Hi Chick,
You tell me, "Bill, you fall very short of the biblical truth of what it is to be a Christian. The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ."
Congratulations, Chick, you have done your homework -- but, you stopped a wee bit short. The believers in Antioch were not called Christians because they were being good followers of Christ. The name "Christian" was given to them as a derogatory slam. Yet, realizing that it means 'little Christ" or as we now like to define it it -- "Christ Followers" -- it was made into a cherished name.
But, yes, a Christian is identified by his/her character, his/her fruit of salvation -- one of which is to share the Gospel with the world as Jesus Christ instructed us. Another is to refute false teachings and false teachers -- as a shield for new believers and new seekers -- to stop the false teachers from luring them back into world religions and false religions. If, for doing this, YOU paint me black -- all I can say is, "Praise the Lord!"
Then, you tell me, "You’re “religious” & seem to have high moral values, but you are not a true follower of Jesus Christ. I believe that a true Christian has love for others (no matter who they are/or what they believe) & obedience to God’s Word. You may be obedient in the sense that you have no shyness in professing that you believe in God, but you fall very short in other much more important areas."
Chick, if you saw a person wearing a blindfold walking toward a cliff -- would you warn him/her? Would that make you a bad person for warning this person?
If you saw your child taking drugs which you know will harm the child -- would you make an effort to stop it?
Enough said.
Next, you tell me, "Some people believe that a Christian suffers for the sake of Christ. If you believe that, I think you probably see part of your “suffering” as the ridicule you receive here. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The ridicule you receive here is because of your nasty attitude. You have no love in your heart. You judge everyone here, call names, & put people down. Most here, & most assuredly me, do not see you as a Christian at all, far from it. I do not mean to imply that a Christian should be perfect, but you are far from being what God meant a Christian to be."
Yes, Christian believers know that we will be ridiculed if we walk into an atheist lair. I knew that, four years ago, when I came on the TimesDaily Forums to refute Deep, Fish, and many other non-believers who took up residence in what has become the Religion Forum.
Now, ask yourself -- if I had no love for those you and other non-believers are trying desperately to lead astray -- would I expose myself to your constant barrage of trivial insults?
You say, "You judge everyone here, call names, & put people down."
No, I do not judge anyone -- I expose false teachers and false teaching. I make sure that our readers see the truth in false religions and cult religions. Do I call names? Well, if you mean that I call a person who teaches a New Age religion -- a New Ager. Or, if you mean that I call Dwight a Mormon. If you mean that I call Deep, Fish, et al -- atheists. You are right! However, I am only using the label they themselves have offered.
It is not my intention to put anyone down. However, it is my most fervent effort -- to expose false teachings and false teachers.
You tell me, "A Christian should be a follower of Christ, a spiritual brother/sister to others, who strives to be like Jesus, regardless of denominational background or creedal preference."
First, a Christian believer CANNOT be a spiritual brother/sister to a non-believer. A person who is spiritual CANNOT be a spiritual brother/sister to a person who is not spiritual.
Are we supposed to pretend that false religions and cult religions are okay -- and join hands with them in worship? In no way! That is what many churches and people who push full Ecumenism, i.e., that all people, regardless of what they believe or what they worship -- should come together and each one worship his/her own god or gods, together. No, my Friend, that is NOT what the God of the Bible teaches.
Yes, we should be ecumenical in our relationship with other Christian denominations. In other words, Baptist believers, Methodist believers, and other denominational or non-denominational believers who believe and teach true Christian Biblical Beliefs -- including those in the Roman Catholic church who are true believers -- should be able to come together and to worship together.
But, to have Christians worship with Buddhist, Muslims, etc. -- is not Biblical and will do harm to the body of Christ.
Next, you say, "Just because a person professes belief in Jesus doesn’t make him/her a Christian. Only God can read the heart, but we can know much by a persons words/actions if their heart is pure or not."
How many times have you seen me write those same words? Yes, many folks wear a Christian hat on Sundays -- and carry the devil's pitchfork the rest of the week.
And, like you, I have written that no one can know for sure if a person is a believer -- except that person and God. However, the fruit of that person's life is a good indicator of his/her spiritual status.
Finally, you tell me, "I don't know why I even try discussing this with you. It's foolish on my part because your mind is closed to anything beyond what you believe, which is very sad."
Personally, I am happy you are trying to discuss these issue with me. Where there is discussion -- there is always hope.
However, if you get upset because I will not agree with your agnostic, often almost atheistic, rhetoric -- then, so be it. Yet, even then, it is very likely that our dialogues will be helpful to some who are seeking to believe. So, let's keep our dialogues going.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
veep.