I'm just going to ask...What is a Christian?

[hairlove]

How do you define a Christian? Do you know one when you see one? How do we discern a Christian from a non-Christian?

What does "the world" consider a Christian to be?

I am asking all of this because I don't want to speak out of terms. As many have mentioned, you don't know the "heart" of someone though you can see their actions. Is that enough to discern whether or not they are a Christian (in the case of maybe wanting to date?).

I know we are not to judge but is saying whether someone is a Christian or not judging? Don't we need to make this "decision" in some cases?

Just looking for some loving discussion around the topic. :yep:

[tailormade84]

How do you define a Christian? Christian = someone who believes Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and lives like Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior

Do you know one when you see one? No

How do we discern a Christian from a non-Christian? See the first response - but often times I can't because I don't know everything that that person does/will do

What does "the world" consider a Christian to be? someone who wears a Jesus piece

Is that enough to discern whether or not they are a Christian (in the case of maybe wanting to date?) Actions do say a lot. I thinking wisdom, prudence and discernment are necessary to discern the truth behind actions.

I know we are not to judge but is saying whether someone is a Christian or not judging? I won't tell someone if they are a Christian or not, its not my place. BUT I am intitled to my opinion.... :)

Don't we need to make this "decision" in some cases? No, but you can decide who you do and do not want to hang around. We called to love everybody, but chill with everybody. Some folks may be a hindrance to you, but no problem for others. Leave them to the others. ;)


Real talk, as my pastor used to say "I don't know your heart, but i can see your feet." Folks who believe fire can burn don't just sit up in a burning building - they run with all effort. Likewise, folks who believe Jesus Christ is Lord and King will strive to live in a way that profess such. They don't have to be perfect, but they do have to be striving.

[LovinLocks]

"Christ"ian = a footstep follower of Christ. It will be evident in not what is said, but in what is seen as in how the individual lives his or her life.

[Allandra]

"Christ"ian = a footstep follower of Christ. It will be evident in not what is said, but in what is seen as in how the individual lives his or her life.

What she said. :yep:

[divya]

The other ladies have already answered this so eloquently...

A Christian is someone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. And as the Bible says, you will know them by their fruits. Matt. 7:16.

[hairlove]

So, let me ask you ladies this...

Say I am trying to set up my friend on a date. She asks me "Is he a Christian?"

Is the answer ALWAYS "I don't know." ?

Or can one answer that question without judging?

[hairlove]

This is a very thorough and terrific response. Thank you!

How do you define a Christian? Christian = someone who believes Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and lives like Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior

Do you know one when you see one? No

How do we discern a Christian from a non-Christian? See the first response - but often times I can't because I don't know everything that that person does/will do

What does "the world" consider a Christian to be? someone who wears a Jesus piece

Is that enough to discern whether or not they are a Christian (in the case of maybe wanting to date?) Actions do say a lot. I thinking wisdom, prudence and discernment are necessary to discern the truth behind actions.

I know we are not to judge but is saying whether someone is a Christian or not judging? I won't tell someone if they are a Christian or not, its not my place. BUT I am intitled to my opinion.... :)

Don't we need to make this "decision" in some cases? No, but you can decide who you do and do not want to hang around. We called to love everybody, but chill with everybody. Some folks may be a hindrance to you, but no problem for others. Leave them to the others. ;)


Real talk, as my pastor used to say "I don't know your heart, but i can see your feet." Folks who believe fire can burn don't just sit up in a burning building - they run with all effort. Likewise, folks who believe Jesus Christ is Lord and King will strive to live in a way that profess such. They don't have to be perfect, but they do have to be striving.

[divya]

So, let me ask you ladies this...

Say I am trying to set up my friend on a date. She asks me "Is he a Christian?"

Is the answer ALWAYS "I don't know." ?

Or can one answer that question without judging?

That's the right answer. If he says he is, then you can say "He says he is a Christian." That way, you are not making an assumption about him until you can truly determine whether the man is or is not living a Christian life.

Contrary to popular thought, judging is not necessarily a bad thing. The term has many definitions, and we have to judge (form opinions) on plenty issues in life.

[hurricane]

A christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings ( commandments). You will only know if someone is a Christian if you spend some sort of time with them. Then you can discern if they are or not. Not everyone that cries Lord, Lord will be saved. You will know them by there fruit as diya said in an earlier post.

