What are the basics of Christianity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

some Christians would disagree with that, saying the teachings of Jesus are enough to support Christianity, without the need to tack on miracle stories borrowed from earlier religions.

[Anonymous]

takoma wrote:Those of you who say it is necessary to accept as literal truth the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc, can you tell me what you call someone who does not believe those things, but accepts and follows the teachings of Christ?

Thomas Jefferson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

some Christians would disagree with that, saying the teachings of Jesus are enough to support Christianity, without the need to tack on miracle stories borrowed from earlier religions.

Umm... no? Because those people are not technically Christians? The "miracle stories" take up as much of the Bible as Jesus' teachings. Probably even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Some of Jesus' teaching were excellent. Why is it so important to believe he also rose from the dead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Some of Jesus' teaching were excellent. Why is it so important to believe he also rose from the dead?

Because that is what Christianity is. You don't have to be Christian, if you don't want. You can just appreciate Jesus' teachings, if that's your thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Some of Jesus' teaching were excellent. Why is it so important to believe he also rose from the dead?

Because that is what Christianity is. You don't have to be Christian, if you don't want. You can just appreciate Jesus' teachings, if that's your thing.

So you wouldn't approve of a person calling themselves Christian if they lived by Jesus' teachings but did not believe that he rose from the dead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:Those of you who say it is necessary to accept as literal truth the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc, can you tell me what you call someone who does not believe those things, but accepts and follows the teachings of Christ?

The teaching of Christ is that nobody gets to the father except through him. Do you accept it? And why?

Different poster. I accept that, but from a more metaphysical viewpoint . No one can reach that perfect good unless they become Christ-Like. Jesus Christ was our perfect example of unconditional love, compassion, kindness and ultimately, sacrifice. God in human form. How many of us would die for someone who didn't even like us? Someone who was undeserving? How many could forgive the way Jesus did?

I believe in Jesus as the Christ. I believe he came to earth to show us the way to perfect love. That makes me a Christian. However, I believe there are many, many paths to that same end. To God - the loving source of all that is good.

Nope. Nice try . Just admit you don't believe Christs teaching that he is the only begotten son of God who is the truth , the way and the life and that no man gets to the father except THROUGH him.

Don't be afraid to call him a loonatic if you do not accept that. He respects you more than the"Luke warm" spinners and word twisters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Some of Jesus' teaching were excellent. Why is it so important to believe he also rose from the dead?

Because that is what Christianity is. You don't have to be Christian, if you don't want. You can just appreciate Jesus' teachings, if that's your thing.

So you wouldn't approve of a person calling themselves Christian if they lived by Jesus' teachings but did not believe that he rose from the dead?

What do you mean by "approve?" I don't agree that they are Christian. People can do whatever they want and call themselves whatever they want. The Bible clearly indicates all kinds of supernatural things happened- that Jesus performed miracles, that he rose from the dead, etc. If you don't believe those things happened, why would you believe that the statements attributed to Jesus came from him? Maybe you just believe in Judeo-Christian ethics. There's nothing wrong with that. We live in a society where thankfully people are free to believe whatever they want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:Those of you who say it is necessary to accept as literal truth the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc, can you tell me what you call someone who does not believe those things, but accepts and follows the teachings of Christ?

The teaching of Christ is that nobody gets to the father except through him. Do you accept it? And why?

Different poster. I accept that, but from a more metaphysical viewpoint . No one can reach that perfect good unless they become Christ-Like. Jesus Christ was our perfect example of unconditional love, compassion, kindness and ultimately, sacrifice. God in human form. How many of us would die for someone who didn't even like us? Someone who was undeserving? How many could forgive the way Jesus did?

I believe in Jesus as the Christ. I believe he came to earth to show us the way to perfect love. That makes me a Christian. However, I believe there are many, many paths to that same end. To God - the loving source of all that is good.

Nope. Nice try . Just admit you don't believe Christs teaching that he is the only begotten son of God who is the truth , the way and the life and that no man gets to the father except THROUGH him.

Don't be afraid to call him a loonatic if you do not accept that. He respects you more than the"Luke warm" spinners and word twisters.

I say this as gently as possible - Your words do not sound very Christ-like. I am a Christian because I am a follower of Christ. My spirituality does not require that I dismiss the beliefs of the others simply because they believe differently than I.

I can honor the Christ in all people.

[Anonymous]

I used to feel guilty for not having enough "Faith" to believe what I can not know. I tried to get back to church and have faith. But the people running our Catholic Church are small minded hypocrites who only see the world from their view point and contribute to covering things up. I spent 10 years of my life trying to have more faith. Instead, I am leaving the church feeling like I have had part of my mind and life stolen from me. I am not going to feel guilty because I will not blindly accept religion. I always hope there is more and am saddened by all the evil in the world but I know that nobody on this planet "knows" anything for sure.

[Anonymous]

Christ came to separate not unite. The power is in the cross and the blood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:Those of you who say it is necessary to accept as literal truth the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc, can you tell me what you call someone who does not believe those things, but accepts and follows the teachings of Christ?

The teaching of Christ is that nobody gets to the father except through him. Do you accept it? And why?

Different poster. I accept that, but from a more metaphysical viewpoint . No one can reach that perfect good unless they become Christ-Like. Jesus Christ was our perfect example of unconditional love, compassion, kindness and ultimately, sacrifice. God in human form. How many of us would die for someone who didn't even like us? Someone who was undeserving? How many could forgive the way Jesus did?

I believe in Jesus as the Christ. I believe he came to earth to show us the way to perfect love. That makes me a Christian. However, I believe there are many, many paths to that same end. To God - the loving source of all that is good.

Nope. Nice try . Just admit you don't believe Christs teaching that he is the only begotten son of God who is the truth , the way and the life and that no man gets to the father except THROUGH him.



Don't be afraid to call him a loonatic if you do not accept that. He respects you more than the"Luke warm" spinners and word twisters.

How do you know that Christ respects someone who calls him a lunatic more than he respects spinners and word twisters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christ came to separate not unite. The power is in the cross and the blood.

but his message was love, right?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP, the over arching message is love. Everything else people bicker over.

I would allow people to self identify if they are Christian. I think you will find many different "versions' of all the religions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:Those of you who say it is necessary to accept as literal truth the divinity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc, can you tell me what you call someone who does not believe those things, but accepts and follows the teachings of Christ?

The teaching of Christ is that nobody gets to the father except through him. Do you accept it? And why?

Different poster. I accept that, but from a more metaphysical viewpoint . No one can reach that perfect good unless they become Christ-Like. Jesus Christ was our perfect example of unconditional love, compassion, kindness and ultimately, sacrifice. God in human form. How many of us would die for someone who didn't even like us? Someone who was undeserving? How many could forgive the way Jesus did?

I believe in Jesus as the Christ. I believe he came to earth to show us the way to perfect love. That makes me a Christian. However, I believe there are many, many paths to that same end. To God - the loving source of all that is good.

Nope. Nice try . Just admit you don't believe Christs teaching that he is the only begotten son of God who is the truth , the way and the life and that no man gets to the father except THROUGH him.

Don't be afraid to call him a loonatic if you do not accept that. He respects you more than the"Luke warm" spinners and word twisters.

I say this as gently as possible - Your words do not sound very Christ-like. I am a Christian because I am a follower of Christ. My spirituality does not require that I dismiss the beliefs of the others simply because they believe differently than I.

I can honor the Christ in all people.

Why would you follow a man who claims to be God, claims there is no way to heaven except through him and claimed to have been sent to die for the sins of the world and rise from the dead them ascend into heaven?

Wouldn't Buddhism make more sense for you?