Last night I read an excerpt from Donald Miller in his book Blue Like Jazz where he makes an interesting point (to me, at least):
Quote:
In a recent radio interview I was sternly asked by the host, who did not consider himself a Christian, to defend Christianity. I told him that I couldn't do it, and moreover, that I didn't want to defend the term. He asked me if I was a Christian, and I told him yes. "Then why don't you want to defend Christianity?" he asked, confused. I told him I no longer knew what the term meant. Of the hundreds of thousands of people listening to his show that may have been yelled at by a teacher in a Christian school, abused by a minister, or browbeaten by a Christian parent. To them, the term Christianity meant something that no Christian I know would defend. By fortifying the term, I am only making them more and more angry. I won't do it.
So rather than a textbook definition, how would you define it based on your exposure to it?
__________________
~ Dan
Real Christianity should be identified by its production of spiritual fruit*, not religious nuts.
*love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
I've heard some bad stuff about Donald Miller... I heard that Blue Like Jazz is completely against the Bible's teachings. I've never read it... but then again, I haven't read today's paper either...
I'm a christian, but I hope you don't mind me answering anyway. "Christian" is the derogatory term that was slapped on First Century Believers. It's got the same meaning as the more modern term "Jesus-Freak." Christianity is the religion of Christians. Unfortunately, many false religions have called themselves "Christian" making the term mean exactly what R70 said.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byakugan
The only reason I bother is to flex my mental muscles. I don't need to argue with you to know that I'm right - I do it for the laughs. The sick, maniacal laughs that one expects to erupt from the throat of a madman. Yes... those are the laughs I'm after.
Christianity is a large sect of Judaism that worships and deifies Jesus of Nazareth (calling him Jesus "Christ") as well as accepting several new books into their holy book which comprises the New Testament.
I've heard some bad stuff about Donald Miller... I heard that Blue Like Jazz is completely against the Bible's teachings. I've never read it... but then again, I haven't read today's paper either...
I haven't read much Miller material and read only a small portion of Blue Like Jazz. He is politically a liberal (which I have no problem with) but is a little liberal in his theology, from what little I have read of him. I do know that he is railed upon because of his 'salvation by works' teaching, but I have not found that to be the case. He does emphasize abandonment from self, taking up the cross of Christ and following Him. He intertwines it with salvation which is how I see the issue of repentence anyway. Basically, he is opposed to the "1-2-3, pray after me" marketing techniques found in evangelism today.
I don't know much more about him than that.
__________________
~ Dan
Real Christianity should be identified by its production of spiritual fruit*, not religious nuts.
*love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
I haven't read much Miller material and read only a small portion of Blue Like Jazz. He is politically a liberal (which I have no problem with) but is a little liberal in his theology, from what little I have read of him. I do know that he is railed upon because of his 'salvation by works' teaching, but I have not found that to be the case. He does emphasize abandonment from self, taking up the cross of Christ and following Him. He intertwines it with salvation which is how I see the issue of repentence anyway. Basically, he is opposed to the "1-2-3, pray after me" marketing techniques found in evangelism today.
I don't know much more about him than that.
That seems to be a fair assessment of Miller. I have read Blue Like Jazz, and I liked it very much.
__________________
Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted
Can't help but wonder what's happenin' to my companions,
Are they lost or are they found,
have they counted the cost it'll take to bring down
All their earthly principles they're gonna have to abandon?
There's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.
I've heard some bad stuff about Donald Miller... I heard that Blue Like Jazz is completely against the Bible's teachings. I've never read it... but then again, I haven't read today's paper either...
I think if you read the book for yourself, you'll find that to be untrue. Miller is definitely politically liberal, and theologically somewhat liberal, but I see nothing in it to indicate that he's not orthodox.
Quote:
I'm a christian, but I hope you don't mind me answering anyway. "Christian" is the derogatory term that was slapped on First Century Believers. It's got the same meaning as the more modern term "Jesus-Freak." Christianity is the religion of Christians. Unfortunately, many false religions have called themselves "Christian" making the term mean exactly what R70 said.
Uh huh. My pastor prefers the term "Christ-follower". It means the same thing, but doesn't carry so much baggage and is a better conversation starter.
__________________
Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted
Can't help but wonder what's happenin' to my companions,
Are they lost or are they found,
have they counted the cost it'll take to bring down
All their earthly principles they're gonna have to abandon?
There's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.
Last night I read an excerpt from Donald Miller in his book Blue Like Jazz where he makes an interesting point (to me, at least):
So rather than a textbook definition, how would you define it based on your exposure to it?
When I think of Christianity I think of the teachings and beliefs of the Christians.
When I think of Christians I think of those who believe in the Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, the Redeemer and his requirement to abandon all and follow him.
Therefore I think of the millions and millions who are christians by name and of the few who are Christians by deed.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Anyone who agrees with that is a Christian. It has nothing to do with morality or moral teaching.
__________________ The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. It is not a creed. Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Anyone who agrees with that is a Christian. It has nothing to do with morality or moral teaching.
Duncan, how are you doing? This is Jim, formally Covenant Brother. JustaServant on the Catholic Answers Forum.
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