Understanding Christianity

[Artorius Maximus]

What is Christianity?

"Christianity is just another one of many religions. They all teach people to live a good life."

"Christianity simply gives people a high standard of morals to try to follow."

"Christianity means going to church occasionally and being good to your neighbors."

Are any of these ideas about Christianity true? No! Though held by many people, each of these thoughts are wrong. Christianity is not just one among many religions. Nor does it simply call for a person to be good and attend church.

Christianity stands unique among all the world’s religious systems because it’s founder, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God. He came to Earth to reveal God to us in human form. This is true of no other religion. Jesus Christ is not simply another human being. He is God!

Therefore salvation (release) from the guilt of sin is possible only through Him. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). "Salvation is found in no one else" (Acts 4:12).

A Christian is not someone who simply attends church, tries to be good on his own, or attempts to build up merit before God. Rituals and good deeds will not make you a Christian; you need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And this is possible only when you admit that you are a sinner and you turn to Him for forgiveness of your sins. That is why Jesus died on the cross; to bear your sins so that you can receive Him as your Savior. When you do, He will forgive you and give you eternal life. Then as a child of God, you can have fellowship with Jesus Christ in prayer, and you can depend upon Him for help each day. This is what Christianity is all about; salvation from sin and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Will you trust Jesus Christ now as your personal savior? If you will do so, you will receive God’s free gift of eternal life and forgiveness of your sins. Turn to Him now in faith, realizing you can do nothing to save yourself. To become a Christian, pray a prayer something like this:

God, I confess that I am a sinner, and I realize I can’t save myself. So I ask Jesus to save me from my sin by forgiving me and giving me the wonderful gift of eternal life. I trust Him now as my Savior. Amen.


"What is Christianity" is actually from Dr. Roy B. Zuck, and the original tract can be found here: http://www.atstracts.org/readarticle.php?id=46


P.S. Please forgive me if I put this in the wrong subforum.

[seireikhaan]

Hmm, now this would've garnered some very, uh, 'interesting' responses if it had been posted in the backroom.

Edit: I'm gonna take a swipe at this and guess you're a Lutheran, perhaps?

[Decker]

Mr.Lucius Julius... I feel like I just re-read my high school's mission statement and also what they had told me, and the rest of the student body. They way it reminds me, is that they really pushed the Christ, in Christian and Christianity into you and your opst seemed eerily familiar. To me, it was nice to learn more about Christ, his dad (or God), and all that other fun stuff, but then I am, and many others, are told that the other roads lead to hell (seriously, they told us up front quite a few times). To me this(and only to me as I cannot speak for others on any large level), sounds like blah blah blah, saved or to hell, blah blah. And this is how I understand it.

I'm "Christian" but born Lutheran. It's under the umbrella of Christianity, but I find that the ones that actually call themselves "Christians" seem to have this sense of, "I'm better than you" type attitud, no offense to you or any other Christians on this forum. But, after going to a Christian school for 7-years, this seemed to have been an underlying theme and it really bugged, me and in some ways, has many people dislike it or turn away.

That's just how I perceive it all.

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

I don't want to say too much as I don't wish to:

a) come under too much censure from others

and more importantly

b) diminish other peoples beliefs in any way shape or form.

I'll start by saying that I have been raised (loosely) a Catholic. My parents instilled in me christian values, respect others, try to help others, don't be selfish etc. I also attended a Catholic school for the final 2 and a half years of high school.

I am an Atheist, I make no secret of it, I've read extensively about religion, spirituality and know more biblical quotes and religious phrases than the average christian, I've come to my own conclusions and don't wish to force others to it, they can decide for themselves.

Strangely enough, while the (compulsory) Religious studies course was mundane and boring, the teachers never pushed the whole, If you don't do as we say you're going down the wrong path, message, although they did express disapproval at some of our activities. Also my religion teacher, (actually the head of Sport and a devout Catholic) encouraged a lot of debate, and in the end, just before I graduated said that I pretty much was a christian due to my values and bearing and attitude and that he hoped that eventually I'd return to the fold.

However the emphasis was on God, and a personal relationship with all three aspects of God. God himself, His son, Jesus Christ, and the holy spirit, not merely through Jesus. Of course its all down to personal belief.