Christians get accused of judging all the time. I think that this is a weapon used by the enemy. Not all christians judge. Not all christians are hypocrits. There are bad doctors called quacks and good doctors. When we are sick, we don't focus on those quacks we focus on getting the care we need.

We can't base our relationship on what other christians do. We have access to the Word of God. The Apostle Paul stated that he would let nothing separate him from the love of God. Many don't read the Word. That is why they do things that we questions if they are a Christian or not. And this gives the whole body of Christ a bad name because they are unlearned in the Word of God.

[FoxyScholar]

"Christ"ian = a footstep follower of Christ. It will be evident in not what is said, but in what is seen as in how the individual lives his or her life.

Haven't heard it said like that... nor have I heard it said better....:yep:http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Shimmie]

You know, this is a very good question and it has me thinking.

Almost anyone and anything is calling themselves Chrisitans, yet.....

One thing is certain, it's not a label neither is it a fad, that you toss to the side and/or hide when 'said' Chrisitan is around those they fear will disapprove of them.

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I'll be ashamed of you."

Christians are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they change not, neither from foolishness nor by fears of non believing peers.

[hairlove]

That's the right answer. If he says he is, then you can say "He says he is a Christian." That way, you are not making an assumption about him until you can truly determine whether the man is or is not living a Christian life.

Contrary to popular thought, judging is not necessarily a bad thing. The term has many definitions, and we have to judge (form opinions) on plenty issues in life.

Great! This makes perfect sense to me. What if you know someone really well. How do you determine if they are living a Christian life? To me, that says that in some way or another, you can decipher (for yourself) whether YOU consider someone to be a Christian.

I agree about judging as well. Sometimes it gets a bad rep but people are quick to jump and consider someone "judging" when you say something that they disagree with.

So, I feel if I ever were to say whether someone is a Christian or not, I am judging, even if I know the person EXTREMELY well.

[hairlove]

I get your point!

I hope you all understand that in no way am I seeking to understand this so that I can walk around look at people and say "Christian" "not Christian." That's not it AT ALL. :nono:

I am only thinking about when I'm speaking of people who are close to me or people I am consider getting close or other situations of that nature in order to explain situations or issues or even describe the person.

For example, in my divorcee thread. I mentioned how the person met her first husband in church. I did not say that he was a Christian or that she was a Christian. I know her really well and knew him well (during their dating and marriage) and I have my opinion on that but I feel as though to say would be to judge.

A christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings ( commandments). You will only know if someone is a Christian if you spend some sort of time with them. Then you can discern if they are or not. Not everyone that cries Lord, Lord will be saved. You will know them by there fruit as diya said in an earlier post.

Christians get accused of judging all the time. I think that this is a weapon used by the enemy. Not all christians judge. Not all christians are hypocrits. There are bad doctors called quacks and good doctors. When we are sick, we don't focus on those quacks we focus on getting the care we need.

We can't base our relationship on what other christians do. We have access to the Word of God. The Apostle Paul stated that he would let nothing separate him from the love of God. Many don't read the Word. That is why they do things that we questions if they are a Christian or not. And this gives the whole body of Christ a bad name because they are unlearned in the Word of God.

[hairlove]

You know, this is a very good question and it has me thinking.

Almost anyone and anything is calling themselves Chrisitans, yet.....

One thing is certain, it's not a label neither is it a fad, that you toss to the side and/or hide when 'said' Chrisitan is around those they fear will disapprove of them.

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I'll be ashamed of you."

Christians are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they change not, neither from foolishness nor by fears of non believing peers.

That's so interesting b/c I great up going to church at school and at home and I never considered myself a Christian. I can't remember how I thought back then but I think there was some guilt and lack of understanding and I just did not feel as though I measured up to being a Christian - even though I didn't know what a Christian was. I think many people don't and so they think simply if they believe in God and Jesus that they are a Christian.

[tailormade84]

So, let me ask you ladies this...

Say I am trying to set up my friend on a date. She asks me "Is he a Christian?"

Is the answer ALWAYS "I don't know." ?

Or can one answer that question without judging?

When asked that question I would reply "From what I can tell, I think he is" because the truth is "you don't know", but you can give your honest opinion and then provide some evidence of why you believe so (i.e. he lives a lifestyle that reflects a dedication to Jesus Christ and His ways...etc etc).

