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| So What Is Christianity Anyway? |
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11:26 The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26 Some people say that Christianity is a religion. But when you read the life of Jesus Christ, you notice that the religious people were the ones who were most offended by His teaching and by His lifestyle. Religious people were the ones who wanted Jesus killed.
Russian writer Fydor Dostoevsky tells a story in the book, The Grand Inquisitor about Jesus coming again as a poor man to the Russian world of the 1800's. Once again, the religious people are offended with Jesus and have Him killed. Something tells me that Jesus didn't intend to start another religion.
Some people say that Christianity is a teaching or a belief system. But as you read the New Testament, you see that the emphasis is on doing the word, not on hearing it, learning it, debating it, or merely studying it. Christianity has to be much more than doctrines or a creed.
Some folks say that Christianity is a tradition or a human culture. However, that reduces Christianity to a person's upbringing -- to nothing more than a religious heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation.
Some people say that Christianity is a religious organization consisting of leaders, buildings, and meetings. But there are so many differing religious organizations, how would you know which one is genuine Christianity?
Some say that Christianity consists of merely attending a weekly religious meeting consisting of singing, an offering, announcements, sometimes a sacrament, and a lecture by a professional Christian. But that is like saying that watching American TV makes you an American. It is not really true.
So how can we discover what Christianity is? Thanks for asking. If only we could read what Jesus taught and look at how the first Christians lived. Fortunately we can. The Gospels contain Jesus' teachings. Notice especially Matthew 5,6, & 7 -- The Sermon On The Mount. Also the book of Acts tells and shows how the first Christians lived. In those two works we have genuine Christianity laid out clearly before our own eyes. |
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| To add a comment to "So What Is Christianity Anyway?" |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| apodemeo: It is all about an intimate, personal, ongoing, obedient, passionate relationship with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ, isn't |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| it? |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| I think Christianity should be a way of life that was modeled for us by Jesus. A related subject that I wrote a blog about...What IS a Christian Anyway? |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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Deb: Looks like we are on the same track. |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| And living as a disciple implies disciple and the ability to follow teachings. Gee! we may even learn something in the process of being close to our good rabbi. |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| Good points Gene and Lara. |
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| March 11, 2008 |
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| Thanks sure was a good read. |
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| March 12, 2008 |
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standing in a church no more makes you a christian, than standing in a garage makes you car... Being a Christian is learning to love and trust God, developing a personal friendship with Him as the bride of Christ. -Jeremiah |
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| March 12, 2008 |
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| Jesus IS the only Way. |
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| March 12, 2008 |
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| Glad you were blessed by it, Megan. |
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| March 15, 2008 |
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| Great word, Steve! |
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| March 15, 2008 |
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| Appreciate that, Kathy. |
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| April 10, 2008 |
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| thus attending a weekly relegious meeting and you actively attending to those kind of relegious meeting but the sad part of that is that you're not following the teaches of your church...are considered being a christianity?are there some other things that you must do in order to change that kind of attitude?thanks!!! | |
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| April 10, 2008 |
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FYI Dennis. I'm not sure about some of the other statements but I suggest you do more objective digging into the issue of Islam. The moon god is not called Ra and they do not worship either one.
But, I wholeheartedly agree (with a chuckle in my belly) atheism IS a religion. I like the way you put that! |
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