Just like people who disobey Those orders > so do we as Jehovahs Witnesses. They are all studing the scriptures to get life ( John 6:39-44 ) Yet they refuse to go to the "INBETWEEN" Mediator who was appointed BY God>>>Jesus.
I know many on here will be offended by my reply But In MY opinion . A Christian is one who is listening to the SON!!! & asking HIM to lead guide & direct me!!! Because I am a born sinner --- I have to have a shepherd ----I chose him ----Yes I am a Christian ( dont for Gods sake look to me as one cos I muck up on occasions )but THEY LoVe me UNCONDITIONALLY!!!!
Hope you will too
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LittleToe
You've actually hit a few of the main points as to why it's called Christianity, and why I would suggest that the WTS doesn't fit into that definition.
The most fundamental one that you missed, to most Christians, is that of having a personal relationship with Christ. Most JWs would eschew that.
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Big Tex
The most fundamental one that you missed, to most Christians, is that of having a personal relationship with Christ
Let me play Dumb Ignorant Guy for a moment Ross.
What, in your opinion, are the actual mechanics of having a personal relationship with Jesus? Does it entail belief in his divinity? Acceptance of a 3-headed godship? Literal interpretation of his words?
I'm asking mainly because I used to identify myself with Chrisitianity until a few Christians heard me shoot my mouth off. I choose to believe Jesus was divine, but at the same time I'm quite open to the idea that he was a mortal ordinary man with an extraordinary message. I'm also open to the idea that God/Jehovah/Allah/Buddha/a Higher Power does not identify with a specific religion or religious thought.
I find the further I travel from the Witnesses, the more interested I am in God and less so in Jesus. Does that make sense?
Chris
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mouthy
I find the further I travel from the Witnesses, the more interested I am in God and less so in Jesus. Does that make sense?
I am surprised by the above answer. Most that I have met on leaving the JW come to believe that to be a Christian you MUST have a personal relationship with Christ( which I have - I share my thoughts fears ,needs, hopes with HIM as I would a very close Friend). ....After being a JW I learned that to TRUST HIM worked for me. I had friends in the WT I thought very close friends. But when they were told I was evil ( by the Elders who judged me)I lost them.... Why was I evil ?because I couldnt state in all honesty I believed Jesus came invisably in 1914- But they still keep my kids & Grandkids in bondage.
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LittleToe
Chris:You know I don't speak much about my "experience", but I'm happy to give you a few more insights coz I like ya
The start of my journey was coming to recognise that Jesus was somehow "more" than I'd been raised to believe. I started desiring to know more about him and wanted to communicate directly to him, instead of bypassing him. I didn't pluck up the courage until it was spontaneously foisted upon me.
From that point on my interactions grew and acceptance of his divinity fell into place. It would be months before I had any understanding of the Trinity. In fact, to be absolutely clear, it seemed that the concept of "grace" was FAR more important.
So in answer to your religious detractors, tell them that God's ways are higher man's ways, and they aren't teaching according to wisdom. More simply put, they appear to have taken their eye off of childlike faith in Christ, and placed it in tomes of theology.
While I love discussing theology, and think it has its place, I'm notorious for telling people to come back to the simplicity of the Gospel - accepting the offered free gift, involving and further leading to love and trust in Christ
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katiekitten
From that point on my interactions grew and acceptance of his divinity fell into place.
Interactions are prayers? Or internal intuitive understandings?
Can anyone reach this place? What do you have to do to accept his divinity? Is it like meditation?
My mum does a lot of this and is always trying to get me to reach a more spiritual place, but I am on the treadmill of physical life at the moment. Too busy, too tired, ive got a pan of milk on the stove... (this being the very best excuse ive ever had out on field service)
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peacefulpete
Someone who finds at least some of the Jesus stories specially inspiring is a Christian. All the totalist, elitist, dogmatic definitions are designed to segregate Christians group A from Christian group B.
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Big Tex
I am surprised by the above answer. Most that I have met on leaving the JW come to believe that to be a Christian you MUST have a personal relationship with Christ
Howdy Mouthy. It's been a while. Missed you.
Well I guess that's why I was asking for a definition of a 'personal relationship'. Please understand I am in no way trying to be difficult or argumentative. In all honesty, when I left in 1989 I put the subject of spirituality up on a shelf as I had more pressing issues at the time. Lately however, I am starting to look at this subject again and the starting point is where I left off which is Christianity. I'd like to understand so that I can better know where to go from here.
Why was I evil ?
This is something I have struggled with all my life. I was raised by people who drilled this into me daily, if not hourly. This idea was reinforced by a high control religious sect.
Now I find that logic (no I'm not) and emotion (but I feel like it) are at odds. I understand Christianity's answer to this question, but belief at this point is nearly impossible. So I am most desirous of a basis, a platform if you will, to start the journey in understanding and acceptance.
Basically I guess my belief system is that while I believe Jesus is divine, I don't believe he is God. Probably remnants of my Witness life, but there it is. This is why I'm more interested in God than Jesus. I'm tired of dealing with "middle men". I want to go to the Big Guy and finally get some answers. As I said before, while I choose to believe in Jesus' divinity, I am not convinced. I have doubts and questions not only about where Jesus came from but also about religions in general. At this stage, I'm very tempted by the idea that there is a Higher Power, benevolent and kind, but non-demoninational; One who works through individuals rather than organizations. If that makes sense.
You know I don't speak much about my "experience", but I'm happy to give you a few more insights coz I like ya
I appreciate that Ross. I know of your beliefs, and I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position. This is an open thread, and I don't want to see you in a place where some deep seated beliefs are put on display for others to pick apart.
While I love discussing theology, and think it has its place, I'm notorious for telling people to come back to the simplicity of the Gospel - accepting the offered free gift, involving and further leading to love and ttrust in Christ
This is fairly close to where I am now. I am uninterested in doctrine, and I doubt seriously I will ever walk into a church or belong to a religion again. Having said that, I am interested in simplifying spirituality. From where I'm at, I believe Jesus' main message was love and how to implement love in daily life as well as for personal growth. This seems, to me at least, to be in harmony with other religious beliefs be they Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist. And so, bring things around, I am more interested in a God who might very well be working through these various belief systems, than an individual named Jesus.
Accepting a free gift is somewhat difficult for me. 20 years ago, my last therapist described me as "counter-dependent". Meaning I rarely ask for help. I keep to myself, trust in myself and depend on myself. Realizing this flaw, I am trying, as part of my recovery, to work through it and so my interest.
I don't want to put you, or anyone else, in an uncomfortable position. I mentioned this only to show why I'm interested.
BTW, everyone knows I look better in a kilt. It's the dead sexy legs.
Chris
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