Unfortunately for you Lucius Julius, there are so many different books in the Bible, all written by different people with slightly varying ideas, that you can find passages to support just about every different sect of Christianity in existance. And they're all right in what they say.

I have to cut short here, as I'm needed elsewhere, but I'd just like to reiterate that I don't intend to offend anyone. This message is entirely my opinion.

Curio

EDIT: I'm also not sure if a thread to do with religion should be located in the frontroom (its a fairly inflammatory topic and might be better in the backroom, even though I can't post there... sigh)

[Pannonian]

Gordon Bennett LJ, does God give you a bonus for every person you sign up or something? Post this in the Backroom instead, and I'm sure Navaros will have some interesting conversations with you.

[Big_John]

but I find that the ones that actually call themselves "Christians" seem to have this sense of, "I'm better than you" type attitud

shoot, that pretty much describes most of the people i went to school with, regardless of affiliations.. teenagers suck.

[Zim]

If you don't mind my asking, what country do you live in? I'm in the U.S. and my experience has generally been that people who refer to themselves specifically by denomination rather than as just Christians are more likely to have that attitude.

I'm "Christian" but born Lutheran. It's under the umbrella of Christianity, but I find that the ones that actually call themselves "Christians" seem to have this sense of, "I'm better than you" type attitud, no offense to you or any other Christians on this forum. But, after going to a Christian school for 7-years, this seemed to have been an underlying theme and it really bugged, me and in some ways, has many people dislike it or turn away.

That's just how I perceive it all.

I've actually heard preachers use the "storing up treasure in heaven" line to convince people to prosyletize

Gordon Bennett LJ, does God give you a bonus for every person you sign up or something? Post this in the Backroom instead, and I'm sure Navaros will have some interesting conversations with you.

[CountArach]

To the Backroom with thee!

PS - Televangelism is one thing, but I have never heard of forumvangelism.

[Beirut]

To the Backroom and awayyyyyyyyyy!

[Ronin]

if that´s what you believe that´s fine and dandy.

for yourself...that is....

as long as you don´t come knocking on my door or telling me what I can´t do/watch/say/write, what laws I have to follow or how my kids should be taught we should get along splendidly..

Have a good one!

[Puzz3D]

Jesus Christ never claimed to be God. The biblical passages where he is supposedly quoted as saying that are interpolations. He also never intended to establish a new religion. He intended to fulfill the prophesies of the reuniting of the twelve tribes of Israel and their elevation to world domination (referred to as the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven) by the intervention of God.

[naut]

To the Backroom and awayyyyyyyyyy!

I was expecting something along the lines of: And He said there shall be Backroom!

I got to say that you expressed some ideas that are not often stressed to greatly by "Christians". I find that people who call themselves "Christian" often focus on punishment, good deeds, etcetera, and forget plenty of other stuff.

what laws I have to follow

Good point, also "Christians" focus and create false laws. Like don't drink alcohol (LOL! Jesus was a party animal!). Most of the "laws", are actually just guidelines to protect yourself.

Anyway before I bore y'all and myself I'll be quiet. And I can't really be bothered, since people are so endemically repulsed by religion, (due to ingrained falsehoods, created by centuries old corrupt "Church" system), no one really wants to hear about it anyway.

[Decker]

I've actually heard preachers use the "storing up treasure in heaven" line to convince people to prosyletize

Really... well I haven't gone to my church in like... I dunno 4 years after our best pastor left for a larger church in New York. Recently we had a new pastor who was actually our pastor with the guy I just mentioned, literally **** up! He put so much pressure on my mom who worked at an after school program that's renting space next to the church, that she quite. He even went as far as to tell a friend of my mom's, that, "if you are not with me you are not with God." He even said we had a ghost in the church and claimed to have "expelled" it. Then he tried to forcefully take over the school and found out that they didn't like him so he left and is now currently stirring **** up at another church

shoot, that pretty much describes most of the people i went to school with, regardless of affiliations.. teenagers suck.