I am guessing that you are trying to hook up these two people because they have similar standards/beliefs on what it means to be a Christian, so the evidence you provide should be sufficient. If they ask, "why did you say 'you think so'" just explain that we can never know someones heart but their actions can reveal what is in their heart. In the end, its up to the other girl to decide whether or not this man is "a Christian she can chill with" (and let her know that :yep: )

HTH :)

[hairlove]

When asked that question I would reply "From what I can tell, I think he is" because the truth is "you don't know", but you can give your honest opinion and then provide some evidence of why you believe so (i.e. he lives a lifestyle that reflects a dedication to Jesus Christ and his ways...etc etc).

I am guessing that you are trying to hook up these two people because they have similar standards/beliefs on what it means to be a Christian, so the evidence you provide should be sufficient. If they ask, "why did you say 'you think so'" just explain that we can never know someones heart but their actions can reveal what is in their heart. In the end, its up to the other girl to decide whether or not this man is "a Christian she can chill with" (and let her know that :yep: )

HTH :)

It was hypothetical but yes, you hit the nail on the head and I like your response. I guess it really can be all about how we say things. I like the "I think..." because then it is based on your opinion of what you know verses a more exact statement which could be more considered a judgment.

[FoxyScholar]

It was hypothetical but yes, you hit the nail on the head and I like your response. I guess it really can be all about how we say things. I like the "I think..." because then it is based on your opinion of what you know verses a more exact statement which could be more considered a judgment.

This is one of my LHCF Pet peeves. The "I think" phrase is a waste of keystrokes to me. I said therefore it is my opinion. My opinion can be INFORMED or UNINFORMED or MISINFORMED but it is still my opinion.

Yet there are posts where I say "I think" because it's what I think but yet my opinion is not yet as informed enough for me to say what I know FOR SURE. Also, the "I think" softens the blow on when I know I'm saying something unpopular or controversial.

Judgement has been defined, redefined, overdefined, underdefined so much on this board... sigh...

I know... off topic but I had to relax, relate, and release that.

[hairlove]

This is one of my LHCF Pet peeves. The "I think" phrase is a waste of keystrokes to me. I said therefore it is my opinion. My opinion can be INFORMED or UNINFORMED or MISINFORMED but it is still my opinion.

Yet there are posts where I say "I think" because it's what I think but yet my opinion is not yet as informed enough for me to say what I know FOR SURE. Also, the "I think" softens the blow on when I know I'm saying something unpopular or controversial.

Judgement has been defined, redefined, overdefined, underdefined so much on this board... sigh...

I know... off topic but I had to relax, relate, and release that.

Foxy - Are you saying then, that for you, you'd just say "Yes, he is a Christian." or "No, he is not a Christian."

[FoxyScholar]

Foxy - Are you saying then, that for you, you'd just say "Yes, he is a Christian." or "No, he is not a Christian."

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gifMy bad.... I took the subject line and ran with it in terms of the core of the question. I don't know about the who that is being discussed. I'll have to read the thread in its full context.

ETA: ok... I read your initial post....

So in a dating situation, if I want to know if the person I'm dating/interested in, how do I know if he's a Christian?

Well, let me say it like this: I think it matters to ask the RIGHT questions... and do A LOT MORE listening and watching than talking. So instead of me asking "are you a Christian", I'm watching and listening to your language (verbal and non-verbal), your attitude as you're driving, what your talk is about (or isn't), your choices... that's huge... one's choices.... their pattern of behavior. The longer you let a person talk about him (or her)self, they eventually tell on themselves.... that's across the board.

[hairlove]

Foxy,

I think you may have still misunderstood my post. This wasn't about me finding a dating partner for myself or anyone - that was just a hypothetical situation. There is no one for me to ask those things to...:look:

My question is just general. What is a Christian? for the sake of situations where you are trying to describe someone to someone else or even to yourself.

Does that make sense? I hope so. Would love your opinion. :yep:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gifMy bad.... I took the subject line and ran with it in terms of the core of the question. I don't know about the who that is being discussed. I'll have to read the thread in its full context.

ETA: ok... I read your initial post....

So in a dating situation, if I want to know if the person I'm dating/interested in, how do I know if he's a Christian?

Well, let me say it like this: I think it matters to ask the RIGHT questions... and do A LOT MORE listening and watching than talking. So instead of me asking "are you a Christian", I'm watching and listening to your language (verbal and non-verbal), your attitude as you're driving, what your talk is about (or isn't), your choices... that's huge... one's choices.... their pattern of behavior. The longer you let a person talk about him (or her)self, they eventually tell on themselves.... that's across the board.