Yea basically. I went to a Christian school and actually the faculty had that sense which was stronger than most students I knew, except for this one douchebag. Anyways, the most rediculous thing they told us was, on a chapel day (basically church in the middle of the week), the math teacher was up talking about how "baaaaaad" Halloween is. Now, I was nodding off and then he uttered the infomous line..."if you take part in Halloween you are going to HELLLL!!!! We me and some friends looked at each other and said, "whups too late, guess I'm going to hell.".

And to better understand Christianity...(yes this really happened), one must find how God, Jesus Christ, ect., is found in Math, your science project and other assorted things. Had to write a 2-page paper full of A+ bs material to answer that question.

[Vladimir]

I've actually heard preachers use the "storing up treasure in heaven" line to convince people to prosyletize

Once when I was very young, I misunderstood what they meant and prayed for gold from heaven.

[Rhyfelwyr]

If you don't mind my asking, what country do you live in? I'm in the U.S. and my experience has generally been that people who refer to themselves specifically by denomination rather than as just Christians are more likely to have that attitude.

Well coming from a more mainstream Protestant grouping, the Evangelicals I know call themselves 'Christians', not by their individual denomination, and do not recongise other denominations as Christian.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Well coming from a more mainstream Protestant grouping, the Evangelicals I know call themselves 'Christians', not by their individual denomination, and do not recongise other denominations as Christian.

Do they sing catchy songs about how everyone else is going to hell?

They do here, and they are catchy. Doesn't stop me having a profoundly negative opinion of their theology though.

[Kaidonni]

Ah, Lucius Julius...I recall you from Total War Centre. You won't recognise me, because I'm not signed in most of the time there (haven't been signed in for yonks - can't be bothered to dig up my old password). You've decided to make the Backroom here...more fun? 'tis never like TWC, I'll admit that (it always seems like a drunken brawl in the debate threads there...or a brawl...).

EDIT: Vladimir, this being Total Backroom, there's bound to be a few bugs. I find it particularly annoying when the AI - sorry, LJ - installs arguments you don't need and make no sense. Then it installs them on drives you don't want them on, and gives you no other options...

Then there's the Being Defeated By Logic and Stating Scripture elements of the LJ, unfortunately separate. One turn we will come up with a sound argument to debunk something in the Bible, thus ending a section of the debate - and next turn the LJ will attack us with the same scripture, stating it as the truth just because it is written down in a specific book. It should be fixed in Total Logicroom, the next game in the series, but that remains to be seen.

EDIT 2: Hey, LJ, how are those few chariot wheels at the bottom of the Red Sea doing? They proven any other part of the Bible yet?

EDIT 3: Failing all of this... All Hallowed are the Ori! :D

[Geoffrey S]

P.S. Please forgive me if I put this in the wrong subforum.

Kind of ironic, given the rest of the post.

[Goofball]

Christianity stands unique among all the world’s religious systems because it’s founder, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God. He came to Earth to reveal God to us in human form. This is true of no other religion. Jesus Christ is not simply another human being. He is God!

My religion's penis is bigger than your religion's penis?

[Kaidonni]

My religion's penis is bigger than your religion's penis?

Well said. I was thinking of telling Lucius Julius that there are other religions where a deitie's son has visited Earth - Mohammed, for example, in Islam. Of course, there are some very colourful stories in Hinduism...chopping the head off your own son, and having to replace it with an elephant's head? Man, they are thinking outside of the box. And...turning water into wine? Didn't Jesus understand that people need to be hydrated? Wine doesn't do a particularly good job of that, and in the day...

If someone turns water into wine for me, I'll throw it over them and tell them not to ruin my cup of tea next time.

[Geoffrey S]

Uh. Since when is Mohammed the son of God?

[Kaidonni]

He was one of Allah's sons, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, of course. Still, there are more colourful tales than Christianity...come on people, an elephant's head on a kid! How cool is that? ;)

[drone]

Mohammed was a prophet, not a child of Allah.

[Adrian II]

...come on people, an elephant's head on a kid! How cool is that? ;)

Mohammed was visited by the Archangel Gabriel though. Not bad for an upstart.

[Paradox]

come on people, an elephant's head on a kid! How cool is that? ;)

What the heck are you talking about?

One post I read that Jesus was the son of god and the other says that he IS god, which is it already?

[HoreTore]

If you will do so, you will receive God’s free gift of eternal life and forgiveness of your sins.[/B]

I have no need for eternal life, and I can perfectly well seek forgiveness for my sins from the ones I have treated badly - I have no need for anyone else, so no, sorry, no salvation today.

[Navaros]

Original post doesn't have any misinformation in it.

[TB666]

Jesus Christ, is the Son of God

He is God!

Misinformation right there.
Atleast keep the stories straight.
Being the son of god while being the god himself is just well sick.
Like something out of "Deliverance".
Unless Jesus is one god and "god" is another which makes christianity a polytheism. Of course with the trinity factor christianity is already one so I guess that just another deity to the tree.

He will forgive you and give you eternal life

Until you die of disease, old age or shot by some random drug addict etc
Reminds me of South Park.
"having sex with children had made him immortal so he lived for an eternity until he got hit by a train"

Then as a child of God

So that's why you don't get eternal life. Jesus gets jealous.
Common problem among first born

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son

Is the one and only son us or Jesus ??
Make up your mind.

Because He offers us the gift of eternal life freely

Now that is just plain wrong.
If he offered it freely you wouldn't have to worship him or submit yourself to him or even depend on him.
That's like giving away free samples of food as long as you pay for it.

the wonderful gift of eternal life

Sorry but there is nothing wonderful about an eternal life.
It's a curse, not a gift.

[Adrian II]

If he offered eternal life freely you wouldn't have to worship him or submit yourself to him or even depend on him. That's like giving away free samples of food as long as you pay for it.

[Navaros]

Misinformation right there.
Atleast keep the stories straight.
Being the son of god while being the god himself is just well sick.
Like something out of "Deliverance".
Unless Jesus is one god and "god" is another which makes christianity a polytheism. Of course with the trinity factor christianity is already one so I guess that just another deity to the tree.

Until you die of disease, old age or shot by some random drug addict etc
Reminds me of South Park.
"having sex with children had made him immortal so he lived for an eternity until he got hit by a train"

So that's why you don't get eternal life. Jesus gets jealous.
Common problem among first born

Is the one and only son us or Jesus ??
Make up your mind.

Now that is just plain wrong.
If he offered it freely you wouldn't have to worship him or submit yourself to him or even depend on him.
That's like giving away free samples of food as long as you pay for it.

Sorry but there is nothing wonderful about an eternal life.
It's a curse, not a gift.

According to the Bible, God encompasses three distinct personalities that make up the Godhead. All 3 parts are just as much God as each other - each of the 3 personalities is 100% God all by itself, and none of the 3 personalities are any "more God" than the other. And they are also 100% God when combined together, too. Those three personalities are: God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. That is the best way to explain it in a way that humans can be able to somewhat comprehend it. But yes, it doesn't make much sense because humans have a limited, human understanding. God is one, and three, at the same time. Jesus Christ is both God, and the Son of God, at the same time.

However, this concept being confusing and hard for a human to understand, doesn't mean the OP had misinformation in it. The OP's information is completely in line with what the Bible claims.

This is why in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, has God saying things like "Let us make man in our image". The "us" and "our" is the 3 parts of the Godhead.

In regards to your problems with the statement "He will forgive you and give you eternal life ". Eternal life refers to continuing to exist after one no longer exists in his her her human body. It was never meant to refer to living eternally in a human body. That is simply a personal misinterpretation of what the OP is saying, not misinformation.

I thought you thought that Jesus was a bleeding heart good for nothing liberal? What's happened to your religious rigour man? I used to admire the way you stood up against these newfangled wishy washy cults, and how you preached hell and brimstone old testament. What's happened to the old Navaros? Has he mellowed?

I still have real trouble trying to reconcile the Old Testament with the New Testament, and still do agree with the Old Testament much moreso. But I still believe in Jesus' divinity even though I don't agree with all his teachings. And I woulda understood the content of the OP as not being misinformation even if I didn't happen to agree with the information in it. The OP did not misrepresent the information represented in the Bible, so it's not misinformation. One could argue that he or she disagrees with the information in the OP, but the word "misinformation" implies the OP was deliberately posting information that is contrary to the information in the Bible, which is not the case.